Your Business, Your Magazine

You may have caught our recent story series about how Powerline magazine is created. This behind-the-scenes peek covers how Powerline goes from an idea to the magazine that reaches your mailbox. As an UnFranchise^® entrepreneur, you know that this is one of the best ways to get a look at the latest information on everything from Market America-branded products to business insights. There’s one Powerline resource you may not be using yet, though.

 

Do you know about Digital Powerline?

For a fast, easy-to-use way to share information, it’s hard to beat Digital Powerline. By visiting marketamerica.com and selecting the Digital Powerline tab, you’ll be taken to an online library of the most recent issues.

Powerline is written for the UnFranchise entrepreneur, but it’s also a helpful business building tool. The information each issue contains is a combination of market research, top trends, and success stories of Shop Consultants. It’s a perfect way to introduce potential customers to the products, and customers to the business.

Say your story was featured in Power People. Sharing your success is as easy as opening the digital issue, clicking “share,” and filling in the email information of your intended recipients. Or, you can copy and paste a quick link into your favorite social networks.

Are you taking advantage of your subscription to Powerline? You can check out the November issue right now!

What’s your favorite story?

The SHOP.COM Gift Card: A Go-To Holiday Gift

The SHOP.COM Gift Card is the go-to holiday gift of the season! Why? It’s the most versatile gift available and can be sent with the click of a button. We have 10 reasons why this is the best gift around:

1. Freedom
We like to choose our own gifts. That’s why holiday wish lists were created in the first place! When you give someone the SHOP.COM Gift Card, you know they’ll be able to pick out something they truly want.

2. Give them something good
The SHOP.COM Gift Card is a much better gift than socks.

3. Avoid the stores
We’re in the middle of Thanksgiving weekend and the thought of finding a parking place in a sea of hundreds of cars at the mall just doesn’t sound like fun. The SHOP.COM Gift Card is available online!

4. Give them something good
The SHOP.COM Gift Card is a much better gift than fruitcake.

5. No shipping fees
Not only is the SHOP.COM Gift Card available online, it’s delivered online as well! You can avoid shipping fees and gift wrap fees because this is a gift that goes straight to their inbox.

6. Give them something good
The SHOP.COM Gift Card is a much better gift than a dictionary.

7. No last minute panic!
Don’t worry if it’s the first night of Hanukkah and you’ve forgotten a gift for your mom! The SHOP.COM Gift Card takes seconds to purchase.

8. Give them something good
The SHOP.COM Gift Card is a much better gift than a potholder.

9. Help Yourself
When you give someone a SHOP.COM Gift Card, make sure they’re shopping through your portal! You’ll earn BV on their Market America purchases.

10. Give them something good
The SHOP.COM Gift Card is a much better gift than an air purifier.

Whether the reasons are serious or silly, the SHOP.COM Gift Card is a great choice this holiday season. Its convenience is unparalleled and it’s a great way to spread the word about our company while giving a gift that’s sure to please.

Comment and tell us- what’s the worst holiday gift you’ve ever received?

Top Buy Tuesday: November 27, 2012

If you’re like us, you probably had a busy holiday weekend of Thanksgiving festivities and shopping! Black Friday and Cyber Monday were HUGE this year and we hope you took advantage of all of the great deals being offered on SHOP.COM! If you still have gifts on your list to purchase, check out these deals that are available for a limited time:

 

November Extra Cashback
Through Friday, shop the stores that are offering extra Cashback for the month of November! Shopping these stores and advertising them to your customers helps you to make money while you shop! Check back on Saturday to see all new December partners!

Lands’ End
One great Cyber Monday sale has been extended! Through the end of the day TODAY, save 30% on your entire order at Lands’ End with code GLISTEN and pin 8020! Plus, get free shipping on any order over $50.

Home Depot
Through 11/28, take $5 off $50 at Home Depot with code CMHD2012. Home Depot also offers 3% Cashback. Who still needs to buy Christmas tree lights or greenery? This deal is for you!

MyJewelryBox.com
With a wide variety of looks, colors, and prices, MyJewelryBox.com is a great place to check out holiday gifts- and they offer 8% Cashback! Take 20% off your entire order through 12/23 with code HOLIDAY20.

BarkBox
Don’t forget your pets this holiday season! Save 15% off your first purchase at BarkBox with code WOOF15 AND get 15% Cashback!

