Not Trying to Start a Fight, But... Re: Facebook

[PampChefJoy]

So... I, along with alot of other photographers, actively use Facebook fan pages to market our business.

So I was thinking about this (as I was reading another consultant's fairly blatant disregard of rules of FB advertising - every other status update is about PC...but I digress)...

Can a consultant create a fan page for their PC business without breaking the rules? Of course you wouldn't be able to link to your website or identify yourself as a consultant... but what about asking customers to fan your fan page so they get stuff like quick tips fed to their FB pages.. or blast posts like "first person to contact me to book a party gets free ingredients" or "the guest special for next month is...."

I realize this is a very thin gray line... but it seems like a missed opportunity if you can't use FB to communicate with *existing* customers....

 

[cmdtrgd]

I have a DCB group which is open to everyone. We share recipes and tips, but we don't market. Not sure about a fan page.

 

[kcjodih]

Hmm, I'm not sure. I'm sooo nervous about posting anything at all on my wall regarding PC so I'm not of much help.

Kate, I'd love to be a part of your DCB group if that's possible.

 

[esavvymom]

It was my understanding that you can't put anywhere online (other than a specific Consultant-only group like this) that you are a PC consultant. So to me, it would be "no"...if you are having the fan page as a consultant - and the fans know it. Sharing tips and such, without saying you are consultant, that would probably be ok...maybe a grey area?From page 38 of the policy guide:

Please do not mention, advertise or promote
your Pampered Chef® business on any chat rooms, other than
those created for communicating with other Consultants. Other
than through your Pampered Chef® Personal Web Site, you
may not promote or advertise your business on any other Web
site, Internet directory, search engine, etc.

 

[PampChefJoy]

Hmmm... good point. Like I said, I'm not trying to start a debate. I just was trying to think of creative ways to work within the rules... I know that FB has been so helpful for generating buzz for many businesses. I guess another gray area is whether or not saying something like "I'm so excited that xxx had a $1000 show!" -- I mean, is that promoting or advertising? That's just being excited and stating a fact, right? Just like saying "I'm so excited that stoneware is on sale in February" is a personal exclamation...I see people doing this and I think they are doing it thinking it's within the fuzzy guidelines.

 

[esavvymom]

probably a grey area, I'd think maybe as long as you never posted you are a consultant, would technically be allowable - as long as there are no photos, copyright material, etc. Someone would have to ask you what you are talking about and then you could direct them via private email which is allowed for sure. The PC guide did actually say "Please do not"...not "DO NOT..." - does that make sense? That's probably how I would do it- if I was on FB, and that's how I've seen some on here. Dunno....

 

[littlemaisyPC]

I have a DCB group which is open to everyone. We share recipes and tips, but we don't market. Not sure about a fan page.

I'm part of that group and I just made the connection that you are a fellow cheffer from CS.:blushing:

 

[pchefkris]

I really think that Pampered Chef would have a difficult time regulating every consultants FB page. I'm sure that most of us have many blockers up as to who can even view our FB pages. I know I do. If you are stating how your business is doing or letting your family & friends know what your upcoming business opportunities are (i.e. monthly host specials or joining your team) these are messages you are leaving for your family and friends.
If you really want to start a fight ~ the consultants that sell Pampered Chef on ebay ~

 

[wcsis]

I have FB and joined the PC group on FB. In my profile it clearly states I am a Pampered Chef Independent Consultant. I do not have my website listed anywhere online except in my business email signature.

I do not believe that Pampered Chef expects that we do NOT tell anyone we are consultants, after all it is my business and livelihood and how else are we supposed to promote it if we can't tell anyone we are consultants? If someone on FB happens to read my profile and says to themselves, "I would love to order some PC products, I think I will contact her" and send me a message inquiring about a catalog is no different than carrying around the tote with catalogs and some person you don't know asking if you sell PC and can they have a catalog and order something.

I invite people to order and let them know what the month's specials are through my contacts on FB, they are my friends and family members, my sister had a catalog show and shared it with her contacts on FB. She had a quick 2 day catalog show with $160 in sales. Did I break the rules? WE can't control how our hosts contact people and invite them to order.

