I have been a representative with Alison’s Pantry for about 5 1/2 years. Previous to that, I was a very enthusiastic customer. I was always sharing my catalog and telling people about the products.  People were usually surprised when they found out I didn’t actually work for the company, I was just a very happy customer.

One of the things I love about Alison’s Pantry, and one of the things I tell potential new customers, is that no matter how you choose to eat in your family, we have food for you. We have convenience foods, we have spices and meats if you choose to cook from scratch, we have baking mixes, we have fruits and vegetables, and much much more. Interestingly, my own eating habits have changed multiple times over the course of the last five years and with every new thing I try, Alison’s pantry has got me covered.

My best advice is to be reliable and organized. My customers come to a pick up day at my home. They know I always have a flyer box stocked  with the current catalog attached to the side of my garage. Make sure to send out reminders, whether they’re emails, texts, or phone calls. Be friendly and approachable, and you’ll find that you have gained not just customers but new friends.

One of the biggest reasons people purchase AP products is because they like you, the sales rep, and the service they receive from you.  Making connections and building relationships with your customers and potential customers is the underlying secret to your success.  Here are some fascinating tips on how to connect better with people and have a meaningful relationship with them.  And when you do, you will see your sales skyrocket!

“The golden rule of friendship states that if you want people to like you, make them feel good about themselves.  This is the key to all successful relationships.  If you help someone feel good about themselves, they will credit you with helping them obtain that good feeling.  People will be eager to fulfill your wants and needs if they like you.” Jack Shaffer Ph.D

Here are 3 techniques to help people to feel good about themselves:

1. Emphatic Statements. Emphatic statements mirror what someone says or the reflect their emotional status, and are designed to indicate interest and attention in the person.  Here are a few examples of the basic formula:

• “So, you like the way things are going today”.
• “So you are having a good day today”.

2. Allow others to compliment themselves. Use an emphatic statement to give them an opportunity to pat themselves on the back. If someone says they just spent long hours finishing a project at work, you could say, “Wow, it takes a lot of dedication and perseverance to complete a project like that.” Not only will they think that what you said is true, they will also say something to that effect, making them feel good about themselves.  Here is another one, “How do you manage to stay in shape with your busy schedule?”

3. Ask a favor. Try something simple like when you are at a party, calling someone by name and then asking them to watch your drink while you go to the bathroom.  People who do favors for others feel good about themselves.

There are many ways to help people to feel good about themselves.  The most important key is to listen carefully to what the other person is saying, and focus on them rather than thinking about what you will say next.  All of these ideas came from the book, “The Like Switch,” by Jack Schaffer.  He has so many other fantastic ideas in his book!  You can find it here:  The Like Switch

Julie RSM

I’ve worked for Alison’s Pantry since 2009 in different capacities.  I started by reviewing products and writing content for the catalog for Alison. Then I supported Regional Sales Managers, and eventually Alison trained and mentored me to handle the catalog planning and marketing.

I love people, so I enjoy getting to interact with a wide variety of people—from AP owners and staff, to brokers and suppliers. I’m also a big foodie, so it’s always fun to be thinking about ways to use our products.

My job is busy and has a lot of deadlines so, like most working women, juggling family, work, and church is probably the biggest challenge.

My husband and I knew we would marry when we first met, and that’s always been a great decision.  He and I both work from home much of the month, so we’re together nearly all day every day—and we like it, which a lot of people think is pretty funny. He is truly my other half. We have 5 daughters, ages 8 to 19, and our household is constantly filled with funny conversations that include TV show and movie quotes and internet memes.  We laugh a lot around here!

Reading is my favorite indulgence, and I like a wide variety of book genres.  I like to bake, and love to host a gathering at home (we do this a lot during college football season!). I also love our Southern Utah weather in the spring and fall, and love to get outside and hike.

I’m a big fan of Janey Lou’s products, and on a busy night Beehive Rolls and Blount Soups are my go-to meal.

I love to keep Farmland Pork Tenderloins in our freezer for lots of meals, but my family’s favorite is copycat Café Rio Pork Salads.  I mix 1 cup each of salsa, brown sugar, and Sprite and pour it over the tenderloin in a crock pot.  Then I cook it on low all day and shred for stacked salads with black beans, rice, cheese, guacamole, etc.  It’s one of our favorite meals, and so easy!

1. Read Your Email.  We try not to send out too many emails but the ones we send have important updates and other necessary items you need to know to be successful in your Alison’s Pantry business.  Are you wondering why that item won’t go into portals? The explanation is in an email.  Are you looking for the 2017 delivery schedule?  It’s in your email.

For those of you who have a Gmail account, Gmail automatically sorts your emails into folders.  You need to check all of your folders to find your Alison’s Pantry emails.  AP emails sometimes go to your Promotions folder (see picture below).  Keeping up with your AP emails consistently will help you be confident in the information you have to offer your customers.

2. Contact your customers and follow up every month. You will hear it over and over from the reps who are most successful; they contact their customers on a regular basis.  People love AP products but usually won’t place an order until you remind them to do so.  They are grateful for the reminder; it’s good customer service.

3. Reach out to new customers.  Customers’ budgets change. Customers die.  Or move away.  There are lots of reasons to regularly build your customer base and lots of ways to do that.  Getting new customers each month is a great way to have consistently high sales.

4. Ask for referrals.  Hands down the very best way to get new customers is to ask your current customers for referrals.  People trust their friends.  So don’t be afraid to ask for help getting new customers!  Try this: “Will you share your catalog with your friends at work?  I will give you free shipping on your order when you give me a new customer who places an order.”  Easy peasy.  Then FOLLOW UP.  Follow up is key.  Later in the month when you contact that customer say, “Did you get a chance to share the catalog at work? Was there anyone who wanted to place an order?”

5. Attend Webinars.  The webinars are fun and informative.  We train on Alison’s Pantry products, how to use them, and how to sell more of them. We also give great tips on how to build your Alison’s Pantry business.  Consistently attending webinars builds your confidence, your knowledge,  and your ability to be a great Alison’s Pantry representative.

Consistency works.  The more consistently you do the important things the more consistent your sales will be!

-Julie

Meet Lori Miskin.  She is an amazing rep who is always going the extra mile with her customers. 

We have a “Yours, Mine and Ours” kind of family with a total of six kids ranging from age 19 (playing basketball in college in Colorado) down to a little 4 year old (who recently severely broke his arm). With high school boys, a junior high teenage daughter and elementary kids, you can imagine we are super busy!! Volleyball, choir concerts, football, church responsibilities, basketball, school plays, cross country, room mother duties, track, band concerts, and the list goes on and on!! I really wanted something to do to earn some money for our family but dreaded daycare for my littles and couldn’t imagine having any time to work.

Alison’s Pantry was a PERFECT fit for me! I was able to take over for the previous rep 2 1/2 years ago and continue to (slowly) build the business in our very small rural town and a bigger neighboring town, too. I love being home and still earning a little extra income. Even though sales fluctuate from month to month, I feel that I continue to improve. I make special effort to remember things my customers talk to me about and ask them later how that went for them. I also check with them when their favorite items are on sale to improve my sales. They trust my opinion and I’m always honest with them. I always do reminder calls, emails and texts. I think that makes a HUGE difference.

I take advantage of the tools AP offers to us as reps, like the webinars, Julie’s fabulous expertise, the fair kit, the beautiful images for facebook and I can’t wait to squeeze in a tasting party or two.

I especially love our cooking products like the parchment paper, the cookie sheets and the cast iron cookware. We offer things you can’t find in the stores. Alison’s Pantry is a unique opportunity for customers and reps alike. I’m so glad they found me!!