March 23- Setting Up an Intentional Bio

Your social media bio is one of the first things your leads will see when they check you out. So it’s important to be intentional on what we put in there! Here are some tips on how to create a bio as a network marketer:

(Before we dive in, make sure you know the policies and restrictions of the company that you’re partnered with)

Remember these two rules:

1. Take out your company’s facebook page from your “About me” section. Because If someone looks at your profile and you direct them to your company’s page, you’ve automatically lost that lead. Again, you don’t work for that company. You’re an independent contractor that is partnered with them

2. Remove any external shopping links. You want to capture any leads, so the links that are in there should direct to your profile or personal website that is 100% yours.

Facebook

• On Facebook, you will have several lines of text in your bio. So don’t waste it by indicating in any way that you are a “rep.” You are trying to avoid making an impression to your leads that they’re only going to be sold to.

• Include your personal pillars. This is like your dating profile where people with similar interests can connect with you. (See my profile for an example of this https://www.facebook.com/abbyngarrison/ )

• You can add an optional power statement. For me, it’s something like, “I help women in network marketing show up authentically themselves.” You’re not trying to sell in your statement, but you make people understand what you do instead.

• You can change up your bios and add links to your current challenges, free training, events, etc.

• You can change your bio quarterly, as long as it’s aligned with you at the present.

Instagram

• On Instagram, There is one space for one link- and as a network marketer, that is dedicated only to your Facebook group or personal website.

• You bio should explain why your leads should stick around— what do they expect from your feed or what are you sharing? Is it a makeup tutorial? How to prepare meals as a busy mom? Whatever you share on your feed should show up in your bio

• Your highlight provides your audience an opportunity to see quickly what kind of content you share. So your highlights should include stuff that your bio and feed describes.

• Your highlights let people know what to expect

• Adding a few emojis is recommended, as long as it represents your authentic self. Don’t be afraid to play with it—but keep it simple!

If you need help creating your bio (and for other platforms,) reach out to me! If you have any questions, just shoot me a message!

Join our community https://www.facebook.com/groups/directsalesdonebetter 

Get all the updated info on what’s going on at https://www.directsalesdonebetter.com/

Check out Kate's group for more helpful graphic and social media resources: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bossbishlounge

Funnel to the next steps

Access the six-video series about Facebook growth on our DSDB Community

Be sure to hop on to the previous episodes where we figure out our personal pillars, then where we design our businesses on Facebook. Because now we’re going to talk about how are people going to get there!

Your Facebook group is your community where you ultimately build your brand, connections, and business. This is where your audience can ask questions, converse with fellow members, find products, search topics, see your posts, and so much more. This is YOUR community. So as a direct seller, your Facebook group is your end goal. Thus make sure to always get your audience to your Facebook group!

Before we proceed, let’s take note of brand consistency. It helps your audience find, resonate, and recognize your brand. This means having the same account name/handle, brand look, and vibes all across your social media platform so people can find and recognize you quickly. 

So how do you direct your audience on Instagram, Youtube, podcast, and other social media to your Facebook group?

> Utilize your account profile picture and cover photo to introduce your brand and direct people to your Facebook group. On the description of your photos, be sure to include the link to your group so interested people would immediately know where the next step is in connecting with you.

> Do NOT put your products or company name on your display photos because people would think that your main purpose is to sell them stuff. Again, you are more than just your company and products. You want people to connect with YOU and your brand.

> Updating your pictures once a month is recommended.

> If you want additional resources on how to create your profile and cover photos for business, go to my friend’s Kate’s Business Group!

> No matter what social media platform you use, you will have a bio. In here, you write who you are and your touch points to make connections with (aka your personal pillars.) 

> With that being said, you should not have your shopping or company links on your personal bio. Again, you don’t want your audience to feel like they are being sold to. We want genuine connections.

> You can add links to your other social media accounts or website, but make sure that your Facebook group is your priority and is on the top of the list.

> You can add emojis or different fonts, but remember you would want your business space to come across as professional and clean. (Unless being disorganized and abrasive is your branding)

> You can update your bio quarterly or as often as needed

> Whatever you post online, as long as it’s appropriate, be sure to add the link to your Facebook group in the description. Better if you can include your Facebook group in the video/photo content itself!

Your Facebook group is the space for you to hang out with your community, create relationships, and sell products. So take out the confusion and make it easy for your audience to know where to further connect with you. Now go ahead and update your funnels!

