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

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

What does the money go to?

Sometimes people proclaim, "Wow, that's expensive popcorn!" But say that 70% is tax-deductible and it's a very good fundraiser.

The money helps to pay for everything we do.  It helps pay for equipment like Pinewood Derby timers, tents and cooking utensils for camping, and games.  It also helps cover campout costs, cost of renting space, any food you are having at an event, and transportation if needed.  The prizes, awards and badges that the boys earn add up quickly as expenses, too.

For both cub scouts and boys scouts, popcorn sales can help pay for out-of-pocket costs for scouts who can't afford them.

Good luck selling!

-- Elian

Show & Sells: Be Polite!

I learned a good lesson about selling at one of my very first show & sells. Some older scouts were there and were calling out (really shouting), "SUPPORT THE TROOPS!!  BUY POPCORN!!!" like they were vendors at a carnival or street fair.  People walked out of their way to avoid us and in three hours we had almost no sales and almost no donations.  The next day, I was with one other scout. We both asked people nicely and politely if they would like to support scouting by buying popcorn.  In less than half the amount of time, we sold more than DOUBLE the amount of popcorn and had DOUBLE the donations, too. People wanted to buy from us!

So be nice and be polite!

Good luck selling!

-- Elian

Show & Sells: Looking Good Enough to Eat!

I spent some time yesterday with some cub scouts helping them sell at a Show & Sell.

Asking is the first way to get a sale. Once they are interested, they come to your table. Explain to them about what foods the products are like.  For example, if they like cheese, they will like a cheese flavor. If they like buffalo chicken, the Buffalo Cheddar is great. If they like chocolate, go for the Dark & White Chocolatey Drizzle. If they like nuts, then choose the Caramel Corn with Almonds and Pecans. And so on.

You want to display your product in a way that looks amazing. I take a lot of pride in my display and create one that basically entrances the customers.  They look around and say "Oh, that's interesting. That looks good." I always have my products arranged symmetrically, with the  bags in the front, tins on top and microwavable boxes in the middle.  We use the gift boxes to make different heights, too.

People should see what you offer. It should be full but not over crowded. It doesn't have to be the same every time.

Good luck selling!

-- Elian

Show & Sells: The Basics

Our Show & Sell season just started and last weekend I did over 15 hours of Show & Sells. Many scouts are starting their Show & Sells, too.  I find that about one in every 7 to 10 people will make a donation or buy popcorn.  But sometimes you might go 30 people and not get a single thing.  That's okay - it does happen sometimes.  But at the end of those 30 people you usually get three sales simultaneously for $20 each.  So it really is one in every 7 to 10 people.

Always try to go when it's busier and not that hot out. Remember to be prepared. You will need a table (my mom says always have a tablecloth), change, credit card machine if you use that and some water (or you can buy it there if they sell it). Do not drink sugary drinks because they will attract bees if you are outside.  Plus, they don't give you lasting energy.  They just give you a small boost. And when you sell, you are usually going to be there at least an hour, so you need that energy.

And you should always wear your full Class A Uniform, which I wrote about before.

Good luck selling!

-- Elian

Keep the Game Speed at 1

Never rush a sale. Take your time.  If you're going too fast, they might feel that they are intruding on your time. They might have wanted to buy more, except they won't because they think it will take too much time. If a customer is wasting lots of time (20 minutes with a small sale), you can say you need to keep on moving because you have to stop at a certain time. But don't be rude!

Some people have children who they might want to get into scouting. It's always great to get more kids into scouting.  So if they ask questions about scouting, answer them.   If they have questions that you don't know the answer to, say you don't know. Don't be embarrassed -- ask your parent to answer them.

Good luck selling!

-- Elian

First Impressions Only Happen Once

If you make a good first impression the chance of a sale goes up.  And if you make a bad first impression, the chance of a sale goes down.

When someone answers the door, stand up straight and smile. Say your name and if you live down the street or are a friend of someone who lives there. This is important because then they know more about who you are. They are more likely to buy from someone they know than a complete stranger.  By giving them information about yourself, they are starting to know you.

