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                    In a Nutshell

   Information and Tips for your Image Consulting Business

 

 10/03/03                                          Issue #18

 Linda Gerloff, Editor, linda@blueflute.com 

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     By subscription only! Welcome to your next issue of

                   "In a NutShell".

 You are receiving this newsletter because you have

 subscribed to either the monthly Automated Inventory

 Updates or this newsletter.

 Unsubscribe instructions are at the end of this newsletter.

 

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   IN THIS ISSUE

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    =>  Inventory Updates for October
    =>  Blue Flute News 
         A special offer for all NutShell users!

    =>  Feature Article

         Tips for Effectively Promoting Yourself with
         Business Cards

    =>  NutShell Tip –

         Gift Certificates – a GREAT way to build your business!

    =>  Game –

         Book 2 or more EVERY time

    =>  Recognition Corner

    

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 Inventory Updates for October

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 Your inventory updates for October are ready. If you have

 subscribed to this service, you can get your updates here:

  http://www.blueflute.com/btyupdt1.htm

 

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 Blue Flute News

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 A Special Offer for all Registered NutShell Users -
 Earn double-referrals in October!
 You will receive 3 additional months of free updates (for
 a total of 6) for each of your referrals who purchases the
 NutShell Combo at regular price in October. This can mean
 an additional $10, $20, $30 or more in savings for you!
 Remind your consultants that the end of the tax year is
 almost upon us. Getting organized now will save many
 headaches later!

 (Please note that the double updates bonus does not apply
 to referrals of new consultants. For your referrals who
 use the New Consultant Discount, you will receive 3 months
 of updates for free.)

 Updates as Gifts – If you have earned more than a year or
 so of updates, you may want to give some away as gifts!
 Your earned updates can be given away in 3 month
 increments. Three months of updates is a $10 value. This
 can be a much appreciated gift for a member of your upline
 or downline! Just let me know, and I’ll make the
 arrangements. I’ll also send your recipient a pretty email
 notification!   

 Find out more - If you are not familiar with NutShell, you
 can find out more here:   

  http://www.blueflute.com/btynut.htmm

 Download NutShell here:

  http://www.blueflute.com/ordrform2.htm

 A note about Margarita products – Please be aware that the
 Margarita products are not available to be purchased in
 October and November. They will be back Dec. 1.
 Even though they aren’t available for ordering right now,
 they are still in your NutShell inventory list since this
 is a temporary situation.

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 Current ‘In a NutShell’ Newsletter and Archives

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 To read this month’s newsletter in it’s entirety, go to
 this page: http://www.blueflute.com/Newsletters.htm

 

Did you miss a prior ‘In a NutShell’ newsletter, or would

 you like to review one of the articles? You can view it

 here: http://www.blueflute.com/Newsletters.htm 

 

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 Feature Article –

  Tips for Effectively Promoting Yourself with Business Cards

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 When creating your business card, remember:

  - Even if you can print your business cards at home, have
    your business cards professionally made by a printing
    company. Your business card will be your prospects’ first
    impression, so let it be a good one. You want to present
    a professional image.

 
  - Keep your business card simple and easy to read. Don't
    use too many fonts or try to cram in too much information.
    Use high contrast between the background and the type.
    Light background with dark type works best. Make sure all
    information is printed in letters large enough to be
    easily read.

 

  - Find a way to make your business cards stand out. Use an
    interesting texture or cut the corners at an angle, so
    your card won’t get lost in the crowd.

 

  - Your logo should be the largest item on your business
    card. Your name should be the next largest, followed by
    your tagline.

 

 Be sure to include:

  - Your website and email address

 

  - Your tagline. A tagline is a short but powerful sentence
    that summarizes your business and intrigues your
    prospect. This could be a shortened version of your
    ’30-second commercial’.

 

  - Since your relationship with each of your customers is
    an important part of your business, consider including
    your picture.

 

  - Make your business card go the extra mile: use the back
    of the card to print information that will intrigue your
    prospect: De-Stressing tips, Skin Care tips or maybe
    information about MRP (Maintenance-Repair-Prevention).

 

 

 To use your cards effectively:

  - Have business cards with you at all times. Keep a stack
    in your car, in your house, in your office, and in your
    purse or Daytimer.

 

  - When giving away your card, give two or three at a time,
    so that your prospects can give them to other people.
    This will create a beneficial "endorsing effect".

 

  - Don't give your business card too quickly. It may be
    perceived as pushy. Try to establish a conversation with
    your prospect first. For example, ask them what they do.
    This may prompt them to give you their card. That is the
    perfect moment to give them yours.

 

  - Throw a business card in every delivery you make.

 

  - Handwrite special information on the back of your card
    before handing it out. This will make your card more
    important and less likely to be lost or thrown out. You
    could include your cell phone number, or information
    about the upcoming BeautiPage Open House.

