About becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator
 

I'm a newbie to this site. I love this place!

I'm looking for advice. I love making cards with Stampin' Up! products. I'm trying to decide whether to sign up to be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator to support my stamping habit! What's holding me back is whether I could really meet the $300 per quarter amount (nope, I can't afford buying $300 of great stuff myself each quarter).

Oh, and if I do sign up to be a demonstrator, I'm torn between signing up with two dear friends who are currently demonstrators. One friend lives right here in town and another lives in California. One of them will be very hurt if I sign up with the other! But I've been buying Stampin' Up! items from both of them for over two years now.

But, I'm rambling on...any advice to share? Thanks!

Hmmmmmm...do you have a few friends you could share
 

SU products with to increase your sales since you stated you couldn't come up with the $300 per quarter yourself?

Remember, the first order, there isn't any shipping attached to it, so you could send a flyer or email a flyer to all your family and friends and ask them if they want anything at 10% discount, since that's approximately what the shipping runs for you. If you want to offer an additional discount for a $50 order or something, that's up to you, but might be another idea how to increase sales. Someone posted the demonstrator's forum below that they offer a free stamp pad, single color cardstock pack, 2 refill colors or anything else that equals $5 for folks who order $50 or more from you. I started implementing that and have seen an increase in sales since adding that to my list of random specials I offer from time to time.

I just started representing SU in late May, so I'm still getting my feet wet.

As far as who to sign up under...I would definately go for the local gal. When you are first starting out, you won't have all the supplies right away you might need and I find it helpful personally to borrow items from the local upline in my area. They are very nice ladies and help me whenever I call them. Long distance sign ups would seem hard to connect to, but with the right person and good communication, would be workable. For me personally, I'd sign up with the local friend.

You'll have to decide what's best for you.

Hope you decide to join this wonderful family of stampers!
Cindy Lou Who

I'd say give it a try. I signed up when I first moved to a new place and knew almost no one. I was unsure if I could do it but wanted to give it a go. I've been very successful and made a TON of new friends from it. Worst case- you'll be dropped- but you gave it a try. It is NOT hard to meet the minimum- just spread the word that you sell SU! and the business will come. I would suggest signing up with the girl that you are close to. That way she is right there to help you with anything you might need. She might even be able to hook you up with your first couple of customers- mine did. Good luck in your decision!

Joy

Definitely sign up with the local girl. You will want and need her help and support.

The deal alone would make me want to sign up. If you sign up at the beginning of a new quarter, you don't need to fill your "quota" the first three months. Then you have the next three months to make your $300 in sales. If you don't, then at least you've had 6 months with a discount of %20 and the benefit of saving so much with the Starter Kit.

Honestly, it's not hard at all to meet your minimums. I only do one workshop a month and I still do over $500 per month in sales. I wish I could do more, but that's where I'm at now. Our area is SATURATED with SU! folks. There are three other demos JUST in my church. My upline alone had 43 new recruits this year.

Anyhooo, if it isn't a hardship to buy the starter kit and you spend a lot on stamps anyway, then you really don't have much to lose either way.

Thanks for wise words
 

Thanks for the words of wisdom! Your input is very appreciated. Such wonderful people here!

I would just honestly tell your long-distance friend that you are signing up with the local demo so that you have someone right here to help you and support you. Plus, your local demo may be apart of a local demo group and you will want to be a part of that team. It has nothing to do with who is a better friend or demonstrator...it has to do with location. I'm sure your california friend will understand.


$300 a month is basically $50 a paycheck (not to bad of a budget for a hobby). If you have 1 or 2 workshops a quarter you will be fine.

when does the next 'new quarter' begin?

The quarter just started. Now would be a great time to start only the start of the second month of the quarter ~ or the beginning of any quarter because your first quarter doesn't count. If you sign up at the beginning of a quarter you have a good amount of time to start to build and/or save for the next quarter. Quarters run July-Sept, October to December, January to March, and April to June! I joined in August and it helped.