I think the rules are written expressly to avoid consultants in linking their PC website on chat boards and link pages at other websites. If we have a fundraiser and the organization wishes to place a link for people to make orders for the fundraiser all we have to do is contact HO to let them know the duration of the particular fundraiser so they expect the numerous hits from that website link to take place.

Just my 2 cents on the matter.

 

[chefann]

I have FB and joined the PC group on FB. In my profile it clearly states I am a Pampered Chef Independent Consultant. I do not have my website listed anywhere online except in my business email signature.

That's against policy.

HO has also indicated that the "consultant-only" PC groups on FB are a violation of policy, since the membership lists are akin to lists of consultants.

 

[EpTxGuy]

It's my understanding that Pampered Chef want you to have a web page, as long as it's their web page that they control and profit from.

It further is my understanding that after you send your money to Pampered Chef to acquire your web page, you are not allowed to marked it on the web in any fashion whatsoever. You can tell your friends about it, mention it at a show, but as far as promoting it on the web, clearly that is not what a web page is for...I think I have that right.

 

[chef131doreen]

As far as I know you can not put ANYTHING on the internet saying anything about Pamperedchef
a few months ago my 20 year old soroirity put a reunion book out I never even new about this came from a web-sit in Canada I live in Ct
Well HO found it and I had to get rid of it or NO WEB-SITE for me
How I did it was so hard , I didn't put it there it was just becuse they didn't want to sell books from that class so the posted it
so no info on Pc on FB for me

 

[Jillmami]

A new consultant asked me about having a blog. If she doesn't have her PC web site link there, is it ok to do a blog with specials, product info, etc.?

 

[raebates]

She can't mention PC by name.

 

[redsoxgirl]

I have a DCB group which is open to everyone. We share recipes and tips, but we don't market. Not sure about a fan page.

I'd love to get in on that DCB group as well if I can! What's the name of it?

 

[redsoxgirl]

I'd love to get in on that DCB group as well if I can! What's the name of it?

Never mind - I found it!

 

[Shannen]

It seems like blogging would be advertising as well.

The only times I post stuff on FB is if I'm having a party (as the host) myself, but I don't mention that I'm the consultant until they get to the party.

I had a fan page up until I read the rules and saw that it was clearly against policy. It is still active but blocked from anyone seeing it, just in case the rules change, I don't have to do all the work again.

If we were able to advertise on the web, it would make our lives a lot easier, that's for sure, but I can understand if HO doesn't want the PC name affiliated with whatever we affiliate ourselves with, which would inevitably happen if we mixed PC with our personal FB pages.

 

[NooraK]

Here's my opinion:

We all signed an agreement and stated we would abide by the rules PC set forth for us.

PC's focus and core business is the home party, and what sets us apart from any other seller of kitchen tools is the personal service the consultants provide to our customers. A concern is that if consultants are allowed to advertise online without any restrictions, that personal touch which is so integral to our business will be lost. Things have also been said about the fairness of that approach since some may have better means and access to such advertising than others. I still think most of it has to do with the customer service part.

The thing is, the internet has changed quite significantly since these rules were first implemented, especially with the explosion of social networking sites like Facebook. I do agree that the rules should be revisited and revised to take these types of sites into consideration. I have to remind myself though that PC has not always been the first to jump in when it comes to such technological advances. They want to observe and research these things to ensure that they make the right decision for their consultants.

Still, it comes down to what I initially stated: We all signed the agreement and said that we would abide by the rules set forth by PC. If we don't like those rules, we are free to leave and start our own business and set our own rules.

Oh, and on the original question. I think it would be very difficult, but not impossible. If the group was called something like "Noora's Kitchen" and I only shared recipe tips and such, I don't think it would be violating the rules. However, I don't know how it would work when it comes to announcing specials. By announcing a special, you're affiliating yourself with PC. If you just said something like "Book a party by the 15th and get a free cookbook!" you might still be OK, but stepping that faint gray line.

