I would like to have you think for a moment about a situation. Pretend you are sitting inside of Burger King eating some food that you think is quite delicious. Lets say a burger and french fries. You are 1/2 way through your meal when a complete stranger walks up to you and tells you that you are eating the WORST burger out there. She then quotes statistics and tells you how much better tasting the food is over at Arbys. It is a better quality meat she says. Besides, the people over there wear snazzy red hats instead of the brown ones that they are wearing at BK.

What would be your thoughts? Would you be offended? Hurt? Or would you just thing they were ridiculous?

Most of us would never, ever consider doing that to another person. First because we assume that they are eating where they want to and that they are smart enough to KNOW that’s what they want. And second because if you were to say that to someone (especially a hungry someone) you would most likely be told to buzz off.

Here is a thought to top that one. You say to the person, “I can see that you are enjoying that meal, but over at Arby’s the food could compliment this meal so well, so lets head over there and you can eat BOTH.”

Again, why would you do something like that? I honestly can’t think of anyone who would.

(sorry this is in all CAPS, but it is kind of the important part…)

SO THEN WHY DO PEOPLE DO THIS IN THEIR BUSINESS???!!!!

If I am IN a direct sales business, I know how to start a direct sales business (like walking into the restaurant). We are all aware that there are other direct selling business out there and if we wanted to, we know we could ask any representative of that company if we could join them. The burger analogy also points out that people are in their particular restaurant, or rather company, for a REASON. They didn’t just wake up one morning and think, “Hey, I feel like joining a direct sales company. I wonder what is the worst one I could join would be.” There was/is a reason why they made the choice to join their particular company and you saying “You would be so good at doing what I do.” is not going to change those reasons.

Honor their decision to be a part of the company they have chosen. If they loose faith or if it turns out to not be a great fit, they know there are other options out there and that you could be one of them. Get to know them. Be their FRIEND. ASK if you can add them to your customer mailing list. (actually ask, don’t assume). And then leave them alone. The same goes for your non-direct selling friends. No one wants to be badgered into joining something. If they want to know more, they will know to ask you.

NEVER insult their choice of what company to be a part of. The message that this is sending is “You are not smart enough to choose a good company on your own” or even “You have bad judgement or business sense.” Either way- not a good message to be sending to someone you want to have as a part of your business.

And finally, please don’t EVER try to pull the line of “you can do both! I know plenty of people who do this and that and are successful at both.” Again, the message you are sending is “you don’t know what you want.” or “I want people on my team who are too busy to really produce great results.” I would much rather have 5 tremendously focused individuals than 30 people who are just trying to do everything (and therefore doing almost nothing).

The bottom line for me is the Golden Rule “Do unto others as you want them to do to you”. If you want other “leaders” trying to poach your people, the do the opposite of everything in this article. if not, please take my advise!

It is our job to raise the direct selling profession UP, not to pull it down. Common courtesy and respect is the way to do that. Keep in mind that others are whole and complete and not something that is broken and needs fixing. Yes, we can (and do) help others, but not by attacking their choices, decisions and intelligence.

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Pinterest is a lot of fun, and if you have been over and taken a look, you can tell how addicting it can be! In case you have not been over to Pinterest, the basic concept is like having a bunch of virtual “pin boards” like cork boards. You can name them for things like recipes, crafts, clothes, shoes, gardening, etc. Then you look at what others are “pinning” and if you like it or want to save it for later you “pin” it on your board. It stays there always and forever so that you can refer back to it. I absolutely love it because it is ALWAYS there. We went to visit my family in Idaho a few months ago and had some extra girl time. We were able to go to one of my pins and then have a super fun craft to keep us busy where before it would have been 8 hours away still in my filing cabinet!

For a more detailed look at how to USE Pinterest, check out this video:

Now for the important part. There has been a lot of talk about people being sued for using Pinterest or there is even an article circulating about a lawyer/photographer who deleted her pin boards because she was concerned about the possibility of being sued. (Find that article here www.businessinsider.com/pinterest-copyright-issues-lawyer-2012-2?utm_source=twbutton&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sai )
It is kind of a tricky line to tread. Pinterest is widely popular and more users are flocking to it every day. Plus it is a lot of fun. But especially with things like photographs or pictures, the odds of someone using the photographer that the beautiful picture came from is extremely unlikely. For crafty or recipe blogs, Pinterest is incredibly helpful. If someone likes a craft or a recipe, traffic to their blog could explode overnight!

All things considered- I will continue to use Pinterest. I try to make sure that the things I pin link to an actual site, tutorial or store and not just a picture. Watch out for copyrighted pictures (usually they are watermarked) and unless you have permission to use that picture however you would like, don’t pin it. Also, if you are pinning quotes try to make sure the source is sited.

If you are in a kind of Direct Sales company, check with your corporate executives before posting pictures of the products you offer. Pinterest is so new that a lot of companies have not addressed it in their rules for online use and promotion. Better safe than sorry.

One more word of caution. Pinterest warns about self promoting. Be careful not to pin lots of things from your blog or websites. Your account could be suspended and you could be banned.

I hope this helps to put your mind at ease.  It will take some time before everything simmers down and legislation is set in place for things that are “acceptable” to pin and those that are not.   I don’t think that Pinterest is going anywhere but some of the pinning rules may change in the future to protect the users.

Happy Pinning!

*all views and opinions expresed in the above article will not guarantee that you won’t get sued, but in the humble opinion of this author, won’t hurt to try.

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I have discovered the most amazing little gadget in the world! (or at least it is to me at the moment) It is the Square. No, I’m not being facetious. It is a small credit card reader that plugs into the headphone jack on your iPhone or Droid (other smart phones too). It will read cards and you can charge them on the spot! Digital signing too. The card is then charged and the money deposited into the account of your choosing! AMAZING!

I have been looking into a credit card processing sys

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“Little minds are tamed & subdued by misfortune, but great minds rise above them.” -Washington Irving

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Here are some great articles and links to what others are saying online:

Business Tips For Working Moms and Mom Entrepreneurs-
www.voidbots.net/2010/08/30/business-tips-for-working-moms-and-mom-entrepreneurs.html/

4 Hot Tips For Work At Home Moms
1tipeachday.com/financetips/?p=821
(This one is from one of my FAVORITE people, Deb Bixlar.  She is such a great source of wisdom and a sweetie. )

Find Party Plan Bookings When Out Doing Errands
eccentricwahm.com/wahm-business-ideas/direct-sales-find-bookings/

That’s all for now folks.  Enjoy the reading material!

Awnya Boam

Time4Felt

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How do you connect with new people? Have you tried to go to any local networking groups? Meetup.com is a great place to find people in your area that are meeting for different reasons. Try attending a few different meetings with the intent to connect and make new friends. Think about how you can help your new found friends in their lives and in their businesses. Keep your needs/wants on the back burner and make it all about them. This is the way to create lasting connections and network in a way that will serve you for years to come.

So get out there and make some new friends!!

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Here is a great article about what you can do for your small or home based business to increase your SEO (search engine optimization).
Small Business SEO 7 essential tios for Small Business Owners

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This is a great article on how to manage it all during the summer months when your kids are home all day long again.
Top 5 Tips for the WAHM and 10 activities to keep children occupied while you work during the summer vacation.
Enjoy!

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Here are 10 time managment tips for the WAHM. I love these!

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For someone who has just started out in business, this is an ideal solution to get some business cards quickly. Use the blank template and add graphics and your personal information to create a “starter Business card”. Enjoy!
Business cards template

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