When I returned home I started to think of how we were blessed for the seeds we planted one year ago. The conference was more than just the orders that were placed. It was about the connections we made and the lives we touched.

One year ago, one of our business partners Sherri was praying that her and her husband would be able to take in a foster child. This was a baby with many medical challenges but they believed God was going to bless them with this child. Through their love they would help this new born baby and provide a loving home. We joined her in prayer and their prayers were answered and this weekend their little foster daughter was celebrating her first birthday with family and friends and a whole lot of love. Sherri didn’t attend the conference with us but we celebrated with her in spirit because one year ago we prayed together that this baby would come home with her.

One year ago, I met a women name Michelle at this conference. She was excited to be introduced to Blessings Unlimited. She signed up to be a consultant after the conference. She was battling cancer and she shared with me that she wanted to share the Blessings Unlimited to encourage other women in her situation. Michelle would contact me off and on.  I didn’t hear from Michelle for a while and I emailed and called but, wasn’t able to reach her. I was hoping for the best but in my mind I always wondered how she was doing. At the conference this weekend her sister came to the table and shared that Michelle had passed and had left her all of her Blessings Unlimited products. She shared how Michelle enjoyed Blessings Unlimited. One year ago this business touched her heart in the last months she was here with us on earth she had the encouraging products to enjoy.

One year ago, we met another woman Lori and she signed up also after the conference. Lori took care of her mother who was very sick. Lori was able to work her business in the mist of being her mother’s care taker. For the last six months we had not heard from Lori. Right before we left for the women’s conference we found out that Lori’s mother had passed away. While we were at the conference some of Lori’s friends came to our table and shared that Lori’s Mom was being laid to rest down south the same weekend of the conference. We prayed right there for Lori and we thanked God for her being a dedicated daughter. One year ago she brought Blessings Unlimited in her life during a very challenging year and she has a more people to pray for her during this tough time in her life. 

I started to think of all the women we met and all the lives we touch with this business. It’ s one of the things I love most about direct sales, we get to touch people’s lives. We get to bring joy, fellowship, fun, and encouragement into women’s lives daily. I can’t wait to see what seeds were planted this year at the conference and what flowers will bloom. From births to deaths we experienced it all! I’m grateful that we have the awesome opportunity...WHAT A JOURNEY! 

I can’t wait until April 2014 and I can write an updated post, One Year Ago…

Grateful;

Michelle

www.michellegillnewton.com

www.facebook.com/michellegillnewton

www.twitter.com/dsmotivation

This was a challenge for me because it was asking for help and excepting that I don’t have to be perfect and do it all by myself. Sometimes for me asking for the help is a bigger challenge then the actual task.

This Spring do you need to accomplish something new? Do you want to work on one of your goals that you haven’t gotten to yet? I challenge you  to ask for help or guidance to achieve your goal. I’m here to help if you need me.
michelle@michellegillnewton.com
Staying Inspired
Michelle

As a kid when I was finished with my coloring books or comic books I would day dream while looking out the car window. We experienced every season as we drove upstate, winter, summer, spring and fall. Each season gave me beautiful view. There is nothing like seeing the beauty of nature.

I think now of the life lesson that I learned from those drives. We got to our destination safely each time. It may have taken us a little extra time to get there but, we enjoyed our view and our time. As an adult I see that in your life’s journeys sometimes there is a quicker route to you reaching your goals but you may not enjoy that route as much. You may even have to risk more by traveling the quicker road. No matter what, you need to remember that it’s OK to take the scenic route. It’s a longer journey but you are enjoying the view.

I’m working on not comparing my success with others. I know that each of our journeys are different and I need to go at my own pace and not look at what someone else is doing. I have to find my own route that I enjoy and just DRIVE. You will find people will come and show you their way of reaching their goals quicker. Some even offer you opportunities that promise you riches but, it may cost you time away from your family or other things that are important to you.  I remind myself that I’ll always have the GPS (God’s Positioning System) to guide me on the right road to travel to get to my goals and dreams. My job is to not quit before I’ve reached my destination.

Staying Inspired

Michelle Gill Newton

www.michellegillnewton.com

I have a team member who is re-starting her business over again. She shared that she can’t go to her warm market (friends & family) to support her business.  We all at some point need to get some “new blood” in our business. Now is a great time to get yourself out there to meet new people.

Here are some action steps you can take right now to Break Out from your friends and family circle and boost your book of business and start creating new relationships:

 -          If you live in you live in a bigger area.  Go to your convention center website and look up events that may be a good blend to offer (your business) via table or booth.  Women’s expo, bridal shows, church events etc..

-          Spring – Fall festivals in your town.  Most town festivals have low table costs.

-          If you live near a military base…..Get in touch with someone who works the events there.   They typically will host two events a year around August & Feb……

-          Get involved with the school district as it’s very common for the DISTRICT to know about every school fundraising event not just the school your children attend.

