I Will Be Sending an Email to Home Office When I Am at Home, but I

[NooraK]

I will be sending an email to Home Office when I am at home, but I wanted to get your take on this.

The PG states, in regards to Social Media sites:

SOCIAL NETWORKING
Websites like Facebook, My Space, Linked In,Twitter etc., are commonly referred to as social networking sites or social media, because they provide users the ability to socially connect with friends, family, current and former coworkers, and even strangers. You may use these sites to share information about The Pampered Chef® business opportunity and for prospecting and sponsoring; however, these sites may not be used for retail purposes. You may promote your Pampered Chef® business on such sites in the following ways:

• You must disclose your full name on all social media postings, and conspicuously identify yourself as an Independent Consultant or Independent Sales Director (or appropriate title) for The Pampered Chef®.
• You may include the Independent Consultant Logo, your e-mail address, phone number, and link to your Personal Web Site on your profile or page. See Linking to Your PWS Through Social Networking Sites section for additional policies on PWS linking.
• Anonymous postings are prohibited.

If you choose to promote your Pampered Chef® business on your social networking sites, be mindful that all content you post reflects on your Pampered Chef® business and the Pampered Chef® brand. Do not post any content or materials that are obscene, threatening, derogatory, disparaging and malicious or that infringe on or violate, in any way, any law or any right of any person or entity, or any other content that might in any way reflect poorly on The Pampered Chef®. The Pampered Chef® has the right to terminate your privilege of promoting your business on social networking sites immediately for any reason or to pursue any other enforcement of its policies and rights that may be necessary.

Consultants are personally responsible for their own postings as well as all online activity conducted on behalf of their business. Consultants will be held fully responsible for any and all such activities.

I consider Pinterest to be a social media site. The way I interpret the PG is that as long as I clearly identify myself as a consultant, I can link to my PWS from Pinterest.

I want to have a board called "Independent Consultant for The Pampered Chef", and use it to share my favorite recipes, products and ideas. I would include my PWS address in the comments of the pin.

Would you think this is within the rules?

 

[ShelbyMichalek]

Re: PinterestI believe that would be correct. Pinterest is now considered a Social media website.

 

[ShelbyMichalek]

Re: PinterestI believe that would be correct. Pinterest is now considered a social media networking website.

 

[NooraK]

Re: PinterestThe only part that concerns me (which I don't even remember being there before) is the line that says

however, these sites may not be used for retail purposes

What constitutes a retail purpose?

 

[jendill]

Re: PinterestI think it means selling only. Because you are using it as a recipe board as well, i think it would be fine. You could always call HO

 

[NooraK]

Re: PinterestI finally got a response from HO.

Here is what I asked:

Hello,

I wanted to make sure I am interpreting the Policy Guide correctly. Since Pinterest is considered a social media site, it would be permissible for me to link to my PWS from there, as long as I clearly identify myself as an independent consultant, correct? I would like to create a board titled "Independent Consultant with The Pampered Chef" (my profile would have my name), and use it to share my favorite products, recipes, and tips for using products (such as centerpiece ideas for the Trifle Bowl).

Thank you!

And here is the response:

Dear Noora,

Thank you for contacting The Pampered Chef. Yes, that would be acceptable.
Let us know if you have any questions.
Thank you,

Richard Laiche
Specialist, Consultant Career Solutions
Solution Center
The Pampered Chef®

:sing:

 

[heather223]

Re: PinterestThank you for this information!

 

[EmilyStraw]

Re: PinterestI do have to say, though, that when I search for "Pampered Chef" on Pinterest, a lot of products pop up and underneath consultants write things like "hey, I'm a consultant! Check out my website!" etc. and I personally find that obnoxious. Just my 2 cents.

 

[NooraK]

Re: Pinterest

I do have to say, though, that when I search for "Pampered Chef" on Pinterest, a lot of products pop up and underneath consultants write things like "hey, I'm a consultant! Check out my website!" etc. and I personally find that obnoxious. Just my 2 cents.

Yes, I've seen those comments, and I agree. I'm hoping that by having a board called "Independent Consultant" they'll realize not to do that on my board at least. It is rude to assume that the person who attaches a link/picture to something like "Products I Like" doesn't already have a consultant that they are happy with.

