Second Quarter Anniversaries

Second Quarter Sales Recognition

San Jose Regional 2010

Sports Teams are Looking for YOU!

Thank to Maureen for this great idea!
Guess what I found? It's right on our CMC Network website. You'll have to log in to link to this posting, but you'll be glad you did! Do you realize that your local sports teams, clubs, dance and drama groups, and organizations are taking professional and candid shots of their players and events - ALL THE TIME! And, do you realize that parents are paying amazing prices to have just that perfect shot of their star player or performer? They do it ALL THE TIME! They are really looking for YOU! Yes, YOU actually have the best package deal of any photographer around and you may not even realize it! Here's what I found today on cmc-network under the Digital Tab on our home page...click there, then go to Alternative Selling Methods, scroll to the very bottom with photo of Lise Brake and click on the sample links! Here's one to get your started! Oh my, you won't believe your opportunity RIGHT NOW....this month, this Spring, before school ends. Check it out!!!
Samples!
The samples posted here are from UL Jani Aguilar who made page prints available to her local highschool team. Check out the cmc-network links for some more INCREDIBLE ideas that you won't want to pass up right now! Even if you don't have kids at the highschool level, or even kids at home anylonger like me, you sure have a service to offer - so get on the phone and set up some appointments today with your local groups! UL Dawne Mylie on our team is doing that this week and I'll be excited to share her results on an upcoming blog post!

Planting Seeds

Special thanks to Ilene Meckley for this information!

Spring will officially be here in a couple of days. Business is so much like planting a garden. We first have to plant the seeds, and then we have to water, mulch and fertilize. We know some plants will grow easily and some plants require a lot of care. Some people even believe in talking to their plants. We want to be sure we help your business garden grow this Spring! More and more insects start to appear in the spring. ANT’s (automatic negative thoughts) are not fun to have around! Keep them from invading your business! We are having “Getting Rid of ANT’s “ parties this spring. You are invited! Call 702-673-0361 to attend this fun activity in your city.

Tips for your business garden:

Getting the soil ready--It is important the soil is ready to receive the plants. In a business garden that means working the day as you would prepare the ground--making a plan as to where you are going to make the contacts, just like you would make a plan as to where you will put the garden and when you will work on the garden throughout your daily routine.

Fertilizing--to make the soil richer is like doing the full service contact to be sure the person you talk to can be richer also! They can be enriched from all the services you offer. This is such an important step in the growing process. This is also a step in gardening that can be sometimes not so pleasant. We still do it because we know it is important.

Planting the seeds--we know that some will grow heartily, some will sprout and then die and some seedlings will never make an appearance. We know we have to plant many seeds to have a full, beautiful garden. This is the same philosophy needed for our business garden. Expect the no's, accept the no's and respect the no's in the same way as you would from the seeds in your garden. Focus on the plants that do make the garden so worthwhile working for.

Watering--this is the most important step to being sure the plants have what they need. Are you watering your business--making 5-10 contacts--knowing that you are watering your business with each contact?

In a nursery, there are so many types of plants to choose from and in your business, there are so many kinds of people and places to meet people. Spring is a time to get out more and meet new people. I have included a list of places where sharing can happen so naturally.

Places to Plant Seeds

Restaurants

Church Meetings

Retail Stores

Grocery Stores

Dr./Dentist Offices

Sports Practices

Parks

Neighbors

Community Organizations

Banks

Library

Post Office

Dry Cleaners

Beauty Salon

Fairs/Bazaars

Child care Providers

Phone book

Customer Referrals

UPS delivery person

Family/Class Reunions

Play groups

Museums

Gas Stations

Amusement Parks

Swimming Pools

Garden Center

Job Fairs

Bridal Shows

Women's Expos

Public Restrooms

Baby/Bridal Showers

Laundromat

Open Houses

Fundraisers

Workplace

Zoo

Telemarketers/Sales

People

Spring into Action … Discover your Solution

Thursday, May 18, 7 to 9 pm

National University

20 River Park Place

Fresno, CA


During this unique two-hour event, we will be helping guests connect with the solution that’s right for them, and help consultants learn more ways to share the solutions we have to offer. Your guests will have the chance to explore all of their CM options, including solutions for their photo needs, benefits for hosting, and advantages to starting their own Creative Memories business. Consultants will benefit from product displays and observing how other consultants demonstrate and share each of our solutions, so be sure to bring a pen to take some notes!