-          Fundraiser events: If you meet someone in need, offer to help.  Here’s my tip.  BASKETS full of your product will walk away and you’ll rarely get anything in return.  However, if you give product via a gift certificate and/or free Customer loyalty program then at least you have that person in your system.  You know who she is and she knows who you are!!!

-          Eventlister.com for vendor events in your area

-          Chamber of commerce (most chambers have connections events)

-          Get involved in a local philanthropy

• The key here is LOCAL….Junior League, National Charity League, American Diabetes Association will have a local chapter, same with Cancer….the list is LONG

-          Start asking the people you meet if they know any SUCCESSFUL direct sales representatives for other non-compete companies.  They’ll have all the local scoop on great events.  Send them thank you notes with a small gift, catalog &  business cards for hooking you up with a great information.  Making these connections is CRUTIAL!

-          When you’re asked to go somewhere “no matter what it’s for”……GO!  You can’t start a business unless you know people.  Lunches, other DS parties, out to dinner, meet for coffee, play-dates, you name it!

-          Chances are you don’t know everyone if your neighborhood!  Have a neighborhood getting-to-know-you coffee at YOUR house.  Don’t sell anything…just meet people!  Create some fun invitations and invite everyone!!!! Coffee and a couple boxes of muffin mix.  The entire thing should cost you more time than money, honestly!

-          Create business packets.  catalog, chocolate, business card & personal note introducing your new business and thanking them for helping you get set up in your new home.  Examples: bank, insurance agent, fitness club etc…

 Go to places where women congregate and ask to set up tables or to do customer appreciation events.  Make sure you ask to speak to the owner or someone who can make decisions, there’s no sense in wasting your time with a receptionist only to find out you need to come back again some other time.

-          The gym  (if gym goers are worried about the outside, they should be equally worried about the inside)

-          Coffee shops

-          Curves

-          Yoga studios

-          Tennis clubs (if you have them in your area)

Be intentional on what results you want & Go Get ‘EM!

Michelle-

www.michellegillnewton.com

2013 Intentional Living

Yesterday I posted on my facebook page www.facebook.com/michellegillnewton that I was setting my SMART (Specific Measurable, Achievable, Relevant & Time-Bound) goals for 2013. A wonderful coach and founder of Party Plan Divas, Lynsey Jones disagreed with me about using SMART goals. She uses BOLD (Big, Outrageous, Legendary, Dreams) with her clients.  I love to learn other systems that people have found success with. One of my goals this January is help as many people as I can to plan a goal for the new year.  It doesn’t matter if  they have a business or just the average person who wants to get their life in order, the main thing for me is to help them to start this year in 2013 with a goal!

I know that you can tell the people who have a plan and who are working the plan. They are the ones who are in the top of the company recognition newsletters. They are the ones who earned the incentive trips. They are the ones who are going to leadership conferences. They are the ones who have bought the new home or the new car. They had a goal and they worked toward that goal.

There is power in writing things down. It helps you track where you are going, quarterly, monthly or weekly. Write down your plans! Stop winging it! Look at your business last year, did winging it get you what you wanted in 2012? Start today with writing down a plan. It could be a goal of have 2 shows in January or re-launching your business in 2013. Whatever your goal is SMART or BOLD just make a plan!

To your success in 2013

Michelle

www.michellegillnewton.com

www.facebook.com/michellegillnewton

 www.twitter.com/dsmotivation

We are headed to the end of the year and if you are like me you may have a few goals for 2012 that you have not completed yet. I find that I have committed to complete a few goals this year that are still on my To Do or Vision or Goal board. You should take the time before we welcome 2013 in to look and reflect what you’ve accomplished and what you still need to concur.

One of my goals is to have my book Direct Sellers Secrets to Staying Inspired- Your SSI redone in a kindle format. I let excuses get in my way. I also let other things distract me from this goal. Recently,  I was speaking with a friend and she was sharing how she had just converted her first book in a kindle format. I went home and gave myself a kick in the pants. I had no excuse for not completing this goals. There are so many resources out there to help me so even though I didn’t know how to do it, all I had to do was let google be my guide.

I am happy to say that was the kick in the pants I needed. One of my year end goals is now complete.  The NEW kindle version of my book Direct Sellers Secrets to Staying Inspired- Your SSI is now available. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ANUMCEY/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_alp_PyjZqb0D82ZHR

It’s a good feeling to know that I can check it off my list. The sense of accomplishment feels great. It gives me the motivation to take on some of the other projects that I have not completed. If  I don’t finish some of my goals the great thing is that I give myself permission to add them to my 2013 goals. I won’t judge or beat myself up for not completing them in 2012.

I’m super excited on what 2013 will bring and I hope you will join me in completing some of those last minute task & projects. I look forward to celebrating your success with you.

Staying Inspired

Michelle Gill Newton

www.michellegillnewton.com

www.facebook.com/michellegillnewton

www.twitter.com/dsmotivation

I tried to explain to her that Macy’s spends a lot on customer appreciation. Even though she has money with the electronics chain if they don’t have a customer care program then customers like her will shop somewhere else.

