Want More Customers and Recruits? Here's how to get them.

Today, let's talk about something near and dear to the hearts of many representatives in direct sales and network marketing companies worldwide.

How do we find new customers and team members to increase our sales and earnings?

Let's face it, this tough economy has affected alot of people. And in many cases, our current customers aren't buying as much from us, or purchasing as often.

So, how do we expand our customer base without alot of time and work? Well, we need to meet some new people. We can’t just stay with what we’ve been doing so far.

We can do this a few ways:
* Join a club or group to meet new prospective customers and recruits
* Partner up with another rep in another company to do a Valentine's Day
Or Spring Showcase
* Ask current customers to take a catalog, flyer or brochure to work and leave in their break-room
* Ask current customers for referrals of friends who might like our product or service. * Visit an office building and pass out some free samples and books
* Send an email to everyone we have a business card from with the link to our website and invite them to become our customer or investigate our business.
(You might want to work with your upline to develop some good email copy so this is more effective for you.)

* Add a signature line to our emails so that when we reply to all on those silly joke emails, they get a teaser line and our website link.

There are lots of ways to find new customers.. These are just a few.

But we also are busy people and we don't want to have to work harder! Just smarter!

So, think of this too. When we meet someone in the grocery store, or at a party, or in the McDonald's Playplace, we don't have alot of time with them. We don't have days or months to build a relationship.

So how do you present your Avon business to them? Well, first of all, don't start with all the neat benefits of being an Avon rep. Don't tell them about the wonderful earnings, the prizes, the incredible products, the whole history of Avon, etc.

Instead, remember that people buy things to solve a problem.

So ask a few questions to postition yourself and your chat so that you can solve a problem for your prospective customer or recruit.

Talk about how becoming a customer of yours can save them lots of time and money.

They can shop from the comfort of their couch without having to go out in the cold and snow. And they'll save money too.

PLUS, they can have the products delivered free to their door by using the coupon code FSANY when they check out.

They don't even have to leave their favorite TV show and answer the door when you deliver. They can order and choose Direct Delivery and just bring in their package, nicely packaged from Avon, and with a new free brochure for them, when they come in from work!

Of course, if they want more personal service, you are right there to give them helpful ideas and delivery at their convenience.

And if you are looking for prospective team members, tell them how Avon can make it easier for them to pay bills with that extra check every campaign, or how Avon can pay for their next Disney Vacation or even provide the extra car for the spouse.

Our prospects don't care how great your product or opportunity is at first.. They simply care about their problems.

So, all you have to do is ask a few questions.. find out what they need, and then offer them a solution.

Not everyone is ready to make a change, but some will and those are the ones you want!

But you can't keep your Avon business a secret, let everyone know you are open for business with great prices and free delivery!

Do this consistently every week and soon you'll have a bunch of new, happy customers doing business with you!

Here's to Your Success!

Sue Mazza
Senior Executive Unit LeaderAvon Products
630-240-0075

The Road to Procrastination Never Leads to a good Destination

When I first heard these words, I mentally filed them away with all the other great “sayings” I hear, thinking to myself… Yes, that’s true… I’ll have to really think about that… LATER

Well Later is generally too late and tomorrow never comes, by then it is today!

So, let’s see.. Has Procrastination ever led me to a good destination?

When I procrastinated on dropping off an Avon brochure to the office near me, and then a week later walked in to find out that someone else had beat me to it now. Darn.. guess that girl got lucky.

When I was sure those airline tickets to LA would go down, and had to pay an extra $150 four hours later to book my flight. Gee, those airlines are fickle.

When I lost that traffic ticket and found it buried in pile of papers 6 weeks later, and my $75 ticket now cost me $225. Those traffic cops… don’t they have anything better to do, ..like catch Criminals?

When I ate that piece of cherry pie and said.. I really will start my diet tomorrow, then stepped on the scale and found I was up 10 pounds over the last two weeks instead of down.. C’mon on… my scale Must be broken

When I meant to call that prospect back and finally found of paper I had written it on, two weeks later, and she isn’t interested any longer. People, what’s with them anyways?