 

[babywings76]

Re: PinterestI've been undecided with how I feel about promoting stuff on Pinterest. I get nervous to do so because in the Pin Etiquette it says, "Avoid Self Promotion
Pinterest is designed to curate and share things you love. If there is a photo or project you’re proud of, pin away! However, try not to use Pinterest purely as a tool for self-promotion."What do you think? I'm not sure what I want to do yet...

 

[KateInTheKitchen]

Re: PinterestI've pinned one or two things to Pinterest under "Products I Love." People who know me and know I sell will see it and may contact me, but I do not include any information about the fact that I sell.I have seen consultants who search for Pampered Chef and comment on every post with something like "I can help you get these items on your wishlist! Contact me at..." I think it's incredibly obnoxious. People aren't pinning things they like because they don't know how to find a consultant.

 

[NooraK]

Re: Pinterest

I've been undecided with how I feel about promoting stuff on Pinterest. I get nervous to do so because in the Pin Etiquette it says, "Avoid Self Promotion
Pinterest is designed to curate and share things you love. If there is a photo or project you’re proud of, pin away! However, try not to use Pinterest purely as a tool for self-promotion."

What do you think? I'm not sure what I want to do yet...

I've pinned one or two things to Pinterest under "Products I Love." People who know me and know I sell will see it and may contact me, but I do not include any information about the fact that I sell.

I have seen consultants who search for Pampered Chef and comment on every post with something like "I can help you get these items on your wishlist! Contact me at..." I think it's incredibly obnoxious. People aren't pinning things they like because they don't know how to find a consultant.

I don't consider it to be purely self-promotion, as I have multiple other boards for all kinds of other interests on there. I certainly do not plan on searching out other people's Pampered Chef pins and commenting on them. I do add my website to my comments when I pin something to my own board, but I've noticed that even if someone doesn't change the comment when they re-pin my pin, the link doesn't carry over.

 

[KateInTheKitchen]

Re: PinterestOh, that's interesting that the link doesn't carry! Good to know.

 

[babywings76]

Re: Pinterest

I don't consider it to be purely self-promotion, as I have multiple other boards for all kinds of other interests on there. I certainly do not plan on searching out other people's Pampered Chef pins and commenting on them. I do add my website to my comments when I pin something to my own board, but I've noticed that even if someone doesn't change the comment when they re-pin my pin, the link doesn't carry over.

Right, that's what I was thinking, too. I just wasn't sure if my friends were going to roll their eyes if I start posting some PC things. Right now I only posted a couple recipes and put a comment like "Looks great, I'm going to have to try it in my Deep Covered Baker." and put it on my "Pampered Chef" board.

 

[NooraK]

Re: Pinterest

Right, that's what I was thinking, too. I just wasn't sure if my friends were going to roll their eyes if I start posting some PC things. Right now I only posted a couple recipes and put a comment like "Looks great, I'm going to have to try it in my Deep Covered Baker." and put it on my "Pampered Chef" board.

I plan on excercising great restraint, and limit myself to only a max of one or two product pins per day, and only while I'm pinning other stuff (which I do A LOT right now, it's all new to me). This way, my followers will see a lot of other stuff from me as well, and it's not just PC.

So far, the pins I have are not directly products only. I have 8 pins so far, Three of them are non-PC recipes but the picture shows a PC product. One is a PC recipe (lava cake in the DCB). Three are ideas that can be used in the Trifle Bowl, but not with ours (well, one is a maybe, but I can't be sure). The eighth one looks like it could be PC prodcuts, but it could also be any random kitchen utensils.

I did discover, that if I click on "Our Products" on my PWS, the link that shows is a .biz address that links directly back to my PWS. When I do pin products, I plan to pin from there, so that the pin leads back to my PWS.

Here is my board:

Independent Consultant with The Pampered Chef

 

[mgranich]

Re: PinterestI have a "board" on my account that is titled "Michelle's Pampered Chef Kitchen" and I have only pinned recipes right now. I am still trying to determine the best way to utilize it.

 

[juliJules]

Re: PinterestIs it okay to re-pin another consultant's pin to your own board?

 

[babywings76]

Re: Pinterest

Is it okay to re-pin another consultant's pin to your own board?

I think it's okay. Just delete her info if it's on there and put in yours. If she originated it, you could say, "thanks so & so for the great recipe/idea/picture" if it seems appropriate.

 

[esavvymom]

Re: PinterestI love just seeing the different ideas for using the products!