After months of encouragement from my blogging friends, I finally decided to join the blogging nation. You may have seen my FaceBook or My Space entries or even followed me on Twitter (never really got that) or perhaps you weren't interested in being a friend to all my other friends so you can take a peek into my life in a more simplified manner via this blog.
If you are visiting this blog voluntarily without being a member of my family or those close friends who are obliged to visit here frequently, bless you and I hope you find something of interest here from time to time.
I have been a devoted stamper for about 10 years now, but I've been a demonstrator for Stampin' Up! for 5 wonderful years. I can't imagine my life without stamping. I want to use this blog to share some of my projects with you. Today, I was working on some cute little boxes for Halloween treats. I love ribbon and you will be hard-pressed to find a project without some ribbon tied to it somewhere. I also like subtle details that really give a project some punch, such as the cute little brads I made using Stampin' Up!'s Build-A-Brad and the new Designer Series Paper, "Cast A Spell".
If you would like to know more about Stampin' Up! and all the fun you can have as a hostess, demonstrator or just a stamper, click here to learn more.
I am frequently asked about what it takes to "be a demonstrator" and what that all means, so I wanted to share some answers to common questions here.
What are the benefits of becoming a demonstrator?Besides the incredible savings on the stamps in the Starter Kit, you will also receive a full color magazine from Stampin' Up! each month. It includes MANY different stamping and business ideas. Don't forget out exclusive Home Decor and the New! My Digital Studio.You will also have access to the demonstrator section of the Stampin' Up! website. There is a LOT of information on the website, including information on getting bookings and workshop advice, recruiting, stamping techniques, business ideas, newsletter archives, monthly special flyers, and checklists and tracking forms for keeping your business organized.One of my favorite things on the website is the Stamper's Showcase, where new samples are posted every day. You can even search by stamp set or keyword to help you find ideas with the stamps and supplies you already have.
Do you get free stamps? Yes! The company has different promotions throughout the year where we can earn free stamps—even hostess sets!And you can earn "Great Rewards" based on your quarterly sales. Great Rewards items include catalog merchandise as well as clothing, cameras, jewelry, and more!
What kind of training do you get?You decide how much training you want. I am available for one-on-one training and am always just a phone call or email away. Stampin’ Up! holds an annual convention every year in Salt Lake City and one-day regional seminars throughout the year across the country. These events are great training for every level of demonstrator. Also new to the Stampin' Up! website you will find some fabulous Webinars that are chock full of helpful information to help you build your business. Of course, the most important part of becoming a demonstrator, is that you will be part of an amazing team of Ink Flamingos!
How much do you make? What is your discount? Your commission is based on how much you sell (or purchase for yourself). You automatically get 20% off of every order you place—instantly! You then get a rebate commission every month depending on how much your sales were for the month, ranging 4-20%. You can also earn commission on your downline’s sales. (Your downline is anyone you recruit, and the people they recruit.)New demonstrators can receive a 30% discount/instant income (instead of the normal 20%) on their first order of $150 if it’s placed within the first 45 days of their start date.How much do you have to sell?The minimum is $300 per calendar quarter. Your own purchases count towards your minimums. Plus, you can be your own hostess and earn the hostess benefits yourself. The company average for a workshop is $308, so you can meet the sales requirement by doing just one workshop per quarter – or by placing orders for yourself and your friends.The first quarter that you join you do not have to meet any minimums. So if you sign up in July, August or September, you would not have to meet the minimum requirement until the October-November-December quarter, for example, and any orders you place from your start date til the end of December would count towards your quota.
Are there any penalties for dropping out? No! If you decide being a demonstrator is not for you, simply do nothing. You will automatically go inactive when you no longer meet the minimum requirements. In the meantime, you can still enjoy all of the benefits shown above, plus you would have gotten your stamps from the Starter Kit at an incredible discount! Sound like being a Stampin Up! demonstrator might be for you?? Contact me for more information or to get started! I would love to have you join my team!!!!
In closing today, I hope you enjoyed the projects and learned more about becoming a demonstrator. Thanks to Jill H. for sharing her thoughts on the subject.
Creatively Yours,
Sandy Nicotra
Your Stampin' Up! Demonstrator
