This is one of the costliest mistakes I think people make when getting started in a party plan business.  It is why I list it as the first tip, because everything else you do will center around understanding this one simple tip.

Promoting the company you represent will get you only short-term success.  Promoting yourself will produce very long term and very lucrative profits.  Why?  The answer may shock you:

The products you sell mean absolutely nothing.  Sure, it helps to have great products, but households all across the world are filled with junk that people bought.  Your customers are really buying YOU, not the product.

Let me say that again.  Your customers are really buying you.  The product doesn’t really matter much.  That’s why so many network marketing companies are successful.  Did you ever meet someone who has been in 4 or 5 network marketing companies and been a top seller in all of them?  Know why?

Because they built a strong reputation for themselves – not the companies they were in.  People are buying your personality, your credibility and your willingness to show how much you care.  They don’t care where the product comes from as long as you can show them the value and how it will solve their problem.

Another reason you want to market yourself has to do with the liability issues that your supplier has to face.  Here’s an email I received that illustrates my point:

“I thoroughly enjoyed your video posted on YouTube aptly titled (Home Party Plan Success-Tips-Revealed), finally a voice of reason rising above the babble!  I have had this nagging feeling about the methods that you mention in your video and it is evident from the results I am receiving I know that you are right and I have known too!

However, when I talk to my upline (a.k.a home party plan companies) about integrating these strategies and tactics into my business,  I get the no that is not how we do business.  I get the cold shoulder, (you know- the you are not on board with us so we are not going to talk to you drama that is common in the home party business).  My upline freaks out and practically holds a séances or exorcism to rid me of my progressive demons, calling in the troops with the trainings on how not to veer from the plan that has been laid.  How do you recommend that I go about finding a reputable company that won't frown on (or outright forbid, as [my company] does with many of these methods) these concepts?” 

- Melanie C.

Companies are constantly facing a barrage of legal issues, changing legislation and the threat of someone suing them.  Your company must be careful, so it will err on the side of caution.  Hence, strict marketing policies.   But focus more of your energy on how to work around it, because it’s not going to change.

You can avoid the drama that goes on because you determine what appropriate marketing for your business is. (hub on product branding that I wrote).

So what is one to do?  I highly suggest you looking into harmless methods of promoting yourself first!   May I recommend podcasting?  

Podcasts definitions being what they are, can get the newbie confused. Think ofa podcast as home made advertorials. They are both audio podcasts and video podcasts.

Podcasts are a series of audio or video digital-media files, which can and should be distributed over the Internet by syndicated download, through Web feeds, to portable media players and personal computers. Podcasts stand out and are distinguishable from other digital-media formats by its ability to be syndicated, subscribed to, and downloaded automatically when new content is added.

Podcasting is having your own personal TV show or radio show, featuring you! So its Oprah being heard and watched in over 70 countries!

The host or author of a podcast is often called a podcaster.

Apple, the company has revolutionized this method of media dissemination through ipods and more recently with its uber popular iPhone!

Educational podcasts tend to be one of the best podcasts out on the marketing.

So How does one create a podcast?

You must first decide whether you will be requiring an audio podcast? Perhaps you are more inclined to video podcasts, you are also welcome to a combination of the two.

Then you need to decide what outlets you will use to dissemeninate your podcasts. There can be found on the web a listing of podcast directories that you can submit your podcast to, the most popular one being iTunes! Also be aware that there may be those who do not use itunes, so offer some options. One of the better known podcast directory for podcast distribution services is podcast alley. A podcast blog is highly recommended because people can read and hear the content right from your won blog and as such create a lot of traffic for you! (Do I hear free, qualified direct sales leads?)

Of course as with any endeavor, you will want to decide on a target audience. My target is women, between the ages of 25-50 who are involved in direct sales, direct selling, home party plans, or home based business!

Then you want to decide what the focus of your podcast. Will you be sharing storied, interviews, tips, marketing lessons? How to and educational podcasts a staple. Writing podcasts is highly recommended, always create outlines so that you do not ramble on for hours on end! You will need an introduction, body and conclusion to your podcast!

How to Make A Podcast

Now this where things get exciting. What type of computer do you have? Mac come with inbuilt software throught garage band that makes it very easy to record and covert your mp3 podcasts. This the the file format that makes it easy to dowload podcasts.

1. Garage Band for Macs

2. Audacity for PC’s (they also have audacity for macs)

3. Microphone

4. Editing Ability

5. Intro & Outro Music

6. Pictures

7. RSS Feed Creator!

8. Podcatchers e.g, itunes

9. An Internet connection!

Alright now armed with your tools and knowledge, be on your merry way and create a podcast!