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Seven Steps to a Successful Launch

Usually, stylists do not know any details about upcoming launches until right before the new products arrive. Because of this, it’s always good to have an “SOP” or standard operating procedure in place so you can react quickly. Below are the steps I take with each new launch.

Step 1: Change your VIP group header graphic.

Because the name of my group is “The Gold and the Beautiful” my standard background is a pink and gold glitter. As soon as I know something new is coming, I change that to something that will be consistent with the theme. It always includes four components:

The name of my group
A themed background
My photo
My linktree link

Here are a few examples of recent ones I’ve done:

(And yes, that’s 80’s me in the second one.) As soon as I change my header, members of my VIP group start buzzing that something new is coming, so it’s a quick and easy way to start building engagement!

Step 2: Plan a fun engagement game for the night before the launch.

This can be anything that encourages people to participate and gives even more hints about what’s coming! If you are members of the graphics groups on Facebook, there are usually posts that appear right as a new launch happens specifically for people to post related graphics. Some of my favorites include:

Gif games (When we get X gifs, I’ll release a picture of a new set)
Word scrambles
Trivia related to the theme
This or That (but not with the new nails yet – with something related to the theme)
Guessing games or Draw your own nail

Ultimately, choose whatever fun games you and your VIPs enjoy, because the goal is to get as many people active as possible so they will see your launch posts!

Step 3: Preview with your top contributors or individuals you think will especially like the sets.

Everyone loves to feel special, and everyone likes to get the “MVP” treatment. If you have a great customer who loves glitters, pull them aside and give them a sneak peek of the new glitter that’s coming out, and offer to order it for them! If you know in advance that something is coming (like a spring launch, fall launch, or holiday sets) then set up a zoom with your top contributors. We don’t always have time to do this, but when you can, it’s a win-win. It makes your customers feel special and it can result in some early sales for you! Please note, you are not allowed to do this until you receive the approval and assets from Color Street!

Step 4: Announce the new sets in your VIP group.

If you have time, and you are creatively inclined, it’s great to create your own graphics. (Remember, you can’t altar or change any Color Street images that have their logo on them!) However, the Corporate HQ always provides a great variety of different images and media you can use and there are always wonderful graphics available in the graphics groups too! Be sure you let your customers know:

When the sets will launch
How to order (shopping link, bulk order, etc.)
Any specials you may be running (remember, you can only offer specials or deals in your CLOSED VIP group!)

Step 5: Send an email from the virtual office.

Let’s face it: not all your customers are IN your VIP group, and even those who are may not ALWAYS see your posts! Sending an email makes sure that ALL of your customers know about what’s happening! Even though Color Street sends their own emails, remember, they only send the emails to the last person a customer bought from. So if one of your customers purchased from a friend’s party with another stylist, they will get an email with a link to THAT stylist’s shopping link! So it’s always good to send your own email. Plus, it gives you the opportunity to share about things going on in your VIP group or other happenings!

Step 6: Follow up!

The more you can connect with individuals, the more successful your launch will be! This can be done a number of different ways:

Follow up with recent orders. “Hey, Susan! I know you just ordered last week, but I wanted to make sure you don’t miss out on the Americana set for the 4th of July! Since you just ordered, would you like me to add a set or two to my order for you?”
Follow up with ALL open parties. “Hey, Lindsay! Your party link is still open, and there’s a new line coming out tomorrow! It’s a great chance to earn extra hostess rewards (or get your party to qualify for hostess rewards!) Remember – any orders your guests or you place will count! Can you think of a few people to send the link to that might love these?”
“Hi Jackie! I know you haven’t ordered in a few months, and thought now might be a good time to replenish your stash since the new “Set in Stone” collection just launched. Have you seen these gorgeous nails?”
“Happy Thursday, Rebecca! I know that you LOVE dressing for the holidays so I wanted to make sure that you saw these super cute Easter nails! Would you like me to grab any for you?”

Step 7: Keep the excitement coming!

After the launch, you can keep the excitement growing by sharing your own enthusiasm. Again, there are so many ways you can do this.

