• Top 5 New Year's Resolutions for Your Stamping Business

• Happy New Year!  Time to Raise Your Prices!

• 4 Days Left to Sign Up for SIMB Study Group!

• The 100 No's Challenge Problem

• A New Live Presentation:  Get On The Phone!

• Sample of the Month

• Book of the Month

Top 5 New Year's Resolutions for Your Stamping Business 

(and How to Make Them Happen)

This is the time when we naturally take a moment to reflect on the year we've just had and the year we'd like to have.  Many stamping business owners make resolutions to help them focus on developing their business into a successful one.  Here (in no particular order) are the 5 most popular New Year's Resolutions for stamping business owners...and how to make them stick!:

1. I'm going to recruit more downline

To make this one happen, you have to make a list of everyone you know and speak to them about your stamping business.  Don't pre-judge and decide not to speak to people because you think they'll say no.  Recruiting is a numbers game, and the more people you speak to, the more people will say yes.  They'll be a lot of no's, too, but they won't matter as much when you see how much your network has grown.  Try and speak to at least one person per day.

2. I'm going to book more workshops and events 

Again, make a list of all of your customers, old and new.  Then, call them.  Touch base and see if they're ready to host another workshop.  If they're not, see #3.

3. I'm going to increase my customer sales

Even if your customers aren't prepared to host a workshop this month, they may want to buy some product anyway.  Always ask.  Never wait for them to bring it up.  As a rule, you should try and speak by phone to every one of your customers once every three months.

4. I'm going to be more organized

Find a system and stick to it.  If you like to use Outlook to keep track of things, use it.  If you prefer a paper planner, use that.  A good system is one that you'll use.  Just make sure it allows you to keep track of all of your contacts, doesn't allow things to slip through the cracks and provides a way for you to make sure you're following up adequately.

5. I'm going to make more money

A little vague, but powerful nonetheless.  95% of you are not earning what you could be through your stamping business.  How do you change that?  Put together your Business Plan!  If you don't know how, the book, "Stamping Is My Business!", has an easy, 9-page Plan plus worksheets specifically for stamping business owners.  Take a good, hard look at the different aspects of your business.  Build on your strengths and eliminate your weaknesses.  Set a financial goal for this time next year and go for it!

4 Days Left to Sign Up for

The SIMB Study Group!

You only have until Sunday to sign up for the Stamping Is My Business Study Group!

The Group is aimed at stamping business owners who are looking for the kind of consistent education, motivation and accountability coaching offers, but may not have the time or finances to step into regular Group or 1-on-1 sessions.

The Study Group is for stamping business owners who:

·        Want to step up their business

·        Can’t afford the time or cost of Group or 1-on-1 Coaching

·        Would like to have some accountability

·        Would like a monthly check-in that helps build their stamping business

·        Would like to learn more about running their stamping business effectively and efficiently

If any or all of this sounds like you...IF YOU WANT 2006 TO BE THE YEAR YOU REALLY GROW YOUR STAMPING BUSINESS...you may want to consider joining the Study Group.

For more information, or to sign up, select here.

Here's how the Study Group works:

• Beginning January 9^th, the Study Group will meet, via conference call, for one hour
• The Group will meet every second Monday of the month, at noon or 10:00 p.m. (eastern) – you can participate in whichever call you choose
• Each month, John will lead an in-depth discussion of one or two chapters of his book, "Stamping Is My Business!"
• Like the book, the discussion will be linear.  In other words, the calls progress and build from one month to the next
• At the end of each call, John will challenge each of you with tasks to complete before the next call
• The Group will meet for 12 months

If you cannot make a call, don't worry...all calls will be recorded and you will have access to them.  You will never have to miss a call!

You will also have access to John.  If you ever have a question or problem that you would like coaching on, you will be able to get in touch with John via e-mail for a timely response.

The best part of the Study Group is the price - just $19.99 per month!

You must sign up by Sunday, January 8th.  There will be NO waiting list.  If you do not sign up by January 8th, you cannot be part of this Study Group.

For more information, or to sign up, select here.

The 100-No's Challenge Problem

Over the last several months, I've seen a 100-No's Challenge going around that could create a real problem for you and your customers.

For those of you who don't know, the 100-No's Challenge is a contest in which you call your customers and receive a total of 100 'no' responses to various questions relating to your stamping business.

The problem is, different challenges divide the number of 'no's' per customer differently.  Lately, I've seen one challenge suggesting you ask a list of 7-10 questions of each customer.  That means, to get 100 no's, you'd only have to speak to 10-15 customers.  Not really much of a challenge.

In fact, the real challenge there will be getting your customers on the phone again!  Think about it... If you run through a list of questions which forces your customer to say 'no' to you that many times before you get off the phone, what are the chances they're going to be eager to speak with you again?

The 100 No's Challenge I suggest to my clients involves no more than one or two no's per customer.  Whenever you make a phone call, you want to be focused.  Ask one question, maybe ask a follow-up, and then get off the phone.  

It's professional, courteous, conveys the message that you're too busy to chat AND you'll speak with more customers that way.  Since this is a numbers game, the more customers you speak with, the more business you'll receive!

A New Live Presentation:  

Get On The Phone! 

Now Booking Late 2006 and 2007

The speaking calendar for the first half of 2006 is booked solid, and we're now taking bookings for live presentations in the second half of 2006 and 2007! 

AND, we're very excited to announce our newest live presentation:  Get On The Phone!  

This new presentation is the live version of the enormously popular Get On The Phone! Audio CD.  During this presentation (in addition to motivating and inspiring your downline to get over their fears and get on the phone), John will go over exactly what to say in just about every phone situation a stamping business owner will face:

• calling to book workshops

• calling to following up on invitations/catalog mailings

• calling to ask for product orders

• customer and downline maintenance calls

• what to say when you leave a message

• ...and more!

This is just one of the many Stamping Is My Business! live presentations available.  All SIMB presentations are designed to inform, motivate and inspire your downline or group to define their goals and build their business.  

Unlike many other speakers, however, SIMB presentations are designed exclusively for stamping professionals - not the entire direct sales industry.  John understands the unique challenges stamping business owners face, and is able to address them specifically.  

We also understand the financial difficulties stamping business owners face and have priced these presentations accordingly.

John will share concrete steps everyone can take to make their business a success - whether they just want a self-supporting hobby, or a full-fledged stamping business!

If you're in charge of planning events for your downline or group, we'd love to speak with you about our live presentations, including our brand-new Get On The Phone! presentation!

For more information about booking John for an appearance in front of your group, send us an e-mail, or select here for more information.

Sample of the Month

  Submitted by: 

 Laura Barto

 Sets: Easy Elegance

 C/S: Whisper White, Certainly 

  Celery, Lavender Lace, Lovely 

 Lilac, Vellum

 Ink & Marker: Color Box Chalk 

 Inks, Brights/Subtles

 Accessories:  Step Pocket 

 Corner Punch, Crimper, White 

 Organdy Narrow Ribbon

Congratulations to Laura, who wins a $10 SIMB Gift Certificate!  

WE NOW HAVE OVER 200 SAMPLES and are adding more and more to the Samples Section of our website every day.  I'm especially looking for Winter and Valentine's Day samples!  

If you would like to submit a sample to be considered for Sample of the Month and the Samples Section, just send me a scan via e-mail, or mail your sample to: John Sanpietro, Stamping Is My Business!, 36 Fir Street, Jay, NY 12941.  

Please include your name, e-mail address, phone number and all materials used to make your sample.

Book of the Month