November Theme Party Ideas for Direct Sales
We’re heading into November, so that means we need to stock up on all things fall!
There’s a few aspects you need to think about in your business.
Social media platforms
- YouTube
- Facebook Group
- Facebook Business Page
- Personal FB Timeline
- Snap Chat
All your social media platforms should be bubbling over with the holidays and season.
So let’s talk about themes, post ideas, hashtags and key words…
Themes:
- Thanksgiving
- Turkey
- Giving Back
- Fall
- Leaves
- Trees turning colors
- Veterans Day
- Pay it Forward
- Community Service
- Football
- Family
- Harvest
- Pumpkins
- Black Friday
- Blessed
- Thankful
- Craft Fairs
- Marching Bands
- Crock Pots
- Apple Cider
- Picking Apples
- Bobbing for Apples
- Pumpkin Spice
- Coffee
- Fires
- Sweaters
- Scarves
- Soup
- Flannels
- Flannel Sheets
- Hot Chocolate
You should be joining the conversation and engaging your customer with some great content.
Join the Directly Social Elite Club and get:
- November themed graphics to use on all your social media platforms
- An entire month of social media posts
- and an entire November Facebook Script
Post and content ideas for November:
- 10 Ways to Give Back in November
- Wacky Holidays in November
- Daylight Saving Time Reminders & Preparation
- Fall Craft Ideas
- Gratitude Journal/Post Ideas
- Fall Checklist for your Home or Car Maintenance
- Winter Bucket List
- Black Friday Ideas
- Amazing Recipes for Thanksgiving
- Crock Pot recipes
Hashtags to use for November:
#thankful #family #turkey #happythanksgiving #holiday #blackfriday #love #fall #grateful #turkeyday #food #holidays #givethanks #gratitude #instagood #feedfeed #christmas #foodie #friends #instafood #blessed #thanksgivingdinner #autumn #pie #pumpkin #thanksgiving #gobblegobble
Words to include in your November posts:
- blessed
- thankful
- giving
- gobble up
- holiday
Melissa Fietsam @DirectlySocial
Gobble on my friends…
Google + is Shutting the Doors
Google + is shutting the doors.
Some of us have been using Google + as a sharing platform. But Google announced it will be closing the door for good by next August. Allegations of allowing third party apps to gather information on it’s users AND their friends…have stirred some pretty interesting stats.
Over 500,000 accounts were affected. But remember, those 438 apps had access to those 500K AND their friends info. Crazy, right? Pretty bad when you can make Facebook look good.
What’s really cool about the whole thing, is that Google admitted it knew about all of it in March of 2018. But it chose not to disclose it because of the fall out Facebook was going through. They didn’t want to be in the same boat. And, there they are. Sinking their boat 7 months later.
I encourage you to read the full article and several surrounding it. It’s your job to know what’s going on with sites that run the world essentially, misusing our trust and leaving us vulnerable to identity attacks, political gain, and so much more.
Related Articles:
What does it affect?
Not much in our terms of Direct Sales.
Here’s a graphic that shows some of the things affected and not affected when your Google+ account is shut down. And here’s a link to downgrade your account if you’d like.
Melissa Fietsam @DirectlySocial
Don’t forget to join our Facebook community: CLICK HERE
Instagram Scheduler and Hashtag Generator Called Later
This is the best Instagram scheduler I’ve found.
I’ve been testing a site called Later for a couple months now. Apparently I’ve had an account for a couple years but never dove in. I have fallen in love with so many features on this site, that I paid an annual plan. I get ZERO kickbacks from this company, I just want to give you an honest review of a tool I love.
Here’s the features I love:
Auto Posting:
I need something reliable and easy to use. And I need something that posts for me. I schedule and BAM! It posts for me. Auto posting at it’s finest.
It’s Free:
Yeah. Need I say more? It’s free to post 1 post per day to Instagram (or any social media platform you choose).
Don’t forget to join our free Facebook community for more tips and tricks, CLICK HERE!
Hashtag Generator:
The hashtag generator is what sold me 200%. I bought in to the annual fee of $190 per year because I wanted the daggone hashtag generator. Was it worth it? Every last penny. I spend a lot of time creating my Instagram posts. And it won’t do me a bit of good without some great hashtags. Time=money. And the amount of time it took me to research my 30 hashtags was INSANE. So this feature alone…is my favorite by far. But it’s on the paid spectrum. And again, worth every penny.
Analytics:
I love seeing the analytics. I love how it’s broken down. I can view all my posts, see which ones are working, which isn’t. I can quickly see the style, the thought behind the post, the feel of it. And then see what’s working. You can see these for free on Instagram, but not anywhere near to the extent you can on Later’s analytics.
Emojis:
I love the emoji search bar and being able to have that right there when I’m doing my Instagram post. It just makes me smile.
