Merrill Lap Boards Vs Folders Vs Nothing

[Chefgirl2]

I've done it all. I even had 1/2 inch binders with protective sleeves for each page of the cataolg. I'm only 5 ft tall and it was heavy! Then I cut them up for lap boards...still too heavy for me. After that I went to catalogs and orderforms. Soooo easy and getting ready for a show was a cinch! I used a booking binder that I always passed around and I had flyers scattered around...my sales average dropped. This last Fall I went back to how I started. I have cheap pocket folders with the clasp that has one clear sleeve that usually has the 3 month flyer on one side and my DCB bundle on the other. The pockets have one catalog, one orderform, a recruiting flyer and pan...I put a Merrill sticker on the outside and my business card in the inside area.

My sales have skyrocketed! I've done more $1,000 shows since switching back then I did in the 2 previous years combined.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I've done it all. I even had 1/2 inch binders with protective sleeves for each page of the cataolg. I'm only 5 ft tall and it was heavy! Then I cut them up for lap boards...still too heavy for me. After that I went to catalogs and orderforms. Soooo easy and getting ready for a show was a cinch! I used a booking binder that I always passed around and I had flyers scattered around...my sales average dropped. This last Fall I went back to how I started. I have cheap pocket folders with the clasp that has one clear sleeve that usually has the 3 month flyer on one side and my DCB bundle on the other. The pockets have one catalog, one orderform, a recruiting flyer and pan...I put a Merrill sticker on the outside and my business card in the inside area.

My sales have skyrocketed! I've done more $1,000 shows since switching back then I did in the 2 previous years combined.

And then you collect the folders at the end of the evening?
Are these the paper folders or plastic?
If paper - how long (as in how many shows) do you get out of them before they start looking really dog-eared?

And finally - is there anything else you've changed that you think would also be contributing to your sales increase, or is it JUST the folders?

I'm really interested in this, and would like to hear a bit more!

 

[pamperedlinda]

I started using lapboards 2 years ago and I love them - so do my guests. They are heavier to carry, but they fit in my bag so I'm not carrying an extra bag. I stopped carrying them for a while and I had several repeat guests get on to me about it, they like them so I carry them.

 

[Chefgirl2]

And then you collect the folders at the end of the evening? Yes, I do collect them at the end of the night.
Are these the paper folders or plastic? Most are plastic coated paper. Recently, I needed more...it killed me to pay .52 cents each for plain paper
If paper - how long (as in how many shows) do you get out of them before they start looking really dog-eared?I's say the paper ones last 60 or more shows. The coated ones around a year...when I used to replace them all.

And finally - is there anything else you've changed that you think would also be contributing to your sales increase, or is it JUST the folders?


I'm really interested in this, and would like to hear a bit more!

I'm using the DCB at E-V-E-R-Y show, calling it the magic pot, printing off a copy of the DCB booklet with 90plus recipes for the hostess if she wants to earn DCB free(I print on fast ink, use 3 hole punch and cheap folder w/clasps), have guests really look at all this pot does as they sign her new cookbook, and then pass my own copy around. My copy is in protective sheets and boldly labled Consultant's Copy if found please return to...I'm talking theme shows and booking in close. Feb 1st I met a woman who did her show on Fri, Feb 5th...it closed on the 8th at $1,362! People really do know what they are doing in a few days compared with a few weeks.

 

[flemings99]

I use plastic folders with 3 rings in the middle. I put an opportunity flier in the first pocket, protector sheets in the middle with current and upcoming specials, wedding shower flier and fundraiser info. Then I have a magazine holder in the rings that holds the catalog. Staples is the only place I've found them and they have to be ordered.
Last pocket has the order form in it.

Yes they are added weight but not as bad as the lap boards; however the folders are a little more work to change out the fliers.

What I've found is guest like to have the fliers in their folders to look at and then look back at later vs just passing a single sheet around.

I tell the guest to please leave the folders at the show but that they are welcome to take anything out of them.

 

[reneenshelcook4u]

We got the folders with pockets and three prongs so it is like a three ring binder. They are smaller paper ones though. We took apart catalogs and put each sheet in a sheet protector. We put a wish list (we highlight the products we are using in the show)in one pocket along with an order form. In the other pocket we put color copies of the current months guest special as well as next months host and guest special. We put in a dry erase maker as well, so they can mark up the pages of the catalogs with questions, circle items they want, and just put in random notes.

When they come to check out and go through the catalog we can see any notes they have and it helps up speak to their questions and upsell when possible. If someone wants to take a catalog with them we bring a few that we can give to people to take with them. Seems to work very well, they have a way to take notes as well as something to write on.

 

[RCKmom]

I stuff the monthly guest special and an order form in the catalog and pass that out along with a pen. I pass out the door prize drawing slip seperate. I would love to do more, but being a new consultant I find that any extra money I have goes into buying new product to add to my inventory. In reading this...though it gives me alot of cheap ideas that I can think about trying.

 

[Junderwood2009]

I made lapboards. I got white 3 ring binders from Walmart ($2ish) and cut them in half. Be sure to get the ones with pockets on the inside and clear pocket on the front and back. So for each binder I made two lapboards. They were super easy to make and look nice.

 

[Sandylovescooking]

Lapboards are the best. I purchased a rolling computer case at a garage sale for $3.00. I don't ever have to carry them. It works perfect.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I stuff the monthly guest special and an order form in the catalog and pass that out along with a pen. I pass out the door prize drawing slip seperate. I would love to do more, but being a new consultant I find that any extra money I have goes into buying new product to add to my inventory. In reading this...though it gives me alot of cheap ideas that I can think about trying.

I've been doing this for 8.5 years. I started out doing exactly what you do. Then I decided to go with lapboards, and then folders.

Now, I've come full circle, and I am doing exactly what you do. It makes my business easier, and it makes it more repeatable. Meaning that my new recruits can do exactly what I do without spending any more money than the price of their kit. This has become very important for me as I work with my team. It's not just me, but I'm also concerned for the amount of money they may have to spend to do business. I have FT students, out-of-work moms, single moms, etc...on my team, and I never want them to think that they have to spend more money in order to do what I do. So - I've started using just the catalog w/ an order form tucked in it, and the specials for the this month and next (I use the flyer from Kam!:thumbup and I've also gone back to using the Door Prize Drawing slip from PC, instead of making my own.

 

[heather223]

I solve that by making a little pile of stuff on the corner of the table/counter where I can see it in the order I want to use it, starting with the SB for the host. Even the booking slide is in the pile, AND the PDS, which I used to forget all the time!

Sandi

This is what I do too. Host & Guests specials are in a clear sheet protector. As for guests- I had out a plastic two pocket folder that has the catalog and an order form in it.

 

[lt1jane]

Then I have a magazine holder in the rings that holds the catalog. Staples is the only place I've found them and they have to be ordered.

Miles Kimball also carries the magazine savers. Miles Kimball is a Lillian Vernon type of mail order catalog. The savers are $3.99 for two dozen plus shipping & tax (maybe, Miles Kimball is in Wisconsin so I have to pay sales tax)