I loved this note from Ali Brown that came in my inbox today. She's got a great approach to working smarter and it involves RAISING your prices! :-) love it! Let me know what you think!
"How Starting Your Own 'Country Club' Can Skyrocket Your Revenues!"
by Alexandria K. Brown
**Annette's note - I met Ali online when I was looking for ways to grow my team with my other business She's got some great free (and paid resources)**
My mom was visiting recently and during our mother-daughter shopping time I noticed something interesting. Almost all of the stores I made a purchase at asked me if I'd like to get on their mailing list. That's very smart.
However, the WAY in which they did this made a big difference in my answer. I said NO to almost all of them because they simply did not make it enticing for me. I mean, who WANTS more junk mail? So if you simply ask me if I'd like to be on your mailing list, the answer will usually be NO.
But one store in particular got me. First of all, it was a designer clothing store I loved. Second of all, they didn't ask me if I wanted to be on their mailing list. They invited me to become a "VIP Client".
Say the words "VIP" to me and my ears perk up. It of course stands for "very important person". And in general it indicates a level of advantage and prestige. Suddenly I WANTED to be on that mailing list, especially when the salesman explained to me it came with certain benefits, such as early notice on new arrivals, a personal shopping service, and private trunk shows.
**Annette's note - I think this is key... rather than just a preferred customer type thing, what about an elite stampers club or something even more special**
And you know what? I would have even paid to be part of that - to be regarded as a VIP.
***did you catch that....she said she'd pay money JUST to be regarded as a VIP...without any product or anything**
You see, people WANT to be part of something special. The example above was free. But don't underestimate how much your clients or customers will PAY to do that, either.
Example: A friend of mine recently shared he pays $15,000.00 a year to belong to the President's Club of a local playhouse, even though he and his wife could attend each show there for just $150.00. Why would even a loyal attendee want to pay 100 times more? Special treatment like preferred seating, valet parking, invites to VIP functions, private restaurant for members only, networking with a higher level of people, etc.
Another friend of mine pays for membership at a private nightclub here in Los Angeles up on Sunset Blvd. for many of the same reasons (but more so, I believe, because it impresses his dates ; )).
My marketing mentor Dan Kennedy taught me there is a segment of virtually EVERY customer or client group or market who will happily pay FAR above standard prices for convenience, status, and special treatment.
I call it "country clubbing" your business. Why be the driving range with an hourly charge when you can be the classy six-figure membership club down the street? You can offer both of course, but look at what will skyrocket your business FASTER, with less transactions and higher quality clients.
One example of this is my private Platinum Mastermind program, which I launched in 2006 due to overwhelming demand for my personal coaching. This group of 15 serious small business owners each pay $15,000.00 a year to have greater access to me than anyone else, and in a small group setting where we meet 3 times a year at luxurious 4- and 5-star hotels and resorts.
My Platinums are, essentially, VIPs in my world! And because I maintain a bit of mystique about the group, people seem to want "in" even more. (One of my members got cornered in the ladies room at my last Online Success Blueprint Workshop by several attendees who demanded to know how they could get into Platinum!)
I share this not to impress you, but to impress upon you that in YOUR market (yes, *yours*) there IS a percentage of folks who will gladly pay MORE - much more - for a higher level of service or treatment. Remember, you're not trying to please EVERYBODY, just the select few who can afford that level of service.
**Now, I wish she'd answer the question: HOW do you find those types of people!**
So now, take a minute or two and consider how YOU can start your own "country club" for your clients and customers. Whether it's a VIP level of service or a private client group that meets a few times a year.
To get your wheels turning, imagine this... if you can get 10 people to commit to some type of program that is just $10,000.00 a year, that's an extra $100,000.00 this year for YOU!
© 2007 Alexandria Brown International Inc.