Hashtag Counter:
Again, I have nightmares of counting hashtags LOL! When I get in Instagram mode, I start scheduling and don’t stop. Having that hashtag counter is a time and sanity saver.
I made a video to show you exactly how to post and show you all the features I love above. You can also watch that here on YouTube:
Melissa Fietsam @DirectlySocial
Don’t forget to join our Facebook community for more tips and tricks!
How to do a Turkey Trot
Turkey Trots are one of the coolest things EVER during November, and you need to get a jump on the details NOW!
So if you’ve been around direct sales for awhile, chances are you know all about the Turkey Trot! The idea is that you get 6 people to collect $100 in orders. Then you submit as one big party and divide up the hostess benefits, right? Most of us are experts at this. But if you’re new, it can be very confusing. So to help out our newer consultants, and make sure they can be just as successful as the pros…I made this quick training video in order to show our newer consultants just how to run a Turkey Trot!
But I BET…I can show some old dogs some new tricks too…so don’t think you got this down old dogs!
Throughout the year, they will be named all different kinds of things according to the season or holiday, but the concept will always be the same!
- Snowman shuffle
- Reindeer romp
- Cupid shuffle
- Boo bags
- Summer 6 pack
- Firecracker frenzy
- The name may be different, but the concept is exactly the same!
Watch this QUICK VIDEO to explain how to do one:
And why on Earth would you want to do this?
Let me tell you a little turkey story…
Once there was this customer. She was too scared to commit to collecting an entire party by herself. She wasn’t confident her friends would support her. So she came across this crazy nut job of a consultant, who was offering prizes for collecting HALF of a party. So she decided to give it a try. Because even though her consultant is nuts, she’s kinda fun and it couldn’t be that bad to collect $100 in orders, right?
And BAM!
Just like that…you got her to book a party. You helped her overcome a fear of direct sales that she didn’t even know she had. And now you have a lifelong hostess and happy customer. Along with lots of new gobble gobble friends of hers that want to try next time 🙂
The End.
Melissa Fietsam
Don’t for get to join us on Directly Social: CLICK HERE!
Business App that will Blow your Mind
And here’s the thing, you’ve probably already been using it!
I have been using Bitly for a LONG time. Many of you have.
But I’m going to blow your mind when I show you how much easier I can make your life right now. Like…right now… like…today.
Here’s a quick video to show you how to change your life in 20 minutes.
Imagine all the things you can pass on easily to your customers. You’re at the grocery store and someone needs the link to catalog.
BAM! You open your app and there’s the link.
Here’s some other things for your customers you can create links to:
- Digital Catalog
- Customer Specials
- Hostess Specials
- Printable order forms, in case they run out
- Link to image of hostess rewards items
- Link to current months hostess party links
- Link to join your team
- Link to specific categories of products on your website
- If you sell makeup: eyes, cheeks, foundation, skin care
- If you sell bags: home organization, toes, thermals, crossbody, travel, accessories
- If you sell candles: cleaning products, seasonal smells, mini plug ins, buddy’s, florals, food (send me the link please….lol)
- If you sell jewelry: silver, gold, bracelets, rings, necklaces, lockets
Get it? SO EASY to make contact QUICK and SEAMLESS. This organization helps you and your customers. They will think you’re the bomb diggity when you have the perfect link in .5 seconds. You will always have an answer at your finger tips.
Social media links:
- Facebook Business Page
- YouTube
- Customer Group
- Facebook Timeline
- This is the one I have memorized. When someone wants to book a party, I say, “do you mind sending me a friend request here (insert link to my profile)”…instead of, “hey! can you find my really-hard-to-spell-name on Facebook. Or maybe my Jennifer-Smith-yes-there’s-5,000-to-choose-from…
So there you have it! An easy way to use Bitly to organize your business, your life, anything you use or need on a constant basis.
Fair warning…it’s addictive. You’ll be adding links like a mad woman once you get the hang of it.
The simple truth is that you use the SAME links over and over again. But now, you’ll be adding them to your Bitly app and site.
Melissa Fietsam @DirectlySocial
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Hostess Coaching Training for Direct Sales
Hostess Coaching Training
The holidays are here and that means tons of parties on the books!
Let’s make sure your hostess coaching is up to speed.
If you’re not utilizing hostess coaching to it’s full potential, you’re missing out on bookings, sales, recruits…ALL OF IT!
In this training,
You’re going to learn the HOW, the WHY, and the WHEN of hostess coaching.
A 3 step process to give you some new ideas on your hostess coaching.
To purchase this training: CLICK HERE
To join the online training group and access your full power point training: CLICK HERE
Melissa Fietsam @DirectlySocial
5 Business Books you Need Today
Here’s 5 books you need today.
