Just The Facts, Ma’am!

The following is an article I wrote back in January called Just The Facts, Ma’am!  All about the skinny on being a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator.

I get asked this question all the time “What comes in the Stampin’ Up Starter kit?” The next question is “Ok, so what’s the catch?” or “what do I have to do to stay active?”

(I realize that a lot of you reading this are demonstrators and already know the ins and outs so if you stop reading, I won’t be offended!)

With Stampin’ Up having their Starter Kits on sale , now is a good time to answer those questions for anyone who is wondering what the real scoop is. No sugarcoating- just the facts, ma’am!

What is the catch? Other than a totally addictive hobby, it’s pretty easy. I’ve had more trouble and headaches trying to switch cell phone plans. That took 3 hours. Signing up to be a demonstrator? 20 minutes. Online. And you get your password to go onto the Demonstrator Only Website right away while you wait for your kit to arrive in a week to 10 days. What if I decide to not place any orders and just enjoy my kit? Stampin ‘Up will just drop you after your quarter is up. No penalties, nothing to give back, no note sent home to your parents.

How much do I have to order to stay active? $300 retail. This Stampin’ Up quarter runs April, May June.  So if you sign up this month, you would get your first quarter free of minimums. July, Aug, September is the next quarter so you would have to your $300 in orders by the end of December!  It can be ALL at once, or in smaller orders. With just your own orders or friends adding to it. You can be your own hostess, so with your 20% off as a demonstrator, the 300 goes down to 240.00 but then add back in 10% shipping and then tax. If you are 7% tax like me, then it comes out to around 285.00. BUT as your own hostess, you can get a free hostess set and 25.00 free merch. So it pays off if you are looking for a discount and you are going to spending that much on stamp stuff anyway.

Bonus: This is why some people sign up if they have a huge wish list or want something big like the BIG SHOT: You get 30% (instead of 20%) off your first order over 150.00 if you place it within 45 days of signing up. Be your own hostess + get a big discount = no brainer.

How do I know who to sign up with?

Do you want/need lots of training in stamping techniques or computer help? Do you want to stamp with a group or attend events or meetings?

Then I would recommend that you should find someone local to sign up with. Find a demonstrator who has monthly or quarterly events or training so you can learn all you can and stamp often! Our group here in Orlando meets monthly and we have a great time stamping together. Use the demo locator on the SU website at www.stampinup.com and click on Find a Demonstrator. Look for someone with a website and check out her events. Even if she is an hour away, it is totally worth it so you can learn all you need to.

If you are already a seasoned stamper who doesn’t necessarily need one-on-one training, decent on the computer and is happy to do your own thing, then it isn’t as important to sign up with someone locally. Personally I would sign up with someone who has been doing it for more than a few years, is established and offers some long distance support. I offer a free membership to Stamping School ( my video tutorial website) to my long distance demonstrators. It is a way that I can show them new techniques and projects since I can’t be there to stamp with them as much as I would like to!

Do I have to have classes or workshops?

Some demonstrators do it as a career and support themselves full time with it. It’s a lot of work but it can be done. More than half of the demonstrators in my group do it just for the discount or hobby. There is no requirement to host or teach any classes. Now if you want help with putting in the orders, we call those Bread and Butter customers. Those are the friends or family that you can stamp with each month or every other month so they can order a few things from you. Every little bit helps! And if you are like me, one day you may need extra money and that’s how I started doing it more as a business. When times get tough, sell stamps!

What is in the Demonstrator Only Website?

Gee whiz, there is so much in there that I couldn’t list it all. 5 years of back issues of our Stampin’ Success magazines (which arrive in our mail monthly), projects, templates, articles, some videos, Stamper’s Showcase (3-4 samples uploaded daily from demonstrators who submitted their samples) and Workshop Wizard, which has more projects.

Some people sign up just for the preorders. Maybe this has happened to you: You are on a website and see this awesomely cute card and say “I want that set!” but it’s not available for another month and then you get mad because the demonstrators already have it and are using it? Then you should be a demonstrator and get the upcoming mini catalogs or promotional stuff before anyone else!

Congrats on making it through my longest post ever!

If you have more questions, feel free to call or email me anytime. I’d be happy to steer you to the upline who is right for you to sign up with or sign you up with me to be a part of my group.

How do I sign up? A lot of demonstrators have a DBWS, which is a Demonstrator Business Website.  As demonstrators, we pay 12.95 a month for it and it is wonderful!  Stampin’ Up keeps it updated for us and we can add our own projects, calendar and special touches.   One of the perks is that you can sign up online and get your demonstrator password immediately!  Mine is www.lindaheller.stampinup.net and you can check it out.   Whoever you sign up with, you will need a recruiter password.  (Mine is linda heller for those who are ready to sign up!)

Linda Heller

Maitland, FL

407-767-6971 or toll free 1-866-460-4902

www.lindaheller.stampinup.net

www.stampingschool.com