Guests who decide the hosting opportunity is their ideal solution, will receive a gift that evening for scheduling a Get Together with you. In addition, guests who decide to start their own Creative Memories business will receive an extra special gift: our award-winning Storybook Creator Plus 3.0 software! This evening is all about introducing new and seasoned customers to CM in a very fun and relaxed environment.

Pre-register by mailing $10 to

Karen Bowser

6072 N. Dower

Fresno, CA 93723


Creative Memories
Fresno Area Leader Group

National Scrapbook Day 2010

Thank you so much to Amy Horm for sharing her photos from her National Scrapbook Day event!

1st Quarter 2010 Anniversaries

1st Quarter 2010 Recruiting Awards

1st Quarter 2010 Sales Awards

We are having an Area wide meeting again this spring with Creative Memories Field Development Manager, Karen Grosz. The details will be on the CMC Network soon, but this is for you to save the date.



Tuesday, May 18

7 to 9 pm

$10 pre-registration

National University

20 River Park Place

Fresno

Only 26 more days until Mother's Day!

It's creeping up and have you actully even thought about Mother's Day? I bet your customers haven't either! So, THIS WEEK is the time to get on the phone and let them know that April 30 is the very last day for these specials:

Traditional products — 20 percent discount on Quick Kits, Paper Album Kits and PicFolio® Albums. There's also a direct ship purchase incentive — spend $100 and get a black 5x7 frame free ($12 value). Use the e-promotion and Campaign Flier to share these deals with your customers.

Have a Mother’s Day Gift Sale to offer your customers this month.
Be a hero to your customers' spouses by contacting them about creating something memorable. For example, offer them time and assistance in creating a Paper Album Kit. Or, offer an after school kid's workshop to create the Paper Album for Mom! Create a postcard in StoryBook Creator Plus Software and hand them out to husbands. Track those who make purchases during the holidays with this offer. Focus on groups with primarily male members such as men's church groups, fire or police stations, Elks or other clubs. Let them know it only takes a dozen photos to make a paper album. Show them the new Recordable Paper Album Kit as a gift for their spouse, grandma or mother.


Oh, and while you're at it, Creative Memories Home Office facebook group is having a Mom's Photo Contest - you might want to check it out! You could win FREE PRODUCT!

Only available until Monday, April 19 - WATCH NOW!

Nick Kelsh Video: Nick Kelsh is a nationally acclaimed professional photographer. His program on how to take better pictures, which was shown at the Regional Saturday event, received raves from both Consultants and customers in attendance. This video is available for Consultants to replay on a computer until April 19, 2010. There is still time to offer events to your customers and new contacts to learn from this program. Use it to increase attendance at Workshops, as a special presentation at your National Scrapbook Day, as a way to encourage current customers to bring guests to any event. The video is available through www.cmc-network.com under the Campaign HQ only. It is not available to download or copy and is not for sale at this time. You can play the video from CMC-Network on a laptop, computer projector or by hooking your computer up to a television with a computer/ television cord available at most electronic stores.

Got BLING? and other cool stuff offered this month!

Digital Center Graduation Specials: The sale continues . . .
· A 15 percent savings on 4x8 graduation photo cards. Customers can order up to 120 cards and receive the discount.
· A 15 percent savings on graduation Wall Prints.
· A $5 savings on 7x5 Softcover StoryBooks for any occasion, including graduation. Customers can purchase up to nine books and receive the discount.

Help your customers complete their graduation-related projects by offering a Digital Graduation Workshop! Find details at http://www.cmc-network.com/ /Events/Customer Events/Workshops.

StoryBook Creator Plus 3.0 Software Upgrade: Until April 30, customers can upgrade to StoryBook Creator Plus 3.0 Software for just $9.95 (CD or download). That’s a $10 savings. Share with your customers that StoryBook Creator Plus 3.0 has lots of great features they are going to want. Remember, all new digital content from Creative Memories is only compatible with StoryBook Creator 3.0 Software.

