InkBig

Changes and a Game Plan

 

As a business leader, coach and mentor, I am actually on the receiving end of coaching a couple times a week.

I am one of those "idea people" and it is really helpful, almost critical, for me to share with someone else what I am planning, plotting, dreaming about for my clients.

 

A recurring theme over the past few weeks has been:

simplify your business for freedom

I have tried to simplify by outsourcing some daily tasks

but you know what?

No one cares about your business the way you do

And you need to show up in every aspect of your business for it to really be a reflection of your vision.

 

Now I still have someone who edits, who does the books, etc. You know, that "behind the doors" stuff. BTW, My accountant and the IRS aren't too concerned with who puts the numbers in the boxes

But I know that NO ONE is as passionate and committed to your success as I am. By simplifying what I offer you can depend on and look forward to the type of training that serves you best

AND

I can create time in my day to do more plotting and planning on how to best serve you :)

So we are making some changes to simplify our business and STILL provide great training materials to help you succeed.

1) Good Bye to the Daily: we have stopped sending out our daily inspirational email, putting those on our facebook page instead each morning

 

2) Content Schedule: this is the schedule in which we will be providing you opportunites for on going training for your direct sales buisness 

Monday: Success Fraternity training calls (free audio trainings with successful demos) 

Tuesday: Blog Training Post

Wednesday: Blog Training Post

Thursday: Webinars on various business topics (free for our VIPs)

                   Free Social Media and Direct Sales Newsletter, sign up here 

Friday: VIP training videos

Find out how to become an InkBig VIP and receive a weekly training video and weekly webinar FREE

 

3) Group Training

we are doing our Power Hours and Lunch and Learns in SLC in July

we are beginning to book our Fall training schedule, we will be sharing the opportunities in the coming week

 

We have all of our immediate access trainings in place:

Build a Blog from Scratch

Generate $1000 a month from your Blog

Online Classes

YouTube

Joyful and Profitable Leadership

Grow Your Customer Base

EBooks 

Audio Trainings

Webinars

 

we wake up every morning thinking about how we can best serve you.

And we are going with our own advice: "Do Less, Do Better"

 

We hope you are excited for these changes and we look forward to working with you!

 

Be Inspired * Be Inspiring

 

Lisa

hang out with us on facebook

stay inspired on twitter

dream with us on pinterest

be delighted on instagram @lisapretto

 

For FREE weekly tips right to your inbox on how to make social media really work for your direct sales business, click here

 

 

How to Determine Your "Niche Market" Webinar

Whenever I work with clients on finetuning their on line business I ask them to identify their "niche market"......

**crickets**

 

 :), and we work on it, a lot

Because here is the thinking that trips us up:

I don't want to limit myself and miss someone

 

It is a tough concept to get our hands around but:

• if we try to be everything to everyone we lose all of our individuality, all our personality, all of our uniqueness because we are speaking to too large of an audience.
• And we can't make everybody happy
• And we can't make everybody feel like we are talking just to them

 

I also think we make it a lot harder than it has to be.

 

But you cannot succeed in your business, at the level I know you desire, until you get super comfortable with knowing your Niche Market

 

So join us in a webinar in which you will learn

EXACTLY how to identify your Niche Market

 Thursday, May 30th

1 pm central time

4.95

you must be registered to join us live or receive the recording

webinars are included in the InkBig VIP package, read more here

1 Tip to Make More Money in Your Direct Sales Business

I read a lot of business, leadership, inspirational books. 

I am a "word" girl.

I have always "collected" quotations. First in notebooks as a girl, and now via Pinterest.

 

Reading is one of the ways I nourish my soul.

So I ask a lot of people what they are reading, what I should be reading, what's new, what's hot, etc.

 

Right now I am reading "Get Rich, Lucky Bitch"

the title is a little over the top in order to get noticed, but the content is strong.

And I read something last night that totally connected to yesterday's post about how to know what to charge for your events. You can read it here

 

One of the things I mentioned yesterday is how important it is to know where your money comes from. It helps you know where to focus in your business.

 

Well in this book I am reading the author goes one step further and asks you to record EVERY PENNY that comes in to your life: paychecks, fees, discounts, EVERY PENNY!

 

And this totally hit home with me.

When I work with clients one of the first things we look at is their income.

