How to Respond to Creative Memories Consultant?

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Discussion Overview

The thread explores how a Creative Memories consultant can effectively respond to customer concerns about pricing and competition from cheaper alternatives in memory preservation. Participants share their personal experiences and insights related to customer relationships, product value, and the impact of digital options on traditional scrapbooking.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, mentions that building strong relationships with customers is crucial for retaining their business.
  • Another participant shares their experience of not being able to scrapbook since having children and notes the convenience of digital options like Shutterfly.
  • Several users mention that while digital scrapbooking is popular, it lacks the tactile quality of traditional scrapbooking.
  • One participant suggests that if the CM consultant is struggling, they might consider hosting Scrapbooking Retreats to engage customers.
  • Another participant reflects on the importance of product longevity, stating that cheaper options may not preserve memories as effectively as higher-quality archival products.
  • One participant humorously notes that their mother prints digital scrapbooks at home, highlighting a casual approach to memory preservation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on how to address customer price sensitivity and the effectiveness of digital versus traditional scrapbooking methods. No clear consensus emerges on a specific strategy for the CM consultant.

Contextual Notes

Participants share varied personal experiences related to scrapbooking and customer interactions, reflecting a range of perspectives on the challenges faced in the memory preservation market.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants interested in understanding customer dynamics and exploring different approaches to competing with lower-priced alternatives in the memory preservation space may find this discussion relevant.

C
chefkathy
This is the message she sent me:

Since you're also a home based business owner I thought I'd see how you handle business questions....I have a potential customer who wants to preserve her memories, but price is the bottom line, once she's hosted several parties for free stuff she hunts for the best deal (snapfish, shutterfly, etc). I'm sure with PC you run into this as well, what do you do to encourage customers to shop with you, instead of another *cheaper* option? (I get that BOTH of our companies offer the BEST quality, we offer personalized service, the customer is supporting someone they KNOW personally instead of a big corporation, etc but where do you go beyond that?)

Just curious! :) THANKS for your feedback!

I want to tell her just to get over herself, but that will come across wrong. I just had a hostess who wanted knives, but she had a small show and couldn't afford them. She bought an inexpensive Ginzu set off Amazon and is happy with them. I am fine with it. She is still a happy customer of mine, but found something else elsewhere.

I also can't relate to my CM friend because I don't scrapbook AT ALL and I'm lucky if I get a Shutterfly book done for my kids. I just made our Disney book this month! LOL!

Just looking for some more thoughts and insights to share....
 
WOW... this is a tough one... I'm curious to hear the suggestions that come across as I am drawing a blank on what to say!!!
 
I love scrapbooking, but haven't done it since having children. Living in military housing, I didn't have the spare room and it's to much work to pull it all out to work for 20-30 minutes & then put it all away again so I could use the dining room table. Now that I'm stateside, all my scrabooking stuff is in Japan! LOLShutterfly gives you LOTS of options and I have also switched over to digital scrapbooking. But I have to admit, even printed out, it just doesn't compare to the 3D handwork of actual scrapbooking. There's really nothing that your friend can do to convert someone who's on a tight budget and looking to save money by going the digital route. The digital age has taken over and although the hand done scrapbooking is not out of style, there are less & less people doing it these days. Cooking however, hasn't gone out of style and I don't see it going out of style anytime soon. If she's loosing more than this one customer & starting to struggle with her CM business -and- if she's a fan of the PC products, she might consider making a career move over to the PC side. ;)If she's still wanting to continue as a CM consultant & if she's not already doing so, she really needs to think about sponsoring Scrapbooking Retreats (at a bed & breakfast) 1-4 times per year. I know a LOT of women who love to go to those!!! And they always need something that they can buy from the consultant while there. ;)
 
I think she pretty much covered all the bases -- I would only add that building a strong relationship with her customers is the best way to keep their business.

People do business with people they like and trust.
 
I would think the difference with preserving memories is how long you want to preserve them. You get what you pay for just like our products....to an extent. If someone is going with the cheaper yet not archival items, the time, effort and money they put in will not last nearly as long as the archival. That being said, one good knife is better than a whole set of crappy ones. Show the customer how to use the one good CM product in place of the crappy ones on the items that matter.
 
Sheila said:
I love scrapbooking, but haven't done it since having children. Living in military housing, I didn't have the spare room and it's to much work to pull it all out to work for 20-30 minutes & then put it all away again so I could use the dining room table. Now that I'm stateside, all my scrabooking stuff is in Japan! LOL

Shutterfly gives you LOTS of options and I have also switched over to digital scrapbooking. But I have to admit, even printed out, it just doesn't compare to the 3D handwork of actual scrapbooking. There's really nothing that your friend can do to convert someone who's on a tight budget and looking to save money by going the digital route. The digital age has taken over and although the hand done scrapbooking is not out of style, there are less & less people doing it these days. Cooking however, hasn't gone out of style and I don't see it going out of style anytime soon. If she's loosing more than this one customer & starting to struggle with her CM business -and- if she's a fan of the PC products, she might consider making a career move over to the PC side. ;)

If she's still wanting to continue as a CM consultant & if she's not already doing so, she really needs to think about sponsoring Scrapbooking Retreats (at a bed & breakfast) 1-4 times per year. I know a LOT of women who love to go to those!!! And they always need something that they can buy from the consultant while there. ;)
Click to expand...

CM has digital scrapbooking too, though. I have a friend who is one of the CM Guru's for their Digital Scrapbooking.
 
Kate, my Mom prints her digital scrapbooking on her own computer & tells me "when this one goes bad, I can just print a NEW one!" LOLBecky, really? See, I've been in Japan waaaaay too long! :D
 
Sheila - it depends on how much extra stuff you put on top of the digital pages. If that is all you have, that is aawesome!
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to respond to a Creative Memories Consultant's invitation to a party?

The best way to respond is to be honest about your interest. If you’re excited to attend, let them know you’ll be there! If you’re unable to attend, express your appreciation for the invite and suggest another time to connect or ask for information about their products.

How can I politely decline a Creative Memories Consultant's offer?

You can politely decline by thanking the consultant for their offer and expressing your appreciation for their work. You might say something like, "Thank you for thinking of me, but I’m not interested at this time." This keeps the conversation friendly and respectful.

Should I ask the Creative Memories Consultant for more information about their products?

Absolutely! If you’re curious about their products or services, asking for more information is a great way to engage. You can inquire about specific items, pricing, or upcoming promotions, which shows your interest and can lead to a more informative discussion.

How do I handle a follow-up from a Creative Memories Consultant after a party?

If you receive a follow-up, respond based on your interest level. If you enjoyed the party and are considering a purchase, let them know! If you’re not interested, you can thank them for the follow-up and kindly express that you’re not ready to buy at this time.

What if I want to support my friend who is a Creative Memories Consultant?

If you want to support your friend, consider attending their events, sharing their posts on social media, or even hosting a party yourself. You can also simply encourage them by expressing your appreciation for their efforts and the products they offer.

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