Join the Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/directsalesdonebetter 

Kate’s Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bossbishlounge 

Kate’s Website: https://www.classybishkate.com/ 

Use code ABBYGARRISON for a discount on individual graphics packs or the Boss level of subscription services.

Now that you have figured out your personal pillars and community value from the last blog, we will now talk about how you can build your brand and grow your community!

Your brand is your space for connection. You know the feeling when you talk with another person about things that both of you are interested in? There’s an instant connection. And that’s how you want your Facebook group to feel like– a place where your members would feel calm and comfortable to be themselves.

And as an entrepreneur, you have to create that environment in your group in a way that’s authentic to you. Think of it as your own coffee shop that you are designing. How do you want it to look and feel like? What feels comfortable and inviting for you? What’s the vibe?  (Check out how to increase your online engagement.)

Write it all down, think of it as yours, and then apply it to your Facebook group. It is the same with your business. You get to choose the company you are partnered with, what your business offers, and what your community values are.

Here are a few tips for naming your group to help you get started!

• Do not include your company name
• Don’t name it as “VIP”
• Include your name
• Reference your personal pillars or community value

If you need more tips on how to grow your Facebook group, go check out the resources that we have for you in the DSDB community.

You could also sign up for the DSDB VIP Bootcamp! It’s a five week program where we discuss in detail and in more depth about how you can build your brand and your business’ community— specifically for you!

Every journey and business is different, so it’s okay to embrace what makes yours different.

Part of my vision to “explore” this year is to not just look at the destination, but also look at the small steps along the way.

Look at what’s around you in your journey. Notice how kids look at the world with wonder because we could learn from children’s excitement and curiosity when they try to figure life out. They love to see ‘it,’ and they love to share ‘it’ with others. I want you to do that for your life and business.

So what can you be excited about at this moment? What can spark your wonder that you can share with others?

VIP Bootcamp: https://direct-sales-done-better.mykajabi.com/offers/tz6iHbGG/checkout 

DSDB Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/directsalesdonebetter 

Listen to the Podcast: https://directsalesdonebetter.libsyn.com/ 

We are now stepping into 2023 and that means new stuff coming in!

Go check out our resources on achieving our dreams this year in the DBSB group. This includes how you can map out your journey. And before we dive in, I want you to write, “I can be excited about my own journey. It is designed by me, for me. And it is beautiful and important just the way it is.”

No matter what your ventures are, remember that it is yours and you own it.

My big word this year is “Explore.” So my themes this year would revolve around this idea.

Your online group, specifically on Facebook, is your community and your avenue to connect with your audience, customers, prospects, and more.

And before we discuss how you can grow your group, we have to know first why people are jumping in there and why it is important for us direct sellers.

Your personal pillars are the 3-5 things that describe who you are, not what you do. And this does not include your company. Remember that as a direct seller, you are an independent contractor: they don’t own you and you don’t work for them. Your business is yours, you are merely partnered with the company.

Think of your personal pillar as your dating profile. It is your avenue to connect with people who have the same interests as you. So it has to be authentic to you.

It could be what lights you up. Whether that’s yoga, paper crafting, Christianity, mountains, lipstick, or anything that describes your interests. You can make it more niche down. Like a first time makeup enthusiast. A mickey mouse collector. A crunchy mom. 

Because someone else will look at your pillars and say, “oh, me too. I understand her.” And that’s how your group—through your pillars— becomes a space for connection.

This is how you create a connection for you. Not based on your company or what you sell.

Your Facebook group is your community. If we’re going to remove your products from your group, why are people in your group? What are the conversations going on in that space?

So what do you want those answers to be? What do you want them to be there for?

Maybe your community value is helping busy moms with young kids create memories around meal time, and provide better meal planning solutions. Or maybe your company is colorstreet. So your products are nails, skincare, haircare, lipsticks. Your community value can be about helping women age 20-40 feel good in their skin and reminding them to have time for themselves.

Your product may contribute to your community value. But your community value can stand alone without your products.

Your community values are why people join, stay, and invite others in your group.

And if you build your relationships because they connect with you on your personal pillar and community value, conversations around your product would be easier. And they wouldn’t feel like products are being shoved down their throats. People know you, trust you, and they see why you are recommending this product.

So what are your personal pillars and community values?

We just opened our DSDB VIP Bootcamp! You can register here: https://direct-sales-done-better.mykajabi.com/offers/tz6iHbGG/checkout 

In the Direct Sales Done Better bootcamp, we’re going to discuss more about how you can cultivate and grow your group in a way that’s authentic to you!