Online entrepreneur Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen," publishes the award-winning 'Straight Shooter Marketing' weekly ezine with 22,000+ subscribers. If you're ready to jump-start your marketing, make more money, and have more fun in your small business, get your FREE tips now at www.EzineQueen.com
Friday, May 25, 2007
Thursday, May 17, 2007
2007 New catalog dates
May 16th... F/W Preview brocure mailed to demos
May 17th... F/W Preview brochure posted online
May 30th... end of Palette o' Prints promotion
June 1st... F/W Preview brochure mailed to customers
June 1st... F/W Preview brochure can be ordered on a supply order
June 1st... F/W Preview brochure demo orders can be placed
June 1st... F/W Hostess sets can be ordered (one L2 & one L3)
June 11th... "Share What You Love" promo earned hostess sets can be redeemed
June 20th... Retired accessoris list posted online
June 29th... Last business day for 06-07 Catalog Year
June 30th... Last day to order from 2006-07 catty and Spring mini (these count as 2007-08 sales)
July 1st... F/W 07 Collection posted online
July 1st... First day to order from F/W 07 Collection, starting at noon
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
800 number
If you're doing Stampin' Up! as a business I'd urge you to get a toll free number to add a level of professionalism to your website, business cards, ads, etc. Something about having one speaks "serious" and lets your customers and potential recruits know that you're ready to do business with them for the long haul.
I've done some research around for 800 numbers and have found Kall8 to be the best for the money. Click here for more info on Kall8.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Tuesday Topic - Only 3 people showed...
Dear Ducky,
I just don't get it.... this weekend I had a workshop
and was so excited. I spent a few hours preparing for
the workshop, deciding the projects and cutting the
cardstock etc. The hostess seemed excited too.
When I got to the workshop only THREE people
(including the hostess!) were there. I was so
discouraged I just wanted to leave right then and
there. What would you do in this situation?
Signed,
Depressed and Downhearted
Tuesday Topic - PLEASE buy from me!
You have a friend who learned to stamp from you
and always asks for advice on card ideas etc when
she's working on a project. She's just called again,
asked for your card idea and says, "I'm running to
the store today to buy the supplies... is there
anything else I should get?" You don't want to seem
greedy and say "Duh, you goof ball.. buy it from me"
but you really want to bring up the discussion with
her at some point because it's happening all the time.
What would you say/do?
Charlotte's 2005 meeting pictures
Click HERE for the photo site of some great cards that were shared at one of Charlotte's past meetings! Thanks to Margot for posting these originally!
Classified ads
I'd love for us to share with each other what we or our family members do that might be of service to others in the group. This does not have to be stamp related. For
instance, if your husband makes widgets that help strap your children into their kitchen chairs, then post that here, etc.... that way if one of us might need a widget, rather than go to www.widget.com we can call your husband.
List what you/they do, how to contact, etc. Please be brief but give enough detail so we'll know what's what!
You may comment here as many different items as you wish as, just make sure it's here in this classifed post. Just like the classified section of the newspaper. If
there are two in our group that offer similar services, well, just do what's right.
Please do not add replies here that say, "Wendy Widget, please call me about
purchasing your husband's widgets". If you need a service, read the "ad" and then contact that person directly OFF the site. Questions? Please e- mail me. The only reason you should reply to this is if you are posting your own classified ad.
Success by Richard Flint
Success in any area of life is not a happening; it is knowledge and behavior working together to create a clearly defined direction. Here are the demands of success and tips to help you achieve your personal success.
S—Stability. When you lack stability, you are always second-guessing yourself. That weakens your desire.
U—Unshakable Commitment. Any improvement you want for your life will be tested. If your commitment isn’t strong, you will get lost on the detours.
C—Consistent Evaluation. Correction will inevitably need to be made. If you don’t periodically pause and evaluate where you are, your wrong turns will become dead ends.
C—Correct Choices. Your choices create your direction. This means each decision cannot be a guess; it must be the result of information and right questions.
E—Education. You can only go as far as your mental sight can take you. When you are not learning, you create roadblocks.
S—Staying Focused. Staying focused is the real challenge. The roadside is filled with things that look like they can save you time and energy, but most of them are there to keep you from staying on the right path.
S—Strong Organization. This is the result of all the above added together. Your organization is the visual definition of your desire to succeed. Being organized is one of the main ingredients to success!