Customer care should be what we focus on as a small business owner. We have to master giving our customers an excellent experience. We don’t have a large budget like Macy’s but it should be a priority in your business. There are a few simple steps to create a customer care program in your business.

THANK YOU- 2 POWERFUL WORDS

Are you sending a Thank you note to every customer? I make sure I send an email and a (snail) mail thank you card to people www.sendoutcards.com/mgnewton I meet at events and people who become customers. THANK YOU are two very powerful words when you put them together. I also pick up the phone and thank my new customers for their business. Customer care is what is going to make you and your business stand out.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”- Maya Angelou

How do you make your customers feel? Think about how you want to be treated as a customer and make sure you do all those things to make your customers happy. I had a customer who ordered an item from me and it didn’t meet her expectations. I was sorry that she wasn’t satisfied with her purchase and even though she live a distance from me, it’s my business to go and get the item from her and I will mail it back to the company. I take the extra steps to make sure I give them extra service. She didn’t buy from my website, she bought personally from me at one of my home shows.

Stay Connected

I recently made a purchase for some kitchen items from a direct seller I just met at a vending event. I used to have a consultant from that company but, I haven’t heard from her in years. I was excited to see what new items they had. It was right before Thanksgiving so I had cooking on my mind. I placed an order with this consultant just by looking over the catalog and thinking about what I would need for my holiday dinners this years. What if my original consultant had contacted me or sent me a catalog in the mail. I would have spent that money with her not the new person I just met at the vending event.

Are you forgetting about your past customers? Are you giving money to another consultant?

Have A Customer Care Program

• Thank new customers with cards or gifts

• Make your customers feel special
  

• Follow up with past customers- send catalog and phone

Stand out above the rest!!

Stay Inspired

Michelle Newton

www.facebook.com/michellegillnewton

www.twitter.com/dsmotivation

November a great 30 days

When I think about a new month I always am excited about the NEW possibilities. I can’t wait to see what the month will bring. November is one of the best times in business for a direct seller. It doesn’t matter what product you sell, people should be excited that we are entering the Holiday selling season.

People are looking for:

• Holiday gifts

• Holiday decor

• Extra income for the Holiday

• More socializing with family & friends

This is the time to look for customers and start looking for new business partners. When you sign someone up you need to immediately start working with your new business partners. The season gives them an easy way to announce they have a business and to share the products with their friends and family. Your new business partner is going to have a great start because the customers are out there. She just has to share that she is open for business. She will achieve her new beginning or great start or jump start or what ever your new consultant rewards program is called. When a new consultant has early success they are more than likely to stick with their business and not quit.  She will be excited, you will be excited and it is a win win!

I think I’m more creative during this time of year. If you are part of a party plan business, you can let your creativity flow! There are holiday decorations everywhere, so you can really jazz up your presentations.  Fun themes are also really exciting. Your guests can combine a show/gathering/party with any occasion.

Here are a few fun themes:

• Tree trim party

• Christmas Cookie/Recipe Exchange

• Secret Santa Show

• Santa’s Helper Party

Get excited!! We have 30 great days to make a BIG impact in our business, our team’s success and create some HAPPY customers. It’s all about what you do now to make November 30th a day to celebrate. I can not wait to see what success you and I will have.
Now get to work.

Michelle

Public Speaking Skills

Public speaking is the first arena. Every party or show you hold at a hostess home you are gaining public speaking experience. Every team meeting you attend, when you participate with a testimonial, or offer to give a sales tip or training you are gaining public speaking experience.

Customer Service Skills

Your reorder calls or booking calls allows you to build great customer service skills. You should always want to give your customers excellent customer service. Direct sales is word of mouth marketing so you need people to have positive things to say about you and your business to help your business to grow.

Coaching and Mentoring Skills

Once you start to recruit and build a team you will shave a growing group of consultants to coach and mentor. You learn how to inspire and motivate your team. You develop skills to be a leader and help to promote other to become leaders.

There is no other industry where you get all this training while living your dreams. All these skills are developed over time while have fun, changing lives, and making money.

The BEST training is here, the Direct Sales Industry!

Michelle Gill Newton

www.secretstostayinginspired.com

www.facebook.com/michellegillnewton

www.twitter.com/dsmotivation

Super Awesome News

As I’ve been speaking to home-based business owners  around the NYC there seems to be a lot of interest on how they can use social media to market their business.
Why do I need twitter, Facebook and Pinterest page?
Do I need one or all?
Who has time for all of this?
If you have ever asked yourself these questions ? If you are like me you have & I’d like to invite you to join us for our introduction tele-conference call.
Monday October 15th at 9pm EST -218-339-3808 Passcode: 82511# DIAL IN EARLY TO SECURE YOUR SPOT.
Feel free to share the call info with other business partners and team members.

Other Stuff

Make sure you reply to me and share with me your twitter, Facebook and pinterest pages.
This call is a FREE intro call so make sure you are ready to write notes and be willing to TRY some new things in the Social Media Marketing world.