And remember, I can give you ideas, tips, or outline, but ultimately, how you design your business is for you to decide.

Join the Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/directsalesdonebetter 

When we look at the journey in our business, a lot of times we look at the things that we want to do. But we often overlook the individual steps we need to take to reach our goals whatever they may be.

Meanwhile, we tend to look at what other people are doing in their journey, This often leads to unhealthy comparisons because you would only be seeing their successes, and not the work other people have been doing. Be aware that’s there’s a lot going on in the back end of someone’s achievements that you see online. Acknowledge and appreciate that!

So let’s focus on your own journey. When it comes to the steps you’re taking towards your goals, do they help you grow and achieve your highest potential?

And today we’re listing down important steps to include in your journey so you can step into your best self this new year!

Register for the free workshop mentioned here: https://direct-sales-done-better.mykajabi.com/replanting-for-2023 

For most of us, volunteering is out of genuine concern for others and often doesn’t require anything in return. But today we will also acknowledge how getting involved in our communities benefits us, business owners, too. 

This November we will be focusing on gratitude, giving back, and involvement. Join our community for more resources on network marketing.

We as direct sellers know the importance of forming meaningful relationships. While giving back is one of the best ways to do it, it is also an excellent way to show gratitude and advocate for your products. You can give your brand or business more exposure by providing them to communities in need. And if your circle is drying up, or you can’t seem to book a party but want to keep your business moving, getting involved in your community is a great next step. You also build credibility when others see that you give back.

Above all, getting involved is a great way to connect and share space with other people who have the same cause/interest as you! When you find your “why” you want to help a certain community, not only will you be motivated to continue, but it’s also going to be easy to have conversations.

Did you know that the best time to start doing a fundraiser is after your holiday shipping deadlines? Know more about getting involved as a network marketer and how to build a successful fundraiser by joining the non-profit masterclass with Alyx!

Register here

In network marketing, our business is based on building relationships with people. So initiating and maintaining conversations are part of our routines. And one of the challenges that we face as direct sellers is explaining what we do in a small interaction. We have a different business model so it can be challenging to convey why we do what we do. The concept that we sell other people’s products while still owning our business and building our brand can be difficult to understand for others. That’s why we say “I am ‘partnered’ with this company” and not “I work for this company.”

And today we are going to discuss networking and joining groups. Keep reading!

To get into a space of network marketers that grow and support each other, join the DBSB community!

Join the DBSB masterclass for more resources on networking marketing and learn all the techniques you can use to elevate your networking skills!

Connect with Kimberly - https://www.facebook.com/kimberly.khandros 

As you grow and develop who you are, your passions and interest will change too. Thus your brand will change too. And that’s okay. You can make adjustments in your business as long as these changes are serving you and are true to you.

You are the business owner so you are the one in control of your business. So if something doesn’t bring you joy or isn’t serving your end goal anymore, you can close that chapter.

The same thing happens with team growth.

Like what we’ve discussed in the previous episodes, we can only control our content and the conversations we have. In team growth, we can’t control who shows up or collaborate consistently, but we can control what we share with them and how we do it. We can’t control who responds to us or not, but we can control our Facebook lives, how many stories we post, how often we ask, etc. (See also how to increase online engagement.)

So every time you feel stuck in your business, it’s the time to step back and ask, “am I controlling what I can?” Remember that you don’t have to do everything all the time but you can manage your time wisely!

When your brand or community is going through some changes, you have to focus on what you can control and let your girls join you in your journey. Here are a few tips on how you can get your members to hop on board:

• Have a monthly list of 50 (highlighted) members and 20 celebrations. Make your members feel that you are showing up for them as their friends more than as business partners and that you value their successes. The goal of these lists is not only to motivate them to reach their business goals but to also encourage participation in the group.
• Always ask your girls how they’re doing and how you can help. What can you do together?
• Your members see your consistency (ex: a monthly check-in.) And this consistency helps your members incorporate your group activities into their business routines.
• Always highlight your pillars and community value. When you have fully developed your ‘why’ behind your brand, more people would resonate with it. They would see that your group is more than just a selling team. 
• Open up some of your life’s shenanigans to your group so they can understand the changes and they can get updates from you.
• Don’t be afraid to share knowledge and space with people who have the same goals and interests as you. This way, you can expand your reach and collaborate with other leaders. You can then do team training together or have someone back you up when you need it! When you build your business that’s not in a scarcity mindset, it’s easy to bring other people in.

For resources that you can share with your group and learn more about how you can do pieces of training, join the DBSB community!