Video Training!

Hello to people seeing this for the first time because of the Bryan on Scouting article. (http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2015/09/02/four-scouts-combined-sell-quarter-million-dollars-scout-popcorn/) 

Thank you for reading my blog. This blog is to help scouts have successful popcorn sales. I started it in 2013 as part of my Communications merit badge.

In case you are interested in a training video, here is a link to the YouTube of the presentation I gave to our Council back in 2012. https://youtu.be/NxNtkwRRLng

Even though it's old, almost everything is still very useful. At the old Central NJ Council YouTube channel, you can also see Donovan and Anderson's presentations. I hope these help you!

Good luck selling!

-- Elian

Set your goal!

Why should you set a goal? On average, kids who set goals sell more than kids who don't set goals. They sell twice as much popcorn! Goals help you work toward something and they help you realize that you are really making progress on your sale.

A goal can be in dollars, like "I want to sell $1,000 of popcorn this year." A goal can be in hours, like "I want to spend 10 hours selling door-to-door and 10 hours at Show & Sells." A goal can be the number of people you ask, like "I want to ask 20 people besides my family to buy popcorn." You can do a goal with practically anything. The only thing that matters is that you feel that it is important to you.

Go set a goal now and good luck selling!

-- Elian

Starting in August - Do it!

Hello everyone! It's August and that means the Fall popcorn season has officially begun!

A lot of boys don't start selling until September and sometimes October, even though the sale usually ends in November (except for online sales). So why should you start in August?

August is a good time to sell. Even though some people will be on vacation, many people will be getting ready for school and will be home. In some places, school starts in August and families are definitely home then. Selling in August means you won't be spending that time in September, so you will have more time to sell then. Also, it gives you a chance to sell to customers before they see scouts at a Show & Sell, since Show & Sells haven't started yet. It is better if someone in your neighborhood or nearby hasn't already bought popcorn when you get to the door.

Selling in August also helps get you into the mood of selling popcorn. It can take a while to get back to your routine and to be comfortable with your sale. The earlier you start, the easier it is.

Good luck selling!

-- Elian

Don't Forget Your Thank-You Notes!

Hello everyone. Elian here with another popcorn tip. I know the blog was quiet last year, but I promise more activity this year!

Today I am going to explain the importance of sending thank-you notes. A thank-you note is  as simple as sending a post-card with some information and signing your name. These let your customers know that you care about them, and ensure their support for the next year.

When customers receive a thank-you note, they get reminded of the boy that sold them popcorn. They think of you and also of how kind you are for sending them something. A thank-you note has a weird effect on people that makes them extremely grateful that you remembered them -- when they are the ones who did something nice by buying popcorn!

Thank you all for reading this blog. I apologize again that I have not posted for a while. I hope that this helps you with your future sale.

Good luck selling!

-- Elian

The Showdown of the Methods, Part 3

Door-to-Door vs. Show & Sell vs. Online.

Now we are going to look at online sales.

Online: Pros:

• You don't have to deliver any popcorn. Trail's End delivers it.
• You usually get a bigger sale.
• People who live far away can support you.

Online: Cons:

• You don't get to see people in person.
• You have to have the phone numbers and emails of the people so you can call or email them to ask them to buy popcorn.
• The prices may be higher than your local sale (they are a LOT higher than ours). and your customers have to pay for shipping.
• This year, Trail's End doesn't tell you in an email if someone bought or what they bought so you have to check your account a lot.

... and that is the Showdown between the methods! Which do you like best? Which works best for you?

Good luck selling!

-- Elian

The Showdown of the Methods, Part 2

Door-to-Door vs. Show & Sell vs. Online. Show & Sell......

Show & Sell: Pros:

• You don't have to walk around.
• You will see people you know whose neighborhoods you might not sell at.
• There are a lot more people to ask.
• You get lots of military donations.

Show & Sell: Cons:

• You don't have to deliver the popcorn, because you hand it to them
• A lot more people say no.
• It takes a lot of time to set up and then pack up at the end.
• Weather can affect you - too hot, too cold, rain, etc. Rain is really bad, because no one walks around.
• The selling isn't always linear - sometimes in one hour the sales will be really bad and in the next they can be great.

 ... the Showdown between the methods will finish with the next post.

Good luck selling!

-- Elian

The Showdown of the Methods, Part 1

Door-to-Door vs. Show & Sell vs. Online. Many people prefer selling by one of these three methods, not the other two. I'm going to list the pros and cons of each method. Do you have any to add? Email me and I will add them to the list!

Door-to-Door: Pros:

• You tend to get better sales.
• Usually you get repeat customers.
• You see friends that you didn't know lived there.
• It is very easy to set up and go.

Door-to-Door: Cons:

• You have to deliver the popcorn (unless you are doing Show & Deliver)
• People aren't always home.
• Weather can affect you - too hot, too cold, rain, etc.
• You have to walk around instead of staying in one place.

Another plus to Door-to-Door sales for me is I like seeing the cats and dogs at people's houses!

... the Showdown between the methods will continue with the next post.

Good luck selling!

-- Elian