Seven things to do right after you sign up: best-kept secrets of the pros

Congratulations! You're a brand new direct sales consultant. It's exciting and also a little overwhelming, right? I bet you're wondering where to begin. I've got some tips for you that will get you off to a fantastic start. You'll be all ready to hit the ground running before your Starter Kit even arrives on your doorstep!

1. Pick your brand name! You'll need to follow your company's guidelines about use of their name and logo, but you also want to stand out from the crowd as much as possible. You're going to be marketing yourself just as much as your company's products! Shoot for short rather than long, professional but fun. It should be easy to type out and remember, so no misspelled words, numbers instead of letters, etc. You'll be working under this "brand" for many years to come, hopefully, so take a little time to make sure it's a good one. Then, register it with your company (if required). You'll want to nail down that name so no one else can use it.
2. Subscribe to your company's individual consultant webstore. I know there's a fee--it's worth it! This is how people shop and sign up online with you. This is how you'll direct them to individual, specific products they're interested in, instead of just a generic "please shop with me." This is what people will find when they search "your name/company name." The fee will easily take care of itself if YOU do the work of getting the site out there.
3. Start a Facebook business page. You have to have a business page in order to to business on Facebook, period. We're all glad you're excited about joining, but if you start using your personal page like it's a billboard, you're gonna chase off family and friends in short order. Business pages are free, easy to set up, and will allow you to schedule posts in advance and do some inexpensive, targeted advertising when you get your feet under you. Make sure it's a public page and not a group. Groups come later, but for now, a business page is crucial. Add a smiling photo of yourself, and stick a company stock photo in for a header, for now.
4. Print or order labels with your name, contact information and your individual webstore link. Your box of catalogs and business materials will be arriving any day, and you can't hand them out with no way for people to contact you or place orders. Make sure there are at least two different ways to contact you. if it makes you feel weird to put your actual address on the labels, don't do it.
5. Choose an account and one credit/debit card to use for your business. It's sooo much easier at tax time if all your transactions funnel through just one or two places. Even if you're not sure pursuing the business side of things is right for you, it's better to begin as you mean to go on. And if you know you're not great with money matters, a separate account will help you easily keep tabs on income and spending. We're so often our own best customers!
6. Join your team's Facebook group and mailing list. If your new upline or sponsor doesn't direct you there, ask them. It's crucial that you connect with other consultants, be able to ask questions and get ideas. You can also look for your company's official Facebook group or chat forums. These people are going to become dear friends, so start the party and introduce yourself. If there's a local gathering, attend if you possibly can--you'll get extra energized.
7. Start a question notebook. Seriously, you've got so many thoughts running through your mind right now, but I guarantee you when your upline calls to see how you're doing and asks if you have any questions, you'll draw a complete blank. Write them down or start an email draft and add to it as you think of things. Your upline will LOVE it, you'll get way more answers, and you'll both use your time efficiently.
8.  Yes, I know I said seven, but here's a bonus: schedule your launch party NOW. Don't wait. You're excited NOW. Don't give yourself time to rethink things or get cold feet. Arrange it for the first free weekend you have after your Starter Kit is scheduled to arrive. It's going to be a blast, but if you don't give yourself a firm deadline, chance are you'll think of some excuses not to do it. The truth is, no one EVER feels ready for their first event. There's going to be things you don't know yet, products you haven't tried, situations you can't forsee. But you and your customers will learn together. And if you need a quick cheerleading booster shot, call your upline.

There you go--the first seven (eight!) things I'd do if I were a brand new consultant. GOOD LUCK! We're rootin' for you. We all know what an amazing confidence-boosting blessing direct sales can be--and you're about to find out. This is so exciting! Dream BIG.