Advertise CM's newest Dress It Up and Glitter Alpha Set Digital Embellishments by using them to post an announcement card on your facebook page or send by e-mail to your digital customers. This one shown was created just for that purpose by UL Jori Halbrit. You could also print some out to hand out at your next workshop or Digital & Dessert night!

Creative Memories Digital Center: Encourage your customers to visit this site by clicking on the Digital Center link on creativememories.com. Here they will learn about new products, special offers and easy-to-make gift ideas. When they register, they will receive 20 free photo prints and the DigiKnow e-newsletter.

Here are some other ideas for spring sales for digital & traditional products:
· Wall Prints make a unique gift and can include a variety of themes such as:
o Showing the graduate growing through the years
o Celebrating senior year activities
o Celebrating hobbies or interests
· Offer a Wall Print Workshop, asking customers to bring 6-8 photos in a variety of themes. Let them know they will create the Wall Print that night.
· Contact school groups about using Wall Prints as thank-you gifts for teachers, coaches, play directors and advisors.
· Start making contacts now about creating a June 2010 — May 2011 calendar for school groups or teams featuring pictures from the year. Offer it as a fundraiser for the groups.
· Contact parents involved with proms, music booster clubs and dance studios having recitals. Show them the new Dance Additions along with a Softcover StoryBook.
· Host a "Pre-Graduation" party for the moms of graduates. Let them know you can help them do their invitations, thank-you cards, albums and posters for their graduate. Encourage them to bring images on a jump drive so you can upload images right there at the event. Find guidelines for holding a Graduation Workshop at CMC-Network/Events/Customer Events/Workshops.
· Schedule a Product Playdate and let guests come and play with all the new products! You could also do a Digital Product Playdate.
· Offer a "Mothers Day" event using the Beautiful Day Recordable Paper Album Kit. If they bring 12 photos or images of their mother, they can create a paper album the same day for a Mother’s Day gift.
· Offer an evening to showcase all the new spring products. Offer special discounts on package deals, such as a bonus gift if they purchase combinations of Simply Beautiful products.
· Get the new Simply Beautiful Power® Palette into customers' hands by using them as customer gifts. You can create 16 gifts from one pack consisting of two papers, two Storybox mats, two journaling boxes, four flowers, and one or two tags.
· Offer your Hosts a special borders party where they gather outside orders for the Primary Bordermania II Featured Project in advance of the party. Make it a fun night out with the girls.
· Call local schools and ask for the contact in charge of their Post Graduation or Post Prom Party. Offer them a fundraiser where you share the registration fee and perhaps a portion of the sales.
· Contact private schools and smaller public schools that may not have the budget for a fancy year book. Offer to help them create a Senior Book using StoryBook Creator Plus 3.0 Software. Show them how a Softcover StoryBook can be very affordable.
· Capitalize on the need for spring cleaning by offering to help people get their hard drives and their closets cleaned of unorganized photos by having an organization class. Feature the new Power® Sort Box, extra tab dividers, journaling pens and Memory Manager Software.
· Contact sport centers and meet with someone about providing Wall Prints, Page Prints or StoryBooks for teams this spring season.

NOTE: Simply Beautiful Card Bundle is no longer available! (SOLD OUT!)

Consultants, let me ask you a question. Do you ever think to yourself “why, oh why do I do this?” Why do I make calls, why do I leave my family in the evening to teach a Get Together, why do I spend more time on other peoples albums than my own?


I often joke that when I was a consultant I asked myself those things, and subsequently resolved to quit, about once a week. After making that proclamation someone would then call to order a tape runner. I would jump up and down with joy convinced I was part of the best, most rewarding business in the world.


A salesperson at heart, I know there is nothing a good sale can’t fix!


I also learned there is no easy way to grow this business.


You have to do the work. You have to meet people. You have to show them your photo solutions. You have to follow up. Those are all simple steps but some days you can get in your own way and not do them. Those are the days you have to listen to the stories, you have to know the impact of this work so the work is smaller than the reward.


One way to do that is to ask album makers to tell you their favorite album story. I did just that for you this week and the stories I heard made me smile and touched my heart. I hope they do the same for you.