Not tomorrow, or the next day, or the next…like today. And I’ll be honest here. I listen to audio books. And when I love it, I have to order the paperback because I have this incessant need to highlight anything important in my life. If they made highlighter paints, my kids would glow, for reals.
These 5 books will kick your butt into gear and make things happen.
I’ve been on a kick this month. I get up at 5:15 every morning, no breaks here.
I walk 2.5 miles and listen to audio books the whole time. Why you ask? Because I was a little lost and burnt out. And books always breathe back the life in me.
Yes, Melissa gets burnt out too. I had one of the most successful years of my 10 year career in direct sales. And quite frankly, when it was over, I gave a sigh of relief and said…I’m taking a break.
Say what…yes. For a whole month and a half, I have done what needs to be done. And worked on myself, my family, and my home. And it’s been amazing. But…I’m ready to jump back in full force.
So here’s why you need these particular books:
Sometimes life doesn’t mesh with work. Sometimes work doesn’t mesh with life. Sometimes we try to make excuses to do anything BUT work. And sometimes we use work to escape from life. Yeah, she just said that.
Take the Stairs by Rory Vaden:
This is one of the first books that really catapulted me into action. A book about not taking the easy way out. About what hard work really means and why you need to do it. If you’re in business, this book is a must for the mere fact that you need to hear someone say…PUT IN THE WORK YOU TOOL!
You are a Badass:
I really can’t say enough about this book. I do not like cussing in any public forum. But…I may cuss a little in private. My best friend is from New York, I don’t think that’s a coincidence. Just sayin’. However, I have children. My children should not see it or hear it. So you’ll never catch it in my business or social media. In fact, muggles won’t hear me cuss at all. Unless we’re on vacation in some foreign country and my bestie has gotten me intoxicated in public. LOL
But…this book, although she cusses more than 10 sailors in a bar at 2:45 am…is a life changing experience. Literally changed my life. I went from fearing for my future, to planning my future in 24 hours hours. And not just planning and mapping, but ACTION. Like, I did it. I launched Directly Social BECAUSE of this book. You must read it if you can overlook the cussing, it’s worth every cuss word! And then some. You are worthy of more. You need this book.
The Energy Bus:
Oh gosh I love this book. Like, there aren’t many books where you need to read it more than once, but this one you will. This one teaches you how to kick people OFF YOUR BUS! I’m so in. Any book who actually tells you it’s okay to kick ignorant, small minded, negative thinking, negative rearing, people out of your life…is something I will GIFT to people I love. Because we don’t hear it enough. The energy you give, is the energy you will get in return. And the energy that you allow to take up space in your life and around you and your loved ones, will consume you. Whether that’s positive or negative energy, it’s your choice.
This book will change your thought process. Forever. It is a must read and an essential part of growing up. Like, I will PAY my children to read this. Just because they need to hear these words at some point in their life.
Girl Wash your Face:
I recently read this book and have to say that it’s not up ally. It’s girly and emotional and I loved it. It had this element I don’t get much of, and I really needed to plug that into all the kick a$% reading I was doing. I loved the “girl power” messages and the remembering to slow down and like pay attention to your kids and husband part we all sometimes forget, right? No one is immune, we’ve all had to real it back in at times.
So I definitely think this was an amazing read that really balanced all the other material I’ve been immersed in.
Finish: Give yourself the Gift of Done:
Dude. This book. This guy. He’s like my sarcasm spirit animal. He is a no nonsense, say it like is, crazy cool dude. Well, from what I can see. He could be a tool in person (hope not, sorry Jon…), but I’m super impressed on paper and Facebook. He seems like the real deal, and I don’t say that about many people.
He’s a Dad, he’s a husband, he’s working his butt off while trying to inspire others and build his own business. And the words in this book are SO GOOD. He talks about goals in a way you’ve never heard. He gives you permission to fail. But fail forward. I’m actually reading this book right now, almost done. And then I’m going to have to do a video because I am JACKED UP excited about it.
And I know you will be too. If you need a new perspective for your goals, this is it.
So there you have it. Get something done today. Invest in yourself. Get up a half hour early. Or commit to listening to the audios on your commute to work or lunch hour. You will be better for doing it. You will have a fresh new perspective and go get’m attitude. And we all need that from time to time.
Prospecting for New Business: Power of 3
Prospecting is about consistently generating new leads for your business, outside of your family and friends.
Who wants to start building business outside of your family and friends? New leads mean new business, new parties and new business partners.
So let’s start with the basics, what is a LEAD?
Lead = Contact info received (to be able to follow up with)
So, if you do not get contact information, you have not generated a lead, period.
You have no means of follow up and that potential lead is pretty must a lost cause.
So how can you start to generate real LEADS for your business?
I train to the “Power of 3” – set a goal to talk to 3 people a day about your company (product, party & opportunity) and generate a lead from them (contact info).
Once again, if you do not collect contact info, it is NOT a lead!
