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

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