My dearly beloved, we are gathered here today, in praise and worship of our…We interrupt this worship service to let you know that …YOU’RE INVITED TO A HOME PARTY!

I kid you not, this actually happened to me - of all places - as I was sitting in church! The service just finished and while contemplating the talks and things I had learned I get tapped on my shoulder. I open my eyes and in front of me I have a really colorful home party plan invitation that read:

YOU’VE BEEN FUNVITED!

You’re kidding me, right? Now, I can get just as excited over my home party plan business as the next man or woman, but…

There is a time and a place for recruiting.

I didn’t mind so much being approached AT church, but not DURING my reflection time. What’s next, passing the invitation around with communion? Giving the priest, preacher or pastor a cut of the commissions if he or she slips name of home party consultant A, and mentions home party business B? Then what do I get for guaranteeing an increase in your home party plan sales and profits?

Ok, maybe I’m being a little harsh. I know one of the biggest challenges for many home party consultants,; of promoting your home based party plan business is learning the delicate skill of timing and it can make for awkward interactions. What do I suggest? Learn how to balance emotion and excitement with a little logic and common sense. Learn to read situations a little better to avoid turning people away. You want to host friendly home parties, where people have fun and want to come back!

Its like the woman who goes to the Cellular phone store to upgrade her cell phone service. The cute sales guy is flirting with her (she may be attractive and all that jazz), but his purpose is…you guessed it to make a sale! Now how embarrassing would it be for the poor woman if she proceeds to give him her phone number and request a call so they can do something together?

The salesperson stares blankly at the woman who realizes that the phone store really isn’t the best place to solicit a date now is it? True story - may have happened to me (who knows?)!

Want to guarantee a successful home party plan sales and turn your fun into some real cash? Here are some quick tips on how to “prospect with purpose”:

1.Know Your Target Audience - those who are most likely going to buy from you!
2.Find out where target audience hangs out
3.Go hang out with your target audience
4.Build that sense of community…don’t SPAM
5.Have Fun

And just in case you’re wondering, here are a few more suggestions on when/where/how NOT to prospect:

1. Slipping invites under the bathroom stalls
2. Writing lip stick notes on windshields in the parking lot
3. Sending “Strip-O-Grams with sticky notes attached (imagine that image burned in your memory!)
4. Funerals
5. Weddings
6. Anywhere YOU wouldn’t appreciate it!

Using the right home party plan prospecting techniques to get the word out, with the right combination of fun home party games, will make many home parties very successful. So get to building your business but do it with a little more focus on tact. Can I get an Amen…er…Home Party Plan?

See you next time!