. . . the customer people, that is :)
Hi Chicks!
I had a card class tonight with just two ladies. One was an "old" customer, and one was a brand-new customer who found me via my DBWS.
I have to honestly say that last night, I thought about cancelling this class. I was away all weekend at my mom's & was tired. I had my three cards planned out (OK, CASEd :P) but still had to create them, then prep everything for the girls. I knew I had to work 7-3:30 today, and frankly, it seemed like a bit of trouble to go to for only two people; especially since it wasn't a product-based class, and I probably wouldn't get any orders.
Well, I gritted my teeth, forced myself to make my display cards and prep my packets, made sure the house was straightened up, then headed to bed. Didn't sleep well, and when I came home from work, my eyes were so tired they were burning. Made dinner for the hubs, took the dog for a walk, came back & straightened up the kitchen & dining room (AGAIN), and set up for class. That left me with about 30 minutes to sit & relax before my guests arrived. I was grumpy. So I thought, you know what? I have an extra packet made - I'm gonna stamp WITH my ladies! At least if I have to run a class, I might as well get some stamping in myself.
Now, I've heard differing opinions from other demos - some say cancel, some say have class even if only one person is showing up. And I "get" that - both sides. But girls, I never cancel, even if I DO only have one student.
You know why? Because- think about it - how would YOU feel if someone said to you, "Well, you're the only one coming, so I'm gonna reschedule." Kinda makes that person feel like they're not important enough for you to spend the time on them. Not very nice, and not too customer-appreciative either, know what I mean?
Anyway, my two ladies arrived and we had a ball! The new customer was so much fun to meet, an experienced stamper, and the three of us chattered away like old friends. They hadn't used the techniques I showed, so they were delighted to learn something new. Nobody ordered anything, but the new gal bought one of my retired sets, which helps declutter my shelves; and I had fun stamping away & just relaxing! I even forgot how tired I was (although as I type this, I'm remembering!!).
So the moral of the story is, you never know how much fun you're going to have, or how nice of a new person you might meet. And, by letting your customer-friends know how much you value them, both as customers AND friends, you can spread a little "stampin' sunshine" around.
That's it for now, my peeps!
Jeni
Tips Blog for my "Chicks" :-) Not a CCCC? No worries! We like to share! Feel free to browse & if you find something you can use, go for it! I am by no means an expert or a top-selling SU! demo, but if you can use a tip or two from this blog, that makes my day :-)
Monday, June 25, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
Putting Together a Recruit Packet
Hey Chicks!
Some of us are hobby demos, some of us are business, and me - well, I'm sort of in between :) Building a downline has been a happy accident for me. When I signed up in March of 2011, I had no idea that I'd ever have even ONE downline, let alone promote to Sr. Supervisor & name my own group!! Of the three Level One demos that are in my downline now, I knew one by acquaintance who was a random hit off my DBWS, one was a completely random hit off my DBWS (more about the value of having a DBWS another time!), and one is my sister-in-law.
When I first met with Brittny (completely random DBWS hit), who was a stranger to me, I wanted to make a GREAT impression, look professional and business-like, and share my enthusiasm for Stampin' Up! in a way that would give her the information she needed and yet not "hard sell" SU! or overwhelm her. Of course, it was an advantage that she'd been a demo before, but I wanted to make myself irresistible, so to speak ;) I was very nervous about meeting her, and I'm sure she felt the same way! Thanks to the internet, it was easy to find tips from other successful demos on how to put together a professional recruiting packet.
I feel that the basics of your recruiting packet should include hard copies* of the Standard Starter Kit Paperwork, the Starter Kit Flyer, and FAQs About Being a Demonstrator. (You can also include a Recruit Flyer, but keep in mind with the new Starter Kit pricing & the ability to personalize the Kit, it will be a little outdated until we get new ones.) If you have a business card (and you should!), make sure you put one in your packet. If you don't have a business card, be sure to include your contact information. If your recruit doesn't already have one, include a current copy of the Annual Catalog and any current Mini and/or Sale-a-Bration brochure. I also like to have a copy of the Demonstrator Manual handy in case the recruit has a question and I "blank". Put your recruit packet together in a nice 2 pocket folder. I use the recruit folders SU! has on the Supply Items list, but a nice touch could also be to buy plain white 2 pocket folders and stamp on them (if you have time - I never HAVE had time yet!!). Last, but not least, add a hand-stamped thank you card for your potential recruit.
. . . and there you have it! If you take the time to have a couple of recruit packets ready to go, you'll feel well-prepared to meet your potential new downline. I can't help you with the butterflies you're sure to have in your tummy, but at least you'll have a professional packet put together :)
That's it for now, my peeps!
Jeni
*You can find these items on the Demo Website under My Business -->My Business Resources-->Printing Place.
