by Sue Bradley
Long lazy days, schools are out, people are on vacation or wishing they were! Summer traditionally means a slower time for doing business if you’re in our industry summer is all about relaxing, staying cool, and being with friends, children and family. This summer, why not work with your friend’s passions and build your business around what they love to do?
Here are 10 ways to put the summer to your advantage
1. Hold a BBQ
This is a great way to involve the men in your life. If you represent a product that goes well with a BBQ even better! If not, have a small display of the products that you represent. When you are inviting people, be sure to tell them that you want them to try or take a look at your product but the focus is on the food, fun and time spent together.
2. Have a manicure/pedicure party with prizes for the best flip flops
This works great for a friend of mine in a jewelry business! She buys some flip flops, has her guests decorate them with jewels and ribbon and gives them away at her shows. Another good friend brings groups to a local manicure/pedicure salon. Everyone feels indulged and she can talk, show, and teach while they are feeling relaxed!
3. A Pool Party!
When the temperatures soar, invite a group to your home to laze by the pool. Provide fresh squeezed lemonade and some crisp veggies and dips on ice and talk about how your company can help them live better!
4. Christmas in July
I know you’ve heard this one before – but everyone loves Christmas and it is fun to pull out the holiday music, turn the air conditioner on and get your shopping done now!
5. Alaskan (or other chilly destination) Holiday
Find out what people do in Alaska or for that matter Australia this time of year. Hold a theme party where you do the same. Create an authentic dinner or snacks and invite your friends. You can even give each an assignment so they can participate. Play appropriate music, post some chilly looking photos on the wall or a screen saver on the television with glaciers, snow, skiing and ice. You might even have to make hot chocolate!
6. Walk the Mall
Not just for seniors anymore, mall walking is for anyone who doesn’t want to just watch TV from a treadmill. Meet early, say 7 am and you’ll have plenty of time to share as you circle the stores. Sharing and talking helps to keep your pace reasonable!
7. Kids Craft Day
If you’re like me, about 2 weeks into schools summer vacation you run out of things to keep the little ones busy. Why not host a craft day for parents and their kids. Hire a student to help you keep the kids focused on the craft (you can find lots of good, affordable ideas online) and you’ll have plenty of time to mingle with the parents!
8. Baseball
What’s more American or says summer than Baseball? Invite folks to join you at a game, at your home to watch one on a flat screen or even better, to play an actual game at the local field! Use a theme that highlights your product and your company. Target how it can help your friends have more time for their favorite sport!
9. Movie Night
Steal an idea from local hotels, rent a projector and drape a big white sheet between two trees in your back yard. Make popcorn and invite friends and family to watch a double feature at your house! Make sure to have your product displayed and samples ready during the intermission!
10. Water Balloons!
Remember what it is like to be a kid again; fill buckets with water balloons, divide into teams and let the most accurate team win! After everyone’s cool, relaxed and ready for a break, sit on some lawn chairs or on blankets on the ground and share how your company can help them to feel like kids again, even without the balloons!
Remember to be clear when you hold any of these events. Tell your guests upfront that you will be sharing your business. The event is a way to do it; you want people to be open to your message. That said, relax, and have fun too – your guests will be attracted to the fact that you can work around your life and theirs, and that like most networkers your job is a part of your life, not something to work around! ♦
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Sue Bradley is a highly-regarded executive and consultant to the Direct Sales industry with over 20 years of successful experience. Sue is a featured speaker and editorial contributor on group selling, party plans and incentive development for various organizations and publications. She has recently formed KTP (Keep the People) consulting to provide strategic programs specifically designed to attract, retain and grow corporate staff and field leadership for the Direct Selling industry. You may contact her at sue@ktpconsulting.com or visit her blog and website at www.ktpconsulting.com.
My #1 country happens to be undoubtedly Australia. Nice article. Picked up new concepts.
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