The truth is that most people in direct sales make more money than they think.

Thru fees, commissions, instant income, free product, etc

 

What happens is that we spend it so fast that we don't think of it as income.

We discount the fact that we:

• "earned" 20% up front
• got a 20% discount on our order
• that we received $45 in free product
• took in $60 in class fees

 

I am a believer that what we think about we bring about.

So although we can focus on cutting expenses, I think it is more exciting and invigorating to focus on increasing income.

And to focus on it we need to know where it comes from.

And there is more there than you think, trust me!

So here is your task:

For 2 weeks jot down every time you receive "money"

• It could be finding $5 in your coat pocket
• the 20% discount on your order today
• or the $15 you make selling your card fronts at the next event

 

I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how much of a money making machine you are!

And once you start realizing that you DO make money in this business we can focus on making more money.

And that is fun!

So grab a cute little stamped notebook and that matching pen and commit for 2 weeks. Yes, I know you have at least one sitting around!

It will change your business!

 

Be Inspired * Be Inspiring

 

Lisa

hang out with us on facebook

stay inspired on twitter

dream with us on pinterest

be delighted on instagram @lisapretto

 

For FREE weekly tips right to your inbox on how to make social media really work for your direct sales business, click here

 

How to Know What to Charge

Many of my Stampin'Up! Friends and clients host classes each month.

typically it is a "come and make 4 cards for x dollars, free with an $x purchase"

 

The question I get ALL THE TIME is what to charge?

And my first answer is that there is no real answer.

bummer, right?

 

But there are a few guidelines that can help you

1) What is the Going Rate?

so much depends on what others are doing in your area. I am not saying you have to just follow along, but it is a good indicator of where to start. 

Some places do 5 cards for $10 and some places do 4 cards for $20.

Neither one is wrong. 

Check out what is normal for your area and feel free to bump it a dollar or 2, but doubling it might cost you some business

 

2) What is your Real Goal?

Are you looking to generate sales or are you looking to generate fees?

Again, neither one is wrong, but know what your goal is.

If you would rather generate fees then make that look more advantageous.

4 cards for $20 or free with a $75 purchase will get you more $20 bills and fewer orders, right?

Same way if you really want product sales: 6 cards for $30 or free with a $45 purchase will get you purchases and less fees.

there is no one right way, just make sure you are very clear in your goals

 

3) Know How you Make Money

every demo is on their own personal path of business growth.

What you are focused on is different than what I am focused on.

In the beginning of your career most of your income is based on your events, your sales, your fees.

As your business grows more of your income is based on your downline override income--that money that comes as a percentage of what your downline sells.

Here is an example:

As a Stampin'Up! Senior Executive someone would need to submit $1500 each month to receive their full downline override check.

If they have a nice size downline that check can be anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 and up.

so their goal is to hit that $1500 in sales each month.

And be aware, the money they make from their own events and sales are peanuts compared to that DL check.

AND THAT IS OKAY

but it means that you can't compare yourself to what they are doing and how they are running their business.

 

focus on doing what you love, providing great customers service and meeting the goals you have for yourself.

That is success!

 

Be Inspired * Be Inspiring

 

Lisa

hang out with us on facebook

stay inspired on twitter

dream with us on pinterest

be delighted on instagram @lisapretto

 

For FREE weekly tips right to your inbox on how to make social media really work for your direct sales business, click here

 

Your Newsletter: How it can DRIVE on line sales

Creating a strong newsletter is critical to driving on line sales.

We already know that social media is designed to create relationships.

And too much "buy now, sign here" can sour those relationships in a hurry.

We also know how important it is to stay in front of our customers so they think of us as their go to person.

Your newsletter can:

• strengthen your relationship with your readers
• keep you in front of your customers, and potential customers
• and provide the best opportunity to drive purchases

Providing high quality content is so important on line, but let's be clear:

• businesses make money
• and to make money you need to sell product

Join us to learn how to use your newsletter to further your relationships, get referrals, sell product, drive sales, and create profits

Sounds daunting

But there are just a few things to tweak to get your newsletter to be a business builder

Join us Thursday, May 23rd

1 pm central time

if you can't join us live be sure to sign up to access the recording

Cost is 4.95, (free for our InkBig VIPs)

read more about our VIP program here

after you purchase access to the webinar and recording you will be prompted to register. YOU MUST REGISTER to get the info. If you have any questions or issues be sure to email me at lisa@inkbigacademy.com

Opportunities for Inspired Trainings for Your Group

As a great leader one of the things you are committed to is providing on-going relevant trainings.

