Exciting Happenings!

With the latest exciting announcement from corporate about the revamped DIY oil kits (UB You system) that will be available for purchase online, I have a renewed sense of excitement with my business. Not that I was ever "not" excited but now I'm even MORE excited about the possibilities (if that was even possible!).

I am working on two projects to build online awareness for UB so this is perfect timing!

I also have a personal but UB-related announcement that I'm getting ready to make about an exciting new venture and I just have to say that I'm really, really thrilled about it.

Stay tuned for deets in the very near future... :)

Junebug Weddings writeup

I have been MIA on my blog lately but that is due to being so busy! First, I'd like to report that I had an amazing writeup by a local Seattle wedding website that is beyond gorgie. I met with Christy at Junebug Weddings and we had so much fun chatting and creating her signature scent. I also ran a small giveaway on the site that was well-received. Click here to read all about it!

Personality Plus!

I thought I'd blog today about personality types and how understanding someone's personality type can help you in your Urban Botanic business.

There are lots of different assessments and quizzes out there that can tell you about your personality type - heck, we even have our own! ;)

Here are a couple of other models for determining personality types that can help you to understand your hostesses, teammates, potential recruits, and yourself!

The first is the well-known Myers-Briggs test. Here is a link where you can take a version of this test:

http://www.blogthings.com/whatsyourpersonalitytypequiz/. I'd love to hear what your results are (leave a comment)!

My result with Myers-Briggs is that I am a ENTP. Here's a snippet of what that means:

The Visionary

You are charming, outgoing, friendly. You make a good first impression. You possess good negotiating skills and can convince anyone of anything. Happy to be the center of attention, you love to tell stories and show off. You're very clever, but not disciplined enough to do well in structured environments. You would make a great entrepreneur, marketing executive, or actor.

If you want more information about Myers-Briggs, just Google it and you'll find a wealth of information.

The next personality assessment is in the form of a brief article I found on a direct sales website. This is an unfamiliar model to me and a little simplistic but I thought it was interesting because it is so focused on how it relates to potential recruits. After reading it, I think I'm a cross between a D and an I (but a nice D - haha).

What do you think you are?

____________________________________

DISC Personality types for Better Recruiting

by Kristie Tamsevicius, Webmomz.com

article found at http://www.webmomz.com/Direct-Selling/direct-selling-disc-personality-types.shtml

What if when you were talking to a potential recruit you were able to speak their language and share the opportunity in a way that really appealed to their unique personality type?

While your potential recruit may not fit into a single, neat personality category understanding they personality style will help you cater your message to cater to their specific, individual needs, goals, and concerns.

DISC is a profiling system that breaks down personalities into 4 basic types. Here is the breakdown to of the personality types to strengthen your direct sales recruiting skills.

D – Dominant

How to spot an "D":
The "D" personality is usually very independent, direct and to the point. They want to know what kind of results they can expect. They will probably tell you to "get to the bottom line". They dread routine tasks and delegate routine chores to someone else. A “D” type personality doesn’t like wasting time.

Adjectives to describe an "D" type include:

Confident

Authoritative

Goal Driven

Demanding

Determined

Decisive

Delegator

Results-oriented

Quick Decisions

Control People

Power/Authority

Makes own rules

Focused

Assertive

Hard Working

What "D's" care about:

Let the D type be in charge. They love to do all the talking. They will tell you exactly what questions they have and what they want to know. Tell them about how they could be in charge being their own boss. Let them know how they can become a director.

I – Expressive

How to spot an "I":

You'll spot an "I" type a mile away. They are the life of the party. They love to talk, crave attention, and are really upbeat and fun around. They are very talkative and outgoing people and are quite persuasive. They love to be recognized and praised for their accomplishments.

Adjectives to describe an "I" type include:

cheerful

bubbly

optimistic

talkative

inspirational

influencing

inducing

impressive

interactive

interested in people

people-oriented

loves to talk

motivational

enthusiastic

recognition-oriented

What "I's" care about:

An “I” type personality will want to hear about the great prizes, awards, girlfriend time, and recognition. Share about the kind of recognition they will get as a consultant. Let them know that they have the perfect personality for this business

S – Steady Eddy

How to spot an "S":

The "S" type is always there when you need them.