 

  - When working a booth at a fair or expo, offer to hand
    out other vendor's cards in exchange for them
    distributing yours.

 

  - Use the back of the cards you receive to write down
    important facts about the persons who handed them to
    you. It will help you enormously when you follow up
    with them.

 

  - Take good care of your business cards. Keep them clean
    and crisp. Don't give away cards that are bent or
    damaged.

 

  - Take a cue from Far East business people, who hand
    out business cards with both hands. It helps give
    an impression of sincerity and implies that your
    business card is something very important.
    (which, of course, it is!)


         *-----------Quote of the Month-------------*

         'Use the Trial and Success method; learn
          how to improve and succeed by falling and
          learning from your  mistakes.’

               -- Brian Tracy

         *------------------------------------------*

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 Business Trivia

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 15 Places to Leave your Business Card:
    1. Doctors/Dentists Offices                    

    2. Mechanics waiting rooms                 

    3. Laundromats                                      

    4. College campuses                               

    5. On backs of stalls in public restrooms

    6. Library                                                 

    7. Hair Salons/ Nail Salons                    

    8. Tax Preparation Offices                    

    9. Orthodontist Offices                          

   10. Insurance Offices                              

   11. Dry Cleaners                                      

   12. Veterinarians                                     

   13. Furniture Stores                                

   14. Day Care centers                               

   15. Retirement Home

   

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 NutShell Tip –

  Gift Certificates – a GREAT way to build your business!

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 This NutShell tip is suggested by:
           Marcia Dever, Executive Director

                         Louisville, KY

 

 The BeautiControl product line is robust and full of
 variety. There is something available to make every woman
 happy!  This is pretty handy, since we are approaching the
 peak gift giving season of the year. Some of your
 customers will be interested in giving one of your gift
 baskets, and some will like gift certificates.

 Gift Certificates are easy for your customers to use
 because they are convenient. They are small and easy
 to handle. And the gift giver only has one decision
 to make – how much to spend!

 Gift Certificates can be great for your business, too.
 Unlike gift baskets, in order for a gift certificate
 recipient to enjoy her gift, she has to make contact with
 you! This gives you the chance to customize her gift for
 her, and most importantly, you get the chance to start
 building a relationship with her! Don’t forget that
 building a bond of trust with every one of your clients is
 the number one thing you can do to grow a healthy retail
 business. Your client will buy more from you and she will
 refer others to you, as well! And, if she believes in you,
 she might even want to join your team!

 So, when you are speaking with your clients, suggest that
 they give their family and friends gift certificates for
 your products and services. Remind them that this will
 enable to you provide their loved one with a gift perfectly
 customized to their wishes. And don’t forget to mention
 that the certificate cuts out all the work – and
 decision-making - for your client.

 

 Now, when you sell gift certificates, you may find yourself
 a little confused at first, about how to handle this in
 NutShell. Here’s how:

 1. I have added a new product to the inventory list. You
 will get it when you download your updates for October. It
 is item #117 – Gift Certificate.

 2. When you sell a Gift Certificate to a client, put the
 Gift Certificate (item #117) on her invoice. The retail
 price will come up as zero, so change it to the dollar
 amount of the gift certificate. If your client purchases
 a $50 gift certificate, change the Retail price on the
 invoice to ’50.00’.

 3. Since you don’t actually carry gift certificates in
 stock, you will need to Force the shipment on the invoice.
 ‘Force’ it by double-clicking the ‘F’ column on the Gift
 Certificate line.
 4. When a client redeems a gift certificate, enter all the
 products she has selected onto her invoice. Put the gift
 certificate amount into the Adjustment Field, as a negative
 number. If she buys $30 of product and has $25 gift
 certificate, you will put ‘-25.00’ in the Adjustment field,
 and the invoice total will be $5. You may also want to
 include in the ‘Note’ field, information about who the gift
 certificate was from.

 If you are so inclined, after one of your gift certificates
 has been redeemed, you could send a card or email (emails
 are faster and easier) to the client who purchased the
 gift certificate. Let her know how excited her recipient
 was about the products she received. This will reinforce
 the whole gift certificate concept. She will know her gift
 was a success and will be likely to give this same gift
 again!

 Oh, and by the way, you now have a new client!

 

       *---------------A Good Laugh--------------*

        As you make your way through this hectic
        world of ours, set aside a few minutes
        each day. At the end of the year, you’ll
        have a couple of days saved up.
          – Age 7, from ‘Kid’s Deep Thoughts’    

       *-----------------------------------------*

 

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   Game – Book 2 or more EVERY time!

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 Write the number ‘2’ on the outside of an envelope. Insert
 a certificate in the envelope for a small gift. It could be
 a left over Give it Up Girl lipstick, a mini product, or
 something you have too much of in stock.

