Dear Archive Visitor, I recently completed an 8-day intensive course on project management. I got to experience driving (okay, crawling) home in five o'clock traffic just so I could hit the books and prepare for the next day's class. One of the keys to being a good project manager is not only to identify all the tasks that need to be completed in any given project, but also to identify the tasks that lie on the critical path. Any task on the critical path is vital to project completion. In this week's ezine I'm continuing and expanding last week's topic Ñ generating bookings. The reason why is that bookings are tasks that lie on the critical path to your success in direct sales. The sooner you can generate bookings in your calendar, the sooner you can start to earn profits and develop a team. In case you're thinking of dismissing the idea of booking "home parties" simply because you're with a network marketing company and not a direct sales company, I suggest you read my article this week. You might be pleasantly surprised to see how receptive some people would be to helping you grow your business by introducing you to a few of their friends, just because you communicated that you might have a solution to one of their problems. Here's to booking yourself solid!

The Secret to Generating New Bookings By Tammy Stanley There's really only one reason you're reading this ezine right now. I know some of you would say that you're reading it because you love my ezine and look forward to Thursdays because you know that's the day I send it out. But guess what? That's not the real reason why you're reading this ezine right now. The reason you're reading this is because I presented you with an offer you couldn't refuse. Do you remember what that offer was? Fear not, I'll remind you... "Learn 3 simple secrets to attracting MORE prospects by giving me your first name and email address." Because you couldn't refuse that offer, you gave me your name and email address, I immediately put you on my ezine list, and that's why you're reading this ezine. Here's a major point I want you to understand Ñ you're not reading this ezine because I said, "Hey, wanna get a free ezine targeted to the direct sales/network marketing industry from me every week?" It's true that I could have asked that of each of you, and there would be a few of you who would have said, "Yes." But the majority probably would have said, "No thanks." In last week's article I told you that I jump-started my direct sales business once I picked up the phone and simply asked a few casual acquaintances if they would consider hosting a home party demonstration. However, asking someone to host a home party demonstration would be similar to me asking you if you wanted to get an ezine. But remember, even that activity generated bookings in my calendar. Another major point: Activity overrules inactivity any day of the week. The secret to generating new bookings with ease is identifying something that your prospects would love to have and then presenting those prospects with an irresistible offer. You have to get inside your customers' shoes and really ask yourself, "What do my customers want?" If you think the answer to that question is "free products," you haven't thought much about your prospects. Let's look at my offer. When I thought about my prospects I knew they didn't want a free ezine. How did I know that? I simply pictured my prospects going to bed at night and not being able to fall asleep. What was keeping them awake? Well, certainly not this thought, "Oh, if only I could get a free ezine targeted to direct sales! Then every thing would be all right." HA! FAT CHANCE! I knew that if anything in their business were keeping them awake at night it would have something to do with difficulty, how this business isn't as easy as they thought it would be. Then I thought about things that could really help make this business easier. And ultimately I narrowed those things down to three things. Still another major point is that I didn't just say "3 Things to...," I said, "3 Simple Things..." You see, I know that my ideal prospects want and need simplicity in their business because their lives are already busy and complicated enough as it is. The other thing I considered was that the bigger my prospects build their business, they not only earn more money, they experience leverage. By the way, "leverage" is another word for "opportunity" in project/risk management. By telling my prospects that I had 3 simple secrets to attracting MORE prospects, I capitalized on several of their desires Ñ simplicity and leverage of time and money. Hey, I can actually picture my prospects going to bed at night wishing they knew an easier way to make money and wishing there were a few more hours in the day! Do you ever go to bed with either of those thoughts? Chances are, you do, and that's why you took me up on my offer. I offered something that hinted at being the solution to one or more of your challenges. And that, my friends, is the secret to generating new bookings with the people and strangers you meet every day. Offer a solution to one or more of their challenges. Stop offering a product (for example: a free ezine) and start offering something they want (for example: simplicity, time and money). Keep in mind that your ideal prospects just might want something completely different than mine. You need to think about the problem to which your products are the solution. Yes... this just might require some deeper thinking on your part. Final major point: if you skip this, you'll be veering off the critical path to building a truly successful business. I suggest you stay on the critical path! WANT TO SEE MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE? WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER OR ON YOUR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Author, Sales Trainer, and Professional Speaker Tammy Stanley publishes the propelling 'Sales Refinery Insights' weekly ezine for direct sales professionals. If you're ready to jump-start your direct sales business, make more money, and create more value, get your FREE tips now at www.tammystanley.com/ezine/ezine_offer_ds.htm

If you want someone to guide you step by step to creating an irresistible offer for your ideal prospects, you want to get my audio set, Irresistible Vocal Marketing for the Direct Sales Entrepreneur. After listening to this audio set, you'll know the 7 Fatal Mistakes that people in direct sales and network marketing make when talking to others about their products, and you'll understand why those mistakes truly are fatal. I'll take you through a process to better understand your ideal prospects and how to speak so that they listen. I only have limited number of Irresistible Vocal Marketing for the Direct Sales Entrepreneur CD set (29 to be exact) left. Once I sell these, IÕm changing the package from two 80-minute CDs to four 40-minute CDs. Once I change the packaging, IÕll also be changing the price to $47. Surely you want the same outstanding information for only $35. Then be sure to order right away, before these limited edition sets get sold out. If you want it to be easier to get more prospects and business, order your copy of Irresistible Vocal Marketing today, at the special price of $35 while the supply lasts. To learn more, click on the link below www.tammystanley.com/direct_sales_products.html.

Tammy Stanley, founded and directs The Sales Refinery, a sales training company that assists direct sales consultants to generate more business and build long-lasting sales teams through powerful marketing, selling and leadership strategies.

Tammy has been coaching and training since 1994 and has a deep understanding of the challenges and needs of the independent sales consultant. While raising four children, Tammy built a multi-million dollar direct sales organization, reaching her company's Circle of Excellence 7 consecutive years in a row. She earned numerous sales and leadership awards, world travel, and promoted 11 offspring managers.

The Tammy Stanley Sales Refinery
Tempe, AZ 85283
Call Today: 480-775-4866
tammy@TammyStanley.com