Are there any other amazing deals we’ve missed? Comment to let us know!

How to Shop Smart for the Holidays

And that means it’s the shopping season. This is the perfect time to get to know the benefits of shopping on SHOP.COM – and to make sure that you are getting the most out of their shopping experience. We’re providing a breakdown of all the great ways to shop for the holidays on SHOP.COM!

 

eGifts: Have you got more than one great gift idea for someone, but don’t have the budget for multiple presents? Or are you just struggling to pick the perfect item? eGifts are the ideal way to give great presents. All you have to do is start shopping. When you see an item that could be perfect for the individual you’re shopping for, just click “Add to eGift.”

You can add as many (or as few) items to the eGift as you want. When you’ve finished putting together an eGift, just click “Send eGift”, and an email will be delivered to your recipient’s inbox. Then, they can select the item they’d like to receive. Your account will be automatically billed (and you’ll earn the corresponding amount of Cashback!), and their choice will be mailed directly to their address. What could be easier? eGifts are also perfect for last-minute presents! Give the gift of choice with eGifts. You can find out more by watching Market America’s informative video – and be sure to share it with your customers!

 

Santa’s List: With all the products available on the market, it can be hard to know what the kids in your life want or need. Why not let them shop for themselves? SHOP.COM has developed Santa’s List to help your kids – and the kids you shop for – show you exactly what they want quickly and easily.

All they have to do is visit the Santa’s List homepage and select their age range.

This will send them to a gift guide recommending some of the hottest items of the season. Anything they want, they just click “Add to MyList” to add it to a special MyList that you can set up for them in seconds! Just log on to your SHOP.COM account and create a new MyList! All your kids have to do is add to it.

When they’re done, they can share their Santa’s List across their social networks – or yours! You can also share them via email. It’s a great way to help family members and friends pick out the perfect presents for kids.

MyLists: Kids aren’t the only ones hoping for some great gifts this season! MyLists are the perfect way to pick out your favorite items and share them with your social networks.

Just pick out your dream items and click “Add to MyList.” Choose the MyList you’ve selected for your holiday wishlist, and add items until you’re satisfied. Then, share your list with friends and family via email, and across your social networks. You can even Pin your MyLists to Pinterest! Get the inside scoop with this great video.

SHOP.COM Gift Cards: There’s no better way to grow your business than with the gift of SHOP.COM Gift Cards! They’re ideal presents for prospective AND current customers. They let recipients choose exactly what they want, and they’re delivered instantly to your recipient’s inbox. Try giving out SHOP.COM Gift Cards in $5 denominations to potential customers like coworkers, acquaintances, and old friends you may have lost touch with. When they receive the Gift Card, they’ll be brought back to your SHOP.COM site, and you can sign them up as a new Preferred Customer! There are great benefits for them, like Cashback and SHIPFREE, and it helps build your business. Get to know a little bit more about SHOP.COM Gift Cards with this great video!

Gift Center: Why start from scratch? The experts at SHOP.COM have been hard at work creating Trends to help you find just what you’re looking for. Just click “Holiday Gift Center” and you’ll be taken to SHOP.COM’s holiday headquarters.

From here, you can see some of the greatest holiday deal, or use the column on the left to navigate. You can select from budget goals, gift ideas, and more! Don’t forget to show this helpful feature off to your customers – everyone needs a little help holiday shopping.

Hot Deals: Sometimes you know just where you want to shop. That’s why SHOP.COM has thousands of Partner Stores – and the Hot Deals section showcases the greatest deals from all of them! Browse the latest deals, or search for your favorite stores to find the deals you’re looking for. Whether it’s instant savings, sales or coupon codes, Hot Deals has you covered.

Don’t forget to download ShopBuddy to make sure you’re always logged into your SHOP.COM account, every time and everywhere you shop! (Right now, you could even win a $100 SHOP.COM Gift Card just for downloading it!)

You’ll always want to stay tuned to the Market America and SHOP.COM Facebook pages to make sure you’re up-to-date on the latest holiday deals and offers (and how to share them). Follow Market America and SHOP.COM on Twitter to stay in the conversation about holiday shopping.

These great tools will help you earn the most Cashback and save big all holiday season long. Take some time to try out each of these great features so you know exactly what to recommend to your customers. The better you know each feature, the better (and faster!) you can help your customers find just what they’re looking for.