Adjectives to describe an "S" type include:

Quiet

Love when things are running smoothly

Want everyone to get along

Easy-going

Dependable

Neat

Efficient

Supportive

Submissive

Stable

Steady

Sentimental

Shy

Family-oriented

Loyal

Slow to change

Security minded

Goes by the rules

What "S's" care about:

With an S type, you'll have to do most of the talking. They may not ask questions. Focus on the flexibility of your opportunity. Share how it gives you more family time. Tell them about the training and support they’ll get.Talk about how being your own boss gives you stability in an uncertain economy

C – Analytical

How to spot an "C":

If you want to picture a typical "C" type personality, think of your accountant, an engineer or a computer programmer or analyst. The "C" thrives on details, accuracy and takes just about everything seriously.

Adjectives to describe an "C" type include:

Likes to have everything in order

Good listeners

Reserved and introverted

Perfectionists

Cautious

Competent

Calculating

Concerned

Careful

Contemplative

Detail-oriented

Critical

Analytical

Takes time to change

What "C's" care about:

They don't care much about results. What C types want is the facts of your opportunity. They might want to know what is its how to get started, what products you sell etc. Since they are shy, don’t get too personal. Give handouts for them to review at home so they can decide for themself in their own time.

I hope these DISC personality profiles strengthen your recruiting skills by helping you speak the "language" of your prospective recruit!

This Direct Selling Article by Kristie Tamsevicius - Speaker, Author, and Online Business Expert, Kristie Tamsevicius. She is the author of several books including "I Love My Life: A Mom's Guide to Working from Home" and a contributing author to the upcoming book, "More Build it Big: 101 Insider Secrets from Direct Selling Experts" by Dearborn Publishing.

______________________________________________

What does it mean to be a business pioneer?

Does the word pioneer conjure up images of covered wagons, funny bonnets, and the "old west"? Well, circle your wagons and don't get your pinafore in a twist, but all of us in UB are pioneers RIGHT NOW in 2007!

For many of us in The Hive, this is our first venture into direct sales. For others of us, we come to the table with direct sales experience. But for most of us, this is our very first time pioneering a product and concept that is totally new to the market.

I personally have worked with several start-up businesses. During the dot-com heyday of the mid-to-late nineties, I gained a TON of experience with start-ups. And so did many of my friends. And we all shared stories and learned valuable lessons.

Bringing a new product to the market is a thrilling experience for some. It can be absolutely terrifying for others. For most people, the comfort level falls somewhere in the middle. I would venture to guess that for most of us involved in UB, we have an above average tolerance for risk. We also are quick to understand innovations and recognize a hot trend before most people.

Otherwise you probably would not have taken the plunge and become a Fragrance Designer. Right? (take a moment to pat yourself on the back, you hip trendspotter!)

The ride with a new company can be somewhat of a rollercoaster. As Shawna has said, it isn't a sprint but it is more of a marathon. I think it is really helpful to understand the mentality of our customers. Not from a customer service or demographic standpoint, but to understand how people tend to react to "new" ideas.

There are several theories out there but one I have seen used in several disciplines (from eLearning, to healthcare) is the Theory of Innovation Diffusion that Everett Rogers published in 1962. I grabbed a concise snippet of what it is from Wikipedia.

I personally haven't read his book, I've just been exposed to it by several presentations I've attended over the years. I do, however, highly recommend The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. It's a great mix of culture and statistics about how trends really take hold in society.

_________________________________________________

From Wikipedia:
Theories of Innovation Diffusion

French sociologist Gabriel Tarde originally claimed that sociology was based on small psychological interactions among individuals, especially imitation and innovation.

Diffusion of innovations theory was formalized by Everett Rogers in a 1962 book called Diffusion of Innovations. Rogers stated that adopters of any new innovation or idea could be categorized as innovators (2.5%), early adopters (13.5%), early majority (34%), late majority (34%) and laggards (16%), based on a bell curve. Each adopter's willingness and ability to adopt an innovation would depend on their awareness, interest, evaluation, trial, and adoption.