 

We plan, we plot, we deliver.

 

And over time our downline can become "expecting" of what we offer.

I will never forget when I brought in another demo to share what she was doing and my downline went ga-ga for it.

And all I could think was:

I tell you that all the time!!

LOL!

 

So sometimes, even though you are a great leader, committed to learning and sharing great info, it can be beneficial to everyone to let them hear it from someone else.

Delivered in different way.

Because bottom line is:

we want them to be successful, we want them to be cared for and it doesn't matter if you provide the info or facilitate the training.

You are committed to them and that is what makes you a great leader.

 

We would like to support you in one of 2 ways:

1) In Person Training

• We come to you
• 1/2 day or whole day
• Traditional on the ground business and/or social media training
• cost is $20 per person, minimum of 30 people
• You cover the cost of the space, we cover all of our own expenses
• We set up a private group Facebook page to provide support to those who take part in the training

 

2) Webinars

• we provide a private,  live 3 part webinar series on either social media or traditional business
• they can join us live or listen to the recording
• cost is $15 per person, minimum of 8 people
• we set up a group facebook page to support those who take part in the trainings

 

Our first openings for in person events is the middle of September.

If you would like us to join you at one of your Fall gatherings email us ASAP to discuss a time at lisa@inkbigacademy.com

 

We are booked thru May for our private Webinars. To book trainings beginning in June thru the fall email us at lisa@inkbigacademy.com

 

Please feel free to share this opportunity with anyone you think would be interested and

Check out what some of our past training attendees have had to say about their time with us:

 “Your information was precise, succinct and sensible. I finally made the connection between my blog and my sales.  I can't wait to start putting your teachings into action.  ” – Tisha C.

 

"I love your training materials!  How clear and concise your tutorials are. I have enjoyed all of them!  Like I said, as leaders, it's information that we may have learned over the years but you put it in such a wonderful way!  I highly recommend InkBig Academy!  Whatever training anyone chooses, they won't be disappointed!" - Sharon Armstrong

“I just wanted to thank you for the class on Social Media… you explained it enough so that I have a better understanding of the different types of social media. You made a great point on how important it is to have a blog for your business.  I am excited about the possibilities of what the social media can do for my business." - Charlotte

“You really opened my eyes about certain areas of my business. Common sense things, that I just never thought about. I am now eager to try some new avenues. Especially to do LESS, do Better! Thank you for all your wonderful tips and advice!" - Linda B

“The video training Soulution has me really intrigued not just for the business aspect but for me in general with my life.”  - Barbara K

“I am primarily a hobby demonstrator and have struggled with how I could be more successful with my Stampin Up business. Tonight, I feel like I have real action steps that I can take to make a difference and start to build an online presence. There was so much content in last night's presentation, that I'm sure I am going to be replaying it in my head over the next several days as I review my notes and find more "A-ha!" moments.”  - Shannon

  

“I just wanted to say that I enjoyed taking your class this evening. You gave us a lot of things to think about and some practical items we can use right away in our businesses. Thank You!” - Patti D

 

 

Why are some Direct Sellers "more successful" than you?

First, we need to have the discussion about what success really is:

• success is not a title
• success is not a trip
• success is not free product

 

unless you say it is

Success in your business is whatever you determine it to be.

I train people how to be profitable as one measure of success.

 

I like profitability because

• I think it keeps people engaged
• it is something that you work towards each and every day
• you never get the feeling of "starting over"
• money can make a big difference in how you feel about your contribution to the world, your family, and your passions

 

But just like titles, trips, and free product aren't the only measure of success, neither is profitability.

YOU are the only one who can set the bar of what is success in your business.

 

so, now that we have that clear, let's answer the question:

Why are some consultants earning more titles, products, trips and creating profitability?

Why are some consultants more successful in reaching the standards they have set for themselves?

Consistency

You want to have more sales?

• You must consistently be in front of more people

You want more blog readers?

• You must consistently be offering awesome content

You want more recruits?

