Marketing Archives - Blue Bottle Passion

October 5, 2017 by Sue Leave a Comment

5 Steps to Launch Your Neal’s Yard Remedies Business

Use these 5 easy steps to hit the ground running and launch your Neal’s Yard Remedies business.

You just signed up as a Neal’s Yard Remedies consultant! Congratulations! You are going to LOVE this life-changing company! But wait! What do you do next?

Step 1

Get out your calendar! Mark it with your success start dates. You don’t want to miss an opportunity to earn some freebies! Schedule your first Facebook party and two launch open houses. Work on your FRANKO list of friends, relatives, acquaintances, neighbors, kid connections, out of town and others.

Step 2

Log into your back office and check into the new consultant webinar and other free training is available. Look around and get familiar with where information is. Print out the flip chart for your party demonstration.

Step 3

Plan an “Open the Box” party! I know. You are dying to see all the beautiful blue bottles in your Business Kit, but hold off until you have a friend or two over. Grab your phone and take some video (or go live on Facebook) and share all the goodies to get you started! You never know, that friend or two just might become your first host or team member!

Step 4

Invite! Maybe have one party on a weekend, and the other on a weekday. Personally invite each guest. No mass emails. I suggest you let each guest know you found an amazing company with fabulous products and you’d love to hear what they think of them. If they have a conflict, you have a second option for them to attend. Have the parties close together so you can submit the orders together, and maximize the host rewards. Yes, Neal’s Yard Remedies allows consultants to earn host rewards as well as their commission at their own parties. By having a Facebook party running at the same time, even out of town guests can place orders to help you get started. Be sure to follow up the day before with reminders!

Step 5

Time to party! Neal’s Yard Remedies makes it super simple to present your first pampering or aromatherapy parties by providing a flip chart with everything you need to share with your guests, to help them fall in love with the products and the company. Keep refreshments simple, and allow your guests to try the products hands on. Ask each guest if they had fun, and if they would like to earn free and half price products!
Close out your first parties and choose your host gifts. I recommend closing out this first party with your sponsor, to maximize your host gifts, and in case you have questions.

These steps should have you well on your way to sharing your passion for organic living through a successful business and sharing Neal’s Yard Remedies’ mission of changing the world, one blue bottle at a time!

If you are thinking about beginning your own organic business with Neal’s Yard Remedies, I would love to have you join my team! Contact me for a ‘think about it’ packet or sign up now.

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August 8, 2017 by Sue Leave a Comment

Top 10 Benefits of Joining Neal’s Yard Remedies

Joining Neal’s Yard Remedies as an Independent Consultant could be the best decision you will ever make. I truly never planned to do direct sales when I ordered out my business kit. In fact, I signed up without ever trying the products. That brings us to reason number one.

Low cost business kit with huge retail value. I love a good bargain, and the Neal’s Yard Remedies business kit is a pretty awesome value. Not only do you receive a great assortment of full-sized products, but it includes everything you need to get your business off the ground. It includes a free website, catalogs, and order forms.
Discount on personal products. Following up on the last point, is the personal discount. I really love double dipping on the discount when my favorite products go on sale. I sometimes get my favorites for close to half price. Now that’s being a smart shopper!
The extra income. What would extra income mean for you? How would you feel if you had the extra money to take the family on a well-deserved vacation, sign the kids up for a sports camp or music lessons, or get that smart TV your husband has been eyeing at Costco? If you are in a holistic business, how would offering organic products to your clients enhance your business?
Flexible hours. Whether you have young children, are a college student, have another job or are a retiree, with Neal’s Yard Remedies, you really can work your own schedule. I know. Lots of companies say they have flexible hours, but if they have monthly minimums or targeted goals you need to reach, it may not be all that flexible. Neal’s Yard Remedies does not have monthly minimums. To remain a consultant in good standing you simply need to place an order of $100 retail at least once every 12 months.
Work from home. You wouldn’t believe my work wardrobe. Yes, I’m often still in my pajamas when I get online in the morning. No, I can’t wear pajamas to a vendor event, but my work wardrobe can be pretty minimal. I also don’t put many miles on the car.
Incentives and recognition from the company. Believe it or not, everyone isn’t motivated by money. I know, it’s kind of shocking in one way. Would it make any difference to you if I said you will make X amount of dollars this month when you sell $500, OR you can earn this super cute tote bag with a darling “save the bumble bees” logo on it for selling $500 this month? Sure, you get the money either way, but there is something about being able to earn that extra prize that is so motivating! If leadership is something you are thinking about, there is plenty of room in Neal’s Yard Remedies. How would it feel to walk across the stage at conference and be recognized for your achievements? Is travel your dream? It’s possible to earn a fabulous trip by meeting your goals.
Learn business skills. I’ve learned so much since I became a Neal’s Yard Remedies consultant. I love sharing what I learn with others. I’ve learned about facials and skincare, aromatherapy and essential oils, social media, and so much more. There’s free training in your back office and I can pretty much guarantee the more you learn, the more you will fall in love with this company.
Friendships and relationships. Pampering workshops, Facebook events, networking, being a part of something important, meeting like-minded women at conferences, and chatting with interested people at vendor events all lead to forming new friendships.
Tax benefits. Speak with your tax advisor to see how you may benefit from running your own business.
Change the world. If you don’t think companies should be allowed to sell products with ingredients that are known to harm human health, animals and the planet, vote with your dollars. Join me and let’s change the world, one blue bottle at a time.

