Before I start on today's topic, I want to mention that condensing 90 minutes of video into 5 or 6 is going to be a real challenge. It's going to be a while before I have it ready to show. Be patient please!!
Lately I've been hearing so much from people who aren't doing as well with their business as they'd like. With nearly 32 years of serving customers under my belt, I'd like to make a few suggestions.
1) To be successful in Avon you have to work. Hard. Yes, people know all about Avon but most of them don't know about our skin care and color products. YOU need to learn about them and share with your customers. Get educated.
2) Buy brochures. Every campaign. Buy at least ten more than you think you'll need. Don't skip a campaign. When you do, you miss out on brochures for that campaign. Once you get behind you'll find it very difficult to catch up. Even if you're just in this for yourself, show continuity and be consistent in your orders. Send in your order on time every two weeks.
3) Wear makeup. We're a beauty company. If you don't wear it, you can't show others how amazing our color items are. If you don't know how to apply it, or aren't sure what colors to use, ask someone. You'll find someone like me who's very willing to help you earn more money wearing makeup, AND...
4) Use Avon's skin care. With the introduction of Skinvincible, no one will have an excuse NOT to use our skin care. We have something for everyone, including those of you who say you're allergic or need extra SPF. USE IT. If you do, you'll sell it. I promise.
5) Attend meetings. Attend trainings. Go to every event you can get to. I do and I swear that I learn something new every time. And by sharing with others, we really do learn from one another. I have a wonderful manager. Some don't. But if you share, you'll learn. GO GO GO to meetings!!
6) Build your customer base. The other day someone said they didn't have any orders this campaign. You need at least three times as many customers as you think you do. If you have 100 customers, about 30 or so will order. If you want higher earnings, you need to sell to more people. Set a goal and make sure EVERYONE on your list gets a brochure every campaign. (See #2.)
7) NEVER, and I mean NEVER say anything negative to a customer about this company. Once in a while we all need to vent. When you do, make sure you vent to another rep or call your manager if she's someone who doesn't mind a good complaint session!
8) Always dress as if you're going to run into the CEO of Avon. I don't mean that you have to dress up formally, but make sure you are NEVER embarrassed by the way you look. Don't go to the store in sloppy clothes thinking you'll never see anyone you know. That's the day you run into your best customer OR that woman you've been trying to sell to for the past three months. About the time you try to sneak in and out of a store, you'll regret it. Besides...do you really want the clerk that knows you sell Avon to see you looking like something the cat dragged in? Think about it.
9) Buy demos and SHOW them. If someone goes into Macy's and looks at the products there-touches them and SEES them, they're likely to buy them. If you carry your three favorite items in to see each customer, you can usually sell at least one of them to each person. And just to make sure your profit stays high, carry only items you earn full profit on. You'll thank me.
10) Last, but certainly not least, have fun. Enjoy your job. Making women beautiful is a happy thing. Smile, dress well, wear makeup and talk to everyone you know. It's easy to drop an "I sell Avon" into conversations. The holidays are coming and now is the time to build it all up so that in January you'll still have a lot of people on your list who'll buy from you.
Happy Selling!!!
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Color Clinic #1
Well, the big day has come and gone.
Last Saturday was the makeup clinic that I'd had planned for well over a month. The Makeup Maven from a neighboring district, Mellisa Brownawell, helped a lot and because she did, I think things turned out really well.
Our DVM was aware that we were doing this but offered us no help or support. I created a basket to use as a raffle to help defray the costs, and brought some of my own new makeup for the attendees to test (with cotton swabs) if they chose. Some did, most didn't. Mellisa did two makeovers and brought all of her own makeup, samples and did a very professional job on each of the young women.
We had two DSM's in attendance and I introduced them as guests. We had 11 representatives there and one brought a guest. I'd had RSVP's for around 30. I was disappointed but the people who were there said they enjoyed it and said it was a great afternoon!!
My manager videotaped the entire thing and when I have a day, I'm going to download it, and edit it down to five minutes. I'll attach it here, post it on youtube if I can figure it out, and will get it out to several other places. I know many of my fellow Mavens haven't had much help from either their managers or DVM's and one of the reasons I did this was to show that it CAN be done.
My biggest challenge was this...I had to pay for the location. I did the raffle hoping to offset the cost. It didn't. So financially I took a small hit. Can I charge a small fee next time? I don't know. I would love to do these throughout the division, with or without the assistance of my DVM, but frankly, I simply can't afford it. Our division is large-some areas are five hours away-and I can't afford to have someone find a place, pay for it, pay for my samples etc to do small makeovers, and gas for a one or two hours class. I hope that as this program moves forward, we'll have more suggestions and help as to how to get color information out there to the masses.
I've been asked, as the "skin care guru", to come to a neighboring district to do a class on skin care (not as a maven) but I can also do an hour on color. Two classes, educating more and more women. If we can work this out so I don't lose any money, I'd love to do it!! We'll see how it goes!