Catch a common thread? Have you ever had a similar experience?

Why do we procrastinate?

· Bad Time Management
· Fear of Failure
· Fear of Success
· Not sure we know enough about a subject
· Laziness
· Easily Distracted
· Low Self Esteem

Just to name a few.

Procrastination almost always costs us something.
Costs in Time, Money, Relationships, Self Image.

So how do we stop this cycle and break free? Break free to start building happy, exciting, productive lives for ourselves both personally and in our business?

There are a million articles and books about this, but I’m going to suggest one very simple, baby step.

Do the One.

What is the ONE THING that would make the most difference in:

Your Health?
Your Marriage?
Your Finances?
Your Business?
Your Relationships?


Here’s an example that worked for me.

JUST FOLD 5.

I finally started this when I went down to the laundry room and found that the pile of clean laundry on the table was higher than my head. Just a little procrastination? You bet! I mean, which of us doesn’t have a million more important things to do than fold laundry? Except of course when we need those clean socks, then try to match them from a 6 foot pile!

So, I made myself a deal. JUST FOLD 5.

Each time I went down to the laundry room, I would fold 5. That’s all I was required to do. No biggie, I can do that in about 1 minute. But it was amazing. I finished the 5 and then, actually, folded some more. And the job got done. Finally. Now, every time I go downstairs, I fold 5. Sometimes more. Sometimes just 5. But I passed the test. I CAN FOLD AT LEAST 5 ! And that makes me a winner in my little game.
So, what else can we do?

What’s the one thing that YOU can do in each of those areas above that would make the most difference? Doesn’t have to be anything big. It can be making one phone call to an Avon customer to set up delivery. Taking the dog for a 5 minute walk. Returning the blockbuster video to avoid fees, even though you drove by there 6 times already this weekend.

Making the appointment for your physical. Starting the crock pot. Filing away the credit card you used for holiday purchases (even when you knew you shouldn’t) that is still in your wallet 30 days later. Placing one classified ad for just $5.00 to grow your business. Folding 5 things.

For the next 30 days, agree with yourself, and with me to DO THE ONE.

Pick 1 item from each of the 5 above, or add a category if you must, but don’t overdo! Remember, we are taking baby steps.

Each night write down the one thing you must do in each of those areas before you go on to do all the other urgent and important things in your life.

(Hint, put this pad of paper by your bathroom sink where you brush your teeth – you HAVE to go there anyways. Putting it on the kitchen table, office desk, etc may cause you to actually procrastinate from just going into the room for fear you’ll see the note! Our subconscious is a powerful procrastinator!)

Then, each morning, DO THE ONE.

Fold the 5.
Make the call.
Pay the bill.

Just try it for 30 days and let me know how it goes.
You can do it, just taking that little action will make all the difference in your life by the end of the 30 days.

DO THE ONE. Do it , really, now.

Here’s to Your Success!

Sue Mazza
Senior Executive Unit Leader
Avon Products

Snow Day

It's been pretty snowy here in Chicagoland, as well as where many of you live.

Normally, I'd just ignore it for the most part, but as Lou's been out of town (most recently in Vegas, can you believe it!), I've been the one out shoveling the driveway and keeping things warm and cozy.

My daughter, Stephanie, a junior at Naperville Central, was excited and anxiously waiting to hear that her school had a snow day.

She was SO disappointed to find that despite the cold and snow, that life goes on and that school was open for business.

It made me think of how we sometimes treat our business.

Sometimes we just want a SNOW DAY!

A day to do nothing, when absence from life and responsibility is not only acceptable, but even approved by the powers that be!

And you know what? An occasional SNOW DAY is a GREAT THING!

We get a chance to rest, to play and to step away from the busyness of our business!

But think what would happen if Stephanie, or any student, had a snow day EVERY DAY!

Sounds good at first, but long term, maybe not so good. We wouldn't learn anything, and likely be Stuck at the same point in our life for a very long time.

School is as much about personal development as educational learning.

Our business is the same. Is your Business Stagnant? Been stuck in the same place for longer than you'd like?

