Have you joined a Trade group?

Their are many placed to receive advertising through on the Internet. Have you ever joined a trade group or a "swap and shop" group? You can find these through yahoo groups. Their are many groups like this to choose from so make sure you take your time and go through them. Some times you can join one and see how they operate before you join in, if you don't like them you can simply send the moderator a nice email explaining that you are not interested.

How does a swap group work?

When you join a group the moderator will place you in a group of 5-20 people (depending on the size of the whole yahoo group). You will be required to purchase any one item from the company of one of the consultants in your group. Usually they require one purchase once a month, some groups require 2 or 3 purchases a month. Each consultant will have their advertising time once or twice a month and each other member in your group must purchase an item from you.



Some questions to ask your self before you join a particular swap group:
- Is the moderator active? Does she help out, answer questions, and make sure all members obied by the rules?
- Am I going to be available to get to a computer during the times I need to make a purchase or receive sales?(If you are gone a lot, this wouldn't be a good idea unless you have a access to a computer to answer questions and such. Being an active member helps you meet more people and give you a good name.)
- Am I here to help others out? or just to make sales? ( Both! Don't join just to advertise, its a great way to meet other consultants. Other members will catch on quickly if your an advertising "troll". They wont read your post and you will be deleted quickly from the group.)

Cons of joining a group:
- When it comes time for you to purchase any items from a consultant, the company they represent may not be your "cup of tea". Either way you must purchase something. Think if a friend or family member would like or use something from that company.
- Their are a lot of people who join just to make sales and than they leave and just take the sales and never purchase from anyone else.
- If your a little tight with money very often,don't join. Not only will this be a hard time for you but if you cant make a purchase for another member it can lead to lots of bad reports for you.


Do you have anything to add? Please leave a comment :)

Consultants Check!

Their are so many businesses and companies popping up everyday. So have you had a very good transaction or a really bad one with a company or a Consultant? You can share it with other wahms and sahms! Join http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/ConsultantCheck/ today!. With over 1300 members your story is sure to be seen by many!. This group is wonderful in many ways including they get stories from both sides (if it is a negative transaction). Its not a "flame" group. Hope to see ya there!

Do you send or receive Fillers?

What are Fillers?
Fillers can be samples, business cards, or flyer's. You send them out to other people who are having an event of some sort whether its a business fair, craft fair, or an expo. Some even hand out small goody bags at their home parties so they will take them at any time. You can also receive them whenever you have an event. This is a inexpensive way to promote and advertise your business to people all around.

I want to start sending and receiving Fillers, Where do I start?

www.mompack.com you can join their yahoo group for mompackfillers. There are thousands of users on this group and theirs always someone looking to receive fillers.

Here's a few examples of what to send for your fillers:
- Send Business cards with a coupon attached. Business cards work, but add that extra something to make it stand out.
- Have a candle company? You can send a small tea light (if your budget allows it) in a cute sample bag and attach your business card, or simply shred part of the candle for a sample.
- In or have a Beauty business? Attach a small sample bag of bath salts or scrub with your business card attached.

Receiving Fillers?
- you will want to have a cute way to hand them out. Try purchasing cute inexpensive bags to hand out, or have a Cute basket set out for everyone to take what they would like.

A few guidelines to Filler success:

- Don't spend a lot on shipping. Unless you are going to send out 20-50 fillers, don't use a large envelope. You can place 5-10 cute small fillers in an envelope and a cute thank you card for only $.39, or you can place 25-50 business cards in a $.39 envelope.
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Don't expect business, sometimes you will receive a few that are interested and even a few new customers. This works just like any other way of advertising.

- Give them out, don't just take them because they are samples, and Don't throw them away!

-Ask the receiver how many fillers she is wanting to except. You don't want to send too many, they may just go to waste.

-Do not accept fillers from companies that are similar to yours. If you are a rep for Party lite, you don't want to advertise for Mia Bella.

- If you are receiving Fillers make sure you announce if you are accepting adult companies.


I hope this gets you off to a great start! Have any other tips or suggestions? Please leave a comment :)