January 13 - Think Ahead Thursday - Day #11

It's amazing how helpful it is to actually think ahead, to plan and prepare for future events. It takes so much pressure off as you get closer to your events because much of the work is already done! So, here we go....


10 pts: Prepare hostess packets. I like to include the Rewards Come Now brochure along with a Hostess Wish List, Hostess Check List, Hostess 40 Guests List, SOTM flyers, and an EZ Invite letter explaining the benefits of using EZI, SOTM flyers, current or upcoming hostess specials, and I also include a personalized (if I know in advance the name of the hostess) or use a generic cover letter explaining the contents. ALWAYS include your business card or magnet for easy reference and a small hand-made card is a plus. (This can be a "thank you for hosting" card or a left-over previous make 'n take project, or a current make 'n take option, stamp of the month, etc)

Respond: Comment on this post with how many packets you prepared? Did you include additional items not mentioned above?


20 pts: Prepare new gathering game materials.

Respond: Share a photo if possible or a brief description of what you did to prepare your game.


30 pts: Prepare gathering project for January/February gatherings.

Respond: Share details of the gathering project you will be using in January/February. E-mail me (ScrpnChris@comcast.net) with a photo to post to the team at the end of the week!

"See" you tomorrow!
 
Chris

January 12 - Web Wednesday - Day #10

Power-up your browsers girls, it's Web Wednesday!


10 pts: Last week you emailed your New Idea Book event, posted it on your blog, and set up a FB invite. Today update your blog or FB with a sneak peek photo of your make 'n take project or a sneak peak (portion of the photo) to build anticipation. We don't want to reveal too much - the point is to build anticipation and curiosity.

Respond: Comment on this post with the link to your update.

20 pts: Find a new gathering game. Check out the Resource Library in the Training Academy for some great ideas!

Respond: Comment on this post with your all time favorite game, then tell us what NEW gathering game you chose.

30 pts: Update your MyCTMH Calendar with January and February classes, workshops, new idea book events, crops, SOTM, Inspirations, etc. (include photos if you have them now - otherwise add them as soon as those projects are complete - PRIOR to the event).

Respond: Leave a comment on this post with your website address for all of us to check out!

January 11 - Training Tuesday - Day #9

Today is 1.11.11 - how cool is that date?! I love it - so just for fun we are changing the points!


11 points:
Select and watch any consultant video. There are many talented consultants out there who do UStream and YouTube videos. Some of my personal favorite are Tresa Black, Tracey Mason and Aaron Booth. Just search on YouTube for the names and you should find some great videos!

Respond: Post on the blog what you watched and the link so we can watch it too!

21 Points:
Select and watch any Training Academy course. Have you started working on a degree in the training academy? Many of the videos are less than 15 minutes. Pick one that is relevant to your goal for this challenge month and watch it.

Respond: Post on the team blog, what video you watched and what you learned to boost you towards your goal.


31 points:
Listen to the Listening Library “Gathering Authenticity” by Louise Moyer and/or “Handle Objections with Confidence and Grace” by Mary Christensen.

Respond: Post on the team blog your “take away message” from the one you listened to.

"See" you tomorrow!
 
Chris

January 10 - Mojo Monday - Day #8

I hope you all had a restful weekend. I love the idea of creating on Monday – it is a great start to a new week.  I will be creating while I watch the Ducks play Auburn - GO DUCKS!  Yes, I am normally a Beaver fan BUT tomorrow I am rooting for Oregon!

10 points:
Create a card/layout using a Color Me Monday combination from the month of December. Visit Jeanette's Blog and choose a color combination that suits your fancy. Combine this with the 20pt challenge and you are working smarter!

Respond: Post on blog or Facebook, the date of the color challenge you chose. Give it a link so others can go directly to it.

20 Points:
Create a card/layout using any stamp set featured in the Inspirations brochure. If you are using the color combination from Jeanette's blog instead of the "Wings" color combo, you will see how fun and versitile our stamps and color pallette can be! Give it a try!

Respond: Email me a photo and I can post it on the team blog with your permission. As a bonus, post it on your blog, CTMH artwork, or Facebook.