This or That with the new sets.
Live unboxing when you get your order.
Giveaways. I love coming up with fun and creative giveaways for my group. For example, with the Retro Pop collection, I gave out scrunchies, glitter bracelets and slap bracelets. With the Set in Stone collection I gave out marbled feaux leather earrings. For my “mermaid week” I gave out mermaid tail earrings. Remember, you may not do (or discuss) any giveaways in a public forum!
Specials/Games like a live sale, mystery set live, or secret nail sales. (Again – only in your closed VIP group!)
Modeling the new nails. A lot of stylists will wear sets early simply so they can show off how gorgeous they are!
Finding nailfies of the new sets by other stylists. Sometimes the corporate graphics may not resonate with someone, but once they see the nails in different lighting or on a different skin tone, they fall in love with them. Mixed manis can also catch people’s eye!
Keep customers informed as sets sell out. There’s always FOMO – fear of missing out. Perhaps they had forgotten to order, but when one of the sets sells out, they will remember that they need to get their order in before it’s too late!

The great thing about these steps is that it’s never too late to do them. Even if there’s already been a launch, you can still do all the things to make it fun, special and exciting for your VIPs.

If you’d like to print off a checklist that you can use this:

7-steps-to-a-successful-launch-full-page-1 Download

And if you are a trello fan, feel free to use this free template:

Trello Template

Having a plan that you can use for each new product launch will save you the stress of last minute preparation, and it will help ensure your launch is successful.

What tips and strategies do you use for a new launch? Let me know in the comments!

7 Steps to a Successful Facebook Party

One of the main reasons I became a Color Street stylist was because of how much fun I had. Now, over a year later, I still have so much fun in parties. Parties are our opportunity to meet new customers, but also (and more importantly) new friends!

If you’re a new Color Street stylist, or maybe you’re looking for a way to change up your current online parties, I wanted to share how I run an online party. There are a few important things to remember, though.

Start by completing the training in your Color Street app! There is a whole section on nail bars with step by step instructions, tips on all different types of nail bars (both Facebook and in person) and even games you can play!
Check for your upline’s resources. Any suggestions I make here are just how I choose to do mine, but there’s not a single “right” way to do it.
Do what works for you! As you try new things, you should always adjust and make them your own!
Start sloppy. You might not be ready to start with every one of the seven steps I have listed. That’s ok! Start with what you can, and make it a goal to add new steps with each party!

Step 1: Invite & confirm your host.

This will probably evolve into a whole series of blog posts alone, but for now, I want to touch on a few important things that can begin to set you up for success.

Do:

Get excited! When you have fun, your host will too!
Let them know that their involvement is a lot like hosting an in-person party! Invite their guests, remind them about the party, greet them when they arrive, interact with them, and thank them for coming!
Confirm the timing of the party to be sure they can participate. I usually run my parties Monday through Friday, with the one hour game night on Friday night at 7:30 pm central. (That’s what works best for ME.) But, if my host can’t participate during those times, I’ll change it! We want your host to be able to participate as much as possible!
Help your host choose a theme. Some stylists use a theme throughout their party, while others use a personalized party with their own graphics and have a themed game night or girl’s night in. But having a theme early will help spark interest as your host invites guests, and it will help you name your nail bar.
Communicate with your host before, during and after the party! We are there to help them be successful!
Encourage them to invite people as they naturally talk to them. They can just keep a list of people who accept so once it’s time to invite them to the group, it’s just a follow up. “Hey, Susan! Here’s the link to my nail bar that I told you about! I’m so excited you’re coming!”

Don’t:

Tell them they don’t have to do anything. Spoiler alert: if they don’t do anything, then neither will their party.
Be negative. It’s great to give them tips (and even challenges) to be successful, but we should always stay positive!

Step 2: Create the host’s party link in the Virtual Office.

As soon as a host says “yes” to a party, I set up their party link and let them know they can use it immediately! They can order from it, or if someone’s unable to come to their party, they can give them the link and still get orders! To set up their link, you’ll need their:

Name
Email Address
Mailing Address
Phone Number

Step 3: Send your host a welcome packet.

This is a step that I didn’t start with my first party. I added it as I became more comfortable. And even now, I don’t always have time to do this in advance of the party. One to two weeks before the party, I like to send a welcome/thank you packet to the host. It includes:

A thank you card.
Any gifts that I promised the host (unless they are dependent on a qualifying party.) Remember, we cannot do or discuss any giveaways in a public forum.
A host checklist (there is one in the Virtual Office under “Resources.”)
Three catalogs: one to keep and two to share.
Five two-finger tester cards or bundles (however you hand out two-finger testers.)
An opportunity brochure.

Step 4: Create the host’s Facebook group.

Some people prefer to create events, but I struggle with adding people to events, so I host most of my parties in a private Facebook group.