Tell us! What’s your favorite holiday feature?

Save Time, Shop with Trends

This time every year we’re busy making gift lists for our friends and family. It always seems, though, that there’s one person who is difficult to shop for. Just one! Maybe it’s a boyfriend, a niece or nephew, or a co-worker.

 

The SHOP.COM Trend Shop is full of great gift-giving ideas, all housed in one convenient location. Save time and stress when you browse trend boards for gift ideas! Here are some of our favorite trend boards that have given us inspiration for our holiday shopping:


Stocking Stuffers: Motives® products the perfect size to hang under the mantle.



Secret Santa: our favorite board has gifts at every price point for your surprise Secret Santa.



Holiday Cheer: gifts you’ll want for yourself to assist with holiday hostessing duties!



Gifts for Boys: There’s a board for each age bracket and for girls, too! We found the Boys 12-14 one to be particularly helpful.



The Trend Shop is a great tool for you to use. It's easy to find gifts and save time by shopping online, especially in this holiday season!

Are you ready for Cyber Monday?

Have a Plan of Attack: Effective Holiday Shopping

The holiday shopping season is upon us, and to most people, that means planning stressful trips to the store. For UnFranchise^® entrepreneurs like you, it also means a wealth of opportunities – but you can’t forget your shopping needs, too. It’s important to get your shopping out of the way so you can help your customers find their ideal gifts. Set aside some time today to get prepared to shop!

Step 1: Know who you need to shop for.
This is essential. Have a list of the people you need to get gifts for, and the people you’d like to give gifts to. With a final headcount, you can know for sure that you won’t leave anyone out and be scrabbling for last-minute gifts. It also helps to have an idea of what they want. Check to see if they’ve made and shared a Santa’s List (or a MyList!) after you’re done deciding who to shop for.

Step 2: Know what deals are out there.
SHOP.COM’s Hot Deals page is a great way to get in-the-know on the latest deals. However, sometimes it’s good to know what deals are running directly from your favorite stores. Check out the circulars that are featured in your paper, and sign up for the mailing lists from your favorite Partner Stores so you get some advanced warning on holiday deals you may need!

Step 3: Make sure you’re equipped.
It’s great to get emails for deals you’ll want and need, but be sure you’re equipped with ShopBuddy so you never miss out on the chance to earn Cashback! ShopBuddy helps remind you to log in to your SHOP.COM account when you’re shopping on a Partner Store’s site. It’s a great reminder that makes sure you’re making the most of every purchase. Right now, you can enter to win a $100 SHOP.COM Gift Card just for downloading ShopBuddy, too!

Step 4: Plan a budget.
It’s true for customers and it’s true for Shop Consultants – you should never spend more than you can afford! Don’t forget to factor in any Cashback you’ve been saving up! It might help you pick up a little present for yourself to reward all your hard work shopping. Take a moment to figure out how much you can afford to spend on gifts, decorations and other holiday essentials before you start buying.

By migrating your holiday shopping choices to SHOP.COM, you’re doing more than investing in your Shopping Annuity. You’re saving yourself time, earning Cashback, and taking advantage of some of the hottest deals online. It’s true for your customers, too. By showing them how to shop on SHOP.COM, you’re not asking them to spend more money – you’re telling them how to save! Keep that in mind when you’re helping customers this holiday season.

Now that you’ve set your plan in place, you’re prepared to make the most of holiday shopping. Get shopping, so you can share your tips and tricks with your customers!

What product are you most excited to get a great deal on?

Hot Buy Friday

This week calls for something more! It’s one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year and all of the buzz can be overwhelming! Here are our picks for the best buys of the weekend, available (as always!) on SHOP.COM:

 

Motives® Celebrate Beauty
For a limited time, this lip and eye color compact is on sale for only $14! It makes the perfect stocking stuffer, secret Santa gift, or treat for yourself!





SHOP.COM Triple Cashback
NINE great stores are offering triple Cashback through Monday. Here is a breakdown of each store and what they have to offer. Make sure you’re spreading the word in the field: this is an offer not to be missed! Get paid to shop this weekend!

