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* 48 hanging files 
* 1 box Large Manila Envelopes 
* Pocket or file folders (at least 12) 
* I originally used a cardboard box, but after my 7 month old got a hold of it we switched to the hard plastic kind (with a lid) that you can buy at any office supply store or Wal-Mart. All together it cost me about $30 

Label 31 of the hanging files 1-31. These represent the days of the month. 

Label 12 of the hanging files Jan.-Dec. These represent the months of the year. 

That leaves 6 hanging files for whatever else you keep track of. Mine are Master Copies, Product Tips/Info, Hostess packets, Sponsor Packets, Inventory, and Miscellaneous. 

Whenever I have a Host(ess) book a show, I keep all of her information in a pocket folder (file folders will work, but pocket folders travel easier) and attach a post-it note to the outside with her name, phone number, and date and time of show. Any notes I make while hostess coaching go in the folder. Any information that I get from the hostess such as a guest list goes in the folder. That way all that I need for that show is in the folder. I like pocket folders because I take the folder with me to the show. Any orders, checks, door prize slips, etc. that I receive at the show go in the folder.

Now we are home from the show. Orders are double checked to make sure they are accurate and that I have received payment. Lets say that I made two bookings on the show and I want to contact the new hostesses. I assign them a folder and file it under the date that I would contact them (usually within 24-48 hours). SO if the show was held on the 10th I would file the new folder for the new hostess no later than the 12th. Once the orders have been placed I transpose all the papers collected for that hostess and place them in a manila envelope. On the outside I write the hostess' name, date of show, amount of show, when the order was placed, and when the order was shipped. I then would file the manila envelope on the 13th(3 days after the date of the show) for follow-up with the hostess, making sure the order was received, etc. Door prize slips marked with any type of maybes (bunny info or to host) get stapled to a piece of notebook paper and filed within 24 hours for follow-up. Once the order has been delivered I file the manila envelope under the month that the show was held. 

Lets say that I am out and about and I warm chatter a woman who asks for more information. I naturally get her name and phone number and tell her that I will contact her within 24-48 hours. When I get home, I staple her information to a piece of notebook paper and file it under the appropriate date for follow-up 

Any Contest/Challenge info that is received is filed. I would make any necessary notes, like deadline, who to contact, etc and file it at least a week before the end of the contest/challenge. That gives me time to complete the challenge/contest and still turn it in on time. 

If, when I am making follow-up phone calls and I receive no answer, I re-file it for the following day. If the contact says call me back in a week, I file it a week from that date. If she says call me in a month, I file it a month from that date, etc. I only get rid of information on a potential hostess or rep if they say don't call me anymore. If after two or three unsuccessful attempts to contact I file it under the month I received their information. You never know she may call you in two or three months and say remember me we met in August. Then I pull out her info from August's file and I have any notes I previously made right there and I can usually remember her easier. 

So now that you know how I file things, here is how it works. For example we will take what I did today. I pulled out the file for today's date and in it were two hostess folders, two contacts for follow-up, and information on a craft fair. My first hostess was supposed to send me her guest list by today. I checked her folder to see if I had received it earlier and filed it away already. It wasn't there, so I called her to coach a little and remind her of the guest list (her number was on the outside of the folder, so I didn't have to look it up). She had her guest list completed, but never mailed it to me, so I gave her my email address and told her to email it to me. I made a note of this and put it in the folder (I usually keep all my notes on a piece of notebook paper and just put the date next to the note, that way I don't have a million little pieces of paper in the folder). I then re-filed it for check-up tomorrow. That way if I didn't get her email, I know that I need to call her and get the guest list over the phone. My second hostess call was to coach. She was a booking of another show and this was the first call. I confirmed her time and date, and told her I would need her guest list by the 12th. We then discussed ways she could get outside orders. All of this went on a piece of notebook paper and was then re-filed under the 12th. My first follow-up call was not at home. I left a message and told her I would try her again tomorrow. She was filed under the 6th. My second contact said she was going out of town last minute and to please call her on Monday. She was filed under the 9th. The craft fair info was easy. I emailed the address provided and asked if any other reps were already involved, and to request an application. I made a note of the email and filed it under the 12th(1 week later). Now my folder is empty and all my office work is done for today. I then place the hanging file at the back of the box (I have my dates of the month first, then my 6 extra files, then my months) behind yesterdays date. The days of the month are continuously cycled that way tomorrows date is in the front of the box so the next days work is always at the front. If the folder is empty then I go out and try to meet new people (at least 3). That is easier than you would think because it seems like I always have to go somewhere or do something that day that would require me to leave the house. I try to talk to the people I have to interact with anyway. That way I don't feel like I am being pushy or 'looking' so to speak. 

With this system, my desk stays clean, my papers stay organized and I really only do office work for about 2-4 hours a day (depending on how full the file is:)). I get to run my business, but still have time to spend with my son, keep the house clean, etc. I hope it will work well for you too.