6. Be Pleasant! Nobody like to receive boring, curt or rude e-mails. Begin your e-mail by addressing recipient in a friendly, positive manner. When a pleasant attitude is conveyed through your e-mail message you build rapport more quickly.

7. Always reply as quickly as possible - Develop a good impression by responding to business related e-mails. The more promptly you can write back better. Start with oldest e-mail first.

8. Avoid Over Punctuation - Don't get caught up in grammar and punctuation, especially excessive punctuation. You'll see lots of e-mail messages where people put a dozen exclamation points at end of a sentence for added emphasis. If something is important it should be reflected in your text, not in your punctuation. Exclamation points (called "bangs" in computer circles) are just another form of ending a sentence.

9. Back up your e-mail address book! - Windows-based users might try these steps to find approariate files on your hard drive. Using "find" command type *.wab (Windows Address Book) and select Find Now. Once you locate file, copy it onto a floppy disk for safekeeping.

10. Use Plain Text Format - Formatting can be everything, but not in your e-mails. Plain text is best. Using HTML, or Rich Text Format is a bit risky because there are lots of e-mail clients (and some servers) that can't handle messages in these formats. The message will come in as utter gibberish or in worst case, crash e-mail client. I've seen it happen. (In Outlook go to Tools, Options, Mail Format and change to Plain Text. If you want to take risk and use Word to format messages, click box that says Use Microsoft Word.)

Taking time to learn basics of e-mailing will greatly enhance your ability to build on-line relationships and work more effectively in less time. Make it a priority today!

In fact, for many direct selling leaders their success each month is in direct proportion to time they invest in making customer calls first few days of month. Plan time right now to contact EVERY previous customer and hostess.

1)Gather your customer records so you have what you need at your fingertips.

2)Select key dates on which you?d like to hold shows and schedule opportunity interviews.

3)Have customer service dialogue from your manual where you can reference it.

4)Have product literature and order forms available.

5)Make a list of what you want to share during call; check to see how they are enjoying their products and make suggestions for future.

6)Take a moment to review your goals and visualize your success.

7)Pick up phone and start dialing!

Be persistent! It may take ten calls to get response you want. This article has been provided by Nikki Keohohou who is a Co-Founder of Direct Selling Women's Association. The Association offers a community web site where direct sellers enjoy 24-hour access to industry specific information and resources designed to help them successfully manage their business. Discover this one-of-a-kind, all-inclusive business-building resource at www.mydswa.org or contact them at info@mydswa.org.

This article has been provided by Nikki Keohohou who is a Co-Founder of the Direct Selling Women's Association. The Association offers a community web site where direct sellers enjoy 24-hour access to industry specific information and resources designed to help them successfully manage their business. Discover this one-of-a-kind, all-inclusive business-building resource at www.mydswa.org or contact them at info@mydswa.org.