Stampy Wackers TOO Up!date March 2006

Hello!

Mid-March, Spring begins Monday.  I am so ready to enjoy the sun again!  Green Galore is my color of choice for Spring, so bright and cheery!  Start booking your workshops for April now.  Show your customers how much fun it is to make your own background paper with the background stamps that will be on sale the month of April.  Pick a Monogram stamp (also included in the background sale) and celebrate who you are!  C- Carla, Creative, Crafty, Cheerful, Clever, Casual.  Monogram stamps, two stamps in one.  Have you heard of this one?  You receive your letter and the stencil of your letter too!  Ask me how.

***  Stampy Wackers TOO Yahoo Group

***  Business Quick Tips

***  Stampin' Chat, Stampin' Time, Demonstrator Dinner and Training

***  Group News - New Group Members,  Stampin' Up! birthdays, Successful Sales


***  STAMPY WACKERS TOO YAHOO GROUP  ***
If you haven't already, join us on the Stampy Wackers TOO Yahoo Group.  Share ideas, ask questions, and Toot Your Horn on Tuesday!  Stampy Wackers TOO Yahoo Groups <http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/StampyWackersTOO/>

If you have not yet joined our Stampy Wackers TOO Yahoo Group, you can join here:
Click to join StampyWackersTOO <http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/StampyWackersTOO/join>


***  BUSINESS QUICK TIPS  ***

Information courtesy of Belinda Ellsworth at The Success Express.

One of the largest factors in the success of your business is exposure. You want to let as many people as possible know about your products, your company and what it is you do.   Here are some tips to help you get your business in front of as many people as possible this month, so that you will keep your momentum strong and your excitement high as you work into Spring:

Spring Fairs - Contact your local civic and commerce departments and find out what types of community events are being planned, i.e., business and trade shows, job fairs and/or women's career expos, so your name can be put on the list as a vendor. Watch the newspapers to find out about local opportunities, i.e., church bazaars or spring fairs. These events provide great exposure for you and your business. Just a few hours behind the booth at a trade show or expo can lead to huge growth in your business. If you can't afford a booth, attend the fair anyway, with business cards in hand, and visit each booth to personally introduce yourself to other business owners.

Networking Events - These events are all about making business connections, so practice your 30-second commercial, stock up on business cards and flyers, and get ready to meet lots of new people. They can be sponsored by your local Chamber of Commerce or Small Business Association, and are a great source of booking and recruiting leads for you. When networking, remember to spend only a short time with each person you meet (1 to 3 minutes), depending on the level of interest. Share what you do, but always get information from them. Then make notes on the back of their business card for future follow up. Watch the listings in your newspaper, or listen to your local radio station for upcoming events.

Business Mixers - While there are many different venues and formats for this type of event, they are all excellent ways to get yourself out there and meet people. Typically, these events are informal after-work mixers, with as many as 100 attendees. Contact the host organization ahead of time to inquire about their visitors' policy or new member orientation. As above, bring your business cards (there is usually a drawing); and flyers/brochures to put out in designated areas. The latest, greatest concept in "mixing" is called speed networking. This is where people move from lead to lead every 30-60 seconds, and take turns sharing about their businesses.

Get out and meet your neighbors. Have a "mystery hostess" party in your home to introduce your business. Or, make and personally deliver small "get-acquainted" gifts for your neighbors, using products from your line, with a flyer or brochure letting them know about your business. Introduce yourself with a friendly smile and a handshake -- they will appreciate your thoughtfulness!

If you have young children, join some type of mothers' play group in your area. This will help you meet other moms with toddlers to introduce your business. Staying home with your children can take its toll on the family budget, so these moms may be looking for another source of income. Let them know that you would love to do a show for them -- and take it from there!

Press releases in local papers - Many direct sales companies have pre-written press releases, and all you have to do is plug in your name and contact information. If you've recently earned a promotion or company trip, this is an excellent time to submit it to the business or lifestyle editor of your local paper. Many newspapers feature news about local business people, and this is a great venue to get exposure. Think of aspects of your business that are newsworthy, i.e., charitable contributions, recent research or new product development, upcoming hostess opportunity event, etc.