30 Points:
Create a card/layout using the technique learned in the Art & Soul episode. Wow, now you can work really smart and combine all three challenges for a 60 point day! The technique I loved was the liquid glass resist...might even try it with the spray pen! Have fun.

Respond: Email me a photo and I can post it on the team blog with your permission. As a bonus, post it on your blog, CTMH artwork, or Facebook. Put your creativity out there…show them what you got girls!

"See" you tomorrow!

Chris

Inspiration - January Stamp of the Month

What a fun stamp set to create with - now!  Let me explain - sometimes the styles of the stamp of the month's challenge my natural creativity.  We all have a style of stamp set we are comfortable with and styles we are not - this set fit in my not comfortable style category.  BUT regardless, I use each stamp of the month to create art to ssssttttrrrreeeetttttccccchhhh (stretch) my creativity limitations.  I think it is easy to get locked into my own style and not recognize that there are many customers who have different styles than I do.  Plus, I totally think there is a lot of value in furthering your creativity by forcing yourself to work outside your style choice!  With that said - here are artwork samples I created using this stamp set!  (If you would like to see each one up close and personal - visit my website (find the link on the right hand side of our blog!)

To further inspire you, Tera Boring shared her AMAZING artwork with us in response to the Mojo Monday team challenge!

Enjoy your Sunday!

January 8 - Super Saturday - Day #7

10 pts. Create a Spring/Summer Idea Book wish list shopping plan. When I first look through a new idea book, my wish list is SO long! But I know that it takes time to purchase all that I want.

Respond: Post on the team blog one of your "must haves" you are ordering right away from the new idea book.

20 pts. each: Contact & invite customer to New Idea Book event. I recommend phoning people on your invite list. I find that if they are not home, I will leave a message like the following: "You are invited to my _____event. I have sent you an email on _________ date. Take a look at all the fun we are going to have and let me know if you and a friend will join us."

Respond: How many people did you phone? How many did you actually talk to? How many are planning to attend.

30 pts. Contact & invite hostesses to schedule gathering in January or February. I use a similar message as above, with an email listing the next couple of dates I have available. Then you will probably still have to follow up with another phone call. Maybe in the email you can ask for the best time to call.

Respond: How many people did you phone? What are the dates you have set with a hostess?

40 pts. Plan gathering/classes/workshops for February – July. Think about the holidays coming up and schedule workshops or events with projects that will coordinate. Use your shopping list to help you plan what you teach. By combining your shopping list with your teaching plans you will be working smarter...not harder and combining your resources to make the most out of your purchases! Once you have planned what your are teaching, make a month by month shopping list!

Respond: Share a workshop/class plan and what month you are teaching workshop/class.

50 pts. Set goals for first quarter 2011 (January-March). Option one: Watch Setting and Achieving your Goals in the training academy, 101 Personal development course, print out and complete worksheets that go with the training. SMART Goals worksheet and/or Setting and Achieving Your Goals Worksheet

Option two: What is your why in the 101 business courses. Complete the activity suggested Then get specific and write down your why.

Respond: Share one of your goals on the team blog and the actions to plan to take early on toward achieving that goal or share your "why" in one or two sentences.

"See" you Monday!  Don't forget to e-mail me your point total for the week by midnight tonight!

January 7 - Follow-up Friday - Day #6

10 pts: Contact & invite customers to your New Idea Book event. You've sent out your marketing email, posted on FB and Twitter, now it's time to follow-up with a personal invite to your event. Be sure to personally respond to those who have RSVP'd to your email/FB/Twitter posts. Remember, our business is based on the relationships we nurture!

Respond: Post to today's blog post how many people you have personally invited and the results of your e-mail (how many responded via e-mail, how many waited for you to call, etc).

20 pts: Contact & invite hostesses to schedule a gathering in January or February. Let her know what you will be teaching in the month she is interested in hosting.  Use the new idea book to get her to "lock" in a date - let her know if she schedules with you - she can get the new idea book NOW in her hostess packet!
Respond: Post to today's blog post how many you spoke with and how many scheduled a gathering!
30 pts: Contact & invite your team members to attend the January 29th Connected Hearts team meeting.

Respond: Post to today's blog post the team members who will be attending the team meeting!

"See" you tomorrow,

Chris