Some of the characteristics of each category of adopter include:

1. innovators:venturesome, educated, multiple info sources, greater propensity to take ris
2. early adopters:social leaders, popular, educated
3. early majority: deliberate, many informal social contacts
4. late majority: skeptical, traditional, lower socio-economic status
5. laggards: neighbours and friends are main info sources, fear of debt

Rogers also proposed a five stage model for the diffusion of innovation:

1. Knowledge - learning about the existence and function of the innovation


2. Persuasion - becoming convinced of the value of the innovation


3. Decision - committing to the adoption of the innovation


4. Implementation - putting it to use


5. Confirmation - the ultimate acceptance (or rejection) of the innovation

The S-Curve and technology adoption


The adoption curve becomes a s-curve when cumulative adoption is used.Rogers theorized that innovations would spread through society in an S curve, as the early adopters select the technology first, followed by the majority, until a technology or innovation is common.

The speed of technology adoption is determined by two characteristics p, which is the speed at which adoption takes off, and q, the speed at which later growth occurs. A cheaper technology might have a higher p, for example, taking off more quickly, while a technology that has network effects (like a fax machine, where the value of the item increases as others get it) may have a higher q.

_______________________________________________

So what does all of this mean? It means that it might take a little longer to see a boom in party bookings or new recruits. It means that for almost everyone you tell about UB, they might need to hear about it several times (and in different ways) because they have never heard of it before.

Try to think about those people you know who "know" everyone and know every trend (they are the innovators and early adopters). Seek them out. They will help you tremendously in getting the word out.

We are the ones spreading the word about this amazing company. And it will likely take longer for us to see definite results in our businesses (than it would if we were in a more established company with major brand awareness). But for those of us who stick with it, the rewards will no doubt be absolutely worth it!

Hopefully you all find this information useful!

You Just Never Know

I posted a week or so ago about word of mouth advertising. And I have an amazing story to share that proves you just never know how it might work.

Just last weekend I did an Urban Botanic birthday party for an extremely delightful 12 year old and her group of friends. There were also two adult women who took part in the fragrance making, too. Well, it turns out one of the women works for my city's parks and recreation department.

At the end of the party, she asked for some of my cards and said she thought this would be a great workshop to offer through the city center (year-round they offer classes for people of all ages on a variety of topics). Needless to say, I gave her a stack of cards and told her how interested I would be in doing that.

This week I got a call from the program coordinator who asked if I would be interested in running UB workshops in their fall series.

My jaw hit the floor.

YES! YES! I absolutely want to be included in the fall series!! He emailed me the paperwork and I am sending it back to him Monday. The workshops will be listed in a magazine that goes out to nearly 100,000 households in my area!!

I am also figuring out how to thank my word-of-mouth angel. The fact that she enjoyed herself and saw value in the process enough to refer me to her co-worker just blows me away. Thank you doesn't begin to describe how grateful I am.

So, it just goes to show that you never know who might be in attendance at a party and how powerful word of mouth can be!

For Laughs

I got this in an email the other day and I laughed so hard I nearly cried.
_____________________________

Here are the winners of the Washington Post's Mensa Invitational, which once again asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition.
The 2006 winners are:

1. Cashtration: (n.) The act of buying (or building) a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time.

2. Ignoranus: A person who's both stupid and an *sshole.

3. Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize that it was your money to start with.

4. Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.

5. Bozone: (n.) The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.

7. Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.

8. Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.

9. Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.

10. Hipatitis: Terminal coolness.

11. Osteopornosis: A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)

12. Karmageddon: It's when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, and then the Earth explodes and it's a serious bummer.

13. Decafalon: (n.) The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.

14. Glibido: All talk and no action.

15. Dopeler Effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.

16. Arachnoleptic Fit: (n.) The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.

17. Beelzebug: (n.) Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.

18. Caterpallor: (n.): The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you're eating.

The Washington Post has also published the winning submissions to its yearly contest in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings for common words.
And the winners are:

1. Coffee, (n.) the person upon whom one coughs.

2. Flabbergasted, (adj.) appalled by discovering how much weight one has gained.

3. Abdicate, (v.) to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.

4. Esplanade, (v.) to attempt an explanation while drunk.

6. Negligent, (adj.) absentmindedly answering the door when wearing only a nightgown.

7. Lymph, (v.) to walk with a lisp.

8. Gargoyle, (n.) olive-flavored mouthwash.

9. Flatulence, (n.) emergency vehicle that picks up someone who has been run over by a steamroller.

10. Balderdash, (n.) a rapidly receding hairline.

11. Oyster, (n.) a person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.

12. Frisbeetarianism, (n.) the belief that, after death, the soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.

13. Pokemon, (n.) a Rastafarian proctologist.

Approaching the Media for your Urban Botanic Business

I had the opportunity to attend a great workshop on Monday that featured three Seattle-based journalists. Let me tell you they had a lot to say about what to do (and what NOT to do) when approaching the media (aka pitching a story) for publicity for your business.

