Coastal Vacations for Stay At Home Moms like Me!

[NaturalMom]

Hello to all you freelance moms! 'So glad to be here with you all. I own NaturalMom.com which I launched in 1995 after the miracle birth of my daughter. I owned retail stores and restaurants for 15 years and retired to web, working at home during naps and when she went to bed at night.

If you are like me and find it important to stay at home with your kids and enjoy the benefits of working from home, take a look at Coastal Vacations (http://naturalmom.com/business.htm).

I have done network marketing for years and built a large downline, but never made the kind of money that I do with Coastal and I only work 20-30 hours a week.

Coastal is not an MLM, it is direct sales. The customer sends me the money and I have a vacation package drop shipped to them, and I keep the profit.

We make $1,000 to $9,000 per sale and it is the funnest and most enjoyable business I have ever owned. That's right, it is your business, and you are the boss. I called my business Good Karma Travel, because I know that what you send out comes back to you, and I wish you great success in all that you do!

Janet L Gray
coastalvacationsdirectors.com (http://coastalvacationsdirectors.com)
1-888-825-7531

[DeAnnm]

Hi Janet,

My name is DeAnn and have been researching the Coastal Vacations. Since, you seem to have had success with them do you get more of your business from the leads you purchase or your own marketing? I am a litttle nervous about approaching friends and family with this. I am worried that the leads are not what they claim to be. Any info would be very helpful.


Standing on the Edge!!!

DeAnn

[NaturalMom]

Hi DeAnn,

I have found that there are many other ways of doing Coastal than buying leads. For I was uncomfortable calling leads, even though I had been in business for 25 years prior to finding Coastal. I loved talking to people who wanted to learn more, and were eagar to find a business of their dreams. But talking to purchased leads and following a script was a hard learning curve for me. So I returned to my real world methods of promotion as well as the web. I put together a little list of additional ways of doing Coastal below.

One of the funnest ways to do this business is to go into your community and introduce your new business. You can start my visiting the shops you frequent including your hair dresser, bakery, coffeehouse, dry cleaner, etc. and hand them a card or brochure. You can offer them a free vacation for being able to put a box (for a free vacaton drawing) at their establishment, which will gather you leads. Then find a free meeting place like a restaurant, library or coffeehouse) to have a Vacation Presentation.

Then when you are meeting people you can announce your upcoming event as well as invite the leads you get from your boxes. You can use the DVD that comes in your package or do the seminar yourself. I started with the DVD, but the sound wasn't loud enough on my laptop for the group to hear so I had to wing it, and I never went back. I use my package for my presentation and I have fun doing it, so my attendees have fun too.

Janet L Gray
http://goodkarmatravel.com/business

Marketing Methods for the Coastal Vacations Business

Purchase Leads- Call them with a script, send them to your website for details and follow up with them afterwards. It is best to send them to a call, the coastal profile and the video presentation to be sure they have enough info to decide if this is the business for them.

Seminars- You can use a DVD, PowerPoint Presentations or Video that come with the package. Have people fill out a slip with their name, email, phone and address and give away a trip to one lucky winner. Use the email addresses to follow up with people that expressed interest and you can add them to your email list after the event. You can do a group of 2 to 200, it is up to you.

House Parties- You can use your package, DVD, Video, Brochures, etc. Give away a trip to the host of the party. You can give a vacation voucher to one of the attendees as well.

Trade Shows- Especially Bridal Shows, RV's, Camping, Skiing, Women in Biz, Work at Home shows. You can trade a vacation (as a door prize) for your booth space.

Posters, Fliers, Business Cards, Postcards, Brochures- placed everywhere, especially coffee houses, universities, grocery stores, retail stores, banks- many of these can be made from home on your computer.

Place Classified Ads- For people looking for a home based business opportunity, or for retail sales.

Brown Bag Lunch- arrange a free lunch seminar with your local businesses, non-profits, Jaycees, Lions, etc. Give away a trip.

Work with a Radio Station to give away free trips.

Sell a Package to Car Dealerships- They can give away vacations with their cars- for a lifetime!

Work with Non-Profits- When they buy a package, they will have hundreds of vacations to raffle away as fund raisers. And you can also give vacations away to your favorite non-profits for free advertising (or just good karma).

