Sometimes, in spite of our best planning, our sales are just shy of our goals. Or maybe your month was better than you thought it would be, and you’re now closer to hitting a bigger goal. Or maybe you just got off to a slow start.
The worst thing you can do at that point is to give up. WE HAVE 6 DAYS LEFT! Hail Mary’s are a great way to supplement your monthly sales, but they should never be a regular part of your business plan because they do not give you the opportunity to grow your team and build strong relationships outside of your current customer database. Additionally, using Hail Mary’s too frequently will yield you less results because people will realize these offers are no longer special.
Prior to Launch
Before you advertise your Hail Mary special, you’ll need to do some prep work.
* Choose which Hail Mary is appropriate for your goal.
* Choose which section of your customer data base will be the most responsive to your offer.
* Determine how long your offer will be available.
* Consider the most effective way to communicate your offer
Here’s a few of my favorite Hail Mary methods. All have proven useful at different times during my career, so I hope the variety helps inspire you too!
Buy One, Get One 1/2 Off
* This is most effective with high-ticket items such as the cookware
* This also works well for large sets where someone may like to keep a set and gift a set
* This method will increase your sales credit, but you are sacrificing profits
* Ideal for stepping up in title, volume bonuses, etc.
Enter these items as a party, with the most expensive item being entered first. Enter the second item as a half-price item. The Date and Hold gift and Host Credit is yours to keep.
It’s Not Hocus Pocus, It’s All About Focus
Choose one deeply discounted item/set from the sale brochure and focus on advertising that one item to as many people as possible.
* Offer an additional incentive when they purchase immediately
* Ideal for text or private messages
Grant Wishes
* Review your party wish lists and offer those large ticket items to your customers with a discount or bonus offer from you
* Ideal for established consultants with a solid wish list database
Add Ons
* Review order histories and contact customers with products that compliment the products in which they have already purchased
* This provides excellent customer service
* Bundle items together for more impact
* Ideal for short term and long term growth
Sample Sales
* Selling your samples typically increases orders/sales credit because people will ask for things you do not have stocked
* Use a portion of your proceeds to re-invest in current products/samples to increase your party sales
* This can be done online or in person, but please review the social media policy if you are going to launch this HailMary online. THIS CAN ONLY BE DONE IN A PRIVATE GROUP! YOU CAN NOT POST ANY SPECIAL DISCOUNTS OR OFFERS ON YOUR PUBLIC PAGE OR PROFILE!
* Ideal when done regularly so customers look forward to and plan around your event.
Raffle-Make sure it’s legal in your state. (it is NOT in Hawaii)
* Choose a large set/Item raffle it off.
* Sell tickets for $5 each from friends/family/co-workers. Ideal for friends and family who will share the offer to help with ticket sales
* No limit on how many tickets each person can purchase, however cap the total number of tickets available so people can calculate their odds of winning. For example, if you were giving away at $250 piece of cookware, you would sell 75 $5 tickets. That would give you enough to purchase the cookware, shipping and tax. You’d still earn 25%. If you don’t feel you can sell 75 tickets, choose a less expensive item.
Mystery Hostess
* Mystery Hostess parties don’t require much planning
* Collect orders over a set timeframe (I recommend no more than a few days)
* Once all of the orders are submitted, draw a name from those who ordered to receive the available host benefits
* The more orders received, the better the benefits are, so encourage each guest to collect orders.
* Ideal for customers who will likely never host a party of their own
Instant Party
* Perfect for neighbors and local friends/family
* Host in your home or at a local park/clubhouse
* Ask everyone to bring an “instant food” like instant soup or instant pudding
* Everyone who orders instantly will receive a bonus gift from you
* Ideal when you want to build inventory by keeping the host benefits for yourself