In honor of one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year, SHOP.COM is offering Triple Cashback now until midnight on Monday, November 26th! That means you have plenty of time to shop with our partner stores and earn Cashback at the same time! The holidays are already a strain on your budget, so why not get paid to shop? Read on for a look at each store participating in Triple Cashback:

1-800-Baskets 4% 12% CB
Shop fun, pretty, and yummy gift baskets to give friends and family this holiday season. 1-800-Baskets has everything from coffee & tea to fresh fruits, chocolates, spa items, and gourmet food specialties.
Current 6% 18% CB
Haven’t thought about your Christmas cards yet? No problem! Find Christmas stationary, personalized gifts, wrapping paper and more at Current.
Lillian Vernon 6% 18% CB
Lillian Vernon has a huge selection of home decor items, gifts, holiday decorations, and an entire stock of items just for kids!
The Popcorn Factory 4% 12% CB
Need we go into detail? The Popcorn Factory offers tins of popcorn in every sweet and savory flavor you can imagine. Yum!
Cheryl’s 4% 12% CB
A sweet follow-up to The Popcorn Factory, Cheryl’s offers fresh baked cookies, brownies, and other desserts in a variety of assortments and packages. As an added bonus, receive free ground shipping through the end of the year with code SNOWSHIP.
AllPosters.com 7% 21% CB
AllPosters.com offers everything from posters for the college dorm room to framed photography for the interior decorating enthusiast. Covering many different price points, it’s a great spot to shop!
Art.com 7% 21% CB
Check out Art.com for framed prints, photo-to-canvas orders, and prints for your home and office.
Garage 6% 18% CB
Order trendy clothes and accessories for your favorite teen at Garage. What’s on her wish list this holiday season? If it includes fleece jackets, cute dresses, warm pj’s, a new purse, or jewelry… Garage has you covered.
Teleflora 5% 15% CB
Not coming home for the holidays? Teleflora can deliver flowers to your family to let them know you’re thinking of them this year. Check out a variety of arrangements at every price point.



Walmart
Walmart is famous for their in-store rush on Black Friday, but this year they’re offering 2% Cashback when you shop on SHOP.COM! Why stand in line when you can get the same hot products delivered to your doorstep?




Kohl’s
Kohl’s has so many deals going on that we can hardly keep them straight! That’s not a bad problem to have! Today only, save 15% off your entire purchase with code BLACKFRI. For a full list of Kohl’s deals, click here.

For a complete list of the hottest deals, check out the SHOP.COM Hot Deals page. What’s the big ticket item in your household this year? Leave a comment and tell us where you found it on SHOP.COM!

Black Friday: In Stores vs. SHOP.COM

The Friday after Thanksgiving is notoriously stressful. Whether you’re shopping for someone else or picking up an essential for yourself, making purchases in person means subjecting yourself to the long lines, hectic crowds, and general misery of Black Friday shopping. You might score some savings in stores, but why go through the hassle when you can get even better deals on SHOP.COM?

 

If you’re wondering how to share the benefits of online shopping with potential customers (or stubborn customers who just seem to love shopping in stores), consider these points.

Waiting:

It doesn’t matter how you plan out your shopping day. Shopping in-stores on Black Friday means waiting. Waiting to get in stores, waiting to grab the right product, and waiting in long lines. Is the time you’re investing waiting really worth the money you’re saving? We don’t think so – especially when you can save even more on SHOP.COM! Shopping online means no waiting – just pick, click and check out!


Hauling:
Big bags and overloaded shopping carts are your constant companions when it comes to in-store shopping. Carrying around heavy loads can weigh down your day and leave you exhausted. Thanksgiving can be stressful enough with travel and cooking – so why make the weekend more tense by lugging big-ticket items around in a store? With SHOP.COM, you can get even large items delivered right to your door. No carrying required!




Crowds:
In movies and on TV, holiday shopping can look appealing. Stores might be decked in holiday colors, with festive tunes playing over the sound system. In reality, this weekend stores are jam-packed with irritated consumers. Everyone is competing for the products they need to ring in the holidays. You can skip the press of people (and shop in your PJs!) on SHOP.COM. Instead of waiting in a crowd of people for store doors to open, you can sip your morning coffee and select your items with ease.


Sold Out Specials:
It must have happened to you before. You do your research in advance. You pick out the perfect product. On the day of the sale, you rush to the store only to discover your ideal item is completely sold out! Online retailers aren’t limited to the confines of small multi-product brick and mortar stores. You also aren’t limited to the supplies of just one store! SHOP.COM lets you search for exactly the right product – and will show you the retailers that provide it. Don’t be heartbroken by sold-out deals – get what you want with just a few clicks on SHOP.COM.