For step by step instructions, check out: Creating a Facebook Group. It includes written instructions as well as a video.

A few tips to remember:

Create the group as a private group. Remember, we cannot offer any specials, deals, or prizes in a public forum per policies and procedures.
Create a banner that includes your host’s picture, your picture, and their shopping link (or your Linktree if you prefer.)
Add a description and customize the web address to something that’s easy to remember and tell people. Instead of http://www.facebook.com/groups/9287593028573930 (or whatever random number is assigned) you can make it http://www.facebook.com/groups/amysnailbar.

Step 5: Schedule your posts.

If there’s one step you shouldn’t skip, it’s this one. I always schedule my posts in advance. Life sometimes happens, and there’s nothing worse than having people in a party with nothing going on! If you don’t have time to schedule the full party, at least schedule 1-2 days in advance so you can stay ahead of it.

Since I use a 5-6 day format, here’s what I normally do:

Sunday (invitation day)

Welcome/Introduction: I often make this a prize post. I introduce myself and share a picture of my family. I offer points or a prize to guests to do the same. (And of course, encourage my host to do it as well!)
Offer two-finger testers.

Monday (Day 1)

What is Color Street?
Tokyo Lights (nailfies and intro)
Solids (nailfies w/ question or call to action)
Roll Call (usually another prize post): How do you know the host?

Tuesday (Day 2)

Application Video
Price (question or guessing game about the cost of a salon mani/pedi)
Glitters (nailfies w/ question or CTA)

Wednesday (Day 3)

Early Bird Special (if you offer one)
Pinned shopping post: I have a “shopping link” graphic that I set as an announcement that includes the host’s shopping link or my Linktree link.
New stylist welcome kit: I talk a little bit about why I’m a stylist and what a great product our welcome kit is.
Any holiday or seasonal sets that are available (nailfies w/ question or CTA)
Game: scrabble, guess how many nails, find the hidden nails, scavenger hunt, etc.

Thursday (Day 4)

Nail Art Designs (nailfies w/ question or CTA)
Pedicures (nailfies w/ question or CTA)
Party Reminder

Friday (Day 5)

Party Day
One Hour Reminder
How to remove Color Street
Game Night or Girl’s Night In (one hour, posts scheduled 5 minutes apart)
- Party Intro/Points
- A longer game like the ABC game, pillow fight, Gif UNO, etc.
- This or That (usually six different posts)
- Short game (predictive text, funny name, hidden nails, guess how many nails, trivia, etc.)
- Another short game
- Party booking game
- Ask a question about being a stylist
- Party host
- Join my VIP
- Thank you/Party extended

Saturday (Wrap Up)

Announce all winners

Step 6: Coaching your host

We are here to help our hosts be successful. And to me, success is made up of two components: the host having a qualifying party and earning rewards AND the host and their guests having fun! In the days leading up to the party, I’m sure to talk to them about several different things to help make them successful.

Personal invitations. Do not “mass invite” and just add people to the group! We want friends who WANT to be there and play along!
Help your hosts think outside the box and invite a diverse group of guests. You can use the “FRANKS” method to help them!
Timeline – reconfirm the dates and the date/time of your game night to be sure your host can participate.
Posting to their personal wall. (This is after they say they’ve invited everyone they plan to.)
Encourage your host to post a nailfie – preferrably one of them that includes their face and their amazing nails, but if not, you can send them one of their favorite sets!
Hostess bingo – again, this will be a whole unique post on it’s own, but this is just a fun way to encourage your host to do all the different things that can make their party successful.
Follow up – encourage your host to thank everyone for coming and see if they have any questions at the end of the party.
Party close out – make sure your host knows how to redeem their rewards (and also that they do so before they expire!)

Step 7: Follow Up

Follow up is the key to any successful party. Here are the most important things to do you as you follow up.

Send a friend request to every guest. (I prefer to do this as soon as the guests join; that makes them more likely to see my posts!) I also try to send a welcome PM (private message) for the same reason. But if you missed someone, friend them at the end of the party! Better late than never!
Thank them for coming and supporting the host. If they booked a party or placed an order, be sure to thank them for that.
If they participated and seemed to have fun, invite them to learn more about the business opportunity!
- If they accept, invite them to your team’s considering group if they have one. If they don’t have one, offer to set up a time to chat with them and answer any questions they have.
- If they decline, invite them to host their own party.
If they haven’t ordered, offer any assistance in placing an order. I usually keep this simple: “Thank you so much for coming to Amy’s nail bar this week. We really appreciate it! I’ll be tallying up all the points and doing the prize drawings today. Can I help you with an order before we wrap up?”
If they didn’t join during game night, invite them to join your VIP group. Again, keep it simple! “I’d love to stay in touch. Can I send you an invite to my VIP group?”

