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Hi there. I've met with a really nice lady here locally and put in an order for some more SU! supplies. After I left, I thought...hmmmm, maybe I should become a demo. I have tons of questions, that she is totally willing to answer, but I thought maybe I could get some different perspectives here, and I don't want to bother her around the holidaysl. I have a lot of questions, so feel free to answer any you like! Thanks!
Assuming I may want to demo in the new year, and keeping in mind money is a factor:
If I order stamp pads, is there really a need to get the markers and WW crayons, too? (I have all of those in the EArth Elements already)
Or should I just order them in one color family to demo?
What is the monthly minimum needed to sell to keep my demo status? I want
To think I heard it's $300, but I'm not sure. And is that in retail dollars?
How does one go about training to become a demo? Do I follow several people around to different workshops? Do I just follow the one lady around?
Does my sponsor/teacher/upline lady??? (I don't know what to call her, lol!) teach me the 'rules' of cardmaking, or is there a book I learn from? I've
Often seen people on SCS saying, "I know I didn't follow the rules here when it came to such and such", and I always think "What rules...where are the rules?!", LOL!
Do I need to attend regular meetings?
Can I attend them close to my home if they're in another group/district?
Is there a dress code? I intend on doing it from my home only, not going to other's houses,
but that doesn't mean I'll be in t-shirt and sweats, LOL! But it�s still nice to know�if I have to wear a dress��it�s not gonna happen, LOL!
Do they require a minimum amount of shows/workshops in order to start up?
By this, I mean, Home Interiors wanted you to have 10 shows booked when
you started, if memory served me. My SIL had to have 6 for MaryKay, I believe. I don't think I could possibly have that many, seeing as how
none of my friends are crafty. Some even shudder at the thought of crafts... can you imagine??? I might be able to get a couple of people
From my MOPS group though. Maybe even my nice Aunt!
What are the limitations of advertising? My hubby is thinking
something like a magnetic sign on the door of my car, or a decal on the window. Or maybe even an ad in the paper??? I'm not sure.
Is a page on the SU! website included with my membership, or is that
an additional charge?
If I were to order maybe 2 ribbon spools per color family are there some
that are more popular than others, or should I just go with what appeals most to me? There's obviously no way I could afford them all, so I think it would be best to pick ones that are most versatile. I�m just not sure what those are.
Thanks so much for your help, everyone. I appreciate you taking the time to read this.
Lot's of great questions and I"m sure that your local Stampin UP demo would not feel like your bothering her by asking her, she would probably want to answer these questions for you.
I'll try to hit on some of them for you.
Minimums are quarterly and you do have to do $300.00 in sales per quarter.
Start with what comes in your starter kit and build your supplies as you go.
Your local demo should give you training, but make sure and ask her if this is something that she does. Some who are more of hobby demos might not give you the training you want.
There are no rules to cardmaking, what you like to do it fine.
You should ask your demo if she holds meetings or not and it's up to you or not if you plan on attending.
No there is not a dress code, but looking presentable is a good way to go.
Stampin UP actually has magnetic car signs that you can buy for your car.
A demonstrator website is extra, it is not included in your start up fee.
That should start to answer some of your questions, good luck with your decision.
No you don't have to have any partys booked to get started.
Thanks so much! That is very helpful! Do you happen to know how much the webpage is? I do have my own site (for something else), but it's a PAIN to make new pages...or, basically redo the whole site. If the SU! page is minimal, I'd rather do that than redo my whole site...no fun!
Thanks so much! That is very helpful! Do you happen to know how much the webpage is? I do have my own site (for something else), but it's a PAIN to make new pages...or, basically redo the whole site. If the SU! page is minimal, I'd rather do that than redo my whole site...no fun!
The webpage is $12.95 per month, and I'm not sure if this is the case always, but when I signed up, it was free for the first 3 months.
Does my sponsor/teacher/upline lady??? (I don't know what to call her, lol!) teach me the 'rules' of cardmaking, or is there a book I learn from? I've
Often seen people on SCS saying, "I know I didn't follow the rules here when it came to such and such", and I always think "What rules...where are the rules?!", LOL!