Savings:
Have you ever gone out shopping on the weekend after Thanksgiving, only to discover the savings don’t seem to be worth it? With SHOP.COM, you can pick out the best deals right from the Hot Deals page. Not only that – ShopBuddy lets you shop on all of our Partner Stores without you missing out on business volume or Cashback! Speaking of Cashback – what better way is there to save than getting paid to shop? Your customers have items they need to buy. Simply by shopping on SHOP.COM, they can earn Cashback on every qualifying purchase. So, they’re earning on top of the great savings and Hot Deals they’re already getting! And RIGHT NOW, through Monday Nov. 26, you can earn an unheard of TRIPLE Cashback!

What’s your favorite thing about shopping for the holidays online? Tell us!

Happy Thanksgiving from Market America & SHOP.COM

Today is a very special day throughout the United States. Today we gather to give thanks, a time-honored tradition that brings families and friends together throughout the nation. From our family to yours, we’d like to wish you a very happy Thanksgiving!

 

How are you celebrating Thanksgiving Day? 

(Psst! Don’t forget to stay tuned in to the ma Blog for great holiday deals and highlights all weekend long!)

Healthy Holiday Dishes

Here’s something you already knew: the holidays are a dangerous time for healthy eaters! With temptation around every corner, it can become difficult to stay on track with your diet. We’re sharing some healthy dishes to make that will taste delicious and leave you feeling guilt free! We found all of these recipes on the TLS® Weight Loss Pinterest account. Check their boards for many more healthy ideas!

 

Pumpkin Applesauce
Pumpkin is a seasonal favorite, bound to be a crowd pleaser. This applesauce is naturally sweet without added sugar!






Turkey Burgers
If you’re feeling fearless this Thanksgiving, consider skipping on the huge turkey (and the prep work that is involved!) and try this recipe for turkey burgers. With only a few fresh ingredients, they’re a great healthy twist to a holiday favorite.






Roasted Green Beans with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
The addition of pine nuts gives this already-healthy dish an extra crunch!









Healthy No-Bake Pumpkin Pie
Adding greek yogurt and sugar free pudding mix makes this holiday staple a healthy possibility!



As you plan your holiday meals, don’t forget to let the TLS® Weight Loss Solution help you to stay in control of your health. The TLS® Find Your Fit Kit is a great place to start and is currently on sale with a savings of over 25%! Get yours to grab some extra support during the tempting holiday season.

Which TLS product keeps you on track during the holidays? Do you have a special recipe you’d love to share? Leave us a comment below!

Organizing New Contacts with Mobile PRM

The holidays are a busy time for shopping and we’ve certainly covered that here on the blog lately. But the holidays are also a prime time to meet new contacts at holiday parties and gatherings. Heading off to an holiday alumni event at your alma mater? Meeting your husband’s extended family for the first time? There are plenty of opportunities to network at the holidays! With Mobile Prospect Relationship Management (PRM), you can easily keep track of everyone new you meet!

 

Mobile PRM helps you to organize, prospect, and recruit as you work to build your UnFranchise Business. When you gain a new contact, simply enter them into your account using your mobile phone or computer. Answer some simple questions about them including phone number, email, and their interests. You’ll have an individual profile for each contact. As you get to know your contacts better, there’s even room for additional information about family and other interests.

As you move through your contacts and schedule initial phone calls and meetings, Mobile PRM helps you to keep track of their status. With guided suggestions, take each prospect through the process from initial contact all the way to becoming a customer or a shop consultant.

Mobile PRM can also be used to plan emails and specific marketing campaigns. It does the work for you by providing templates and other helpful features! Sending mass messages to your contact list has never been easier.

The holidays are a busy time to balance your professional life with your social life. Let the Mobile PRM help you to stay organized and on track while you enjoy this time of the year. Do you take advantage of the Mobile PRM and its many great functions? How has it changed the way you do business?

Thanksgiving: The Perfect Time to Share Your Business

Thanksgiving brings families together to share in gratitude and thankfulness and, of course, to eat food! As an UnFranchise^® Business Owner, this holiday is the perfect time to share what you do with those who matter most. How do you bring up the subject of business while at the dinner table? Read on for our tips:

Take Action
Talking about Market America products is great, but showing them in action is even better! Before you sit down for dinner, don’t forget to take your Isotonix^® Digestive Enzymes with Probiotics. If you take them in front of your family members, chances are they’ll ask you what they are and what they’re for! It’s the perfect time to share with them the importance of our Isotonix line!