How the “Power of 3” Works:
1. On Sunday night, you would make up 15 marketing bags to hand out during the week (M-F).
2. These prospecting bags should include business info, mini catalog or mailer, a sample (if you offer samples) and some hard candy.
3. Tie the bag shut with raffia or curly ribbon. Don’t skip this step, women LOOOVE this!
4. Add a post it note on the front of each bag.
5. Take 3 bags with you each day, put them on your passenger seat and do not go home until you have handed out all 3 of them! You are going to have to actually get out of your car and talk to people! (Whaaaaat???)
6. The post it note will remind you to get their contact info.
Work the Numbers:
If you did this every day, for 5 days a week, you would generate 15 new leads a week, or 60 new leads a month. Statistics say that 3 in 10 will buy or book from you and 1 in 10 people will join your team! Is it worth you taking the time to do this every week? ABSOLUTELY! Imagine how great would that be for your business! And if you are a Leader, you can always encourage your Consultants to do the same.
My 90 Day Challenge to you!
Try this technique out for the next 90 days (basically Sept-Nov) and see what happens in your business! I guarantee it will be worth your time, but you must commit to making the prospecting bags up weekly and follow up with those you give them to within 2-3 days each time. We are only talking about 3 people a day, you can do it!
Don’t forget to follow our Facebook Community: CLICK HERE TO JOIN
Melissa Fietsam @DirectlySocial
Booking Idea: Host a RESTAURANT Party!
Have you ever done a RESTAURANT Party??
This is so much fun and so easy to do!
I recently went to one held by another direct sales company (at an Applebees Restaurant) and was SHOCKED at how well it was going for her!
I am a people-person, so I started conversations with the other guests there and they were talking about what a great idea this restaurant party was because there was no “sales pitch” and they could come and go as they pleased, and could eat dinner or get drinks if they wanted to! How awesome is that??
This consultant basically had 2 parties going on at the same time, with 2 different hostesses.
She didn’t even have it in a back room or anything, her party was at 4 tables near the back of the restaurant, but still in the dining room. One table in the middle had a simple product display. So what do the hostesses love about it? Well, you know me, I totally asked them! They said they loved being able to host it somewhere NOT at their home, where they didn’t have to clean or cook, or kick out the hubby and kids for the night! It more like a Girls Night Out where people stop by during a 2-3 hour time frame. This restaurant offered 1/2 price appetizers during a certain time period, so the hostesses each ordered a few for their individual tables. When the guests came in they sat down for a bit with their hostess, had some appetizers, maybe got themselves a drink, checked out the product display, grabbed a catalog, asked questions, placed product orders and left (or hung out)! Fast and simple! In fact, it turns out that most of them were actually on their way home from work, so they just stopped by on their way.
Top 5 reasons to host parties at a restaurant:
1. Free or cheap venue (especially if you hold it in the regular dining room)
2. Open house style, people come and go as they please!
3. Food — potential 1/2 price appetizers, drinks and hostess can buy or guests can buy themselves
4. Super easy for the hostess — no cooking, cleaning or kicking out family
5. Perfect “girls night” feel
This is a great out-of-the-box booking idea, something different.
What have you go to lose? Choose your favorite restaurant, I am thinking a local Mexican place margarita specials is gonna be my go-to place! Who wouldn’t want to come to that?? 😉 Why not start by just hosting your own party at the restaurant? In fact, maybe you book one every month during the first week of the month to share new products, specials, etc and invite your entire customer group and friend/acquaintance circle to your local Girls Night Out event.
Don’t forget to join DIRECTLY SOCIAL on Facebook for more tips and tricks!
Melissa Fietsam @DirectlySocial
Instagram Training 2: Niche Marketing and Hashtags
If you’ve taken the Instagram for Beginner’s training and you’re ready to kick it up a notch, here’s your next step!
In this training, you will get 3 targeted videos and 2 printables to help you plan how you’re going to conquer Instagram with all these new tools and insights!
You will learn:
- What Niche Marketing is
- How to use Niche Marketing to increase your views and reach
- You’ll get a print out of over 35 targeted marketing groups
- Learn WHAT to post and WHY
- Get a printable 9 grid to plan out your Instagram posts
- 3 video trainings
- 2 print outs
- Hashtag training, what are they and why you want to use them
- How to organize your hashtags
- How to find the most effective hashtags
- How to use hashtags in the reverse effect to gain new followers
- a list of post ideas to get you started within those niches
- and so much more
This training is $39 and you will have “forever access” to it, so you can go at your own speed. Make sure you have taken the Instagram for Beginner’s course first, as they all build on each other!
To purchase your Instagram Niche Marketing Training, you must complete BOTH steps below:
STEP 1:
STEP 2:
Request to join your training group here:
Melissa Fietsam @DirectlySocial