The first time you look at these steps on paper, it LOOKS like a lot. But like anything, the more you do something, the easier it gets. I started by writing down the post topics on a piece of paper. Then I moved to a spreadsheet. Then I had done so many I didn’t really need to have anything written down. Now I’m transitioning to using Cinchshare that schedules your posts all at once. So just keep doing it, and it gets easier, and faster, and you’ll find ways to make it your own. And if you are including these seven steps, they will help you (and your host) have a successful party!

I’ve created a free Trello template that you can copy and use that includes a checklist for planning the party, coaching your host, and scheduling your posts!

Check it out here:

If you have any questions, please drop them in the comments! I’d also love to hear what YOU do to make your Facebook parties successful, so let us know!

What is Color Street?

Since this is my first blog post, I thought we should start at the beginning. If you are brand new to Color Street, I am thrilled to be able to introduce you to this fabulous dry nail polish and the company that created it!

Who ever heard of dry nail polish?

Now, you have! That’s exactly what Color Street is: 100% real nail polish, but it goes on dry! The nail strips are created with a built in base coat, color, and top coat. They come in a variety of colors and styles:

Solids: From classic to funky, there is a solid color for everyone.
Glitters: With glitters, you can have all the sparkle but none of the mess. These glittery nail polish strips are smooth to the touch but come with a ton of different options and colors.
Nail Art Designs: These are the real head turners! There are pictures and patterns that you simply can’t create at home with traditional nail polish and a brush.
Glitter Designs: It’s like glitters and designs hooked up to create the absolute perfect combination of style and sparkle! From ombres to patterns, and everything in between, these are my faves!
Pedicures: Although you can wear any nail strip on your toenails or fingernails, we do have a slightly larger size with a more squared shape that is designed specifically for pedicures.
Clear Nail Art: These have a clear base but a design on them. These can be worn alone for a subtle look or over your favorite color to add some spice or extend the wear!
French Manicure: These sets come with two sets of nails in one: a curved white set designed to form the tips of your nails and then a sheer overlay to protect it and add shine.

How much does Color Street cost?

Solids and Clear Nail Art are $12 per set. Glitters are $13 per set. Designs and Glitter Designs are $14 per set. And french are $14 per set.

All nail polish sets are buy 3 get 1 free. (Just be sure when you’re shopping to add the free set to your cart!)

You can shop online anytime and find all of our shopping links (and more!) here!

How do I become a Color Street independent stylist?

Anyone can become an independent stylist with Color Street! The most important thing you can have is a love for this amazing nail polish and a desire to share it with other people.

To sign up as a part of my team, just click below!

From this page, you can check out:

What you can earn, including the income disclosure statement that includes real income from different levels of independent stylists.
A summary of everything that comes in your new stylist kit. It’s $129 plus tax and shipping to get started, and you get products worth $250!
A preview of some of our incentives that we can earn – both for new stylists to encourage a strong start and for all stylists to keep the fun going!

Is selling Color Street easy? Not always. My biggest pet peeve is when people say, “Color Street sells itself.” No it doesn’t. We sell it. And it’s a pleasure and a privelage to do it.

Is selling Color Street fun? I think so! I look forward to getting off work so I can check in with my team, see what fun new strips came in the mail (who doesn’t love #nailmail?) and chat with my customers!

Is selling Color Street worthwhile? Absolutely. I love the product, the company, and everything it stands for. I have a growing team of stylists who have enrolled with me and collectively sold over $100,000 in nail strips in under four years. I am part of a larger team of over 150 men and women that inspire and support me every day.

Is success guaranteed? Of course not. With Color Street, you have an opportunity to earn income on the sale of Color Street products to consumers. However, your earning capacity depends on a number of factors including, but not limited to, your personal
commitment, hard work, sacrifice, market conditions, and your business skills. Color Street (and our team) both provide amazing training and support that can certainly help establish the foundation for you.

I’d love to chat with you about the opportunity. Just contact me, and we can set up a time to talk!

Whether you are a customer, a stylist, or somewhere in between, have fun with this awesome nail polish (and now hand and nail care and cosmetics too!) Remember: even busy people need time to sparkle!