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

[sandilou]

I think if my friends go to MY page though, they can see it. Sometimes I do that, go to one of my friend's page to look up a post or maybe see if we have any common friends. I can see messages from their friends (on their page), even though I am not friends with them.

Sandi

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I think if my friends go to MY page though, they can see it. Sometimes I do that, go to one of my friend's page to look up a post or maybe see if we have any common friends. I can see messages from their friends (on their page), even though I am not friends with them.

Sandi

Yes, I think that's right. I've had to hide people too, when their bonuses, etc...were going above and beyond what PC offers.

I've never actually mentioned PC on my FB page, but I make sure and let people know about new recipes I'm trying, and I will make comments about loving my job, and having so much fun at my latest party. All of my friends know what I do, and many of my hosts and customers are also FB friends.

I also have my settings as super-private. Unless I have friended you, you cannot see any of my info.

 

[Rosebud]

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..

That is a very good point I had not really thought about that much as I am still a very new consultant. I guess in my mind I'm just trying to find as many leads a possible to really kick start my business to stay at home with my baby girl. I would never dream of starting my own website I very much intend to purchase the PWS once I qualify which I am close to doing. I really don't want everyone to take my words as "complaining" I am far from complaining I am just merely suggesting that I think in the future there could be ways to let consultants network through their shared profiles such as facebook to put the word out about PC. I do know that the majority of my contacts are going to have to be made in person. I do know that this is how it should be but as we move more and more into a technological world I think that the internet could be more and more beneficial to networking. That is all that I am saying. So please don't think that I am down talking PC I'm not I love PC and I am so glad this came into my life but things change and every company learns and grows and I don't doubt in the least that HO is working on it! It's a idea that is going to take some fine tuning. But just imagine the possibilities with some guidelines.

There are always going to be people out there that take advantage of the system and break the rules. But for the majority of us who have good intentions and just want to do the best we can I don't think it would hurt to be able to post what specials are coming up for what dates your trying to book for ect.

 

[KCPChef]

I understand what everyone is saying and that we signed the agreement, but I also feel like its also our well being and business to sell. If we can get the word out to people in 5 minutes and reach 500 people about our business, and make money- then we make money and PC makes more money. The better we do, the better they do!

 

[cmdtrgd]

So, let HO know what you think and how it should be done. They are always looking for ways to help us succeed without tarnishing the rep and the integrity of what has been built. Rosebud - I didn't think you were complaining. Most people don't know why things like this are in place. I am a total "why" girl myself and set out to find out why. If I agree, great! If not, I talk with my sales manager at HO. Things as huge as this should not be changed fast and in a hasty manner. That also means we get to wait...sucks, but I would rather they look at all aspects than rush into something.

 

[raebates]

I was talking with a friend from another direct sales company recently. She said her company has very similar strict rules about the internet. It's not just PC.

 

[Jolie_Paradoxe]

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.

Ah ok....good. Thanks NooraK!

 

[lockhartkitchen]

I don't have PC listed on FB, for my activities " cooking shows twice a week to demonstrate quality tools and get paid to party!" When I update my post of what I'm doing, I may say I'm getting ready to go somewhere to cook Chicken Penne al fresco. or I'm walking the streets to book cooking shows. If someone ask (I privately answer them-just like an email). I realized when I first answered, it was on the wall for all to see. I now know how to do it). These are my friends and family- they know what I do, but I'm respecting the rules of PC. We can still use FB for our business and follow the rules.

 

[kam]

I don't know that I have really given a thought about whether I AGREE or DISAGREE with the rules - it doesn't really matter. They are what they are. So whether or not I agree with them or not, I signed an agreement.

I certainly don't agree or like all the rules and policies at my day job. But, they are the policies that I must adhere to - or risk being terminated. And believe me, we would be terminated.

So, I guess that is one way of looking at it. We signed an agreement with PC and read the policies. If I disliked the policies enough (and believe me - I am not thrilled with all the new changes) - I could choose to DS for someone else.

Just like if I don't like the policies of my day job - I can leave.

Oh, one other thought - if you think the policies are outdated - or need to be changed - you can email HO with your opinion. And you won't be treated any different by them that you voiced your opinion.

BUT, here at my day job - I certainly would NOT feel comfortable voicing any negative feelings about the company. You could be sure that my supervisor would be told, etc etc. If you know what I mean.

So, be grateful that we can always voice our opinions to PC and let them know our thoughts on improving the company.

