CRAFTDOC

I’ve been a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator for 18 years and just earned my first Incentive Trip.  A question I heard often was – what was different for you this year?  I’ll share a few tips later in this post, but first some highlights of my trip.

Disclaimer:  Trips are earned by less than 1% of demonstrators and are not typical.

1.It’s a trip for 2, so I got to share this amazing trip to Thailand with my husband.  We had a nice mix of time together with other demonstrators in planned activities, and time on our own.

2. I was honored to be welcomed by the Stampin’ Up! corporate team, board members, staff  wherever I went.  We were invited to have dinner with the company president – Rich Jutkins at an amazing restaurant overlooking the bay.  I participated in a water aerobics class at the pool with the CEO Sara Douglass and her husband.  One evening we were eating dinner in the same restaurant as co-founder and board president Shelli Gardner and she got up and chatted with us and people at several other tables.  Everyone involved in this company is so nice and truly caring.

3.I got to hang out with old friends and make new ones from all over the world.  Stampin’ Up! has demonstrators in Canada, UK, Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Australia, New Zealand and most recently Japan.

4. I received lots of fun gifts – pillow gifts every night, gifts at the opening session, at the final event and everyday in the hospitality room along with yummy snacks.

5. I got to see amazing sights…

6. And eat yummy Thai food.

7.  I got to see new products from the upcoming Holiday Catalog and swap cards with top demonstrators in the company.

This was an amazing trip – thank you Stampin’ Up! and to my customers and downline for making it possible.

I promised some tips – based on how I earned the trip this year.

1.First you need to sign up to become a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator.  Even if you just want to do it as a hobby like I did 18 years ago, start now.  There’s no obligation – just flexibility.  But if you do want to earn the trip it will take commitment and time to build a business.

2. Be consistent.  You will hear this over and over.  I have had a stamp club and monthly class for years and years on the third Tuesday of every month.  Encourage people to bring friends.

3. Slowly build your business.  I try to add an addition event each month – scrapbooking crops, product based classes and more.  I listen to business webinars and network with other demonstrators.

4.Plan ahead.  Have events 3- 6 months out posted on your Demonstrator Business Website calendar.

5. Keep an online presence.  Blog, pin and post on a Facebook business page.  Again, be consistent.  And support your new friends from all over the country with good customer service.

6.  Track your numbers.  Know what it takes to earn the trip and target each area of your business to be sure you are maximizing your points.  Break it down into monthly goals.

7. Develop your team,  encouraging them to keep active and  make and meet their own goals.  You earn points when they qualify (meet their quota 3 times) and when they promote.

8.  Do what you love.  Everyone has different gifts and talents.  People will respond when you do what you are good at.  Your passion will shine.  But stretch out of your comfort zone and try new things too.

9. Share what you love.  Be sure the people around you know what you do and that you want to help them develop their own God-given creativity.

10. Be a servant.  As an introvert, sometimes being a business owner is hard, but I try to make my mission to serve others.  This is the most rewarding part of my job and the part that is the the most meaningful and lasting.

The next incentive trips will be a cruise to Alaska in 2018 and a cruise of the Greek Isles in 2019.  I’ll be trying to earn these trips as well.  Thank you for your support!

Kim Wilson