Big Events

I'm working on a post for doing larger events.  I need to add more details, but for right now I'm just posting pictures of what our booth looked like at a large bridal fair.  We made a few changes on the second day which aren't pictured here.  more to come later.

Let Paparazzi Know Where You Have Been!

Often times, the Paparazzi Main Office will get a call from a customer asking for the contact information of a Consultant who was at a particular event/expo. Sometimes, they are able to track down the correct Consultant most of the time, but as Paparazzi grows this is becoming increasingly difficult to do.
In order to continue to offer great customer service, Paparazzi devised a system that will allow you, the Consultant, to let corporate office know where and when you will be showcasing Paparazzi at a large event.
All you need to do is send an email to yourshow@paparazziaccessories.com. Please make sure your email includes: your name, Consultant ID number, the location (city and state) of the event, as well as, the name and dates the event. This is not for home parties or open house parties, just for the larger expo events you participate in. I would even include small town fairs and boutiques (just not home parties).
This will be a very useful tool for you and your Paparazzi business.

Also, if you advertise on blogs, websites, online or anywhere, let Paparazzi know (at that same email) what the name of the sites you advertise on - even if it is your own!  You want people who see your ad to join with you - not some other consultant who didn't do the work! 

Happy Recruiting!

Basket Parties

Basket Parties are the bomb!  Take a basket with you wherever you go.  Call on offices, schools, banks, production plants, retirement centers, gyms, hospitals or anywhere else you can think of.   Let party hostesses take them to work.   Let friends take them to family dinners or get togethers.   Ask customers to share this jewelry with their co-workers at check-out.  Just get the jewelry out and about for everyone to see.

Working women (and men) are the perfect people to sell to - while they are a work.
1.  They have more money.
2.  They probably need to look professional or nice for their job.
3.  They have less time to go shopping at malls and stores.
4.  They make great basket parties hostesses!

What does a basket party look like?
Anyway you want it to.

 This is my upline's.  She has a large fabric bag and has Paparazzi embroidered on it.  She puts a ton of jewelry in it.

 This is one of mine.  I fit it in a round hat box.  It has a lid.  I broke it down so you can see what is inside of it.

When I have a lot of basket parties out at once, I have even put them in Paparazzi boxes.   Nothing fancy, but it gets the job done.

What goes in a basket party? 
This is what I normally put in.  (It varies based on how many people are going to be at the work place/party.
I normally put about 100 pieces.  Basket parties are great for smaller inventories.  They never know that you don't have 1000 pieces at home.   They just are excited about $5 jewelry.

-50-60 necklaces.   Lots of best sellers and neutrals.   At least one of each color that is NOT neutral.
-10-15 pairs of earrings   ( Mostly neutrals with a little color added.)
-10 bracelets
-10 rings
-10 clips
-10 headbands
*Starlet Shimmers (optional)  - ask your hostess.

You notice on my basket parties that I keep all the headbands, clips, bracelets, and earrings in their own separate bags for easy locating, keeping things organized and not getting as tangled and broken.  I keep the rings in the ring boxes.

I also put a mirror, my business card, drawing slips, Top 10 reasons to become a Paparazzi consultant, a money bag with 1 $5, 5 $1 and $2.50 in quarters, and an inventory sheet that tells the hostess how many pieces of each are in the basket. 

On that paper, I also have the price and "Make checks payable to: Michelle Johnnie."  I also tell the hostess if she gets anyone to host a party from that basket party, I will give her a free piece of jewelry - that gives her incentive to talk to her co-workers about hosting parties.  

I recommend leaving a basket at a place for at least 2 days.    If people don't have money, time to shop or aren't taking a break one day, they can look at it the next.

If you would like a copy of the inventory sheet or tracking sheet I have, please email me at jewelryforfive@gmail.com

Why are we charged tax if we are buying product wholesale?

"As a rule of party plan companies, sales tax is precollected on the retail price. It is based on the tax rate of the shipping zip code. When you sell the item you charge tax and keep it as a reimbursement to yourself because the tax was precollected and submitted to the state by Paparazzi corporate when the product was originally purchased." - Corporate Facebook Page

I thought this was a very brief, but complete description of the taxes associated with checkout.  Even though the jewelry only costs us $2.75 at check-out, each item is taxed on $5 because that is what we are supposed to sell it for!  SO you do not need to worry about sending in sales tax money to the govt because Paparazzi takes care of that, but you do need to charge it (thus why most consultants do $5.50) or the taxes will be coming out of your commission.

Wholesale Distributors (Retail Sites)

As you know, retail stores can carry Paparazzi Accessories.   AND why wouldn't they want to?   Having this jewelry could:
1. Increase sales throughout the store
2.  Bring in new customers
3.  Make money off Paparazzi sales
4.  Have the option of doing parties and making a downline
5.  Increase word-of-mouth advertising with customers

What would make a good retail site for Paparazzi?
1.  Salons
2.  Boutiques
3.  Craft stores
4.  Gift shops
5.  Anywhere women frequent it
6.  Beauty supply store
7.  Clothing stores
8.  Bookstores
9.  Athletic/workout gyms
10.   ANYWHERE  (there is a framing/art store in my downline and they sell a bit!)

When approaching a retail center, there are a few ways to do it.
1. Call and make an appointment with the buyer, manager or owner.
2.  Wear your accessories in and strike up a conversation with one of the above people. If you try either of these ideas, have a basket of jewelry with you to show them.
3.  When you are asking where women work at parties and you find out one of your customer has one of the above positions, talk about them carrying Paparazzi in their store.

