I'm taking the plunge...

[nicki dahling]

Wish me luck. Tommorrow I am signing up to become a CM
Consultant. ( After bucking it for over a year ) . My cousin is very excited, she has asked me so many times, I'm sure she never thought I would do it. But Marc did well on ebay this week , and offered to front the money. I have the time for it, so why not. I know I will have to create my own CM style so that I won't be bored. But the black and natural pages will really help me with my problem with white backgrounds. I will still probably do other styles in some of my non-demo books. I think if I can find a balance that this will work for me. Plus, I love the products ! I plan to put my earnings in the bank for upcoming trips.

Any CM ladies out their with some tips ? Can use all the help I can get. My cousin has a great upline, so I know I will get good support, but I can always use good consultant tips . It will be a while before I have product available so even cm customers - What makes a good consultant ?

Cyndi

 

[OurDogCisco]

Good Luck! I have no tips to share but wanted to wish you the best.

Tina

 

[Alice28]

YOU GO CYNDI!

You will have a great time with it. And lucky you to get the extra signing bonus this month of the Tanzanite Album and such.

My original goal when I signed last summer was basically to support my habit. I wanted so much of the CM stuff, and my best friend and mom were like, "If you sign, we will help you meet the $350 minimum every 3 months." So, I signed, telling my upline that was my plans. Well, my best friend had several coworkers who were interested and parties started getting booked. Before I knew it I had sold $3,000 worth of stuff without hardly trying.

However, I have now hit a brick wall. The parties have fizzled out, although I have 3 people "interested" and am waiting for them to book a date. I get frustrated at times with it, but I think back to what I originally wanted to do, and yes, I am accomplishing that. I am also accomplishing keeping my customers up on the latest by mailing out the quarterly fliers CM has, showcasing the new products. I make sure I always get back to my customers within 24 hours if they call or email. I try to have basic product in stock- tape runners and refills especially, and also page protectors, pages, the latest stickers, and I have at least 1-2 of each major tool. I need to have about 3 parties to liquidate some of the inventory I have right now so I will feel comfortable with it again (I have A LOT of albums and cutting systems right now!!!). I think by keeping positive about the product, going the extra mile for your customer, and having really fun workshops and crops is what makes a good consultant. And don't be too high pressure! I know that turns me off in a heartbeat. I have several friends who have kids, who stay at home, and who are otherwise quite creative and crafty but just haven't caught the scrappin bug yet. When I signed, I gave them a catalog and let them know the benefits of having a party, and they are always interested in looking at my albums. But that's it- I don't bug them, cause I just know, that eventually, they will want to get those precious pictures that they have spend thousands of dollars on, into an album! And I'm here to help!

Good luck, and although it sounds like you have a fab upline, don't hesitate to ask my any questions either.

 

[Alice28]

I also want to add, don't forget to save all your receipts---everything that now has to do with scrapbooks is your business. Film developing costs, film, paper you buy to print off newsletters, ink for your printer, a percentage of your internet cost (depending upon how much you use to email customers, place orders, look on CMC website for info), cost of food for your workshops, giveaways, shipping costs (unless you charge your customers for it- I don't- I just write it off cause I don't make orders that often)...it's all a tax write off now! Plus the cost of your supplies you use in your albums you share at workshops is a write-off too. This is what really made the push for me to sign up- I get to write off my addiction, I mean hobby, I mean business .