Do Cold Calls- Yes, there are many very successful people that just pick up the phonebook and start calling. You can find many ways to get lists of leads to call.

Festivals, Fairs, and Community Events- Get a table at your local event and share the Coastal package. Again it is easy to trade a complimentary vacation for your table space.

Do Mailers- Send out brochures or fliers to a specific zip code, send out to a specific list of professions, or businesses.

Find a Target Market- You may belong to a certain group, organization or family that has a special way of marketing within itself. Example: My daughters father is Albanian and the entire family runs family restaurants around the country. When we sold Alpine Air Purifiers, it was easy to go to that specific Target Market to start our business...and we did well.

Join the Chamber- You get lots of free advertising, networking, and credibility by joining your local chamber. And you can present to, and network with, the entire membership. You'll establish yourself as a real business in the community this way.

Travel the World- Give away your business cards everywhere you go, especially in the hot tub with other travelers. You can tell them how you stayed there for free and only had to pay for the room tax.....that will open the door for conversation. I have really enjoyed doing my business on vacation!

[DeAnnm]

Thanks for the info.

I am excited and scared!!!! I really need this to work. I was really hoping the leads would provide more opportunities so, I would not have to go out THERE but, I guess I will have to get over my fear.

Thanks again,

DeAnn

[NaturalMom]

Hi Deann,

The best thing that I can recommend to help you feel more confortable and excited about calling leads is to listen to Dani Johnson, who is a fantasic trainer for all fields of network marketing.

Her training online is free. Check out her website http://danijohnson.com and when you register for a free account, you are able to listen to all the archived training. IT made all the difference in the world to me.

You will learn how your energy and tone of voice will come accross on the phone (so will your fears and NEED to sell a package). She shows us how to be comfortable and just have a conversation with our prospects, establishing a relationship, then sending them to more info about the business.

Look at her site today, it just might be the training you need to make this busness work for you. :-)

Good Luck!

Janet L Gray
http://goodkarmatravel.com
http://goodkarma.winningwithcoastal.com

[DeAnnm]

Hey Janet,
Thanks for the link to Dani Johnson. I have been listening to the archives for hours very informative!!!!

I have a few questions for you. I hope you don't mind?
I was reading on some of the forums that the complimentry vacations were only for Husband and wife. You could not travel alone??? If this is true then this would not be good to market to singles. I was also reading that the trips were very difficult to book (the free ones) . Do you have the choice of hotels or are they booked for you when send in your certificate?

Is there a way to sell the packages without purchasing the actual package for yourself. I read somewhere that it was illegal to sell a business opportunity over $500.00 I understand that the actual purchase is for the vacations but, can you sell the packages and earn commissions without purchasing it? I just want to have a full understanding of this business in cause I am ever asked this question.

Have you ever taken a free vacation if so, what was your experience with the hotel and the booking of it?

I would ask the Director who informed me of Coastal but, she hasn't returned my phone call. I called her on Friday and Saturday but nothing yet, maybe shes out of town. I have spoken to her one time.

How was your experience with your director?

I am a bit worried about sending money to a person that could run away with it and never here from her again. Is there anything to protect people from that happening?

Sorry so long but I am obessed with the research of this business.
I just want to find out as much as I can.

Thanks for the info!!!

Have a Blessed evening,

DeAnn:eek:

[NaturalMom]

Hey Deann,

When I decided I wanted to sell Coastal Vacation packages, I searched for the right director to sign up under. I knew I had a lot to offer and searched for a director that could provide me with all the answers and the tools to get this going off to a great start. I looked over everyone's websites and training sites and got to know who were the key players. It was clear that I needed to find someone with integrity, who I could trust and ultimately enjoy working with. Because that person will be working with you for years to come and you really want to get along with them and respect them.

Many people learn the hard way and sign up with a person that gives up, isn't available or is someone that just don't gel with. I have had hundreds of people contact me that were searching for a director, even though someone else showed them the business. You just have to weigh your virtues: loyalty to the person that told you about it, or searching for the person that is the right fit with your life.

Anyway, the stuff you are reading on message boards is a bit deceiving and I feel that it is written from people that are knocking it because they were not successful. Success comes from within. Anyone can make it in this business, it is up to the person and their drive, motivation, creativity, and ability to dream that can make it happen. If you complain your way through life, you'll get more of what it is you don't like: "The Law of Attraction".