When you are talking with the person in charge, use the term "WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTOR."   Ask them if they would like to become a distributor - not an "independent consultant."   It just sounds better for a business owner to be a wholesale distributor.  Let them know every piece of jewelry only costs $2.75.   They can sell it for $5 OR MORE.   Explain that they will probably sell more volume if they sell it a lower price, but will make more profit per item if they sell higher.  They can choose at what price to sell it.  After they decide they want to do it or as you are talking about the benefits of carrying Paparazzi in their store, you can mention home parties, basket parties, and the other stuff we do as consultants.

If by some chance, they do not want to become a consultant and pick their own jewelry and order and stock by themselves, you can ask if they would allow you to put it in their store.  Most likely they will want a percentage of sales.   They best way (in my opinion) is to have them join themselves and take care of it by themselves.  You will still get commission from them without the headache of checking up on it often.

Leave a comment if you have other ideas or advice on retail outlets and distributors.

Teacher's Lounge Set-up!!!!

 There are so many places you can display your jewelry if you just ASK!!!!  This is my display in a teachers' workroom.  I asked the administrator if I could set up for a few days to provide the teachers with reasonably priced jewelry and accessories.  She said, "Yes."  Just ASK!!!! 

I brought my whole headband and clip display.  Of course, I don't have every item I own on it, but I did provide a good variety. I only brought 3 boxes of rings, a few starlit shimmers, earrings, bracelets and necklaces.  I broke my rule of one necklace per hook because of lack of space and not being able to restock every time someone bought something.  I vertically lined up earrings, bracelets and necklaces in corresponding colors.  It looks very nice and is a great upselling technique! 

This diplay is 36" tall and about 8 feet wide.  Just ask the Home Depot or Lowe's guy to cut a 4x8 pegboard for you.   One cut at 3 feet or 36" (so it becomes a 3x8) and then 4 cuts on the 3 foot section.   2 cuts should be 6 inches and 2 cuts 3 1/2 feet or 40 inches.   Then you can either use hinges to hinge them together or ribbon.   This is what it looks like when it is all folded up and ready to carry to my parties!  If you want it to fit on a 6-foot table, have one foot cut off so it is 3x7.  Make the longer 2 cuts 3 feet long.  If you need more info about how to make these, email me.

Here is my 5yr-old daughter modeling it in her Barbie pajamas.  I carry it by a handle.  This actual case does not have jewelry in it.  It can be heavy, but it is worth it!!!!!

Invitations and Postcard Invitations

When I book a party with someone, I always tell them I have two options for invitations.   I can send them one via email that has some good information they can print out and photocopy to hand out to friends, I can photocopy that kind for them OR I can give them the postcard kind from the company.    I love it when they say, "Oh just send it to my email and I will do the rest!!!!"  Yeah!!!!  If they say they want the postcards, ask how many and do the following.

If you are using the postcard invitations with your hostesses, I suggest doing two things.  The first is to write somewhere on the invite that everything is only $5!!!! 

I first was introduced to Paparazzi by being invited to a party.  An invitation was handed to me in passing.  It said nothing about everything being $5 and the hostess didn't say anything to me about the price.  I actually don't wear much jewelry and since most parties are expensive, I didn't go.  Had I known the price, I would have attended and bought something and probably joined the company a few weeks earlier.

I used to print two "ALL Items $5" on one label and cut it in half.  I would put one $5 label on the back of each invite by the hostess info.  That way anyone who looked at it knew the price.   You can get a stamp also if you would rather do that.  Just make sure you get the fast drying ink!!!!

The other suggestion I have is to print out the info for the party (hostess' name, date, time, phone number and address) on a label so the hostess doesn't have to spend an hour or two writing it out by hand.  It is a PAIN and I was to make it as painless as possible for my hostess.  If I do, she is more likely to hand out more invites and talk to more people.   If she gets tired and annoyed, she is less likely to write out and hand out as many invites as if she just peels and sticks it on.  This may cost $.50 to $1.00 more per party, but if this makes it so the hostess invites more, it only takes one extra item bought to cover the price.  It is well worth it.  If you need me to explain how to print on a label, please call me at 435-610-1609 and I would be happy to walk you through it.

Additionally, I send two different invites via email to my hostesses.  I tell them they can print either of these out for reminders, post on office bulletin boards, post to facebook or send in emails.   Some of them do it and others don't.  I still believe it is worth the 15 minutes that it takes me to change the information and send to hostesses.

In the email, this is what I write:  (sorry that it is centered.  I can't get the post to line at the left.)

Hi __________, 
These are some invitations to the party at your house you can use with email, Facebook and to copy.   They serve as a great reminder when emailed or facebooked the day before the part.  I have attached two different ones.  You do whatever is best for you.   I also am attaching a paper about how to get the most free jewelry (hostess tips).  

The most important thing is to give a physical invite and say the following:
1.  Everything is $5 or less ($5.50 with the tax).
2.  It is cute!!!!!
3.  Bring a friends and daughters.
4.  Stock up for Christmas!!!!  Makes great stocking stuffers and accents to outfits!!!

Let your guests know that they can do their Christmas shopping at this party because everything is cute and reasonably priced!!!!

Something that has worked great for hostesses lately is to send out a text and facebook reminder the day of of the day before the party.

Let me know if you need anything else or have any questions.  

Thanks.
Michelle

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If you want the invites that I send via email or the hostess tips, please email me at jewelryforfive@gmail.com and I will send it back to you!