 

[chef131doreen]

I am not sure I even like that consultants have i contact , I know it is a newletter but Pamperedchef has the pws that has a newsletter . i contact a a beautiful newsletter but it cost $$$ and some peolpe can't have both .

I am very surpised that HO allows i-contact and not just what PC ofters

 

[DEBBI]

Very well put kam

 

[sandilou]

I understand what everyone is saying and that we signed the agreement, but I also feel like its also our well being and business to sell. If we can get the word out to people in 5 minutes and reach 500 people about our business, and make money- then we make money and PC makes more money. The better we do, the better they do!

If PC wanted to do this, they could do it themselves. Plus send out a catalog. They wouldn't need us anymore!

Sandi

 

[esavvymom]

Very well put Kam. I agree completely.


The thing we all know, is that just getting sales doesn't grow your business. You have to have connections with live people for your business to truly grow. and we simply will not get very much of that via the internet. The folks on your FB are probably people you see out-and-about anyway, or communicate with in some other way. You just may not be doing it on a daily/hourly way. These folks already know what you are doing - or if you are doing your job correctly, they should! (make those announcements, invite them to an open house, etc). Getting an online sale will not necessarily give you a long-term boost in your business.

Like several have mentioned, we signed the contract and that means everything that goes with it. Like lots of other things in life, we may not agree with it 100%, but I'll patiently wait for HO to figure out a compromise that better allows us to communicate with people.

We can agree to disagree, but in the end, we have an ethical and contractual obligation to abide by what we signed, and make lemonade out of the lemons (if tha'ts how you view it).

I personally am NOT on Facebook or any of those social sites, and I do just fine. My contacts and shows come from live face-to-face contacts...bottom line.

On that note, I'm going to go finish dinner, then get ready to make some phone calls tonight! (Everyone is preparing for a snowstorm, so hoping they'll be home snug and safe after 8pm. )

 

[babywings76]

I am not sure I even like that consultants have i contact , I know it is a newletter but Pamperedchef has the pws that has a newsletter . i contact a a beautiful newsletter but it cost $$$ and some peolpe can't have both .

I am very surpised that HO allows i-contact and not just what PC ofters

iContact isn't a newsletter itself, it's a service that delivers and tracks your e-mails. You probably meant the other newsletters that people develop (myemaildesigns, tastytidbits, etc)?

We are allowed to promote our business through private e-mails, so newsletters of different styles, quality and such are to be expected. At least in this category, we ALL can have access to a professional looking newsletter from our PWS.

 

[DebbieJ]

I am not sure I even like that consultants have i contact , I know it is a newletter but Pamperedchef has the pws that has a newsletter . i contact a a beautiful newsletter but it cost $$$ and some peolpe can't have both .

I am very surpised that HO allows i-contact and not just what PC ofters

I would use Customer Connection more if I was able to edit what I sent out and if the emails didn't always go to spam. HO is WAYYYY behind on this one.

Tasty Tidbits and iContact get me more business then Customer Connection ever did.

 

[esavvymom]

I would use Customer Connection more if I was able to edit what I sent out and if the emails didn't always go to spam. HO is WAYYYY behind on this one.

Tasty Tidbits and iContact get me more business then Customer Connection ever did.

and it is NOT that expensive at all. The word "expensive" doesn't even qualify in my language for these services. The newsletter services are usually $2-3 a month, and icontact varies depending on your contact list...but you don't HAVE to use it. I spend about $15 a month for my newsletter services, but I get that back each month in online sales, and customers always comment on my newsletters.

 

[wcsis]

I very much intend to purchase the PWS once I qualify which I am close to doing.

You do realize that you can pay for the website space before you reach your $1250 in sales don't you? You will not be able to create Fundraisers, Wedding Registries or recieve individual orders through the site, BUT you are able to create your host's parties online so that orders strictly for the shows can be placed right online and paid for.

Just thought I would mention this as the webspace is a fantastic tool for hosts to boost their sales.

 

[sandilou]

You can't use it for fundraisers? That's why my new consultant paid for it before she qualified! Maybe we can put the new of the church down as first and last name.

Sandi

 

[Rosebud]

Did they change that recently because I tried to sign up for it I think it was one of the last days of December (so I could use it for tax write off) and it said in the FAQ's that you couldn't sign up for the PWS until you qualified. The site wouldn't even let me sign up at that time.