First, let me explain a big concept in marketing - earned media. Earned media is basically anything that appears in the media that you didn't pay for. An advertisement is media space you buy (i.e. paid media). Earned media is when a journalist for a newspaper (or magazine, website, etc.) writes about your business, product, or cause in an article or story. You didn't pay for it, hence the term "earned."

Many people consider earned media to be more credible because it came from an unbiased source (vs. an ad where the company can tell you anything they want). The product or company does not get to approve what is written so the journalist is trusted with giving a fair assessment (good or bad).

Honestly, being a graphic designer I was only aware of paid media for the first 7+ years of my career. It wasn't until a few years ago when I was simultaneously finishing up my degree in business and working in a corporate communications department that I understood the concept. The PR Director was all about generating earned media whereas I was primarily concerned with paying for media (designing and placing ads).

Okay, now, I will share with you about how to pitch to journalists (aka "the media") to generate press (aka earned media) for your business.

Email is the preferred mode of contact. Phone calls can be intrusive. Snail mail still works but depending on the person, may or may not be timely. Most publications will have links to email addresses on their websites. If you aren't sure who to contact, it is totally fine to call the main phone line and ask the receptionist who you should contact.

Brevity is your friend when contacting a journalist. Don't wax poetic on all of the virtues of the product. Briefly tell them who you are, why they should be interested, how to contact you, and give them a link to your URL. These people receive A LOT of pitches and simply don't have the time to wade through all of your descriptive adjectives. As one writer on the panel said, "Don't bury the lead."

Be authentic. There is no need to act more formal or "business-y" when talking to a journalist. Be articulate. Use spell check. Be friendly. And act "normal" as one writer said.

Be persistant. If you don't hear back after one pitch, it is acceptable to ping someone again. Make sure to reference who you are, even just resend the exact same email. If you don't hear back after that, there may just not be any interest.

Do your homework. Be prepared to explain why your business is ideal for their readership. Read back issues and know what other products and companies have been featured over the last year or so (at a minimum). It is also smart to understand the demographic of their target audience. You can usually find this info on a publication's website where their advertising information is (i.e. "Advertise With Us").

Understand their timelines. Magazine articles are generally 3+ months out. Blogs and online media are one-two weeks out. Newspapers generally are one-two+ weeks out for features (longer if it's a weekly or monthly paper), unless of course, there is major breaking news.

If someone else has covered it, another publication likely won't. Journalists (whether online or in print) like to be the ones to break a story or be the first to report it. No one likes to play second fiddle or run secondhand news. Trust that the writer you pitch KNOWS what other publications have already featured. Unless there is a unique angle or new development, once you've been featured in one genre of media (i.e. wedding-related, or kid-related), that literally could be "all she wrote" for the time-being.

Do not send a "mass" pitch (with the exception of a press release, which is entirely different). Along with knowing what their colleagues have already featured, these people network with each other and have close relationships behind the scenes, across publications and websites. They share with each other (especially in the blogosphere) and can sniff out a "canned" email a mile away. Tailor your approach by following the steps I've outlined here and you should be just fine.

Being a paid advertiser does not guarantee or even help in getting written about in a publication. The ad salespeople and the writers are usually completely separate and don't know what the other is doing. However, there are some publications that offer their advertisers "advertorials." I won't go into detail about it but here is a wiki that explains what an advertorial is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advertorial. But, still, an advertorial is paid media and still has less "cred" than pure editorial.

Samples: sometimes yes, sometimes no. Be aware that some publications have very strict rules about whether or not they can accept samples. A good rule of thumb is that the larger the publication, the less likely they can accept freebies. The best idea is to wait until you've conversed with an interested journalist and ask them the policy rather than just blindly sending someone a sample.

The bottom line: It's about relationships. That is the key point that the panel on Monday stressed over and over again. The media is approachable (even though the idea of pitching a story does seem really overwhelming). They are people just like you and me.