Here is what I say after someone opens the door. "Hello, my name is Elian R. (I live down the street/ I am a friend of so-and-so....)  I am a boy scout with Troop 43 in Princeton and I'm selling popcorn to help raise money for our local scouts. (Last year, you bought....)  I was wondering if you would be interested in buying popcorn (again) to help support our local scouts." 

(Here is a version for people who bought popcorn last year: " Hello, my name is Elian R. (I live.... or I am a friend of so-and-so/I live ...)  I am a boy scout with Troop 43 in Princeton and I'm selling popcorn again this year to help raise money for our local scouts. Last year, you bought....  I was wondering if you would be interested in buying popcorn again to help support our local scouts.")

Good luck selling!

-- Elian

The Prizes Are Very Cool -- But Not to Adults

We all know that a tiny bit of why we like to sell is prizes. It's a great incentive.  But customers want to feel like they're supporting scouts; they don't' want to feel like they are supporting  your toys.

Never mention the prizes when you're selling, even though they're really cool.  If you mention the prizes, people will think, "Oh, you're not selling to support the scouts, you're selling for the prizes." That's not what you want.

Sometimes the prizes are on the back of the form. (I've suggested they don't do this in the future). If this happens, a good idea is to tape a piece of construction paper on the back, so the prizes are hidden.  Before my Mom and I did that, people would flip the form over to see if there were more popcorn choices, stare a little and actually take a good look at the prizes before turning it back.  I believe this impacts sales and decreases them.

Good luck selling!

-- Elian

When to sell door-to-door

Before school starts, maximize your time door-to-door because homework is tough, especially in middle school and high school. Try to go for at least one hour every day, except you should give yourself one day off. On the weekends, go for two hours. It's good because you won't get too tired.  If you do one thing for too long, you get bored and you don't do it as well.

On weekdays, time it so that you will finish no later than 8:30.  Most people are home at around 6:00, after work.  On the weekends, it depends.  In the summer or if it is a holiday weekend, people sometimes have trips, so go Sunday evening.  During the school year, anytime on the weekend is good.  I prefer mid-day and afternoon.

Good luck selling!

-- Elian

Looking Sharp

A "Class A" uniform consists of a shirt (with the right patches), neckerchief, slider, scout pants and belt, and a hat if you are a cub scout or if your troop has one if you are a boy scout. Some Packs and Troops don't require scout pants, but I recommend you wear them for walking around anyway. Then you will look like a scout. When you are selling popcorn for scouts, if you don't look like a scout, people will wonder why you are selling for scouts. If they know what a boy scout or cub scout dresses like, their opinion of you will be lowered if you don't dress properly.

Also, comb your hair, make sure your face and teeth are clean and that your uniform isn't dirty. Remember, a scout is clean.

So wear your Class A Uniform and look sharp so you can sell that popcorn.

Good luck selling!

-- Elian

Be Prepared!

There are a few things you need to bring when you go out selling.  You need your order sheet that has the popcorn items and has enough slots open for sales.  Make sure that it looks clean.  Get another sheet from your Pack or Troop if you need it.  Bring a couple of pens in case you lose one or it stops working.  You need some change so you can make change for customers who need you to.  You should have the change in an envelope that is clearly marked for scout sales. If you are going to take credit cards, you have to bring a device that can read credit cards. We use an Android with a Square, but you can also use an iPhone or iPad and PayPal has a reader, too.

It is good to bring a beverage to refresh you if you need a refreshment.  You can get hot and really thirsty walking around, especially in August and September. 

And always bring your Mom or Dad or another scout.

Good luck selling!

-- Elian

Set a goal

Hello popcorn sellers!

Set a good goal that will help you sell. The goal helps you because when you really want something, you will work to get it.  It’s like when you are traveling: When you know where you are going, you’ll get there a lot faster.

How do you set a goal? You can use the prizes to help you - set your dollar goal to earn the prize you want.  You can also think about how much time you want to spend selling.  You could have a goal of time put in, not money made.  You could have a goal of number of sales or number of people you ask.

I like to set really big dollar goals that make me work really hard.  My first goal was to earn the college scholarship to pay my parents back for all they had given me.  My Mom thought “How is he going to do this?” But the goal helped me keep going.

Don’t forget – when you set a goal, it means that once you get to that goal, you can be done.  Or you can keep going!

Good luck selling!

-- Elian