• You must consistently be offering the opportunity

You want more leaders in your downline?

• You must consistently be offering great training

 

And I will be honest, those who are achieving BIG success, are consistently doing these each and every DAY.

Yes, they take some time off, but they are working their business like a business

 

They aren't building a successful blog by blogging 2x a week

They aren't selling $30,000 a year by doing 2 events a month

They aren't recruiting 24 people a year by focusing all their energy on that one person who keeps saying they are going to sign

They aren't building a strong team by sending a weekly email as their training

 

People in direct sales who are successful touch their business all day long

• They interact thru facebook, pinterest, blogging, video, emails, newsletters, phone calls, webinars.
• They get in front of their customers and potential customers on purpose
• They share what they are doing
• They engage in training so that they keep themselves fresh and knowledgeable

 

It is really like anything else we have ever done.

Successful people work hard, often

 

So when you look at your business and wonder, "hmmm, how come it seems so hard to reach my goals?"

look at how you are spending your time.

All of us can work harder, smarter, better, more focused.

Are you willing to "up your consistency"?

As I tell my kiddos, "Good things happen when you work hard"

 

But those good things don't always happen right away.

Commit to consistency

Plan your work, work your plan

YOUR success is waiting for you

 

Be Inspired * Be Inspiring

 

Lisa

hang out with us on facebook

stay inspired on twitter

dream with us on pinterest

be delighted on instagram @lisapretto

 

For FREE weekly tips right to your inbox on how to make social media really work for your direct sales business, click here

 

An Easy Way to Expand Your Business

as my Stampin'Up! friends, and many other direct sellers,look to kick off a new "year", I always say this is a great time to re-evaluate how you do things.

 

Today I want to talk to you about your "events".

Whether you consider yourself a traditional business person or are more focused in growing an on line business, we all have sales events with our customers: sale of products, classes, tutorials, etc

 

I am often asked what is the "best"

And the truth is there is no best.

All of your clients and customers will be a little different so we need to meet them where they are.

 

Some want to pay for product and do their own thing

Some want to pay for supplies and follow along with a class

Some just want to "know how"

 

and we can do that.

 

When you design a card, project, class or stamping opportunity you can offer a "kit" of supplies that includes all the materials: stamp sets, ink, embellishments, cardstock , etc. 

• I think of this like a single stamp set class where they purchase the stamp set and then there is an additional cost for the consumables. All of the projects use that stamp set.

 

We can also offer the "come and craft" opportunity in which we provide all the materials with a charge for the consumables they need to complete the projects. 

• We have called this a stamp a stack in which they make a set number of cards and get just the materials to make those cards, all consumables.

And we can just offer a tutorial to those who might not be interested in buying any product from us but what the directions.

• This works really well to get over the frustration of "all those demos following me and I'm not making any money"

 

As we look at growing our customer base, increasing our reach, and becoming more profitable, we want to really open our business to meet people where they are.

And the beauty is that it doesn't take a lot more work than what you are already doing.

It makes it easy transition to begin putting your traditional business on line

 

And there is no perfect time than with the change of a catalog to change up and refresh your business

Be Inspired * Be Inspiring

 

Lisa

hang out with us on facebook

stay inspired on twitter

dream with us on pinterest

be delighted on instagram @lisapretto

 

For FREE weekly tips right to your inbox on how to make social media really work for your direct sales business, click here

Webinar: Discounting and Loyalty Programs

 

"Discounting and Loyalty Programs: Keeping Your Customers Your Customers"

 

too often in direct sales we think we have to give away a lot of product or profit to keep our customers coming back and staying loyal to us.

 

Well, we think you work hard for your money, we want to see you keep more of it

AND

grow a loyal customer base at the same time.

So we are going to share with you the tricks to doing both of these

 

Join us to learn :

• when discounts work
• how much to give away in incentives
• how to create LOYAL customers
• tips to keep them buying from YOU!

 

this training is available now

Cost is $4.95

 

Be sure to follow the link to receive the training after you have paid. Any problems, email me at lisa@inkbigacademy.com

All webinars are included in our VIP package, read more about that program here

I'm Still Talking about YOUR Money

any one who has taken a training from me knows that I will talk about money a lot. I believe with all my heart that everyone can have a profitable business, as big or small as they wish.