Are you ready to begin your life-changing journey with Neal’s Yard Remedies? There has never been a better time to start your own organic business. I would love to partner with you as we work toward our goals. Ask questions or learn more about joining my team HERE, or sign up with Neal’s Yard Remedies HERE.

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May 30, 2017 by Sue Leave a Comment

Direct Sales is the Perfect Retirement Job

Direct sales or network marketing truly is the perfect job for retirement. Think about all the reasons for retiring. Working. Every. Single. Day. No control over what you do and when you do it, limited vacations, long commutes, driving to work in snow storms. You get the idea.

How about a job with complete control over what you do and when you do it? I’ve done direct sales off and on over the years starting back when I was a young mother. Direct sales fits so many situations well, but I think it is absolutely perfect for the retiree and soon to be retiree.

The first reason it’s an ideal job is the flexibility. You can truly work when you want, and as much or as little as you want. Full-time, part-time, you’re the boss of you! Heading to Arizona for a month? No problem! You can work your business from where you are, or put it on the back burner.

The second reason is the money. It’s true. Once you’re on a fixed income, you don’t feel as comfortable spending money as you once did. Bringing in some extra money lets you plan that winter vacation, look at replacing the car, take the grandkids to Yellowstone National Park, or even splurge on that designer bag without feeling guilty. When you choose to represent a company with products you love and use, you save money by getting it at a discount.

The third reason is incentives. Not everyone is money motivated, but dangle an awesome free product for hitting a sales goal, or even an incentive trip, and I’m in! Most direct sales companies have a “Success Start” plan for your first three months, and not only does it help get you off and running, but you begin to FEEL like a success!

Reason four is the social aspect. From my very first summer conference I’ve connected with fellow Neal’s Yard Remedies consultants and continued wonderful relationships through Facebook, texting and phone. This year I’m looking forward to meeting my “accountability partner” in person. (She ended up being more accountable than me, but that’s a different story.) I’ve met some wonderful women through local networking events, vendor events, even online direct sales Facebook groups. Just ask me if I can steer you to a Lularoe, Norwex or Stampin’ Up consultant, and I’ll point you in the right direction.

The last reason is mental health. Working my business gives me a reason to get going in the morning. I would rather write a blog post than clean out a closet, or clean anything for that matter. If you choose well, you are passionate about your products and/or business. I enjoy learning new ways of promoting my business on social media and creating graphics to share my message. I love learning new aspects of marketing my business.

There are many other reasons to consider retirement direct sales jobs. If you have a hobby or cause that’s near and dear to your heart, you can probably find a company that will align with your beliefs. For more information about choosing a company read my POST about what to ask before choosing a company. For a list of direct sales companies, check out the members of the Direct Sales Association.

What do you plan to do in retirement? Let’s continue the conversation on FACEBOOK. I would love to answer any questions you have about the direct sales business in general, or Neal’s Yard Remedies in particular. Click on the SUE graphic below and let’s connect!

May 4, 2017 by Sue Leave a Comment

IF YOU ARE IN DIRECT SALES, WHY AREN’T YOU BLOGGING?

Have you ever thought about blogging? What is holding you back? Maybe you are wondering why anyone would read your blog, or do you really know enough about anything anyway. Several years ago I started blogging over on one of the free platforms. I’m pretty sure no one ever read those pearls of wisdom I put out there-even my mother. I soon lost interest because what’s the point of blogging if you don’t have any readers? It’s kind of like putting on a play without an audience.

As a direct seller I was blessed to discover Brenda Ster’s Socialite Suite group on Facebook. I purchased a couple of trainings from Sassy Suite, and was quite impressed, so when Blogging Boot Camp 4 was announced late in 2016 I was intrigued. I loved the idea of personalizing my own WordPress blog, and having a platform to share my passion for Neal’s Yard Remedies products and holistic, organic wellness, not to mention having another social media funnel for my business. Installing my own WordPress blog was a bigger challenge than I could handle on my own. The price of the course right before Christmas was a little steep for me, so I put it off. Right before the Blogging Boot Camp was set to begin, I came across some funds I had forgotten about in the amount I needed for the training. I took it as a sign I was meant to enroll.

