Title: Direct Sales Tips: Prepare For Holiday Selling Word Count: 485 Summary: Here are some helpful hints for making the most of the holiday selling season. Get organized! You cannot have a record-breaking season if you are not prepared. Set aside one hour today to order supplies, update your potential hostess list, get your show bag in order, clear your desk, and make those booking calls. Schedule early and schedule tight! Begin filling your calendar with more shows than you would ever dream of holding. Promote noon and four p.m. tea shows... Keywords: Article Body: Here are some helpful hints for making the most of the holiday selling season. Get organized! You cannot have a record-breaking season if you are not prepared. Set aside one hour today to order supplies, update your potential hostess list, get your show bag in order, clear your desk, and make those booking calls. Schedule early and schedule tight! Begin filling your calendar with more shows than you would ever dream of holding. Promote noon and four p.m. tea shows so you can hold two shows in one day! Have a family meeting. Share with your family the importance of the season ahead and together decide on a reward you will all enjoy when you meet your goal. Post a family calendar on the fridge that includes important family events as well as your shows. Create a plan for when mom is away on business and make sure they know that they are an important part of your career. Prepare meals in advance. Set aside one afternoon or evening each week to prepare healthy meals for the nights you won’t be home. This eliminates the stress of rushing a meal and running out the door. Your family will know that they are your top priority. (For cook-ahead meal ideas go to our Meal Planning section in the DSWA Learning Library.) Maintain an attitude of gratitude! The holidays are a busy time and are sometimes overwhelming; however give thanks for the abundance coming your way and celebrate your success. You will have time to take it a little slower in January. Holiday Sales Now is the time to gear up for the selling season ahead with fabulous sales ideas. Give your display tables a festive touch by draping them with elegant fabric in seasonal colors. A greeting card, ornament, or wrapped gift will also remind guests the holidays are just around the corner. Help clients take the guesswork out of gift giving with a Gift Certificate, if your company has this available or make your own gift certificate or basket gift. Have one on display at your shows and always offer this as a solution to your male clients. Offer to help busy clients take care of the people on their gift list in one easy stop with you. Gift Buying Appointment. Have the items delivered to your home, then gift-wrap and label each gift and personally deliver the order to your client’s home or office. Look into the possibility of participating in a community or church holiday bazaars. Often these events offer great exposure at a reasonable price. Be sure your products are properly labeled for your shows. This will make it easier for your customers to write up their own orders and reduce the order taking time at your shows. But remember to be familiar enough with the style and price of your samples so you can check orders for accuracy.