I also talk about passion for what you do and building an amazing life. Because money without love for what you do is a pretty hollow existence.

 

But today I want to talk about YOUR money and what you do with YOUR money.

 

I think there are some really good places to put your hard earned money:

• marketing pieces
• support people who free you to do what you love
• trainings: whether they are on MDS, how to blog, building a strong team, etc.... and I'm not the only one offering those ;)
• Tutorials and PDFs on things that would take you a ton of time to figure out
• Stampin'Up! products that you are going to use RIGHT AWAY

 

I am sure there are others, but you get the idea.

And one of the places I think you should NEVER, NEVER, NEVER spend your money is with another demonstrator for product.

If you want to buy a tutorial for 4.95 on 4 cards and a box, I think that may very well be a good investment for your business.

In fact, I am a BIG purchaser of those as I figure what they save me in time and frustration make them a great investment

 

BUT......

Someone is selling you all the cut pieces of card stock along with the tutorial? WALK AWAY

Someone wants to sell you a "product sampler" from the new catalog?

WALK AWAY

As a demonstrator you get a discount on your sales and they help you earn free goodies as either a hostess, great rewards, upline incentives, etc.

 

There is NEVER a good reason to buy product from another demonstrator

If you want to do a product share, get some of your stamping friends, or customers, together and everyone buy a little something and share

MOST demos intend those product sales to be be purchased by customers.

SOME demos depend on other demos to buy product from them to boost their own sales.

 

I am not saying they are doing something wrong by offering those opportunities, 

BUT

 

As a a business owner you get to decide how to spend your hard earned money.

Be thoughtful

 

There is no reason to support another demo by purchasing product from them.

And what a great opportunity to help out your fellow demos by putting together shares where everyone benefits.

Direct sales was never intended to be the model of one direct seller selling their product to another direct seller.

 

For those of us with Stampin'Up!, we have so much inspiration that can be found on blogs, Splitcoast, Pinterest, and Stampin' Connection.

Enjoy and appreciate the creativity of others.

Let it inspire and motivate you

 

And then buy YOUR product at YOUR discount from YOUR company 

 

 

Be Inspired * Be Inspiring

 

Lisa

hang out with us on facebook

stay inspired on twitter

dream with us on pinterest

be delighted on instagram @lisapretto

 

For FREE weekly tips right to your inbox on how to make social media really work for your direct sales business, click here

 

 

 

 

 

What are YOU Working for?

Recently there was an informal Q&A and the question was:

What is the best benefit of being in direct sales?

 

And overwhelming the answer was the Incentive Events

• over the friendships
• over the paycheck
• over the product

 

and it made me think,

How many of the consultants in Direct Sales earn an incentive event?

the answer: not many!

 

and it made me sad

 

Seriously, the percentage of consultants who earn an incentive trip is around 1%

 

So what is the highlight for the other 99%?

What motivates the majority of demonstrators to work their business, share their passions, continue to stay active?

the paycheck

the friendships

the product

 

so while the trips are a nice benefit, they aren't what makes a successful direct sales business

99% of demonstrators who aren't earning trips are still successful, they just work for different benefits.

What does this mean to you and me?

1) Don't compare yourself to the 1% and think you aren't successful because you aren't jumping on a plane or cruise ship

2) MOST consultants are in  the business because they love the people and the product, that is what gets them up in the morning, and keeps them actively sharing their passion for the product for years and years

3) if you are an incentive trip earner, ENJOY the reward of your hard work

4) but remember what drives the majority of demonstrators is vastly different than what you may use as a barometer of success, or what your company believes is "success"

 

EVERYONE can be successful

And the more we embrace all the different levels of success, achievement, and fulfillment, the happier all of our consultants will be.

And that happiness and joy in our downlines and demonstrator base will create great things for all of our direct sales companies

 

We need to ignore the hierarchy of "visible success" and honor each person's desires and dreams.

When you fulfill YOUR dreams, YOU ARE SUCCESSFUL!

Do What You Love!

Success will find you

 

Be Inspired * Be Inspiring

 

Lisa

hang out with us on facebook

stay inspired on twitter

dream with us on pinterest

be delighted on instagram @lisapretto

 

For FREE weekly tips right to your inbox on how to make social media really work for your direct sales business, click here