 

[esavvymom]

Rosebud- no...it's still in the Consultant as something any consultant get obtain. You do have to get the $1250 in sales to be able to do the individual orders, & wedding registry, but you should be able to get a PWS now to set up Host's shows, and have the other information (booking/recruiting/ news section) available.I'd try again. You do have to have a PC Debit or Credit card to PAY for it though. If it still won't let you- I'd call or email HO.(Btw- I couldn't find where it said that you can't have a Fundraiser on a PWS for a new consultant. It specifically said Wedding Registries and Individual orders, but didn't specify fundraisers....)

 

[Rosebud]

Well good to know...I'm so close to my 1250 right now I think I may just wait. But thanks for the info.

 

[lockhartkitchen]

For Fundraisers, I just type in the name of the organization for first and last name.
Ex. Henderson House or just let all the participants know the name of the coordinator that you will put down as the host.

 

[babywings76]

You can't use it for fundraisers? That's why my new consultant paid for it before she qualified! Maybe we can put the new of the church down as first and last name.

Sandi

A fundraiser should be fine. It's just like a show, just a different type. I guess if it gives you trouble, just put it in as a catalog show and fix it in P3 later?

 

[wcsis]

I wasn't able to set up fundraiser before I qualified, it just didn't have that available in the drop down when I was setting up shows. Soon as I had my 1250 in sales it was in the drop down though.

 

[phun2cook]

Could I get that DCB Group name? I too would like to get into that.

and I have to agree that PC needs to maybe update some of their rules to the times. I'm fairly new, so i don't have many contacts; at-home-wife that doesn't get out much - but socialize with many people online. I wish i could promote my website in a lot more ways than we are allowed.

 

[mandy412]

You do realize that you can pay for the website space before you reach your $1250 in sales don't you? You will not be able to create Fundraisers, Wedding Registries or recieve individual orders through the site, BUT you are able to create your host's parties online so that orders strictly for the shows can be placed right online and paid for.

Just thought I would mention this as the webspace is a fantastic tool for hosts to boost their sales.

Huh? I wish I would known that. It was presented to me as something you can get after the $1250 metric. oh well. Can we do ads in programs for sorority founders days or is that a no-no?

 

[pampered1224]

I am going to put my two cents in here as usual. Most of us who do use FB have figured out one thing. You CAN ADVERTISE there. No one says you need to blatantly put out there that you are a Pampered Chef Consultant or that you do home COOKING shows or that you sell KITCHEN TOOLS or that you have a website at Page Not Found... they can see. All you need to do is simply state that you are a direct seller. That can be enough to get people interested. If someone is interested in what kind of products, they will ask. If not, they won't. You can tell them that you are looking for recruits without every mentioning PC, you can ask them to book without ever mentioning PC. This again is fuzzy but it is legal per the guidelines. Now my question is this. I have a guest doing a party and she put all sorts of stuff on FB about it. Including Pictures of pages of the catalog and how to order on-line including a link to my website. I did not check FB in detail until today as I have been very busy tearing apart my kitchen so I did not know how much she did do. If she is advertising her party and using my info, I need to ask her to change it don't I.

 

[DEBBI]

Did anyone ever tell us the name of the dcb group?

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I am going to put my two cents in here as usual. Most of us who do use FB have figured out one thing. You CAN ADVERTISE there. No one says you need to blatantly put out there that you are a Pampered Chef Consultant or that you do home COOKING shows or that you sell KITCHEN TOOLS or that you have a website at Page Not Found... they can see. All you need to do is simply state that you are a direct seller. That can be enough to get people interested. If someone is interested in what kind of products, they will ask. If not, they won't. You can tell them that you are looking for recruits without every mentioning PC, you can ask them to book without ever mentioning PC. This again is fuzzy but it is legal per the guidelines. Now my question is this. I have a guest doing a party and she put all sorts of stuff on FB about it. Including Pictures of pages of the catalog and how to order on-line including a link to my website. I did not check FB in detail until today as I have been very busy tearing apart my kitchen so I did not know how much she did do. If she is advertising her party and using my info, I need to ask her to change it don't I.

She can advertise her party all she wants - she's not a consultant! The one thing she can't do, though, is provide a link to your website...that's the thing you need to ask her to remove.

Most of my hosts now are doing a party invitation on FB for their parties - I am having really great response to that!

 

[mandy412]

I'm still not getting what the issue is with having your website posted?