Maybe it's time to come back from that Holiday Vacation and Heat Things Up in your Business!

How to do that? Let's look at these 6 Ice-Breakers!

1. Give yourself a break!

Don't beat yourself up for what you HAVEN'T DONE, let's get to work on what YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH in 2009!

For a great article on Resolutions and Motivation, check out:

http://www.savvysponsoring.com/enews/current

I'm not recommending you sign up for her training course, that's up to you, but she's got some great ideas here and I always take advantage of free training! Be sure to allow time for personal and professional development every day so you become better at what you do and who you are!

2. Take Stock of Where You Are.

When I use mapquest, I have to know my starting point so I know the best route to get me to my destination.

Same with our business. You may fear it, you may not like it, but it?s vital that you know exactly where you are in your business.

The Avon 90-Day Plan is a great tool for that. Email me, your upline or your manager and get a copy today!

3. Decide what you want to accomplish with your Avon biz in 2009.

Want to become an Advanced, Executive or Senior Executive Unit Leader?

Just like mapquest, if I don't choose a destination, I can never get to where I want to go without an end in mind.

In fact, here's an important Point.

BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND.

Set the goal, then work backward so that you set action steps to achieve those goals.

Same with moving forward in your Personal Sales. If you are President's Club now, and want to get to Honor Society, you know that you need to build your customer base until it is at least $800 a campaign, or maybe 35-45 customers (or a few helpers) each campaign.

4. Become "ACTION JACKSON"

Procrastination NEVER leads to a Good Destination.

The first phone call is always the hardest. The first time You go into a business to conduct a "customer appreciation day" event is always the most intimidating.

It's SO much easier after the first time! Take Action Today, Tomorrow, and The Next Day! (For some great ACTION IDEAS, drop me a line)

5. Find a "Workout Partner".

Upline, Downline, Crossline - partner up with someone so you can encourage each other to achieve all your goals and Dreams in 2009! Just like the commercial says = YOU CAN DO IT - WE CAN HELP!

6. Get Involved!

Break away from the TV or whatever and come to the leadership meeting, the sales Rally, the Big Al Event, the Apollo Leaders Sales Tax Seminar.

Don't Be A Lone Ranger!

Let the excitement of others help fuel your excitement as you fuel others. You'll be AMAZED how much better You feel about yourself, and your business when you come to an event with other like-minded people. Invest in yourself!

Want to know Details for all these upcoming events? Visit my Website at: www.YourAvon.com/smazza and look at the events on the site for info.

You Upline Leaders and I are ready and willing do do all we can do to partner with you to achieve all you desire with your Avon business in 2009!

Let's begin today!

Here's to YOUR SUCCESS!

Sue Mazza

Senior Executive Unit Leader

Avon Products

630-240-0075

Selfish Philanthropy

Thursday morning started earlier than normal for me.

For over 15 years, I’ve been blessed to live the great life of a networker.

Although I don’t wake to the sound of an alarm clock because I have to go to a job, one of my greatest blessings as I’ve built my Direct Sales and Network Marketing businesses has been to be available to my family. Every day, almost without fail, I get up early and make sure my family is ready to start their day.. at school, work, in their business endeavors. Trust me, some mornings, it’s hard to be an early bird when at heart you are a night owl!

Could I sleep in? For sure, but I have the FREEDOM TO CHOOSE! And I choose to put my family first!

This Thursday, however, I rose an hour earlier than my usual 6 am. I had bribed (literally) my high-school-aged daughter to let me take her to school early and headed off to a business networking meeting, starting at 7 am.

I knew I had a long day ahead of me – I had scheduled appointments with new and current representatives and prospects all the way through until my final appointment at 9 pm and was excited for a busy and rewarding day.

I entered the conference room of the bank at which the networking event was hosted and smelled the fresh coffee waiting for me! Good start, I thought!

I mingled among the early morning guests, introducing myself and meeting new friends.

As the event began, everyone had an opportunity to introduce themselves and their businesses.

I was prepared, ready to share a great lifestyle Magazine about income freedom and some samples with all my new networking friends.