 

[cookingwithlove]

It's my understanding that Pampered Chef want you to have a web page, as long as it's their web page that they control and profit from.

It further is my understanding that after you send your money to Pampered Chef to acquire your web page, you are not allowed to marked it on the web in any fashion whatsoever. You can tell your friends about it, mention it at a show, but as far as promoting it on the web, clearly that is not what a web page is for...I think I have that right.

I really dislike this kind of negativity. We do not work for the “man”. We work for a really great company. If you think the little bit that we spend for a website makes Pampered Chef a profit you need to live I the real world. There is no profiting from what they charge a year for a consultant website.

There have been numerous discussions about online advertising in the past. I think the debate is interesting, but the bottom line is you signed the contract with Pampered Chef and they have their rules that we must follow. Stop complaining about them and work with them. I sold $4000 this month signed 2 recruits in 6 parties and I did not do any online advertising!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I really dislike this kind of negativity. We do not work for the “man”. We work for a really great company. If you think the little bit that we spend for a website makes Pampered Chef a profit you need to live I the real world. There is no profiting from what they charge a year for a consultant website.

There have been numerous discussions about online advertising in the past. I think the debate is interesting, but the bottom line is you signed the contract with Pampered Chef and they have their rules that we must follow. Stop complaining about them and work with them. I sold $4000 this month signed 2 recruits in 6 parties and I did not do any online advertising!

Well said Wendy!

I had 8 parties this month, will be well over $5000 in sales, and 1 recruit....all without complaining or doing any online advertising.

How did I do it?

Umm, well, I tell my friends about it, I mention it at shows, I send out an email newsletter with a link to my website, and I build relationships with hosts and guests. That seems to be doing the trick for me.

 

[EpTxGuy]

I really dislike this kind of negativity. We do not work for the “man”. We work for a really great company. If you think the little bit that we spend for a website makes Pampered Chef a profit you need to live I the real world. There is no profiting from what they charge a year for a consultant website.

There have been numerous discussions about online advertising in the past. I think the debate is interesting, but the bottom line is you signed the contract with Pampered Chef and they have their rules that we must follow. Stop complaining about them and work with them. I sold $4000 this month signed 2 recruits in 6 parties and I did not do any online advertising!

I'm sorry I voiced an opinion that isn't 100% positive for Pampered Chef. I won't do it again.

 

[dannyzmom]

I'm sorry I voiced an opinion that isn't 100% positive for Pampered Chef. I won't do it again.

You'll be amazed at the positive change you'll see in your own business if you truly adhere to your above promise.

 

[Rosebud]

Ok so I really struggled with the decision to post this or not but here goes.I understand the rule and regulations that TPC has made us agree to and I plan on following those guidelines because I have agreed to them. I love TPC and I am surprising myself everyday with getting out of my comfort zone and talking to new people everyday to show my love for the products.However, I am married to a software engineer and my family is very computer savvy. I know my generation is also very technology forward in their thinking. I know that if we were allowed to promote our business on websites such as Facebook or Myspace it would create more avenues for spreading the word about our great company and bring in more revenue. To me posting on Facebook is like bumping into my friends in the hallway at work and stopping to say "hi you'll never guess what happened to me last night" it just happens to be on the internet. So No I don't completely agree with the idea of not being able to advertise in certain internet avenues that I feel would bring in more revenue. But saying that I also don't want to cause trouble of any kind but maybe one day HO will realize that in this day and age the internet is really a great tool for their consultants to use to network. But not everyone may agree with me, this is just my personal opinion.