As far as the bonus vacations, in the old days it used to say husband and wife, but now they might require two adults. Every voucher that we have is from a different corporation, so each has it's own requirements for information. You don't get to pick which hotel you stay at unless they give you a choice. The bonus vacations are for room tax only and are based on which hotels have vacancy during the dates you are choosing. But the membership cards can be used to book hotels, condos, cruises and resorts for 50% to 85% off and you can book for the same day if available. There are 4 facets to the Level I membership package: the cards, the bonus vacations, the condos, and the cruises. The variety of ways you can vacation are overwhelming. The bonus 3 day 2 night stays are just part of the package and probably used the least by me, as I primarily use the cards and the condos.

You need to be connected to a Coastal Vacations Director in order to sell packages, as they have the releases/forms to order the packages. So if you don't want a package, you would have to find a Director that would give you your release after sending 3 or 4 sales to them. Because the normal way is your sale plus two "training sales" are sent to your Director which equals 3 sales total, before you get your release (order form for that Level). But not too many people would invest the training to someone who does not have a vested interest in it. As they would find themselves giving away their time to someone that could easily quit. When you buy a package, you are respectfully paying your Director for your training.

I can't imagine doing this business without a package. It is the most important part of my presentations, and how would you know your product if you don't have one? It's silly really, but so many people are looking to start their own business for $25. Well starting a business in this century takes money. An average retail or service business can take tens of thousands of dollars to open. A franchise can cost over $100,000. So starting a business for $1,295, is amazing. And it is really turn-key. I belong to the Coastal Synergy Group (http://goodkarma.winningwithcoastal.com) which 80% of people belong to for it has the best training. Their websites are excellent and they include audio and video training, scripts, business documents, live daily calls, your own 800#, autoresponders and email, plus so much more. And as an experienced webmaster, I was impressed. So if you are deciding to do this business, I would highly recommend getting a CSG website, for it will jump start your business with training and support that is unmatched in this business.

Janet L Gray
Level III Director
Coastal Vacations
Good Karma Travel (http://goodkarmatravel.com/business)
Learn more about me:
http://joyousenergy.powerfulintentions.com

[DeAnnm]

Hey Janet,

I completely agree with you about knowing what you are selling. I was asked that question by someone interested in the business.

The funny thing is I already have someone ready to buy the package , I am just trying to be completely informed before I signup with someone. I talked to the director for about 2 hours on Wednesday of last week. She was very informative , but I am a little concerned I have not heard from her yet. Should I be??? I know people have lives but, an email would have been nice.

OK, so you can not pick your hotel, I don't think I like that!!! That might be a turn off for some prospects. In your experience are they nice hotel or just normal Days Inn and Comfort Inns?

Thanks again for taking the time to write,
DeAnn:confused:

[NaturalMom]

Hey Deann,

The bonus vacations are based on what is available. So imagine a corporation that owns 15 hotels in the Disney area. When you call to reserve your vacation and tell them the dates, they look into their computer and offer you the ones that are available (as comp rooms) at that time. They are giving you the room for free, and you are just paying taxes. What is not to like about that?

BUT, that is just on facet of the types of stays you get in a package, as I said. You can also use the cards to book any hotel, resort, or condo that you want. You get lots of websites to search for places all over the world. You are not limited by just those "bonus vacations" as that is just a small part of it.

Janet L Gray
Level III Director
Coastal Vacations

http://goodkarma.winningwithcoastal.com

[DeAnnm]

Ok,

Thanks again

have a wonderful day :)

DeAnn

[Kate]

That's a real bargain, I know of someone who might be interested, I'll forward her to you if it is the case. :d :d :d :d :d :d :d :d :d :d :d :d :)

[Victorious]

Hi Deann, this is Catherine and I was reading on this forum that you were interested about joining Coastal Vacations but weren't very excited about having to talk on the phone. I am writing because I might have the answer for you. Like you, I don't like to talk on the phone either, that's why I joined Coastal Vacations with the Call Center group.

Basically, the call center will talk to your prospects, close your sales, send the package, and send you a check.

This works great for me because I don't like to talk on the phone, all I have to do is advertise, and they have a great back office that will show you over 150 way to advertise online and offline.