As the introductions went around the room, I heard people sharing, with varying levels of presentation skills, about their business. Some more casual, some practically climbing on top of the table with enthusiasm for their product or opportunity.

I listened, hearing many familiar sincere declarations and industry catch-phrases and thought a bit more about what I would say.

Half way through the bakers’ dozen, it was my turn. Like many people there, I had more than one interest in my business life. An established, successful business that has provided me with a great income, the free cruises and trips, recognition and awards that come along with being at the top of your game, and a newer adventure, already well on it’s way to surprising personal growth and success.

I shared a bit as I passed around some of the magazines and my Avon Brochures(labeled with my contact info of course) and some product samples (labeled as well) and then moved into a concept I had been contemplating for some time.

What exactly do I do?, I mused aloud to the group? I’m a business and personal coach… like some of you here have said you do as a fulltime career. And I share some fantastic products that people love and benefit from all across the country.

We may start off in our business thinking we are an upline, but as we impact individuals’ lives and help them move from the point of entry into our business towards success in their life and career, we become much more.

Coach, Cheerleader, Mentor, Friend, Leader, Teacher, Workout Partner, Nag, and so much more .. we impact the lives of those around us more than we may think!

It’s been said that Network Marketing is a great personal development journey with a bonus check attached.

That couldn’t be more true.

We give of our knowledge, experience, compassion, time and resources freely to help other people change their lives and fulfill their dreams of personal and professional achievement and freedom.

And in return – and in proportion to how much value we provide in peoples’ personal and business growth, our companies pay us a bonus. The better we do at providing value, the more we can earn.

So… are we generous? Giving our all to all who ask… rejoicing with the few who are brave enough to change their attitudes, their actions and their lives… and sadly watching the many …. who are unable or unwilling to do what it takes to achieve success… but continuing our mission regardless to impact lives –

Or… are we selfish? As we give, exponentially our income grows. As our influence impacts others for good and they duplicate and expand their sphere of influence, our bonus checks grow! And the more we teach others, the more we can earn with the right compensation plan and company!

I guess it’s a little of both. I call it Selfish Philanthropy. Works for me.

My new networking group seemed to like my story - and they loved the samples I brought to share.

I told them, I’ll tell them another great story the next time we get together. And, as they asked for, maybe bring some more samples. That got smiles all around. I love the Freedom of being a Rich Networker!

Time For A Change?

Good Morning Leaders!


Leaders? Yes, that's YOU! But, do you have some days when you don't feel much like a leader?




When you feel that your business isn't going right?

I've got good news for you! WE ALL DO!

And the BETTER NEWS is that feeling that way can be a good thing! "How??", you ask...

Sometimes Success and Change come from feeling dissatisfied, if not downright disgusted with your

life, your weight, your finances or your business!

And the BEST NEWS is that you can become better at any of those things, starting TODAY!

You can become a Better Leader TODAY!

You can make the changes you need in your life TODAY!

It's as simple as making a decision. "But I have so many problems", you think.

"I don't have any money to promote my business", you think.

"My family doesn't support me", you think. All those are real situations that we face.

But those things don't have to stop us! Zig Ziglar said: "If you think you CAN or you think you CAN'T, you are probably right!"

Take a 9 minute break for some great inspiration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRMogDrHnMQ


The thoughts we think lead us to the actions we take, which lead us to the results we have!

Want to change your results? Change your thoughts! Change the things you let into your head every day!

Turn off the bad news, turn on an mp3 or cd of an inspiring speaker!

If you're not in charge of your life, who is??

You can decide TODAY to turn your life around, business or personal, good, bad or even if you're happy and

just want life to be even better! "If it is to be, it's up to me!" A classic saying, yet true!

I'm a small town girl who has built a huge business all over the country.

Am I smarter, stronger, more beautiful or charming than anyone else?

Nah. Just determined and motivated! And willing to do what it takes and learn the skills I don’t

know today so that I can become better tomorrow! If I can work towards accomplishing my goals, so can you!

And, I'm here to help! Need ideas? A little extra motivation? Want to improve skills?

