Virtual Events

"Hi, my name is Hope and I am technically challenged (as well as vertically challenged)".  Yes, I blog, do Facebook, re-tweet & tweet but when it comes to doing an online event - FEAR!  I know many people who successfully host online parties and meetings but I am not one of them.

In an effort to learn more about it and to try and have a successful event, I checked in with Direct Selling Education Foundation and found an article on "12 Tips for Successful Online Virtual Events".  They seem basic enough even for the technically challenged:

1. Have a clear goal for the event.  Simple enough.  A meeting for my team, a sale on my VIP Customer page, etc.  Stating this up front lets people know what to expect and whether they want to be a part of it.
2. Invite several ways.  Don't just set up a Facebook event and forget about it.  TELL people BEFORE you send the invite so that it isn't considered spam.  WOW!  I just kept posting on FB, I never thought about putting out an email.  I guess that should have been a no-brainer.
3. Make the invitation special and fun.  This one still has me a little baffled because I am not sure how to make a meeting fun online.  The thrill of a sale is fun for some.  
4. Special offers.  This worked with my flash sale in my VIP Customer group.  It was a contest to see who could "grab" the special item first at a discounted price.  
5. Be brief.  OPPS!  It is recommended that they be no more than 30 minutes.  My flash sale went on for 2 hours.  People came and went while some stayed the whole time to see what deals they could get.
6. Pick up the pace.  Keep things moving.  I can understand that with a party, event or sale but I am not sure how to do this with a meeting.
7. Make it visual.  This is the only way that I know to keep things moving - pictures of products with little words.  Looking for ideas on how to do this during a meeting....HELP!
8. Don't overwhelm.  Don't pitch too many products or details.  Okay, so I definitely blew this one.  Over 50 items in 2 hours may have been a bit much!
9. Be social.  Encourage the participants to interact with each other.  Ideas on how to do this with a meeting would be helpful.  Sharing product and uses is easy for people but how about during a meeting
10. Provide a call to action.  I did this by ending the event with a "special" deal good only for those who participated in the event to shop at a discount for any item.  It was a huge hit and added to my current sales.
11. Get their contact information.  This confuses me if you are doing an invitation only event, shouldn't you have their contact information.  
12. Stay online after the event.  Make yourself available for questions or so people can reach out to you for up to 30 minutes after the virtual event.

I am putting together another flash sale online so I am going to try and give some of these ideas a try.  I would still love to figure out how to skype a party or meeting as well as do an online meeting - any ideas or tips would be appreciated. 

Have you attended or run online events for your business? What was the experience like? What would you like to improve about the experience? Would love to read your thoughts in the comments!

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Pictures Help You Grow Your Business

Picture taking has become so easy over the last few years with smartphones.  You can take a picture anywhere you go as long as you have your cell phone.  I mean, how many of you leave the house without your cell phone?  I know, I don't and if I do, I head back to the house to get it.  Once you take pictures, it is so easy to post for Facebook and Instagram. 

There was an article in January of 2013 on the Direct Selling Education Foundation website  called "4 Ways Photos Can Help You Grow Your Business".  Here are their suggestions:

1.  Take pictures of yourself and other people using your product.  I have been using this suggestion the most especially when I am at vendor shows.  It allows me to share not only my display but encourage potential customers to visit other vendor friends at the event.  Photo contests are a great way to get customers to share their pictures.  I have done this as well on my closed Facebook group for my VIP customers. 

2.  Take pictures of your parties (with permission).  This is one that I haven't tried but would love to.  My problem is that I am usually so involved partying with guests and the hostess that I forget about taking pictures.

3.  Take pictures of things you get to enjoy as a result of your business.  This could be of a vacation you have earned, a program or sport that your children get to participate in because of your business or product that you have earned from your company.

