15 Steps to Set Up Your New Business
There can be many steps involved in setting up a new business, but as a new consultant, it’s important not to over-complicate things to an overwhelming level. However, there are some basics that we feel are important to build a good foundation for success.
Here we will dive into the technical side of things. From changing your profile photo on your replicated website, following a DMO (daily method of operation), setting up payment methods like Square or PayPal, ways to invoice and ship to your customers, to purchasing a domain, Shopify, BuyItLive, Comment Sold and ManyChat, there are a LOT of different things many consultants have learned how to use to grow their network, up their sales and make their business more efficient.
In this article, we will try to explain these different tools that are available to consultants, how they may benefit you, and then hopefully you can make an informed decision on what tools YOU need to use to reach YOUR goals in this business.
1. Get to Know Your Back Office
Did you know that as a Paparazzi Consultant, you receive a personally branded website? Yes! For FREE!!!!! This website is known as a replicated website or your famous 'Back Office'. This incredible business tool allows you to introduce others to the fabulous world of Paparazzi with professionalism and style. It also offers your customers an easy way to feed their $5 habit anytime, anywhere! Featuring the beautiful design of www.PaparazziAccessories.com, your replicated site includes a personalized touch that allows you to display your picture, contact information and even your Paparazzi story!
Your Paparazzi story is unmatched in its ability to connect you with people. It delivers the message of Paparazzi to customers and potential new Consultants in a relatable, genuine, and personalized fashion. Your story should be second-nature to you. You should be proud of it and be ready to share it every chance you get!
Bonus tip: Write down your story.
Take some time to learn your story. How has Paparazzi impacted YOU personally? Focus on the benefits of being a Paparazzi Consultant versus the features. Everyone knows that you love Paparazzi because of the incredibly affordable fashion. What they may not know is that it has allowed you to buy groceries for the month or pick out school clothes for your kids. Maybe you’ve paid off a student loan or been able to quit your job and enjoy more family time. Think back over your history with Paparazzi. How have you benefited from the simple action of selling $5 accessories to friends and neighbors? Make a list of the benefits you’ve seen – it may surprise you!
As you continue to share Paparazzi, your story will become stronger. Review it often! As you achieve new milestones or notice a new benefit, make a note of it and share it! Let Everyone know! These elements are also pulled into the online Consultant Search, where party seekers, retail shoppers, and potential new Consultants visit daily.* The more personable your profile, the more likely you are to attract one of those visitors to your site.
Your replicated site goes live the second you become a Consultant. To see yours, go to www.PaparazziAccessories.com/XXXX, where XXXX is your Consultant ID. Do you have a new enrollment ready to sign up? They can enroll right from your replicated site! Have a customer ready to shop? Send them to your replicated website. They can feed their $5 habit and you still receive that fabulous 45% commission you’ve grown to love. Want to add your business name or other personal touch to your URL? Contact the Paparazzi Support Team at (855) 697-2727 and they can make that change for you.
Everything else can be customized right from your Back Office (BO).
To change the contact information that is displayed on your site, click on ‘My Profile’ and then go to ‘Replicated Site Info.’ You can easily hide or display your name, email address, and so much more! Want to share your Paparazzi story or personalize a welcome message to your site visitors? From your Back Office menu, click on ‘My Profile’ and then ‘Edit Profile.’ In the ‘Replicated Site Text’ you can share your Paparazzi journey. To add a picture to your site, click on ‘My Profile’ and then click on ‘Edit My Picture’ on the left-hand side. Images should have dimensions of 150 x 150 pixels and be in a JPEG or GIF format.
Several Team members (including myself) have generated a new URL with a team or business name that redirects to their replicated website through a third party (GoDaddy.com). If you choose to do so, it’s important that you select ‘domain forwarding’ and NOT ‘domain masking’ as domain masking will prevent your replicated site information from populating in some web browsers. No matter your URL, don’t forget to include it on your business cards.