I'm always up for a cup of coffee ... and I'll even buy! LOL ! Let's share great ideas as we build our businesses together!

and change our lives, our families’ fortunes, and the lives of people around us for the better!

So, what’s stopping you today? Change your thoughts. Change your Actions. Change your Results.
Give me a call or email me here today!

Here's to Your Success!

Sue Mazza
Senior Executive Unit Leader, Avon Products
630-240-0075
www.youravon.com/smazza

ps - I'm on Facebook now too!

DO IT by Art Williams

Check out this video by a highly successful man!

One of my favorite quotes in this.. "A winner will stay excited long enough to win!"

http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=33740709

You can't Hire other People to Do your PUSHUPS FOR YOU!

This quote is from one of my favorite trainers, Jim Rohn (http://www.jimrohn.com/)

We can hire people to do all kinds of things for us.. pass out brochures, make phone calls, even deliver our orders for us.

But some things, we have to do for ourselves. As much as I get excited by ideas I learn from great trainers and motivators like Jim Rohn, or Tom "BIG AL" Schreiter (http://www.fortunenow.com/ ), that motivation only lasts a short time.

If you are at all like me, we encounter challenges in our business sometimes that take the wind out of our sails a bit. Maybe a customer doesn't pay us on time, or a new team member doesn't follow through on her plan. Sometimes "life" just gets us down.

But the key to getting results from our "pushups", and seeing results in our business is to move into action. Do the first pushup.. then another. Go pass out a few more brochures, or stop into the video store on a Friday and Saturday afternoon and leave some books there! (Don't leave too many or on other days or someone might re-fill that rack by the "out" door and toss them, but the stores are busy on Fri and Sat and it's a great time to leave them there then!)

Set aside 15 minutes on Sunday night to plan out your week, for both personal and professional events and actions. Then be sure that you are prepared to take action. Got biz cards and labeled brochures in back of the car, ready to go? Schedule your web office to send out emails to customers automatically every campaign. It's a new feature in September!

Find a mentor, or a "workout partner" with whom you can share ideas and be accountable with... it's always easier to "workout" when you have a partner!

Most important, as A. L. Williams says: JUST DO IT!

Wanna Explode Your Avon Leadership Business?

People come to me all the time and say things like: "Man, you're so lucky" or "How did you do it? How did you build such a big business?" or " Yeah, of course, YOU can do it, You're Sue Mazza, but I don't know if I could do it..."


And am I lucky? Yes.. lucky to have had great mentors and great opportunities. Lucky that God gives me the strength each day to pick myself up when I fall and get back on track! I always laugh when people say I'm lucky, cause it's true.. the harder I work, the luckier I get.
I love the money, the trips, and the friends I've made! How many people can say they run a 2.5 million dollar business from home? It's a good feeling at the end of the day!


But, how did I do it? What's the SECRET? More importantly, how can YOU DO IT?
The REAL KEY is... and I had to really internalize this for myself... so, I will use myself as the example.


The KEY is that it is Not about me qualifying for a title, or a prize or a trip or a new level, it is about helping people on my team, at all levels, develop into leaders and advance in the business. By focusing on those who want to move forward (and that can change from day to day!), I can help them move onto a path of personal development and skill development so they develop the skills and the belief they need to Get and STAY moving in the right direction. It's all about helping them find their "whys" and helping them to dream to achieve them. Otherwise, if it's all about "me", all I do is recruit and replace people on my team and never begin to build deep and wide.


Does this seem like an easy answer? It may be, but in order to get there, I had to first work harder on me than anyone else and it's the honest to goodness truth,. because no one will work hard for little reward at the beginning unless they have an overwhelming desire... to achieve a goal, a dream, become something more. To keep working when the money's not coming in as fast as you want because you BELIEVE there is a great future coming at you. At the beginning, you're learning how to become successful, and the great thing is, in our business, you can earn a little money while you are learning! And the faster you can help others, the faster that freight train of success starts barrelling towards you!


All the rest is just strategy and tactics.. which boils down to three things.. the three R's (Thanks, Mike) Retail, Recruiting and Retention. That's the bottom line. And if you and I could get every leader on our team to internalize this, then, in fact, you and I will always be at the top of the payplan, looking for new people to help join us at the top!