Unfortunately, no one took pictures of the event in progress. Once I do my video, maybe I can take a few stills out to post. We'll see how it goes.
So one event down. More to go, I hope!!
Last Saturday was the makeup clinic that I'd had planned for well over a month. The Makeup Maven from a neighboring district, Mellisa Brownawell, helped a lot and because she did, I think things turned out really well.
Our DVM was aware that we were doing this but offered us no help or support. I created a basket to use as a raffle to help defray the costs, and brought some of my own new makeup for the attendees to test (with cotton swabs) if they chose. Some did, most didn't. Mellisa did two makeovers and brought all of her own makeup, samples and did a very professional job on each of the young women.
We had two DSM's in attendance and I introduced them as guests. We had 11 representatives there and one brought a guest. I'd had RSVP's for around 30. I was disappointed but the people who were there said they enjoyed it and said it was a great afternoon!!
My manager videotaped the entire thing and when I have a day, I'm going to download it, and edit it down to five minutes. I'll attach it here, post it on youtube if I can figure it out, and will get it out to several other places. I know many of my fellow Mavens haven't had much help from either their managers or DVM's and one of the reasons I did this was to show that it CAN be done.
My biggest challenge was this...I had to pay for the location. I did the raffle hoping to offset the cost. It didn't. So financially I took a small hit. Can I charge a small fee next time? I don't know. I would love to do these throughout the division, with or without the assistance of my DVM, but frankly, I simply can't afford it. Our division is large-some areas are five hours away-and I can't afford to have someone find a place, pay for it, pay for my samples etc to do small makeovers, and gas for a one or two hours class. I hope that as this program moves forward, we'll have more suggestions and help as to how to get color information out there to the masses.
I've been asked, as the "skin care guru", to come to a neighboring district to do a class on skin care (not as a maven) but I can also do an hour on color. Two classes, educating more and more women. If we can work this out so I don't lose any money, I'd love to do it!! We'll see how it goes!
Unfortunately, no one took pictures of the event in progress. Once I do my video, maybe I can take a few stills out to post. We'll see how it goes.
So one event down. More to go, I hope!!
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
After the Pneumonia
I can't believe it's been a few weeks since I last posted.
As many of you know, I was literally struck down with pneumonia about two weeks ago. I was sick for nearly a week before it was diagnosed, but thankfully, my doctor started me on precautionary antibiotics. I think that her doing that saved me a week or two of more serious illness.
As a result, I have done very little Avon. I am very fortunate that my husband helped take over and a customer who's a former rep came by and helped him sort and bag my entire order. It was nearly $2000 worth of products. I also had two customers drive me around to drop off all my orders. I made calls and my customers had their money and orders ready when we got there. And my drivers actually did most of the going to the door to drop things off.
I'm blessed to have a husband who cares enough about me (and my business) to keep it going. I'm blessed to have customers who were accomodating and as a result, with all this help, I was able to send in an order last night of nearly $1700. My order comes back this Thursday and I'll work that evening and Friday morning and then take the weekend off to get more rest in before I really dig into deliveries!!
During this illness, I had a lot of time to think and plan the Makeup Clinic Mellisa Brownawell and I are having in early September. Because we aren't charging anything to the reps/customers, we'll be having a raffle to help offset the cost of our location. I'm excited! We're going to talk about the new makeup items and allow time for Mellisa to show some of the new makeup trends. I'm looking forward to helping the attendees use a makeup item they either don't know how to use or don't use well. That's always a fun thing-they can go back to their customers with a bit of hands-on knowledge under their belts.
If this event goes well, I'd like to do another one in a month or two, perhaps in another area if the managers in my division would like to do it. As a divisional Maven, I really want to spread the word on how to look good!
Pictures and maybe even a video to follow!!
Enjoy your Labor Day weekend and get ready to start your fall color (and skin care!) sales!!
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
The Maven is Back!
I've been MIA for a while. I know I need to stick with this because there are a few people out there who read and enjoy my blog. But it's been a challenge and I'll tell you why.
We've all had difficulties with doctors but last week I dealt with two of them, and walked out of one office nearly in tears because he reminded me that I'm getting old and everything is going to fail on my body one day. I know that, and don't need reminded. Thank goodness he's not my regular doc.
Then I had a very difficult Avon situation that hit me hard and after 31+ years made me wonder if I need to keep doing this-selling, not blogging! After I vented, and talked with a couple of people, I now realize it wasn't ME that was the issue, it was the other person who tried to make me feel less than I am.
I'm over it now and back on track. Next month, my friend Mellisa and I are going to do a makeup clinic for our districts (she's the Maven for her district) and it's going to be fun and educational!! I have an agenda tentatively set up but I have a question for my readers.
If you were coming to a clinic, either as a customer or a rep, what would be the single most important thing you'd like to hear or discuss? We have several things firmed up, but we have a little space for something else makeup-related. We're hoping to tape this meeting and if I can figure it out, I'm going to see if we can make a 3-4 minute video to send to NY and to share with customers and other reps.