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Watercolor Crayon Tutorial
Here are some fun sites for ideas on how to use our Stampin' Up! watercolor crayons
WC Crayon Tutorial Site #1
WC Crayon Tutorial #2
Any other fun ideas for these??? Post your comments below!
Convention 2007
Hi,
I am really hoping to attend convention this year. Ideally the first session, 'cause the second session is too close to a major work event.
Anyway, anyone else looking to attend session one? I need to be able to convince my husband that I can cut costs on the hotel by sharing with others.
Lisa Starbuck :-)
Eat That Frog
SUBJECT: STOP! Procrastinating…
If you've been in party plan for any length of time, you are probably familiar with the 80/20 rule. This rule, stated simply, says that 20% of the people on your team do 80% of the work.
In Brian Tracy's book EAT THAT FROG, he puts the 80/20 rule in terms of procrastination. He says that if you have a list of 10 “to-do's” … “only two of those items turn out to be worth as much or more than the other eight items put together.” He also says that while all the items on the list may take about the same amount of time to accomplish that one or two will actually “contribute five or ten times the value of any of the others…” So, the 80/20 rule applies in what you do each day as well. He suggests that you “resist the temptation to clear up small things first…whatever you choose to do over and over, eventually becomes a habit that is hard to break. If you choose to start your day on low-value tasks, you will soon develop the habit of always starting and working on low-value tasks. This is not the kind of habit you want to develop or keep.”
Me…procrastinate….NO WAY! Start piddling with little things before I get to important things like booking parties or scheduling recruiting appointments? OF COURSE NOT! Uh, well…oops…maybe just a couple of things… OK, OK, true confessions…here's the list of things I have come up with that I am totally guilty of and need to (obviously) change in light of what Brian Tracy has to say.
* E-MAIL…the number one culprit. Oh my, I can blink and two hours will be gone.
* Good Morning America…start to watch it just to make the bed at 7:30 and all of a sudden I'm sucked into Oprah…
* Chit chat with friends who know early A.M. is a great time to reach me.
* Read the newspaper (just to get a couple of email ideas)
* Order some things online, because THAT'S easier than phone calls!
Unbelievable, how in the world is it noon already? Guess it's time for lunch…what does the cooking channel have on today? AND, what should I make for dinner, and now I think I'd better run to the grocery, AND, now the kids are home from school and they need my attention, AND, AND, AND…
Hey Brian….did you spy on me before you wrote that book?
Need some great tips to get more done in less time? Click below and order your copy of EAT THAT FROG today.
Thanks for respecting our copyright by including our company information when you share these tips with others.
Copyright 2007 by The Success Factory All Rights Reserved
Cream Grosgrain ribbon anyone?
Hi there - I was wondering if anyone had any extra spare spools of cream grosgrain ribbon? I can either repay you in cash or when I receive my spools of ribbon, I can reimburse you that way. Please let me know. Thanks!
-Cindy Kang
Retired List 2007
So, let's hear it ladies... how many stamp sets are you pulling off your shelves this year with the retiring list? My poor little stamp sets left over in my drawers are very very lonely and the stack of retired stamps is VERY high!!! I think I'm down to about 6 regular wheels and 5 jumbos and have only ONE alphabet set left at all!!! Waaaaaaah!
May Swap - Boy Cards!
Hi Gals,
I'm hosting a swap. Want to participate?
May Swap Theme, BOY CARDS!!. Not man, not baby. We have so many great boys out there that would love some homemade cards, but we tend to be flowery and girly. Lets make some cute cards for boys. Like the 3-10 yr olds! A great set is "In the Wild", I'm sure you can think of others. Bonus: I will include a free gift for every participant! Please make full cards with a minimum of two layers and at least one embellishment. Attach a sticky note with directions/recipe.
Sign up due date: May 15th
Due May 31st
Swaps will be returned if they are late without the free gift. :)
Mail to: (with return postage inside)
Jodi Lynn Buck
N8725 Army Lake Road
East Troy, WI 53120
Email me at jodi.buck@juno.com if you're interested. THere are 10 players so far.