Enter the Conversation
Conversation during family dinners usually leads to work anyway, so make sure that your voice is heard! When Uncle John asks you what you’ve been doing lately, it’s a prime opportunity to share your excitement over the latest items you’re selling (Opuvita™, Prime™ Vision, etc.). New products are what’s new in your world, so make sure to share them!

Pay Attention
Pay close attention to the conversations going on between family members. There are likely many opportunities for you to talk business without being overbearing. Did you notice your niece putting on lip gloss after dinner? Show her the latest Motives^® catalog. Is your mother-in-law complaining about a lack of energy this holiday season? Talk to her about Isotonix Activated B-Complex!

Remember: no limits!
Though there are certainly ways to work Market America products into Thanksgiving dialog, don’t forget about SHOP.COM! Any time a customer purchases something through your Portal, you’re earning money! Find a way to work your SHOP.COM purchases into the conversation. Did you purchase your dishes or silverware on SHOP.COM? How about your Thanksgiving table decorations, furniture, or appliances? Mention that you got them on SHOP.COM with Cashback and your family members will want to know how they, too, can earn money for their purchases.

These are just a few of the many ways to incorporate business into your family holiday time. What do you think? Do you have a great tip for getting your family excited and invested in your business? Leave a comment and tell us how you got your family interested!

Stop Stress and Weigh Less!

Most everyone is familiar with the stresses of life these days — a Google search for “article on stress” yields a total of 131,000,000 results. Many of these are lists of events considered to be highly stressful, such as sudden changes in career, relocation of home or business, and changes in financial status. When engaged in business building, it’s very easy to easy to come across all of these at one time or another!

 

The ongoing occurrence of minor stress, however, is at least as important to consider, and can actually carry greater effects. Daily stressors such as traffic jams, lack of sleep and eating on the run all contribute to an upset of the body’s basic hormonal balance, and one of the consequences of this metabolic shift is unwanted weight gain.

For those who are already working on weight loss — a demanding effort in itself — this sort of stress adds an unwelcome challenge. To help overcome it, TLS ACTS (Adrenal, Cortisol, Thyroid and Stress Support Formula) uses a unique combination of botanical extracts, iodine and L-Theanine to help meet the metabolic demands brought on by stress, helping to minimize its effects and supporting normal hormone production and regulation. TLS ACTS addresses this specific aspect of weight loss in a way competing products and programs do not.


Primary Benefits of TLS® ACTS Adrenal, Cortisol, Thyroid & Stress Support Formula:

• Impacts hormones affected by stress
• Helps to promote healthy levels of cortisol
• Helps maintain healthy levels of both serotonin and dopamine
• Helps enhance and stabilize mood
• Supports improved mental clarity
• May help reduce occasional fatigue associated with stress
• May help to minimize certain stress-related issues (weight gain, difficulty sleeping, etc.)

For all customers and clients who work long hours, are constantly feeling too tired for workouts and find themselves binging on diet-disrupting comfort foods to cope, TLS ACTS can help make the difference between another episode of yo-yo dieting  and reliable, sustainable weight loss. If frustration and fatigue are foiling weight loss for your clients and customers, make TLS ACTS a part of their program — you’ll both be pleased with the results!  

How do YOU deal with the stresses of business-building? Tell us today!

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product(s) is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Survive the Seasons: FREE WEBINARS featuring Coach Lydia Martinez

During the holiday season, most people attend tons of festive events — and nearly all of them center around fattening food and drink. Add in seasonal stress and zero time to cook healthy meals, hit the gym or relax to de-stress, and you have a recipe for physical disaster.

 

Exhaustion, stress, bloating, digestive distress, and — YES — weight gain. Don’t fall into the same trap this year!

Join Lydia Martinez, Director of TLS Weight Loss Solution, for a FREE webinar to learn simple steps you can take to reduce the stress, prevent the belly bulge, keep your energy up and still ENJOY your holidays.

Register for a session now by clicking a date below:

Mon, Nov 19, 2012 12:00 – 1:00 PM EST

Mon, Nov 19, 2012 7:00 – 8:00 PM EST

Or contact me by commenting in the box below for more information.