4.  Share pictures of things unrelated to your business.  This lets people know that you are not all about business.  

I was using this marketing strategy before I even knew it was a strategy.  It was just a way for me to reach out to family, friends, and potential customers to let them know about me, my products and where I am doing vendor events.  Just another way to network and build relationships with customers.  As soon as I learn how to post pictures on my blog, I will begin sharing photos here as well.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Social Media

Social Media can help a business or for an "addictive personality" it can put the kabash on what was starting out to be a productive day....okay, so maybe it is not a great beginning to a blog but so true in my life.

An article in Direct Sales Education Foundation last year called "How to Manage Your Time on Social Media" has some great tips for things to help you run an effective social media presence.  You can click the link to get the details but here are some of the tips in a nutshell:

1. Start from the results you want
2. Plan ahead
3. Go Mobile
4. Avoid spreading yourself too thin (You mean I can get thin by Facebooking or Tweeting?)
5. Stay focused

These are all great tips that I am sure work well for the average person.  I on the other hand can easily loose myself in Facebook reading everyone's comments, likes, etc.  So for the "addictive personality", here are some tips that I am trying to manage my time and become more productive while still incorporating social media into my business...

1. When I am in my office for "office hours" - I have a picture of a security camera that makes me think others are watching.  It helps me focus on work and tackling that to do list.  
2. I write my blog first thing in the AM, this way I don't get sided tracked.  Yes, blogging has become an every morning thing that I absolutely love.  Thank you Vanessa Coppes   
3. I am changing the "news feed" to the people and things that I want to hear about daily.  No, I don't want to hear about every meal or little detail of your life so I will check in with those people when I have time.  Less is sometimes better.
4. When I am ready to spend time on Facebook, I limit it to a certain about of time - usually AFTER I have finished my to do list.  This is how I stay focused.  

Yes, these are basic but sometimes I have to K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid).  Social media has helped my business by helping me to build relationships with customers, friends and family across the country.  Sharing tips, new products and even blogging about my life (who would have thought some one would want to read about it) has helped to build those connections.

If you are not using social media in your business, you should for so many reasons.  Conquer the fear (for the techno challenged) and meet your customers where they are hanging out.  

Do you have any great tips for managing time on social media?  How do you use social media in your business?  I would love to share your comments with others.  

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Spring Cleaning the Clothes Closet

Over the last few days, I have begun to do some spring cleaning - my first stop is always my closet.  A chance to put away the heavy sweater,pull out my capri pants, flip flops and short sleeve shirts.  Okay, so the weather may still be a little cool but to me - spring is here!  

While doing this, I came upon some things that were bought and still had the price tag on them.  You know - the perfect sale, something that seemed right at the time or the never ending impulse buying.  So, I have a Closet Filled with  (some) Regrets.  I saw an article the other day that made me stop and think about what is in my closet, the opener said - 

Only about 20% of clothes in the average person’s closet are worn on a regular basis, says Ginny Snook Scott, chief design officer of California Closets, the designer of customized closets and storage spaces. That’s especially the case for women since “men tend to wear more of their wardrobe, as they stereotypically have less,” she says. “They tend to have less than 10 pairs of shoes that they rotate fairly well, whereas women have four to five times that amount, on average.”

WOW!  This made me take a look at my closet again.  What were the things that I wore on a regular basis?  I am a jeans girl all the way in the winter so why do I insist on buying skirts that never seem to make it out of the closet?  Since I am still on my weight loss journey, I have not been buying as many clothes - holding out for milestones in my journey to treat myself to something new. 

The St. Paul's Church Rummage Sale is coming up in May so as I clean out my closet, I add to the pile of things to be donated.  My impulse shopping may be just the right thing for someone else.  What will you do with the "regrets" in your closet?  Do you have a favorite charity to donate to or is there something else that you do with them?

I saw a tip somewhere on a blog or Facebook, I can't remember which that someone shared which I think is going to be my new rule of thumb:

My grandmother always says you should wear something once for every dollar you spend on it. I thought it was silly the first time I heard it, but now I find myself holding up items and thinking "Will I really wear this 25 times?" It definitely helps my impulse buys! G-E-N-I-U-S! 

What tactics do you use to avoid purchase regrets?  Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!