 Seal the envelope and pin it on your Hostess’ shirt.
 Instruct the guests that the Hostess may open the envelope
 to reveal her free prize once she has 2 bookings! Don’t
 allow your Hostess to open the envelope until she has the
 two bookings.

 Guests really do want to help, and they are curious about
 what is in the envelope!

 

 

 (Don’t forget to use discontinued or hard-to-move products

  for the gifts in your games!)

 

 

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 Do you play a game that is a big hit? We would love to

 hear about it: mailto: Games@BlueFlute.com    

 

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   Recognition Corner

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 Congratulations to the following NutShell users who have

 worked hard and achieved success in advancing their careers!

 

 ~ $20,000 Director ~

  Theresa Anthony
  Maudava Morton

 

 ~ $15,000 Director ~

  Judy Byrum
  Judy Guerra
  Saralyn Ostwinkle
  Sue Torbit

 

 ~ $10,000 Director ~

  Julie Adams
  Marcia Dever
  Michelle LePak
  Liz Palaca
  Belinda Trost

 ~ $5,000 Director ~
  Nancy Johnson
  Jennifer Keathley
  Denise Newsome
  Judy Overby

 ~ Senior Director ~
  Nancy Johnson
  Jennifer Keathley
  Denise Newsome
  Judy Overby
  Dawn Petzak
  Diana Vivlamore

 

 ~ Mustang Director! ~

  Brenda Fogerty
  Nancy Hearn
  Amy Messinger
  Teresa Sprouse
  Kathy Thompson
  Diana Vivlamore
  Donna Winegard

 

~ Director ~

  Anne Arnes
  Linda Bennett
  Sherronna Bishop
  Jane Brown
  Rita Byrd
  Roxanne Dufort
  Sandra Elliot
  Nedra Kanavel
  Kimberly Lengenfelder
  Alice Penner
  Heather Richter-Egger
  Anne Teran

  Beverly Williams

 

 ~ New DIQ ~
  Diana Alley

  Pam Andros
  June Beazley

  Rebecca Bevill
  Julie Boschert
  Camille Bryant
  Michelle Bulyszyn
  Linda Foreman
  Marie Garrett
  Robin Hundley
  Dawn Jones
  Laura LeBlanc
  Teresa Ledoux
  Linda Mallog
  Jennifer Myers
  Nancy Neel
  Wendy Norman
  Lisa O’Brien
  Stacey Patterson
  Sheryl Reagan-Smith
  Ann Marie Root
  Claudette Sealy
  Sheryl Statham
  Dawn Stevens
  Faye Tarsches
  Dee Dee Thibodeaux
  Angela Toben
  Jeannette Turner
  Lisa Vanetten
  Lisa Vazquez
  Annette Walden
  Suzanne Walker
  Peggy Webster
  Connie Wescott
  Renee Zimmerman

   

 

 ~ Unit Manager ~

  Michelle Bulyszyn
  Susan Furrow
  Alice Gray
  Rhonda Moreau
  Chimene Ross
  Sheryl Statham
  Jane Witcher

 

 ~ DIQ ~
  Diana Baker

  Leslie Boyd

  Michelle Bulyszyn

  Vicki Callaway
  Cathie Crate

  Patricia Crowley

  Christine Engelbrecht

  Karen Falto Rodriguez
  Pam Fowler

  Susan Furrow

  Barbara Gordon

  Terri Grahlman
  Alice Gray

  Gillian Greer

  Deborah Harrell

  Marilyn Hillman

  April Iwan
  Tracie Jones

  Tania Kinzinger

  Sandra Knellinger
  Wendi Lawson
  Sue Light

  Tressa Malone
  Barbara Matich
  Cathy Matteri
  Laura McLand
  Leann Mezzacapo

  Rhonda Moreau
  Donna Oehlert
  Mary Alice Peters
  Chimene Ross

  Heather Smith
  Barbara Stevens
  Connie Stock
  Tina Stock
  Leslie Strzelecki
  Karen Witt
  Patricia Woodward
 

 

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   Copyright Information

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 Please pass this e-zine along to your friends. Just click

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 Copyright 2003 Blue Flute Software Creations, Inc.

 

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 A note about referrals and your email address – Being an

 avid hater of email spam as much as you are, I have

 never (and will never) give, sell or rent your email

 address to anybody who could possibly spam you! However,

 I will give your email address to consultants who list

 your name as their referral. I will give her address to

 you, as well. This is so that you and she can be ‘NutShell

 partners’! If you would rather not have your email address

 given to your referrals, please let me know:

  mailto:privacy@blueflute.com             

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 Linda Gerloff

 Blue Flute Software Creations

 Linda@BlueFlute.com 

 P.O. Box 77882

 Fort Worth, TX 76177

 817-439-1081