When people put this in their description, it is usually for one of the SCS challanges, and they havn't used all the required colors, or changed the layout a little.
Great thing about it - you can make your own card making rules, demo your own ideas, or get some from SU, or right on here After you sign up, there are a lot of great tools on the SU website - but I get a lot of my ideas right from SCS.
When people put this in their description, it is usually for one of the SCS challanges, and they havn't used all the required colors, or changed the layout a little.
Great thing about it - you can make your own card making rules, demo your own ideas, or get some from SU, or right on here After you sign up, there are a lot of great tools on the SU website - but I get a lot of my ideas right from SCS.
Ahaaaah, now I get it. I was thinking...what, are you always supposed to put an odd number of brads or something, LOL!
Thanks, Angela! That's nice to know. I've noticed that when I go to someone's SU webpage, there's really not much there about them anyway, just a helpful way to look online at a catalog. I'm thinking they can do that anyway, without going thru me. I just googled it and got to the online catty, so I may be able to give them a link instead? I guess it is a good way to have someone look you up though. If they're looking for a demo in Omaha, they can put in their address and the nearest ones would come up, so it does have some advantages, I'm sure. Including ones I haven't even thought of. Thanks for the info!
Thanks, Angela! That's nice to know. I've noticed that when I go to someone's SU webpage, there's really not much there about them anyway, just a helpful way to look online at a catalog. I'm thinking they can do that anyway, without going thru me. I just googled it and got to the online catty, so I may be able to give them a link instead? I guess it is a good way to have someone look you up though. If they're looking for a demo in Omaha, they can put in their address and the nearest ones would come up, so it does have some advantages, I'm sure. Including ones I haven't even thought of. Thanks for the info!
Just so you know the demonstrator locator that searches by address is limited to demonstrators who have a business website. You can customize certain sections of the website, some people do some people don't. There is a demonstrator finder, but it works by name & location. (And you do have to give "permission" to be listed in the locator). When you first sign up there is an option to try the demonstrator website free for 3 months to see if it works with your business model.
Generally speaking, as a demo, I'd be happy to answer questions and I'm sure your local demo would be happy to also (there just may be a delay in response with the holidays) Make sure that your priorities are in line (i.e. your demo may be a hobby demonstrator or she may be more business minded; she may not have meetings or training sessions and you may want training sessions; she may be more hands on support and you might be looking for more independence). If you aren't certain if you want your current demo to be your upline (for whatever reason) you can always interview other demonstrators to make certain you have the best fit.
There are many resources available to demos--both on the SU! demonstrator only website and here in the demo only forum on SCS.
Good luck with whatever you decide...
__________________ Just taking it one day at a time.....
Thanks for the info. I know she's not a hobby demo, so I'll have to see what kind of training she does. Do you know...am I allowed to tag along with other demos, to see different styles of working? Or would someone really want me to follow them around if they weren't going to be in my upline? Thanks again!
Thanks for the info. I know she's not a hobby demo, so I'll have to see what kind of training she does. Do you know...am I allowed to tag along with other demos, to see different styles of working? Or would someone really want me to follow them around if they weren't going to be in my upline? Thanks again!
Whenever I gain a new recruit I ask her to "follow me around" so that she can get an idea of how I do things. Of course, I'm not perfect, and there are many ways to do things, but I think it helps people get comfortable after they see someone else do it - see them answer questions, see their workshop "routine", see a make and take demonstration...all that good stuff . You are definitely allowed to go, and I would bet that your potential upline gal would be fine with you tagging along. I know I will do everything I possibly can to help my downline be as successful as they want to be as a demonstrator.
I'm wondering myself if there are restrictions on advertising...i'm going to be signing up with the new catty...can i place an ad in my local paper announcing that i'm available (there really isn't anyone in my immediate area as a demo!)
__________________ Jen Z. in Elysburg, PA...not quite stampin' in Atlas anymore!