Some of us are hobby demos, some of us are business, and me - well, I'm sort of in between :) Building a downline has been a happy accident for me. When I signed up in March of 2011, I had no idea that I'd ever have even ONE downline, let alone promote to Sr. Supervisor & name my own group!! Of the three Level One demos that are in my downline now, I knew one by acquaintance who was a random hit off my DBWS, one was a completely random hit off my DBWS (more about the value of having a DBWS another time!), and one is my sister-in-law.
When I first met with Brittny (completely random DBWS hit), who was a stranger to me, I wanted to make a GREAT impression, look professional and business-like, and share my enthusiasm for Stampin' Up! in a way that would give her the information she needed and yet not "hard sell" SU! or overwhelm her. Of course, it was an advantage that she'd been a demo before, but I wanted to make myself irresistible, so to speak ;) I was very nervous about meeting her, and I'm sure she felt the same way! Thanks to the internet, it was easy to find tips from other successful demos on how to put together a professional recruiting packet.
I feel that the basics of your recruiting packet should include hard copies* of the Standard Starter Kit Paperwork, the Starter Kit Flyer, and FAQs About Being a Demonstrator. (You can also include a Recruit Flyer, but keep in mind with the new Starter Kit pricing & the ability to personalize the Kit, it will be a little outdated until we get new ones.) If you have a business card (and you should!), make sure you put one in your packet. If you don't have a business card, be sure to include your contact information. If your recruit doesn't already have one, include a current copy of the Annual Catalog and any current Mini and/or Sale-a-Bration brochure. I also like to have a copy of the Demonstrator Manual handy in case the recruit has a question and I "blank". Put your recruit packet together in a nice 2 pocket folder. I use the recruit folders SU! has on the Supply Items list, but a nice touch could also be to buy plain white 2 pocket folders and stamp on them (if you have time - I never HAVE had time yet!!). Last, but not least, add a hand-stamped thank you card for your potential recruit.
. . . and there you have it! If you take the time to have a couple of recruit packets ready to go, you'll feel well-prepared to meet your potential new downline. I can't help you with the butterflies you're sure to have in your tummy, but at least you'll have a professional packet put together :)
That's it for now, my peeps!
Jeni
*You can find these items on the Demo Website under My Business -->My Business Resources-->Printing Place.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Crop Club Tips
Hey Chicks!
I've been running a Crop Club for the last three months & it's been not only working well to help me meet my minimums, but it's FUN!!
Here's how it works:
Five members who each agree to spend $30 a month, with each member taking a turn being Hostess, for five months. You place a $150 order each month, easily making your $300 quarterly +.
Ours started in April, and we did May & June - we're taking a break for July & August, then picking it back up in September & October. If they want to continue, we'll pick it back up in January and go from there.
What I do is make up a scrap map for the evening and they can either copy it as is or use the basic sketch & add their own twist. Here's the scrap map I came up with for last night's Club:
I've been running a Crop Club for the last three months & it's been not only working well to help me meet my minimums, but it's FUN!!
Here's how it works:
Five members who each agree to spend $30 a month, with each member taking a turn being Hostess, for five months. You place a $150 order each month, easily making your $300 quarterly +.
Ours started in April, and we did May & June - we're taking a break for July & August, then picking it back up in September & October. If they want to continue, we'll pick it back up in January and go from there.
What I do is make up a scrap map for the evening and they can either copy it as is or use the basic sketch & add their own twist. Here's the scrap map I came up with for last night's Club:
I actually went back & flipped the middle strip over to match the floral pattern on the facing page after I took the photo. It worked better with the matching paper :)
My ladies did the basic sketch last night but chose their own colors & DSP from my stash, and embellished with the stamps as they wished. We used Floral District DSP with coordinating cardstock and the stamp set Betsy's Blossoms.
The Crop Club concept is (so far) working GREAT for me! I hope to get a Card Club going in the fall, now that I have weekends & Fridays off :)
If you have any questions about forming your own Crop or Card Club, feel free to get in touch.
That's it for now, my peeps!
Jeni
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Welcome!
Welcome to my downline support blog! Here's where I'll be posting FREE business tips to my downline, Cross Country Crafty Chicks. But fear not! Even if you're not in my downline, feel free to browse and pick up a tip or two :) We like to share.
If you're interested in becoming an independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I'd be honored and tickled to have you join my team of "Chicks". Head on over to my website right now to join the fun! Feel free to shoot me an email if you have ANY questions at all.
Happy stampin'!
Jeni
If you're interested in becoming an independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I'd be honored and tickled to have you join my team of "Chicks". Head on over to my website right now to join the fun! Feel free to shoot me an email if you have ANY questions at all.
Happy stampin'!
Jeni
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