Once registered you will receive an email confirming your registration with information you need to join the Webinar.

PLEASE NOTE: This webinar is FREE and open to everyone — customers, SHOP Consultants, TLS participants, anyone interested in having a healthy and safe holiday season! So pass it along, spread the word and join us on Monday, Nov. 19!

Four Things You Need for a Successful Shopping Party

They’re mentioned on stage at International Convention and World Conference time and again as a powerful way to grow. They can have a huge impact on online sales, retail profit, and Business Volume. What are they? Shopping parties.

 

The busiest shopping time of the year is upon us, and there’s no better time to gather your friends, family and customers together and show them how to shop. Shopping parties leverage your time and effort to maximize success. They allow you to show multiple people how to shop on SHOP.COM, earn Cashback, and utilize SHOP.COM’s many features to have fun buying everything they want and need.

There’s no question that shopping parties are a fantastic tool. The real question is: What do you need to successfully throw one?

1. Time. This is one of the most important parts of a successful shopping party. Schedule the event for a reasonable amount of time to accomplish your goals, and answer questions. Be sure to keep demonstrations short so that your guests can get their shopping done. Some of our most successful Shop Consultants recommend that you schedule parties for about two hours.

2. Invitations. Know the audience you’re inviting, and pick the method that works best for them. For example, if you’re throwing a shopping party with younger guests, try making a Facebook event instead of mailing formal invitations. If you’re trying to draw a more traditional crowd, put together some custom invites with ma PrintCenter. You can also use SHOP.COM’s eCards. They bring your potential guests right back to your SHOP.COM portal – before the party even starts! No matter your method of invitation, remember that it’s important that you schedule your event in advance, and get the word out.

3. Laptops, computers or mobile devices.  This one is for your guests! If they’re coming to a shopping party, they need to be ready to get shopping. You should be equipped to guide them through the process of shopping – whether it’s on SHOP.COM or SHOP Mobile – but attendees need to come prepared with a device that allows them to get their shopping done (and allows you to sign them up as a Preferred Customer)! Make sure your invitations tell guests to come prepared with a device that will allow them to shop, as well as ideas of items they’d like to shop for (or shopping lists).

4. Products. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to show your customers the quality products Market America has to offer. If you’re throwing a holiday shopping party, now is the perfect time to share kits, cosmetics and other great gift items off. Your house should already be stocked with positive products to contribute to your Shopping Annuity, but be sure to have products on display that your guests can touch, taste and sample.

Shopping parties are an excellent way to spread the word about your business and pick up more Preferred Customers. Try to keep your shopping parties small and intimate – with 5 to 6 guests – so that you can provide personal attention without being overwhelmed. Make sure you have some testimonials ready.

Have you thrown a shopping party? Share some of your secrets with us!

A Few of our Favorite Things

Does this blog title bring a certain song to mind? It’s the season of giving and the social media team has some suggestions for you for your holiday shopping lists. It’s time to spread the love of Market America products with your friends and family. We’re excited to share the items we can’t live without!

Jason | Heart Health Essential Omega III
Fish oils are a healthy way to take care of your heart, so they make a great gift for the hard to shop for. Everyone needs to pay attention to their ticker!




Cait | Prime™ AstaxanthinPut quite simply, this product works! Prime Astaxanthin has some great ingredients and a powerful formula – and our Community Manager has seen a difference. If you’re not buying it for someone else, grab it for yourself!




Andrew | ShopBuddy
We told Andrew that ShopBuddy isn’t a product you can buy for someone, but he insisted on including it anyway! While you can’t gift ShopBuddy, what you can do is use it to find you the best deals on holiday gifts. It alerts you about coupon codes and other great deals that are happening. Showing someone how easy it is to download and use ShopBuddy is the gift that keeps on giving.

 
Hannah | Royal Spa® Products
Royal Spa products are great for making a holiday gift basket! If you know someone who is regularly on the go, the Travel Kit will be a great gift.





Jaclyn | Ultimate Aloe® Juice
There are three great flavors of Ultimate Aloe to choose from, so why not buy one of each to give as gifts? Giving someone aloe you can drink will certainly be an interesting talking point and a fun holiday gift!


 
Laura | Motives® for La La Mineral Volumizing and Lengthening Mascara
“My favorite product is the Motives for La La Volumizing Mascara. I struggle with giving my eyelashes length and I was blown away the first time I tried it. They somehow found the perfect mix of smooth yet thick.” This is a great stocking stuffer idea!


