Get to Know Darlene!

How long have you been in Direct Sales?
I have been in direct sales for over 32 years now.
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How did you get involved with a Direct Sales business?
I first got involved in Direct Sales when I saw a flyer advertisement for a Canadian company that sells cards, gift wrap and gifts.I live in Canada and after seeing this ad, thought it may be something to do to make a little extra money and a good past time as well. So I signed up and still have this business today although I don’t work it like I do my second business.
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How many companies have you been with before finding this company?
The Canadian company was the first and only one I was with before I began with Watkins in 2000.
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Do you retail your products and build a team or do you focus on one only? What do you recommend one do?
When I began with Watkins almost 9 years ago, I only worked it for the personal discount and sold to a few family and friends. Then one day, a few years later, I was asked about the business by someone and they signed with me the next day. That was the beginning of my building a team. I realized then that I wanted to build and the way to do it was start talking to people and let them know what I do and who we are. That is what I have been doing since then.
I recommend to anyone with a business, if you want to be successful with it, build a team and work with them. You get to meet some really wonderful people and make a lot of new friends at the same time. Besides its a lot of fun. Treat your business as just that, a business.
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How long did you wait before recruiting? Would you do anything differently today?
As I said earlier, I didn’t begin recruiting right away. I was only in the business for the personal discount and to sell to family and friends. It was a few years after I began Watkins that someone asked me about it one day. Not that many people even knew I had this business because I never talked about it or advertised it. The next day this person signed up with me. So that was my beginning with building a team.
If I could go back and do something differently it would be to start building a team right away, talk more about my business and advertise more. I wouldn’t keep such a great business all to myself.
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Do you market online or offline only or mix them?
I market my Watkins business both online and offline.
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What is the best way you advertise your business?
For me the best way I advertise online would be my Watkins website and in message forums. I meet some great people there and am able to talk about my business with them, answer questions and also place my ads.
Offline I would have to say my best advertisement is my lawn sign I have at the front of our home. It has brought me a huge amount of customers and also sign ups with my business. People see the sign and stop in looking for a catalog or a product. I also have a window decal on the back window of our truck and it has brought me new customers as well.
Those are my best forms of advertising but I leave my business card or catalog in a number of places, I advertise on boards at the grocery store or mall or laundromat and library. These all bring me customers. I also attend fairs and craft shows.
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How much time do you dedicate to advertising and marketing?
Offline advertising more or less does itself. I just make sure my sign is able to be seen by passers by, I make sure I have business cards replaced at places I have left them or catalogs.
Online, I check the message boards every day and answer questions to those who ask. I post my ad as often as possible.
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Do you have a budget that you stick to for advertising?
I do have a budget for my advertising. I only pay for advertising on one site. All my other advertising is on free message boards and forums.
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How do you find business online?
I have my Watkins website that people can go to and there they can email me with questions, they can sign up at my website and they can request a catalog and/or business information.
I do get a lot of requests at my site and also sign ups.
I find people who are interested in Watkins by going to message boards, joining networking groups and making new friends.
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How do you recruit on line? What works best for you?
I think what works the best for me online for recruiting is my website Watkins Online.com/ddemell . I advertise my site and people can go there to see our products, place an order or contact me. I think this has worked best for me so far.
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Do you buy leads or develop your own?
I have never bought leads for my business. I always find ways to develop my own leads.
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How much time do you dedicate to your direct sale business each week?
I would say I dedicate at least 35 hours a week towards my business. Sometimes its a little more.
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What is the hardest thing about building your business online?
For me I think the hardest thing about building my business online is getting people to understand that just because I live in Canada does not mean I cannot be a good sponsor for them. I can’t meet with everyone personally but most of my downline is in the US and we get along fine. There are many ways to keep in contact. A lot of people prefer someone locally who they can chat with in person but its just as simple to chat online as it is in person. Its the one on one contact no matter which way it goes that counts.
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What is the easiest thing about building your business online?
Is there an easy way online? I guess for me the easiest thing about building a business online is I get to reach more people this way. I can reach out to people in the US, Puerto Rico, and more places than I can here locally.
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What is the best advice you have gotten regarding direct sales business?
I have to say the very best advice I have ever gotten from anyone was to never give up. We will have days where business is not great but we can’t give up. We have to keep going because there always is going to be a better day.
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What advice would you give to the readers about working a direct sales business?
The advice I would give to the readers about working a direct sales business is 1) never give up . 2) Respect others in the same business as you or any other business. Don’t go stepping on toes. 3) Treat your customers the way you would want to be treated yourself. 4) Choose the business you will be happy doing. If you are not happy, you will not be successful with it.
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What do you think your greatest strength you offer a potential team member would be?
I think my greatest strength to offer a potential team member would be I am always here for them. I will help them in every way I can to be successful. If they want the help, I will give it to them. I also believe in honesty.
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If you were looking for a business today, what would, you look for in a company and why?
I think today if I were looking for a business I would look for one that has been around for a while. One that is established, has consumable products, and has a good training system. I would look too for a good discount and a business that I would enjoy working.
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Have you had or do you have a secondary business offshoot from your direct sales business?
I have a couple different businesses aside from my direct sales business. I get paid for managing a business directory online, approving links for a couple sites online, and both locally and online, I do crocheting and knitting and sell my work. Locally I have a few steady customers whom I go and do their hair for as I am a licenced hair stylist as well. I have lots to keep my busy.
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If you could go back and change one thing about your business, what would it be and how would your business be different today?The one thing I would change about my business would be to have started way sooner than I did with Watkins. Other than meeting a lot of great people and knowing a lot more about business, I don’t think much would be different today for me.
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This is the perfect time to join my team with Watkins. New programs, new products and lots more.

Email me at ddemell@watkinsonline.com
Website: Watkins online.com/ddemell