To see an example of a replicated website, go to www.PaparazziAccessories.com/8947 Or Here is an Example:
"If you love fun fashion, try your hand at a Paparazzi party yourself. It’s easy and affordable simply invite people over to experience trendy accessories that sell themselves. You determine the who, where, and when. You set up the product and a party atmosphere. Best of all, when you sell, you keep the 45% commission. No pressure. No gimmicks. No party games or sales presentations. Becoming a Paparazzi Consultant is straightforward and simple: buy your inventory up front and earn immediate cash with a 45% commission. There are no catalogs or customer orders to mess with. Sell where and when you want and have fun showing and selling products that women love and can afford!"
2. Have your own domain name!
When you order from your own website and when you have customers outside of a current party with a hostess, you want them to purchase through an active party link where YOU are the hostess. These party links are open until you close them. I always want to make sure those people shop from my Shopping site so I use a domain name!
It's super easy to get one and set it up! You obtain a domain name and set it up so that when people visit it, they are forwarded to my shopping site. You want something memorable and not too long. You can't use 'Paparazzi' in the name. When you have decided on a name, confirm it is available via GoDaddy.com.
1. Now, head over to GoDaddy.com to purchase a domain name. You can usually find a coupon code on retailmenot.com and it's usually a couple dollars for a year.
2. Update the forwarding to direct to your site.... which is paparazziaccessories.com/YOURCONSULTANTID.
Hit save and you are done!
Put your domain name on your business cards and share it with friends!!
3. Have a Business Email Address
It is a good idea to have an email address specifically for your business. There are many free email services available. You want an email address that is easy to remember, and that tells a bit about your business. I personally recommend Gmail.
4. Get Your Displays & Presentation Supplies
Table, tablecloth, Pegboard displays, or traveling cases, baskets, or plastic tubs are great ways to carry your Jewelry and Hair Accessories… Make sure it is pretty, organized and CLEAN!
5. Order Business Cards
Even while you are waiting for your kit to arrive you can start checking off some of these things. Go ahead and order some business cards. I personally like a larger size, like a postcard; it gives us more space to provide info about our business and they also don’t seem to be discarded as quickly.
You will see how important these cards are to your business! You can order cards in sets of 250 from www.VistaPrint.com. (promo code: VPBC500) Self-made business cards, no matter how great your printer is, cannot compare to professionally made business cards. With companies like VistaPrint, there is no reason not to order business cards and they will usually have a promotion going on where you can get them at a very inexpensive price or even free. They will look much better than homemade cards and you will be respected as a business owner, not just someone who works at home. *You do not want to put your home address on your business cards. You would hate for someone to mistake you as a retail store and knock on your door! Instead, put a short line about our business opportunity or hosting a party!
>> Check out the all-new PaparazziTools.com and shop an entirely new lineup of business accessories – including new designs featuring the Zi Collection! Customize your design to include your personal business information and get ready to name drop like a pro.
6. Develop Your Work Schedule
You will want to schedule your “office hours” early. One of the greatest things about our industry is truly the ability to make your own hours. Remember that you get out what you put in – so design your schedule around your life and family, but also your goals.
It will make it easier for you to have a schedule, and your clients will know early on what to expect from you. Be sure to include your family in this process! They are the most important! Each month you will want to first write out birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, ball games, graduations, etc. in your calendar.
7. Wear Paparazzi
Wear your items everywhere you go – it’s free advertising and is a great conversation starter!
8. Get out into your TOWN!
The more people you talk to – the more business you will have! Getting out and talking to people is both fun and rewarding. Check your local newspaper for local events or clubs. Take your children to the park and talk to other moms. Add people as friends on facebook.
9. Create a Facebook Business Page
This will help you reach people that you otherwise would never have met. People will share your page with their friends and it’s valuable when your hosts have a party to show their potential guests what cute things they can get for only $5! You will also find ladies that are interested in joining your team and being part of this amazing company. After you get 25 people to like your page you can name your URL, do it right away and put it on your business card.