So let me know what you think. Mellisa and I would LOVE some ideas!!
We've all had difficulties with doctors but last week I dealt with two of them, and walked out of one office nearly in tears because he reminded me that I'm getting old and everything is going to fail on my body one day. I know that, and don't need reminded. Thank goodness he's not my regular doc.
Then I had a very difficult Avon situation that hit me hard and after 31+ years made me wonder if I need to keep doing this-selling, not blogging! After I vented, and talked with a couple of people, I now realize it wasn't ME that was the issue, it was the other person who tried to make me feel less than I am.
I'm over it now and back on track. Next month, my friend Mellisa and I are going to do a makeup clinic for our districts (she's the Maven for her district) and it's going to be fun and educational!! I have an agenda tentatively set up but I have a question for my readers.
If you were coming to a clinic, either as a customer or a rep, what would be the single most important thing you'd like to hear or discuss? We have several things firmed up, but we have a little space for something else makeup-related. We're hoping to tape this meeting and if I can figure it out, I'm going to see if we can make a 3-4 minute video to send to NY and to share with customers and other reps.
So let me know what you think. Mellisa and I would LOVE some ideas!!
Thursday, July 25, 2013
A GREAT Nail Tip!
This is just a quick tip I learned today from another Maven...
Get some Elmer's glue and paint it all around your nail with a brush. Let it dry and then polish your nails. When they're done, just peel the glue off! Why didn't someone think of this a LONG time ago? I just hope I can paint my non-dominant hand with the glue!!
One more quick tip-always use the non-dominant hand first to do the DOMINANT hand! You're less likely to smudge this way!!
I'll be back soon with more information on the new Mega Effects mascara!!
Have a great day, everyone!!!
Get some Elmer's glue and paint it all around your nail with a brush. Let it dry and then polish your nails. When they're done, just peel the glue off! Why didn't someone think of this a LONG time ago? I just hope I can paint my non-dominant hand with the glue!!
One more quick tip-always use the non-dominant hand first to do the DOMINANT hand! You're less likely to smudge this way!!
I'll be back soon with more information on the new Mega Effects mascara!!
Have a great day, everyone!!!
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
My Radio Show!!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lisamonoson/2013/07/18/avon-wwify-motivational-radio
Just a reminder that tomorrow night, 6:30 Eastern, I'll be live with a radio show! We'll be talking about skin care and if you have questions, you can come back here and comment with your questions!
It's going to be fun and exciting-a half hour full of knowledge!!
See you there!
Just a reminder that tomorrow night, 6:30 Eastern, I'll be live with a radio show! We'll be talking about skin care and if you have questions, you can come back here and comment with your questions!
It's going to be fun and exciting-a half hour full of knowledge!!
See you there!
Saturday, July 13, 2013
It's been a while. As I mentioned before, sometimes life gets in the way!
I'd like to remind everyone that this Thursday, I'll be doing an online radio show on skin care. Please listen in and if you have any questions, come back here to let me know! Here's where you'll find me at 6:30 Eastern time!!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lisamonoson/2013/07/18/avon-wwify-motivational-radio
Someone recently mentioned that she wished Avon would go back to "warm and cool" designations. I totally agree. Even though the market out there is telling us that anything goes, it's important to remember that most of us deal with customers who want a good everyday look. And if you're not a rep, I'm sure that you like something that will easily take you from day to night. I'm sure there are times that you want a really dramatic or special look, but from day to day we want to look good without all the frills.
Soon, Avon is coming out with a great new line of color with terrific technology. One day soon, I'll blog about that. But for now, everyone needs to know about the brand new Mega Effects mascara. Yesterday it was shown on the Today show and it was a great promo for us. And for non-reps, you are going to want this mascara! Here's what it looks like, and it's only $10!! Contact me to order it NOW!!
I'd like to remind everyone that this Thursday, I'll be doing an online radio show on skin care. Please listen in and if you have any questions, come back here to let me know! Here's where you'll find me at 6:30 Eastern time!!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lisamonoson/2013/07/18/avon-wwify-motivational-radio
Someone recently mentioned that she wished Avon would go back to "warm and cool" designations. I totally agree. Even though the market out there is telling us that anything goes, it's important to remember that most of us deal with customers who want a good everyday look. And if you're not a rep, I'm sure that you like something that will easily take you from day to night. I'm sure there are times that you want a really dramatic or special look, but from day to day we want to look good without all the frills.
Soon, Avon is coming out with a great new line of color with terrific technology. One day soon, I'll blog about that. But for now, everyone needs to know about the brand new Mega Effects mascara. Yesterday it was shown on the Today show and it was a great promo for us. And for non-reps, you are going to want this mascara! Here's what it looks like, and it's only $10!! Contact me to order it NOW!!
Be the first to own this awesome product! I'm waiting to hear from you!!
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