Benefits of a Stampin Up Demonstrator

[EMGcrafter]

I'm thinking of ways to get more stamping experience and meet other people and wondering if becoming a SU Demo might be a way to go. But;

What are the benefits of becoming a SU Demonstrator?
Is there a start up fee?
Do they provide training?
Do you get to meet with other SU Demos?

[jtax]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EMGcrafter

I'm thinking of ways to get more stamping experience and meet other people and wondering if becoming a SU Demo might be a way to go. But;

What are the benefits of becoming a SU Demonstrator?
Is there a start up fee?
Do they provide training?
Do you get to meet with other SU Demos?

Benefits? Seeing info early, getting onto the demo side of SCS, getting SU demo wesbite, getting a discount
Start up fee? You must buy a kit full of stamping and business supplies
Training? That depends on who you sign under. I would try for someone local if you can so you can get help when you need/want it
Meeting other demos? At convention, at regional meetings, at team meetings with your upline, and other informal gatherings like shoebox etc.

It's great fun and I highly recommend signing up!

[DannieGrvs]

Like the previous person said, the start up fee is the price of the starter kit ($199). It's a great deal because you get over $300 worth of product for that price.

SU! sends out monthly newsletters with layout ideas and techniques to help train you. Plus your upline should help train you as well. I hold monthly stamping meeting for my downline and you should make sure whoever your demonstrator is does too. That way you can get together monthly with a local group and participate in their meetings.

Also SU! holds a yearly convention and smaller regional seminars all over the country so you can attend one of those too. There's lots of chances to meet with other SU! demos.

Oh, and if you're holding regular classes and workshops, you'll get to meet lots of great people too. Some of my customers have turned into great friends. I never would have met them if it weren't for SU!

I think you'll really like it. I've had so much fun being a demonstrator for the past 7 years.

[canben]

Please see my answers in red below

Quote:

Originally Posted by EMGcrafter

I'm thinking of ways to get more stamping experience and meet other people and wondering if becoming a SU Demo might be a way to go. But;

What are the benefits of becoming a SU Demonstrator?like others have said - getting to see a preview, demo side here, and your 20% discount. Plus sometimes you get an additional discount AND occassionally (like now) we got a free stamp set! Oh and then there's your Volume Rebate! MANY nice things!
Is there a start up fee?Your starter kit costs $199
Do they provide training?They send you a magazine each month with great ideas for workshops. PLUS if you pick a good upline, she'll be there to help you along the way And even more ideas on the SU demo website (and here!)
Do you get to meet with other SU Demos?depends on your upline, plus there are groups of demos everywhere! I'm in NC and there's a NC demos group that meets once a quarter.

[Chipper]

There are pro's and con's to any direct sales. However, the best, the very best pro is all the new wonderful friends you'll make. I've got dozens of new friends and each one is very special.

[tchrmom]

I'm wondering about this too. Is there a lot of pressure to sell to others, or is the company happy to have you there even if you just buy for yourself?

[lovingyoualways]

I signed up just to sell to myself!

[Chipper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tchrmom

I'm wondering about this too. Is there a lot of pressure to sell to others, or is the company happy to have you there even if you just buy for yourself?

There are different types of demos. There are business demos and hobby demos. Depending on who you ask the definition can be as different as night and day.

I'm a little of both. I make my minimums with no effort and could have higher sales if I had the time. I work full-time and have 2 small little girls, so high sales really isn't important to me. My family is my first priority.

The hobby demo is important to SU and "yes" the company is very happy to have you even if you just buy for yourself. Some demos are their own best customers! The only pressure that I feel is the pressure that I apply to myself.

[theresalaird]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EMGcrafter

I'm thinking of ways to get more stamping experience and meet other people and wondering if becoming a SU Demo might be a way to go. But;

What are the benefits of becoming a SU Demonstrator?
Is there a start up fee?
Do they provide training?
Do you get to meet with other SU Demos?

The most important I think is if you can make your quota each quarter. If you already spend $100 a month (EVERY MONTH) than you might as well sign up and get a discount. If not than I would think about it for a while before shelling out $200 for a kit.

[EMGcrafter]

Thanks for the info.

Well, I can't afford the $199 start up fee so I guess I won't be joining at this time.

Elaine

[MaiTi]

My upline is running a good special for people trying to become demos. If you held a party, she put 10% of your earnings towards your starter kit.

[3boysstampin']

Quote:

Originally Posted by EMGcrafter

Thanks for the info.

Well, I can't afford the $199 start up fee so I guess I won't be joining at this time.

Elaine

This is a concern for a lot of people, but one thing to think about is that you can easily make that money back with one really good workshop/open house/class (whatever you want to call it) within the first 45 days of being a demo. You earn 30% commission on that very first order of $150 or more. So--if you have an open house in January (invite EVERYONE you know) with the new catalog, your sales could be high enough to pay back this starter fee (need $665 in sales to earn $199). Or, Sale-a-Bration starts Feb 1--you could plan your demohood so that you can have your first party in Feb.

Then, you can decide if you want to continue to do parties or have SU! as a hobby.

Please keep in mind that I'm not advocating spending money you don't have--but this is something to think about if it works for you.

[crazy4stamps]

$199 is a bargain for the starter kit!
When I started 9 years ago...the kit was $350 and you didn't have much choice in what you got.

My first party paid for my kit and then I had 2 more in the next 3 months and got my first quota no problem.
I started out as a hobby demo and just wanted to get all the goodies for myself and then my DD started inviting their teenage friends and it took off from there.

[Chipper]

Just to add to what the other ladies have said...SU offer's sign up specials so if you're not ready now, watch for the specials. I think one of the better specials was your family choice (rich regals, earth elements, bold brights or soft subtles) of classic stamp pads. So even if you're not ready now, watch for the specials.

[MaiTi]

These ladies are right! It's very easy to earn that money back.
For instance, my first order was $1,000, and I got to keep 30% of that instead of the normal 20%.

[Mrs.Q]

Do you have to buy the demo kit? I'm just wondering if you can use all the supplies that you already have to show people how everything works, what you can make, etc.

[3boysstampin']

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs.Q

Do you have to buy the demo kit? I'm just wondering if you can use all the supplies that you already have to show people how everything works, what you can make, etc.

Yes you have to buy the kit. You also get all the business supplies you need to get started. Plus you sign a contract with SU! at that time. But, the kit really is a great deal!

[kjbmusic]

The kit is a really great deal. If you already have some of the items you may be glad to have an extra. Some demos mark certain items for their personal use and a duplicate for customer use. You would be surprised what some customers can do to things. Also if you have a large group it is good to have extra scrub pads and black ink pads anyways. Makes the process go much faster than passing one item all the way around a large table.

[row4d]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs.Q

Do you have to buy the demo kit? I'm just wondering if you can use all the supplies that you already have to show people how everything works, what you can make, etc.

All of the stamp sets and classic ink pad colors in the kit are completely customizable -- if you already have that item, or don't want what's in the standard kit then you can swap it out for a stamp set of equal or lesser value, and you can pick different ink colors. You can't change the accessories or business supplies, though. If you look in the back of the catty, there's a picture of everything you get.

[beckaroni]

It's great to know all this information and gives someone thinking about becoming a demostrator some insight on being one. Thanks everyone. Happy Stamping ! Beckaroni