 

[cmdtrgd]

Just an FYI, if you have ever looked at having your own website (not the PWS, but any personal website), it costs MUCH more than the $100ish a year that we pay. Here are a few of the expenses:1. the domain name - sometimes a one-time fee of a few hundred dollars, sometimes a yearly fee2. hosting - gotta have your website content hosted somewhere - I've seen it for about $10 a month or more3. development - if you don't know how to code and want a professional looking website you're looking at $60 per hour or more and it could take 40+ hours to put together a website like ours4. content - all the professional photos and scripts does take time and time=money...plus, the photos we use are from professional photographers5. ordering/shopping cart - yet another piece that takes time and money to build6. maintenance - do you know what to do when there is an error?So, we're looking at much more than the $100ish we pay each year to have our own website. And, I'll be honest, there are other companies out there who do not provide PWS services to their consultants, but allow them to create their own websites. There is a specific company who I won't purchase from because the pages look worse than MySpace pages...unprofessional and juvenile. It takes the company's reputation down. And, most of us do rely on the reputation!

 

[cookingwithlove]

I'm sorry I voiced an opinion that isn't 100% positive for Pampered Chef. I won't do it again.

I love a lively debate and opinions are great, but when we start in with the negativity, the debate is over and the debate is just reduced to complaining. dannyzmom is right. A positive attitude goes a long way.

 

[raebates]

Rosebud, I agree. I look forward to the day that PC updates it's policy to give us a little more online leaway. Like you (and so many others who have posted here), though, I will follow the rules to the letter. It's just not worth the risk to me.

 

[cmdtrgd]

However, I am married to a software engineer and my family is very computer savvy. I know my generation is also very technology forward in their thinking. I know that if we were allowed to promote our business on websites such as Facebook or Myspace it would create more avenues for spreading the word about our great company and bring in more revenue. To me posting on Facebook is like bumping into my friends in the hallway at work and stopping to say "hi you'll never guess what happened to me last night" it just happens to be on the internet.

I am also married to a software engineer, but I agree more with the policies now. I do know that HO is working on revamping the policies around things like FaceBook. I don't know how they are doing it or when it will be changed, but know they are working on it.

That being said, this company is about relationships. There is a difference between telling your friends and advertising to people you don't know.

One of the ideas behind the current policies is to keep us from being "searchable". Right now Team Leaders and above can be eligible for Home Office Leads. If someone were to search for a Pampered Chef consultant and find one who is computer savvy, yet not eligible for leads, that would lessen the benefit for those who qualify. And, it gives an unfair advantage to those of us who know how to become searchable (or those of us married to someone who does). Another thought is that someone could create a mocked-up site to take orders and money and never come through with the products. A great scam, but this helps to keep that from happening. I have seen people who have bought domain names like pamperdchef.com and done something along those lines. With one typo, there could be issues that could hurt the customer as well as our reputation.

So, if you have suggestions, please email them into the Solution Center [email protected] and let them know what you think should or should not be in the policies! They do listen to us!

As for FaceBook, I do post that I'm looking to book parties, or that someone joined my team or that we offer health insurance. I do not post that I am a Pampered Chef Consultant. And, for those of you who have Pampered Chef as your employer, they are not your employer. You work for yourself in conjunction with Pampered Chef.

 

[sandilou]

A few more thoughts . . .

We represent the company. If you check out some of the spelling and grammar on FB and other places, I don't think its how PC wants to be represented.

I have a FB friend that was offering daily specials along with her web address for weeks in December. Since I don't, I had to 'hide' her so my friends and family didn't see it, and so my upline didn't see it. These were not company offered specials but her own. Customers who saw that could say, so-and-so is offering xxx, are you?

Sandi

 

[Jolie_Paradoxe]

A few more thoughts . . .

I have a FB friend that was offering daily specials along with her web address for weeks in December. Since I don't, I had to 'hide' her so my friends and family didn't see it, and so my upline didn't see it. These were not company offered specials but her own. Customers who saw that could say, so-and-so is offering xxx, are you?

Sandi

I never thought of this! There are some I see blatantly violating policy, and some that post over and over to the point that it feels like spam. To each their own, eventually they'll be caught. BUT, I did not think that these offers and posts are popping up for my friends and family to see. Ugh....can't believe I'm so slow! lol

I am new to FB and do not know it well. So, if someone else is posts their "specials", everyone I have as a friend can see it too?

 

[NooraK]

If they post it as their own status update, your friends/family/upline will not see it unless they are her friend as well. If she posts it to your wall, they will be able to see.