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Torn as to whether to sign up to be SU demonstrator
Went to my second stamping party ever yesterday and am now considering whether signing up to be an SU demonstrator is the right thing for me. I was hoping some of you may be able to offer some advice.
My biggest concern is obviously not being able to fulfill the sale requirements every quarter. I am not new to stamping, but don't really have lots of friends that are as interested as this as I am.
The other question I have is related to products. I like the flexibility I have now of being able to buy my tools and supplies from a variety of places. Are SU demonstrators totally devoted to SU products?
You might want to tally how much you spend every quarter personally on SU products. If it's well over the SU minimum, you can be your own best customer and make your minimums. If you don't spend that much and you don't have a lot of friends who can make up the difference, you may want to consider how much time you have to go get and keep new customers to make those minimums.
It is nice to have that discount on your own SU products, but be aware that you will have to pay shipping charges on all your orders, and tax on the hostess benefits, even if it's just a single item.
And, as far as the 'devoted' part. You will have to be in your demonstrations, etc., but for your personal use, you can use whatever you want. Talk to a local demonstrator and ask her to give you a copy of the Idependent Demonstrator Agreement. That may help you make up your mind.
I was my own best customer for a few years and finally dropped last year when it didn't make financial sense anymore and my friends stopped ordering.
The discount is nice if you order the minimums anyway.
If you are going to host workshops, you have to use SU products only. I never did workshops, just friends over for stamping, so I never worried about that part. Obviously you don't want to advertise you bought X product cheaper somewhere else.
Here's what I tell my potential recruits: there's no penalty if you sign up, and it doesn't work out. That's a wonderful thing. Stampin' Up! isn't going to call you a failure....me, as your upline, isn't going to call you a failure. So, why not give it a shot? It just might be one of the best decisions you ever made. If it doesn't work out, you've got a big 'ol box of stamping goodies that you got at a great price that you can play with.
You may think the people you hang with aren't interested. But, I would invite everyone I know to an Open House. If you're excited about it, they will get excited about it. Let them stamp something simple. Show them how easy making a card can be. Show them how they can make their own cards rather than running to the store each time they need one. Ideally, you will become their teacher and store....filling them with lots of inspiration and guidance!
As far as using other product, that's fine for your personal stamping. While you are demoing to other people, you need to use strictly Stampin' Up! product.
I agree with Mindy kid. See how much you really spend every quarter. Is it $300 or more on just Stampin up? If yes I would sign up. If no, I would not do it unless you do have friends that will by from you, you are willing and able to have successful workshops.
However, you could always sign up and get the free items in the new Demo kit!
do you like the idea of selling? If not, and you would not want to make the minimums yourself, then stay a happy customer.
but if the idea of sharing SU and selling it to others makes you happy and you love the product go for it!
I totally agree with this. When I was trying to figure out if what I wanted to do. I sat down and discussed it with my dh and he helped me come to an answer that well I love. Good luck.
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I signed up when they had that really great kit offer in November. Remember the $300.00 each quarter is really $240.00. 20% off of $300.00. That makes a difference!
It's equal to about $80.00 a month.
If you hold workshops all the supplies must be SU. There's also the whole blog limitation thing. Others can give you better info on that, as I don't have a blog.
My demo hosts a monthly workshop at a local library. We have between 10 to 15 attend each month. She sets each card at a station. She sets up six cards and rotates around to answer questions. This could work for you too. Or hold a quarterly workshop. You might be surprised at the people who are interested if you put up and pass around flyers.
__________________ All I want is the chance to prove money won't make me happy!
Just browsed through the independent demonstrator agreement briefly and read the part on blogs/facebook/twitter...
So, seeing how I'm a cricut/cuttlebug user, if I have posted on my personal blog/facebook page projects that have been completed using these tools (or any other non-SU tools), would I have to remove those from these pages if I become a demonstrator?
The quarterly quota here in Canada is actually $400 - makes it harder to justify if I'm to fill this quota with my own purchases. :(
I was really hoping to take advantage of this Sale-a-bration promotion as well.
I believe you can just state it's "non-SU", and don't mention the name of the product. Or, I've also seen people use "Cr*cut", to avoid being searched. Also, just don't do tutorials where you would demonstrate the use of any non-SU product (i.e. how to cut something on the Cricut, or how to do the sandwich in Cuttlebug). Of course, you should call Customer Service for any official word.
Torn as to whether to sign up to be SU demonstrator
