Category Archives: Business Building
Benefits of an Online Party
Last month I was asked to put together what I thought were some of the benefits of an online party. You know, like a home party but online, “in-person” just through the use of a chat room instead of someone’s living room. It’s only dawned on me recently to post them here! Look for an article to go up at MWS next! 
Some benefits of an online party, for Reps. and guests alike…
-An online party saves time and money for everyone involved – hostess and guests. Travel time is really as long as it takes to get to your computer and into the online party room. In this time of rising gas prices – it may add up into more of a turn out because no one has to get in their car and drive anywhere!
-You can invite more than you normally could for an in-home party and reach a broader audience – the internet world! An online chatroom can accommodate more people than an in-home party might. Therefore, the presentation of your products or business opportunity reaches more people.
-When you host an online party, you don’t have to provide snacks, or a clean house, or even be dressed for that matter! LOL!
-Child care is not as much of an issue an issue, because you’re not leaving home, but you might want to have little ones busy with an activity or DVD to allow you to party.
-An online party allows you to communicate with your customer base, especailly those out of state. You can use an online party as another tool for selling to your regular customers. It also offers them an opportunity to interact with you, ask questions etc. in more of an immediate way than email, or a monthly newsletter could offer. Also, less costly than a long distance call.
-For most direct sales consultants, instead of handling the orders and payments, credit card issues, etc. themselves, the company takes care of that as customers order through their website. Commission is earned via the online ordering system and added to your check. For customers – they order through a secure website, and their order is shipped to them directly from the company.
-A free online party chat room, such as MomChats.com allows you to schedule your online party that is most convenient for you and your guests.
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Personalized Customer Relations
Give Customer Contact a Personalized Touch
Aside from the possible exchange of emails, or quick conversation you might have with a customer regarding her order, how else do you keep in touch with your customers? Sure, you might put out a monthly e-newsletter to let your customer base know the latest, but adding a more personal touch to your customer contact might be get you noticed, and therefore, remembered.
Here are some ideas to personalize your customer service…
- Design a note card that reflects you and your business. For those in the Scrapbook business, take a picture of a layout created with your products, then upload it to a greeting card service. Or if you do business online, create a screen shot of your website to put as the image for the front of the card. Use this card for individualized customer communications.
- When gathering contact information, be sure in collect your customer’s mailing address and phone number, as well as their birth date (month and day). Then send a card with a discount coupon to each for their birthday.
- Keep a record of your customers’ orders. As products go on sale, send notes to those who commonly buy that product, or make a suggestion for a sale item that might coordinate with a previously ordered product.
- Send a “Thank You for Your Order” card. Give them some tips on how they could use that product in their next album. Let them know of coordinating items that are also available. Depending on how soon you send the card, they may receive that before they receive their order.
- Make sure always include your contact information, phone number at least, in any customer communications. You want to make sure that your customers know you are always accessible.
Think about it, your customers get sales ads, and who knows how many newsletters, and special offers-but how many receive a personalized card? They feel remembered; therefore, you’ll be remembered.
Too Much Information?
This one may generate some conversation, and would probably make a good message board post at Mommy’s Helper as well! I made a post in my ScrappinWAHM’s Journal blog, breaking down the new Buyer’s Club Memberships with their benefits (savings and earnings potential). Top Line Creations now shows all pricing levels for their products – everything is out in the open. And I kind of like it that way.
Yet, there are some in the school of thought that “Less is More” – the less information that is out there the more of an earning opportunity. If my customer’s know the price I pay, are they still going to buy from me knowing that I’m receiving 25% TLC’s new Revenue Sharing program? My thought is they are making an informed choice – my customers can continue to shop through my TLC Shop, paying retail (at least they lowered all the prices!), or they can decide to join the Buyer’s Club and get the same discount I’m getting.
As has always been the case, it’s completely up to anyone as to what they want to do with their membership. I’m choosing to be more active and take advantage of the Revenue Sharing and free referral page – plus I already have my TLC Shop paid for through January. Just like under the old model – anyone may decide to join just for the discounts on the exclusive scrapbook products. My feeling is I don’t want anyone to feel that I’ve kept anything from them, and it’s out there for all to make their own choice.
What I need to do now is beautify my TLC Referral Page – and I was thinking of a page with information similar to what I put in my other post. So, tell me, am I way off course? Am I even making any sense? LOL!