What to Expect

Blogging Boot Camp offers 2 levels of service and training. In full setup we had the choice of 4 Genesis Framework themes installed for you, and you learn to personalize it. With full setup and design, there were 6 themes to choose from and extra, personalized branding and design coaching. The course is self-paced, and there is a private Facebook group for asking questions, sharing and getting to know the other Boot Campers. Full Setup and Design was already full, and I didn’t know the difference between widget and a plugin, so I signed up for Full Setup.

The training is divided into technical setup, and design which are pretty much one time activities, and content and promotion. Most lessons have a video explaining exactly how to complete each task. I have to admit I watched some of the videos several (six or seven!) times, as I did not grow up with technology. It will take several weeks to complete. When I make changes, I can go back and review the steps. I will have access to the course forever.

The Rewards of Blogging

Blogging Boot Camp has been one of the most rewarding and enjoyable experiences I’ve done in many years. Now I know what a Pretty Link and SEO are. I have more ideas for future blog posts than I have time to write. I cheer when a fellow Boot Camper’s blog goes live or they share a new post. As a life-long learner, I love figuring out how to solve each puzzle of my blog. If the technology piece is holding you back from blogging, I recommend signing up for Blogging Boot Camp the next time it’s offered. I still can’t explain the difference between a plugin and a widget, but I know how to make them work for me!

Check out Sassy Suite for current trainings below. Yes, this is an affiliate link, but don’t worry. I would recommend Sassy Suite whether I was an affiliate or not. I will make a small commission to keep this blog afloat should you click through and decide to sign up (with no cost to you) for any Sassy Suite trainings.

With so many bloggers out there, it’s hard to stand out. By taking Blogging Bootcamp through the Sassy Suite, your blog will look professional, and you will be equipped to keep it that way.

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February 16, 2017 by Sue 1 Comment

10 QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE CHOOSING A DIRECT SALES COMPANY

Over the years I’ve been involved with more than my share of direct sales companies. I am a believer in the business model. At various times in my life, direct sales helped both financially and by providing a discount on products I loved, and worked well while my children were young. Here’s what I believe you should find out before signing up.

What is the cost of joining, and what does that get you? A huge red flag would be an expensive kit with little or no value. Another would be a huge commission to your sponsor just for signing you up. Neal’s Yard Remedies business kit provides an assortment of full sized products worth much more than the price of the kit, and pays no commission to the sponsoring consultant.
Is there an ongoing monthly expense, such as website fees? Your website is free with Neal’s Yard Remedies.
Are there monthly minimums or autoships to stay active or receive commission? No monthly minimums with Neal’s Yard Remedies. Once every 12 months a $100 retail order is required to remain active.
Is an inventory required? Do you have to deliver products? Customers can order directly from your replicated website and have their order delivered direct with flat-rate shipping.
How long has the company been in business? Is the product likely to remain in demand, or is it possibly a short-lived fad? Neal’s Yard Remedies started over 35 years ago, and demand for healthy organic products is increasing.
Will you need to replace your sample products seasonally because of major changes in the product line? Is your product a “consumable?” A small number of new products come out a couple of times a year. No need to replace sample products until you run out from demonstrating. Neal’s Yard Remedies are consumables, encouraging repeat business.
Are you allowed to have a Facebook business page and market your business online? Neal’s Yard Remedies encourages having Facebook business pages, Twitter, etc.
What is your commission and how many levels are you paid on? Do you receive a discount on personal purchases? Neal’s Yard Remedies has a very generous commission plan, and you do receive a discount on personal purchases.
Are there hosting benefits, and who pays for them? The consultant pays about $6.50 for the initial “Thank you” and “Hostess Exclusive” gifts, and the company pays for the rest of a very generous hostess plan. Consultants may take advantage of the hostess plan when they’re ordering $200 or more.
Are there catalogs, supplies, and samples, and what is the cost and shipping expense? Catalogs and business supplies are reasonably priced and are available for flat-rate shipping.

Finally, investigate the reputation of the business you are looking at. What is being said about them and their products? Is it a company that cares about people, animals and the planet? Doing your homework before you sign on the dotted line will pay off.

Be sure to join my VIP Group for all the latest Neal’s Yard Remedies news and specials!

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5 Steps to Launch Your Neal’s Yard Remedies Business

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Top 10 Benefits of Joining Neal’s Yard Remedies

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