Registration boxes in local establishments - This is an excellent way to generate new leads. Contact the business owners you do business with, and ask if you can leave brochures and a booking/registration box on their counter. Use terminology such as, "Register for a free facial," or "Free Jewelry -- Ask me how!" Clothing boutiques, bridal salons, health food stores, dry cleaners, etc., are all excellent places to drop off your lead boxes.



Remember to check my Simply Stampin' webpage for more training opportunities to grow your business.  Included are:  Business Builders (including Hostess Coaching, Customer Care Calls, Your Openning Statement, Goal Setting, Your 30 Second Commercial, Dressed for Success), New Demonstrator Dinner and Training, Stampin' Time, Stampin' Chat, and Manager's Share.  Check out these awesome Training Opportunities.

Also, you can go onto the SU! website under My Business > My Business Resources > Stampin' Up! Publications > Stampin' Success and view all past Stampin' Success newsletters with all their wonderful samples and business tips.  Take a moment to peruse these valuable tools.


***  STAMPIN' CHAT, STAMPIN' TIME, DEMONSTRATOR DINNER AND TRAINING  ***
Three opportunities for training each month.
- Stampin' Chat -
The next on-line Stampin' Chat will be Monday,  Monday, March 27, 9pm PST.  Join our group of demonstrators for an on-line discussion.  I will open the chat at 8:45p so we can get the "hello/how ya doin'" out of the way and begin topic discussion at 9pm.  Topic discussion will run until 10pm then anyone can hang around and socialize in the chat room as long as you like.  Go to my webpage for directions to join the chat, Stampy Wackers TOO, On-Line Meeting.  For those of you on the other side of the world, if this time does not work for you but you would like to chat, let me know and we can set up another date/time.

- Stampin' Time -
Next month's Stampin' Time will be Wednesday, April 12, 10a-1p.  Even if you are long distance, you can still participate by sending swaps.  Ask if you need more details.  The following Stampin' Time Saturday, May 20, 10a-1p.

- Demonstrator Dinner and Training -
Saturday April 8, 5-7pm, my home.  Please RSVP by Thursday, April 6 for dinner. Bring your questions, I'll supply dinner and answers. This training is once per month on SOS (Stamp or Scrap) Night. Stay after for some stampin' and scrappin' time at SOS Night, 7-11p.

 
***  GROUP NEWS  ***
***  Welcome to the newest Stampy Wackers TOO members who joined our group in February:
Rebecca Bell (CA)
Marjorie Barnes (FL)
Michele Mendel (WA)

***  Happy Stampin' Up! birthday to:  (current month) 
Jennifer Greania (VA) 3 years
Stacie Meredith (CA)  1 year
Kimberly Sidie (CA) 1 year

***  Successful Sales in February:
One of the wonderful aspects of having a Stampin' Up! business is that you can determine your own level of success.   Each of us has our own measure of success, depending on where we want to go with our business.  Let us celebrate each others Successful Sales in February:

Over $1000
Catherine Bowers (CA)

Over $600
Valerie Rochester (CA)
Colleen Bowen (Germany)
Jennifer Greania (VA)
Stacie Meredith (CA)

Over $300
Linda Hoven (NE)
Rebekah Craig
Shari Connolly (WA)
Sherri Cockrell (CA)
Jana Smith (TX)

Over $150
Heather Dixon
Michele McFadden
Carrie Smith
Peggy Beahm (CA)
Crystal Knoth (CA)
Brenda Chastain (CA)
Debbie McMurrick (OR)
Christine Post (Germany)
Peggy Legg (CA)

Any questions, comments, concerns, please do not hesitate to call or e-me.  Check my webpage for ideas and inspiration.

Simply Stampin',
Carla Murphy
707/448-1539
carlam@mac.com

Webpage:
http://www.simplystampin.com
username - stampinup
password - demonstrator