I am going to bite the bullet

[LisaB]

I have made a decision and I am going to become a consultant with Creative Memories. I really like their products especailly the cutting system and the albums. Any suggestions would be really helpful Lisa

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

I'm like you. . .I love their products and albums! I use other stuff--mostly Disney stuff I pick up at HL or other places, but CM's albums are my favorite! I'm not a consultant--there are a lot in our area, so it's fairly saturated. I wish you the best of luck with yours! I'm sure you'll be AWESOME!

 

[Juliegirl1]

Good luck! Just a few words of advice I wish I had received when I started out. Don't carry a huge inventory. In fact, I would only keep blank pages and tape runners in an ongoing inventory if at all possible. When I started about six years ago (I'm deactivated now) they sold stickers in 12 packs and individual die cuts. I probably have an inventory of old stickers/diecuts worth about $600-800. If you are the kind of person who wants everything, sign up for auto-ship. That way you get all the new products without having to actually place an order and you can always cancel it for a month if you don't want those items. Find a Yahoo CM group like CMC-Share and also see if you can find out how to access the "Forest" - it's a network of CMC's that share ideas online via email but it's not a yahoo group. I'm no longer on it but it was very helpful. Also sometimes there are local Yahoo groups where you can trade with other people if you need an item right away but don't have it in stock. If you have any questions please ask your upline - that's what she is there for! She is supposed to train you and keep you on track. Once again, don't go into debt over this!!! Have a great time - I loved selling Creative Memories - you will meet lots of people and make a lot of new friends!

 

[Lisa]

Welcome to CM, Lisa. If I can help you in any way, please let me know.

Do you live close to Johnson & Wales? I used to stay at the hotel often on business.

 

[mantaz]

Welcome to CM! I have enjoyed for the past year that I have been doing it. It has also motivated me to work on my albums more. The "forest" is great for ideas. PM me and I will give you the website for that. I wish you the best of luck!

 

[LisaB]

I DID IT!!!! I signed up tonight and have 30 days to make my 800 goal for the first month. I WANT IT ALL!!!!! I went to the bank and the manager said that she would give out my business cards to customers and even a place to showcase my work. I am so excited

 

[MazdaUK]

You have a great bank manager! I don't carry any inventory (only stuff that's surplus, like if it comes as a 6-pack) as I don't really do classes, just have a few friends over twice a month. If they order enough to cover my postage I'm happy - and so's DH as he thinks the whole boll is their stuff

 

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

Good luck! I have a friend that is a CM consultant and she loves it. Do they have Disney scrapbooking supplies?

 

[mantaz]

Yes, they have kits, albums and tools that are all disney. I think you need a current catalog and get caught up on the new stuff! But don't blame me if you buy anything!

 

[LisaB]

Do any of you do your own crops????

 

[mantaz]

I just got my house set up to do crops. My first one I invited 3 people and they all came! We had fun so now I plan on doing it every month that I am not doing a unit crop at the church. I haven't done any get togethers as I haven't run across new people really wanting to learn to scrapbook yet. But I am thinking about doing an open house soon so that my neighborhood knows I am doing CM.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I sell Usborne Children's Books rather than CM, but some of the same advice goes for all home party businesses. Here's what people have told me so far. -

Look for craft fairs or that sort of thing. You can set up a table to sell stuff and, most people say more importantly, make contacts for parties.

"Donate" extra catalogs to your doctor's and dentist's office magazine racks (ask the secretary first.) Make sure to stick in several copies of your contact information or web site.

Offer specialty parties - in your case, maybe geared to teens, grandparents, etc.

Best of luck with your new business!

 

[MazdaUK]

I have a crop/class once a fortnight for all three of my customers Attendance varies between 2 (including me!) and 4 (ditto!). I mainly show them the latest special offers and my latest pages, but occasionally will do a crop talk if I think they will buy stuff on the back of it. I tend to buy the "free" gifts (the ones where you get 12 in a pack) because I want to use them myself, and then if someone does buy something I slip one into their bag or give them one with their order form.

I am doing a massive class for my son's Beavers - 24 boys aged 6-8! - as part of "100 years of scouting" and I will put together a special offer pack, plus say if the parents book a class I'll donate to the scout group.

But I mostly do it to get stuff for me at a discount

 

[LuvMV50]

Congratulations and good luck!! I am sure you will be a wonderful consultant!!

 

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

Another idea, for what it's worth, is to leave catalogs at Curves, if there is one in your area. I work out there, and since it is just for women (and I'm pretty sure the majority of scrapbookers are women) it would seem like a good place to leave catalogs or to advertise a crop. There are always Pampered Chef, Avon, Mary Kay, etc. catalogs at my Curves.

 

[Lisa]

I do an all monthly crop, second Saturday of the month. I provide beverages, snacks, lunch, and usually a little goodie bag.

I usually have a core group of people attending every month, attendance ranges from eight to fifteen people.

 

[MazdaUK]

Do you hire a hall for that, or do you have a big house? I don't charge for my crops but I would have to if I had enough people to hire a hall.

 

[Lisa]

I rent a large room at a Senior Housing facility. I charge only enough to cover the rent of the room and for food.

I could only accomodate a group of about six at my house. Believe me, I would love to hold my monthly crops at my home, because then I wouldn't have to lug all my inventory out. I've held a few Get Togethers at my house for hostesses who don't have the room, and don't want a group at their house. Actually for the reason stated above, I prefer to hold GTs at my house.