 

Courtney | Motives® for La La Mineral Lip Shine
“My favorite product is the Motives for La La Mineral Lip Shine because it’s highly pigmented and actually stays on!” Courtney suggests Big Apple and we also love Trend Setter!



Our overall favorite, though? The SHOP.COM Gift Card took first place as the overall office gift-giving essential.

We’ve given you several suggestions, but what do YOU think? What are you buying for your friends and family this holiday season?

Managing Your Money with Holiday Purchases

We’re mere weeks away from the holidays and the busiest shopping season has begun! While its fun to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of buying gifts for family and friends, don’t lose sight of your monetary goals and budget plans! We’re here to offer some tips that will help you keep the holidays from robbing your bank accounts!

 

Cashback
If you’ve been making frequent purchases on SHOP.COM, chances are you’ve accumulated a good deal of Cashback! Congratulations! What are your plans for spending it? Apply the Cashback you’ve been storing for holiday gifts! Perhaps you have just enough to buy stocking stuffers for your family from the SHOP.COM Dollar Store. If you’ve been storing it for a while, use it toward a larger purchase! Every little bit helps!

Hot Deals
In our opinion, shopping Hot Deals is the way to go! Many retailers offer exclusive savings during the holiday season. Take advantage of them! The best way to keep up with coupons and other hot deals is to check the Hot Deals page on SHOP.COM or download ShopBuddy! As an added bonus, download ShopBuddy this month and enter to win a $100 SHOP.COM Gift Card!

Money Management
Before you jump into holiday shopping, it is important to have your finances in order. Do you know how much money you can feasibly spend this holiday season? ma Capital Resources is a great place to turn to help you manage income, debt, mortgages, and more! With a clear understanding of your finances, you’ll be better equipped to approach the holidays.

MyLists
Once you’ve found gifts that you want to purchase, organize them using the SHOP.COM MyLists tool! This is a great visual reference you can check to see who you still need to shop for and who’s covered. Though it’s nice in theory, there’s no need to accidently double up on gifts for someone. Using MyLists can save you the headache of organizing your gift lists!

Cushion
Let’s face it, we’re going to forget about something. Obligatory gift for your great aunt? Food for an office holiday party? Prepare for unforeseen expenses by allowing yourself a cushion. Work on a holiday shopping budget that allows for some wiggle room. Keep an additional 10-15% of your holiday budget set aside for unforeseen expenses. If you don’t have to use it- great! You’ll be starting the new year off on a good foot!

What strategies have you found to help with holiday budgeting? It’s the most wonderful time of the year and expenses don’t have to be a burden. Happy holiday shopping season to you!

Product Symposium 2012: A Recap

Last weekend, many made the trek to Ocean City, MD for the 2012 Product Symposium! It was a time of learning, networking, and even a few surprises! The three day event brought members of the Market America family together to go in depth about our products, as we heard excellent presentations from our Scientific Affairs and Product Management staff.

 

 

The Learn Sell Earn model, introduced in 2011, was continued this year and provided a strong framework for the weekend’s discussions. From Isotonix® to nutraMetrix®, TLS® and Motives®… we covered it all! Jim Dwyer was an engaging emcee that kept the energy up during each session as we learned from the best in the business!

As was true at International Convention, Opuvita was an important topic for discussion at Product Symposium. Attendees learned about about the ingredients of the super fruit fusion and were even treated to surprise mini bottles to take home!

 

Coach Lydia and Coach Ryan took the stage on Saturday afternoon to talk TLS and the role of being a coach. Are you properly marketing TLS to your customers?

Attendees also heard fantastic presentations from Dr. Deedra Mason and Brandi Murphy, who discussed how to learn, sell, and earn with nutraMetrix! Curcumin, anyone? Skincare and Motives were also hot topics of conversation.

Product Symposium was packed with information and tips to help you make the best of your role as an UnFranchise® Business Owner. The weekend was too full of information for us to be able to fully recap it here! Will you be joining us next year for this annual opportunity to get up close and personal with our products?

For those who attended Product Symposium this year: What are your thoughts? Leave a comment and tell us the most helpful information you heard during the weekend. We hope to see everyone next year, eager to learn, sell, and earn their way to the top!