IMPORTANT* Do your facebook live parties from your wall, but once you have built a following make sure you transition to your business page.
10. Create a VIP Group on Facebook
It’s easy. Post Daily and add your Friends there. Make sure you invite them and don't just add them. Give VALUE and Have giveaways!
Attitude and Appearance – It is so true what is said about first impressions! When you look like a business owner, you will feel like a business owner. Body language and tone of voice are also very important. Remember these people are inviting you into their living rooms and giving their money to you. Class, honesty, integrity, and being personable are essential elements to building your business.
Car Signs or Magnets – Making your car a moving billboard can produce massive results – and it’s great for tax time! You can also find car magnets at Vistaprint.com and many other print companies. White lettering usually shows up best. Be sure to have some sort of contact info on it whether it’s your email, website, Facebook page or phone number.
Always Have Business Cards – Set a goal to hand out at least 5 business cards each day. When you are out, think of all the people you come into contact with: Waitresses, bank tellers, gas station attendants, retail clerks – anybody! Best way to start a conversation? Give someone a Compliment! Give a genuine compliment!
Make Your ‘FRANKS’ list – This is a list of people you already know. Whether you know them by name or not, sit and brainstorm all of the people you know. It is estimated that each person knows 250 people – you just need to remember them all.
The FRANKS List.
Friends,
Relatives,
Acquaintances,
Neighbors,
Kids, and
Spouse - will help you remember everyone.
11. Set up a way to take payments
Set up a Paypal or Square account so that people have additional payment options. Although there are many payment options available, many of them do not offer support when you begin to ship items or sell to people that you do not know.
12. How to Use Payment Processing Methods
Accepting Credit Cards
Accepting credit cards can boost your business. Make sure to check out Square Up. Click here to sign up for your free account and they will mail you a FREE card reader. They take a small % per transaction, 2.75%, but this is tax deductible and with this you are guaranteed more sales!
PAYPAL
SQUARE UP
13. Create a Checkout Form
Make checking out and gathering info easy in FB parties.
(You can use this to gather team info or contest info and such, too!)
When doing Facebook parties, I have said many times that whatever you do in person, you have to replicate online. So how do you replicate a drawing slip and gather info so you can keep up with your customers and turn them into long-term customers? How do your find out if they want to be added to your VIP/sales group? How do you conduct check out and ensure you have their mailing address correct? You ask them for it!!! The easiest way to do these things at one time is to create a Google form. I use a Google form every time I ask you to turn in your results in any contest I do. I also gather my customers' info at Facebook parties using this tool.
When my guests buy from a Facebook party, I ask them to fill out this form and submit it.
When a person fills this out and submits it, it goes to a spreadsheet that keeps track of all the responses in one place. It is heaven! No more worrying about losing little pieces of paper or typing the info into my own spreadsheet. It is automatic. All my customers in one convenient place.
If you choose not to do a google form, most consultants just contact the customers via PM and ask for their info. If you do that, I would recommend you ask them if they would like to host a party, get info on joining and if they want to receive a newsletter.
I hope this makes Facebook parties much easier and more organized!!!! I love it!
You can also use google forms to get responses from your team, do surveys of your customers or lots of other uses.
14. Inventory/Sales Tracking, Storage & Shipping
Don't have enough room for storage? Use Ziploc bags, storage bins. Super Easy!
Cost by Ounces through Paypal Shipping:
1-4 oz $2.61
5-8 oz $2.77
9 oz $3.32
10 oz $3.46
11 oz $3.60
12 oz $3.74
13 oz $3.88
Priority Flat Rate Envelope $5.95
Priority Bubble Flat Rate Envelope $6.45
When packaging up your order, think about how you want your customer to feel when she opens. Make it memorable. Make it valuable. It’s a good idea to include a thank you card, and a Jewelry Care card.
15. Manage Your Time
Finally, but importantly, learn how to manage your time. Develop a consistent Daily Method of Operation (DMO)