Even if you are already with Coastal Vacations you can still join the call center group. If you are interested, call 1-800-378-1169 and use code 6492MW. If you would like to speak with us directly - I work Coastal with my husband- call us at 770-995-0029, we would be more than glad to receive you in our team.

Blessings!

Catherine Willis
http://www.discoveringcoastal.com
http://www.absolutelycoastal.com

[Lori]

What a terrific idea! I can't stand phone calls either :) It's hard with kids in the house!

Hi Deann, this is Catherine and I was reading on this forum that you were interested about joining Coastal Vacations but weren't very excited about having to talk on the phone. I am writing because I might have the answer for you. Like you, I don't like to talk on the phone either, that's why I joined Coastal Vacations with the Call Center group.

Basically, the call center will talk to your prospects, close your sales, send the package, and send you a check.

[Victorious]

Yes, it is absolutely awesome!! In fact, just today the call center handled one of my sales and sent the product out to my customer!! All I did was advertise through Google and in two days I got a sale without even talking to them!

[kellyormike]

Hi all! I am in Coastal, I actually placed a topic the other day on this message board. But I was wondering a little more about the call center. I heard froma couple of different people, that if you're not careful you will go brone with the call centers. Do you know what that means? I don't fully understand the call center concept, so I guess I need to know more about it to understand what these people are talking about! So anyone have any info for me? Also, I just want anyone who is looking at Coastal to know, that it really is all up to you! If one person has success and one doesn't, that doesn't mean you will follow in the failed person's footsteps. I have bad days now and then, but I will NEVER give up! This means way too much to me and my family, and of course "Rome wasn't built in a day" I have to keep my own faith up and be positive and know in my head and my heart this IS for me, and this IS my path! So, even though I get down sometimes(mostly from pms:eek: ) I love this business and I am very happy with my decision!
So any comments, or info, or anything, please let me know!
:wav:
Thanks, Kelly
http://homeformyfamily.winningwithcoastal.com

[Victorious]

Hi Kelly,

I just read your message wanting to know about the call center. I don't quite understand either what they mean about it, but it works great for us because they do ALL the work for us. All we do is advertise and cause people to call the call center. They even send the product and everything and send us a check. The commissions are a little different because the call center needs to get paid their share for doing all the job for you. Not too different, though. If you would like more information feel free to visit our website at www.absolutelycoastal.com (http://www.absolutelycoastal.com)
Even if you are with Coastal already you can still join the call center, but you would have to re-sign up again. However I am sure we could work something out with you should you be interested.
We hear testimonials of people that we with Coastal the convenctional way and their sales went up over 200% when they joined the call center, because it is so much easier just to have to advertise and let them speak with your customers, close your sales, send the products, and send you a check on the mail!
You know, not everyone likes to sell or speak with people over the phone.

Feel free to e-mail me if you have any other questions!
Blessings!

[roger19]

Hi everyone :D
My name is Roger and I'm also with the Coastal Call Center.
I've run a successful Coastal Vacations business full time from home since July '06 and joined the Call Center much later to leverage my time as most of my business comes from retailing the product to companies.

Coastal Vacations is not a get rich quick :no: this is a real business you have to dedicate time to and do it consistently. With effort, diligence and persistence will you be successful! Being coachable and getting the support and guidance from an experienced Director well definitely serve you well.

To add to the comments above, the Call Center does not do "ALL" the work for you. While it certainly leverages your time by handlling your calls, following up with your leads and closing your sales, it still doesn't do everything. In order to make the big money with the help of the Call Center, it's a good idea you talk to people. However, if you're afraid of lifting up the phone but you're still interested in Coastal then the Call Center is probably your best bet :D

You might be interested to know that in the last Coastal seminar, it was announced the Call Center paid out $1.5 million in commissions in an 18 month span making it the highest revenue generator in Coastal Vacations history.

The key to your success with the Call Center is to advertise and there are many ways to do it without spending a ton of money, some great suggestions have already been made in this thread so it's a good idea to follow them if you're on a tight budget.

If you decide to join make sure you use the product too because it will solidify your belief and you will make more sales; it's a pretty good deal to get paid to take holidays!

You can google 'roger gurung' to get more information in running a business from home and feel free to contact me on my "Not a big fan of selling" weblink below,
I'm happy to answer your questions!

