Hi Julie,

Goodness, you're very experienced in this! :) I'm very impressed, Julie... especially when you also think of the counseling work you did too....

It's very impressive. :)

> After Katherine was born, I sold at home
> parties...Christmas Around the World was my
> line. I used to say as a part of my Schpiel
> that I really loved my work because every
> night was a party and I got to be the center
> of attention!

Heheh.... I can imagine that.... :)

I also have a tendency to like to be the center of attention too.... Well, I fluctuate. Sometimes I like to be in the spotlight, and other times I prefer to be the one behind the scenes.... But I definitely know what you mean. :)

> My team was #1 in the district from my first
> year on! When people told me I was a great
> sales person I thought..."Hmmmm? I am
> just having fun!?"

Yes, I think if you're having fun it really helps with your success! Especially in sales.... It helps to like the people you're talking to. :)

> I suppose that is a lesson in and of itself,
> that often times we while we are not selling
> the product as much as we are selling a
> feeling. Those men really enjoyed engaging
> in witty repartee with me. They knew I would
> keep visiting as long as they used my
> products. :-)

Yes... That's something I just learned too....

I went around with someone who is more experienced than me, and he did most of the stores, though I did some myself (and enjoyed it). :)

However, yes, it is definitely much better to get into good conversations when the other person wants to.... You can't just look at your watch and say "I've gotta run"....

Often I'd notice that they'd buy more. For example, "Yes, we'd like 200 of those multi-colored CD-ROMs there, but no, we don't really want the black ones...."

Then some idle chit-chat about new technology and DVDs vs CD-ROMs.... Then they'd say something like,

"Oh, yeah, just give us 200 of those black ones too, why not... and some of those mini-discs as well...."

I noticed that having good conversation -- when they want to -- helps with the increasing the sale.... :)

And it also makes it more fun for you too!

> I met Beverly Cleary at a convention for
> English instructors. Might not mean anything
> to you. To ME, she was the creator of many
> of my childhood favorites. There she was,
> sitting at a table, no one talking to her.
> She simply took action on her dreams and
> wrote and wrote and wrote.

I know what you mean, Julie! Many people feel intimidated by the "big names" but they're just people like you and me.... They just want others to treat them like a normal person. :)

Anyhow.... It was a great experience for me, I'm going to be doing some more on Thursday....

I found the hardest part, actually, was "opening" -- how to start the conversation.... I think once you have a good first thing to say, the rest can flow if you know your products and their benefits and their unique qualities....

Now I know, though, why Gordon recommends this to other people. It really builds confidence. And when you talk to others online, it helps you to keep in mind that there's a real single person out there on the other end of your message.... And talking to them online is just like talking to them if you were in their presence....

Thanks Julie.... I can see why you'd be so successful at sales, it's because everybody likes you, you are so warm and caring and nice.... :)

Dien