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

Today is a Great Day!

Go ahead, Say it out loud.

Does it feel "good", or do you find yourself hesitating a bit as you say it?

One of my mentors, Big Al, says:

"People don't have any free will, they just react to the situations around them."

Don't believe this?... think about this.

You, or your spouse go to work today and get a nice big raise! How do you feel?
Happy, Excited, Positive, Optimistic? Of course!

Now.. think of this... You, or your spouse go to work today and the boss tells you you have to work an extra 10 hours a week to keep your job, and they are lowering your pay 10%....
How do you feel now? Angry, frustrated, trapped, depressed? Of course!

See, people are reactive... but if we KNOW THIS, we can CHANGE THIS!

When I was a teen, I was fortunate enough to get involved with a group called Campus Life. They came into the schools and held fun events for teens, geared towards helping them stay out of trouble, build friendships and become grounded in a spritual life. Best thing that ever happened to me!

One thing they talked about that has stuck with me all these years was the concept of FACTS, FAITH, FEELINGS.

We have to keep things in order.. FACTS come first.

FACT: Times are challenging.
FACT: People are looking for ways to make extra money.
FACT: There is no other business around that you can start for just $10, than AVON!

FAITH: I have faith in our Avon opportunity and in the FACT that:

if people like Lisa Wilber, who started out in a trailer park, working at a convenience store, chasing down the guy from the electric company to give him cash so they wouldn?t shut off her lights, can do it...

or people like Sue Mazza, a small town girl who majored in fashion merchandising, who once was $65,000 in debt and now has built a 2 MILLION DOLLAR TEAM, and now enjoys free vacations to places like Cancun and Hawaii, can do it...

or people like Becky and Bob Dorsey, who replaced their income with Avon, and now, still have a thriving business with over $6 MILLION DOLLARS in SALES every year, money that keeps on coming, even after Bob had a headon crash that left him paralyzed for months, can do it...

or people like Sylvia Tamayo, who came here as a single mom from Mexico,without speaking any English, and now has built a 6 figure income with more job security than most CEOs of fortune 5000 companies., can do it...

If every day people like them can do it... You Sure Can TOO!

AND THE FEELINGS?

There is so much negativity in the news today that it?s hard sometimes not to get caught up in it. But, in spite of the media crying, "the sky is falling, the sky is falling!",

But there is lots of good news out there, and much of it in our own backyard!

People are cautiously optimistic that change is coming, in our government, in our economy.

There has never been a better time to be with Avon!

Great Products, Great Prices, Great Opportunity!

Suze Orman thinks so! She said: "here has never been a better time to start your own business, and you won' find a better partner than Avon!"

Andrea Jung, Avon CEO, just appeared on Good Morning America, to rave reviews!

If you haven' seen the video yet, check it out at : http://www.abcnews.com/ . Go to the site and search "Avon". You will see 3 of 7 links, including the video link titled "Avon Helps Women in Tough Economic Times", as well as an audio link of an interview.

Be sure to tell everyone you know to go to this link and view the video.
This is an incredible opportunity for you and your business!

So, let's build our business, based on the facts:

We have a great company with products and an opportunity to change your life, for all!

Based on the faith, that If Lisa can do it, and, Becky and Bob Dorsey, Sue Mazza and Sylvia Tamayo, you can too!

Based on the feelings, The "feelings" , well, there's a reason they are last in this little equation.

Feelings are just that, feelings. We can't base our business performance on them.

We all must choose which way we want to feel.. and stick with it.

If you think you can, YOU CAN! And if you let yourself think you can't, well you're probably right there too! Don't go there!

Don't let yourself be swayed by what others say or are doing,

Remember, a BIG SHOT, is just a LITTLE SHOT WHO KEPT ON SHOOTING!

Here's to Your Success!

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

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!

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!

Tacky Pants

So, today's blog title is a little "light"! That's ok.. life isn't always serious! (although that's another topic - this life isn't a dress rehearsal)

My daughter Stephanie went out last year to buy me a Star Trek page a day calendar. I ask for one every year and love seeing the pictures and captions each day and remembering my favorite episodes from all the shows.

Well this last year, SHOCK! Santa played a cruel trick on me and there WAS NO Star Trek Page a day calendar to be found in any store or online. I was more disturbed by this end of an age for me than I let on to her, but accepted her gift of a replacement calendar with passing grace.

What she gave me was a page a day calendar of dumb things people say. Now, first of all, if your teen gives you such a gift, what would YOU think? 'Nuff said here, my friends.

Well, yesterday's page a day was a 'hoot', as my friend Mary Jo in NC says.

Here it is. "Correction: Because of a reporting error, Dr. Arleigh Dygert Richardson III, former teach at Lawrence Academy in Groton, was described in his obituary yesterday as favoring tacky pants with tweed jackets and Oxford shorts. Dr. Richardson favored khaki pants. (correction appearing in the Boston Globe, thanks to R.M.)

Well, poor Dr. Richardson! First of all, the tacky pants is kind of funny, except it is in the poor man's obituary, and his widow probably fainted when she read it. But more importantly, after we finish chuckling about how the newspapers can turn things around, (again another topic), let's think about this for a minute.

Dr. Richardson, a teacher, probably impacted hundreds, if not thousands, of kids' lives over his years of teaching. I picture him with a family, and I bet he loved them and they, him. Joys and Sorrow, Laughter and Tears, an entire life of contribution summarized only with a line about the clothes he liked to wear. And they didn't even get that right.

Maybe the funeral notice had more in it. I sure hope so. I laughed at this silly page a day on August 23rd, but it made me think about what people would write about me when I leave this world.

I like to think that I positively impact the lives of those around me. My family, friends, business partners, random strangers.

But this little snippet reminded me that our lives are short on this earth, that only God knows the number of our days. I want to be remembered as someone who made a difference in people's lives. How about you?

Let's make today a new start. Regardless of how you have impacted others lives in the past, today we can all begin to make a positive difference in the lives of those around us.

Smile at someone, strike up a conversation. Pay it forward. Take a chance. Fall in love (or fall in love all over again with the one you're with). Start a new person in business on the road to achieve their goals and dreams. Dream yourself. Watch the sunset. Live this life to the fullest. You are the star of the show, and it's not a rehearsal.

Here's to happiness, health and success!

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!