:wave:

Roger

[Victorious]

Thank you, Roger. You are right, the call center will not do all the work for you. You have advertise. Many people just advertise and the call center takes over from there. Other people choose to talk to their prospects themselves. It is really a personal choice.

I know of people being successful just by advertising the 800 number and their websites and causing people to call the call center. Many more people are successfull with classified ads posting the 800 number. They never talk to the prospects themselves and they find out about their prospects through the back office.

There is not a unique formula for success. In any business, one must find out what works best for oneself.

[roger19]

I don't disagree with you Victorious because I've had someone sign up without talking to them either so I can also attest the system definitely works!
I believe it works even better when you speak with people but like you're saying each to their own.

:D

Roger

[Victorious]

Thank you, Roger. You are right, the call center will not do all the work for you. You have advertise. Many people just advertise and the call center takes over from there. Other people choose to talk to their prospects themselves. It is really a personal choice.

I know of people being successful just by advertising the 800 number and their websites and causing people to call the call center. Many more people are successfull with classified ads posting the 800 number. They never talk to the prospects themselves and they find out about their prospects through the back office.

There is not a unique formula for success. In any business, one must find out what works best for oneself.

[roger19]

Hi everyone :wave:

If you're researching Coastal Vacations, I encourage you to find out more about the Coastal Call Center :yup:

The reality is you are like most people and you're not a big fan of selling :help: and as they say, necessity is the mother of invention - visit the 'not a big fan of selling' weblink below and find out more about the Call Center now!

Feel free to contact me, I'm here to help. I run a great business and I can help you leverage your time and make money using the Call Center.

Make 2007 better than last year, Act Now!

:cheers:

Roger

[roger19]

It's been said if you find a job you love to do you never have to work.

Having fun in your business will help elevate you to a successful end. And if you're reading this it's probably fair to assume having fun, travelling and money are motivating you in taking a serious look into Coastal Vacations, yes? :t9:

As you research Coastal on search engines and by the posts in various forums you will find many different personalities and quite frankly, life would be boring if it were any different. As Directors, both new and experienced, we all have something to offer you.

You have probably sifted through hundreds of opportunites already and you're still uncertain which business you should put your hard earned money into. Maybe you saw Coastal years ago and have come back to revisit or maybe you've already made your decision? The point is you're here and it's not by accident :yup:

Welcome!

Whatever your story is you will likely find a Director who has shared your experience. However, that alone doesn't mean they are the right Director for you. If you are the quiet, shy type and your Director is much the same and you both 'click' does that mean this is the correct decision? The same can be said if you're extroverted but your Director isn't, is THAT the right choice to make? This is an important decision in your life because it could change the course of it.

A good way to measure your future success with Coastal is to see how serious your Director is about his or her business? How successful are they? (Or their Director, as some people are new). How passionate are they? Do they want to help you? Do they practice what they preach? From this I mean whatever they suggest to you do they do themselves? There are a host of other questions to ask but this is to get you started as you look into Coastal Vacations.

As you delve further into our opportunity and the dollar signs dance in your head, you should know this: if money is the number one motivator for you joining Coastal then you will have a difficult time succeeding; this can be said for any business really. You are here to serve others and the more you do that the more success you will have.

There's an old Chinese proverb that says if you want to be happy for an hour, take a nap. If you want to be happy for a day, go fishing. If you want to be happy for a year, inherit a fortune but if you want to be happy for a lifetime — help others :clap:

My name is Roger Gurung, I'm with the Coastal Call Center and I'm happy to answer any questions you have. You can contact me through the "not a big fan of selling" weblink below.

[brook929]

Hey Deann,

The bonus vacations are based on what is available. So imagine a corporation that owns 15 hotels in the Disney area. When you call to reserve your vacation and tell them the dates, they look into their computer and offer you the ones that are available (as comp rooms) at that time. They are giving you the room for free, and you are just paying taxes. What is not to like about that?




But, don't forget, you have an option to upgrade. Yes, there will be an extra cost, but that will not be near as what you would pay if you tried to book it retail.

[roger19]

It's true that if you are passionate about something, you can be unstoppable!
I hope this link to an 8 minute video is allowed to stay, enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE8b02EdZvw

Roger