6 Degrees of Separation? Not for me! How about 1!

The Movie, "Six Degrees of Separation", starring a young Will Smith, put forth the idea that we are only at most 6 people away from contacting any other person on the planet. Far fetched as it may seem, if you google these words, you can find a plethora of research to support this theory.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_degrees_of_separation

You may have heard of the Kevin Bacon game, based on this idea, that every actor is just 6 people from being related by career or otherwise to this prolific actor.

Well, technical as this may seem, I recently read a post by a sales trainer who says we are just 1 referral away from 1,250 prospects for our Avon products or business!

Unbelievable? Let's take a look.

Research shows that almost everyone over the age of 21 knows at least 250 people (and actually, LOTS more!). Let's say you have just 5 acquaintances... and ask each of them if you could notify their friends that you have a growing Avon business. You could ask your friends to send an email, include a note on their family website, take an Avon brochure to work with them, or to the family reunion.. 5 friends times their 250 contacts equals 1,250 people... all of whom are just one referral away!

What would you do with 1,250 prospective customers or representatives? What if it was just 10% of that? 125 people who learned that you have an Avon website or a terrific way for them to make money without having to go get a part time job?

How much more would you earn in your Avon business by just asking a few friends to forward on an email introducing your business to their contacts. At the least desirable end, they could always just say no. At the most desirable end, they could say YES and you would have all kinds of new people to whom you were personally referred.

What do you think works better? A brochure dropped on a driveway? Or a note from a friend, recommending another friend to do business with? Why, the second choice of course!

Third Party Referral (this is what this is called), is THE MOST POWERFUL way to build a huge, thriving repeat business.

We all like to do business with people we know like and trust.. When you look for a plumber, or an electrician, do you ask your friends for reliable and reasonable servicepeople? You bet!

Same idea here. Want to give it a try? Let me know how it goes by clicking on the comment button!

One last thought. Maybe asking your friend to help you promote your business makes you feel a little uncomfortable.

Successful people are willing to do uncomfortable things now so that they will be comfortable in the future. Comfortable in friends, in business, in success. Let's stretch that comfort zone just a little bit today, so we can enjoy happier, more prosperous tomorrows.

Success Principles

Why do some people succeed in business and others don't?

You probably could have almost as many answers to this as you do people who ask the question!

On People, Jim Rohn said... when asked why some people succeed and some quit..

"you might just as well ask why the sun rises in the east and sets in the west! It just does"
(loosely quoted by me)

External motivation is always short term
Internal Motivation is long term

Each of us, as leaders, has to get to the heart of the matter ourselves, to find out what burning passion will motivate us to get through the hard times.

Goals are what get us through the day
Dreams are what keep us going when the going gets tough

Do you have a dream? or alot of dreams? Do you need to reconnect with your dream?
If you want to move forward in your business, you must, MUST take the time to bring your dream out of the dusty corners of your mind and heart.

You MUST find the burning desire... (money, recognition, helping others...) that will move you into action. If you can't do that, ask your upline for some exercises to help you reconnect with your dreams.

Then, get concrete action plans on paper, review them often, revise and tweak as needed so you stay on course, and then get into action.

The best dream will always be wishful thinking without written goals and solid action.

Make up your mind - YOU WILL NOT QUIT! I can tell you now, you will have setbacks, you will have days, weeks, even months where you wonder if you will ever achieve your goal.. but don't quit... even if you have to say to yourself... I won't quit TODAY.... I will continue forward TODAY!

Find a workout partner, someone you can share your goals, dreams, plans with, and who you can work with so you both have someone that is there to nudge you on, keep you focused and challenge you to be your best self in your business and personal life.

This life is not a dress rehearsal, live it to the fullest, make every day count. Laugh often. Tell your family you love them. Work hard to bring value to people's lives, to make them better. Pay it forward.

Success is within your grasp. Reach for it and don't stop!

Here's to Your Success!

Sue Mazza
Helping people achieve their goals!