Field Development Manager Jeanne Goskie tells us the first stories and I wish you could hear her voice! She has a charming southern lilt and powerful punctuation.


When I was a CMC, I once helped a good friend create an album for her son Isaac who lived for just 3 days. Up to this point, I had never considered the power of album-making, to me the experience was mostly craft with a lifetime guarantee. Making Isaac’s album with Mary was difficult, therapeutic, and celebration. For me, it showed me I offered an authentic service. There was nothing sales about it, even though I did sell and she bought excitedly. She has 3 other children now, and they know Isaac as their older brother because of that album and the stories inside.


Another occurred when I helped a customer create her adoption album for her son. Behind this experience was a long time of infertility pain and sorrow. It was an experience full of questions about the process of international adoption, what the trip overseas was like, the difficulties of the process, the waiting, the sadness of the orphanage, the questions about their son that would never be answered. But the privilege of helping to create the history book of this family milestone was humbling and amazing and educational and supernatural. All of these details coming together to be a perfect route for this little person to become known in a family where he will forever be wanted, known, loved, connected, and part of the whole. And they are recorded in that album for their family to revisit for generations.




Corporate Lineage Director Debi Fehrman tells her stories with a voice that sounds like Leeza Gibbons and the laughter of a happy mom.

It’s so fun when your son, who resisted doing his own album while growing up, ended up making a sentiments album for his girlfriend (now wife), commemorating their first dating anniversary. We spent a memorable Labor Day weekend working on it together. And yes, I have pictures! I treated him just like a cropping customer – fun “manly snacks”, page ideas, tools at his seat, his favorite music playing. Craig listed 365 reasons to love you and included receipts, a pony tail holder and all of the small things that go into growing a big love.

As my children grew into their teen years, Christmas morning became less exciting as time came to unwrap presents. All they wanted was money to buy clothes or expensive game components. So Charlie and I sat down one evening, going through our albums (we both cried) choosing various pages for the children to “find”. On Christmas morning, we had a bowl full of various activities located in the albums. First they would choose a story from the bowl, find it in the album then they could open a present. At first they rolled their eyes, but then the stories started flying. What used to be 20 minutes of gift opening turned into 2.5 hours of story sharing and tons of laughing!



Albums, they make us laugh, they make us cry. They tell us who we are, where we have been and sometimes, as in Debi’s first story, where we are going. Albums of love, joy, pain.
Albums and the people in them, that is why we do what we do.

I'd love to hear about your favorite album!

Congratulations to Karen Bowser and Debbe Haley who have passed the Digital
Endorsement test. This means we are qualified to train new digial
customers in Memory Manager and StoryBook Creator Plus. This seal will be
added to our websites. Who will be next?

FREE Product Available and BONUS $$$

ONLY 14 more days to get an additional $78.50 in FREE NEW PRODUCT! Use the Beautiful Start March Incentive to build your team and group volume this month and get your recruits off to a successful start in their business. This is such a WIN WIN for EVERYONE!!

New team members who join in March and place $500 in retail sales orders within their first 30 days will receive the new Simply Beautiful 12x12 Power® Palette System and the Simply Beautiful Content Collection CD for free. That’s a $78.50 EXTRA retail value.

Plus, because they achieved $500 in their first 30 days, they’ll receive $100 in free products as part of the Success Plan. And you’ll receive $100 cash.* And, another BIG BONUS is the FREE SHIPPING offer with any order of $800 or more, which includes a FREE package of new catalogs, too!


Add it up...that's a lot of SAVINGS this month, which means LOTS OF PROFITABILITY for your new consultants right from the start! How motivational!


All new recruits can purchase the Consultant Kit for just $50, along with one or more Product Collections at a 30 percent discount. And any product collection purchase COUNTS TOWARDS THEIR ACTIVATION goal of $500! That’s a great low price to start a business while working toward achieving all the super rewards of the Success Plan.


Go check all this out on Campaign Headquarters - it's really exciting how it all flows together and allows YOU with a bonus, too...$100 cash and $100 product certificate and more of an opportunity to get that $500 Marriott CERTIFICATE and/or the DISNEY TRIP!
TIP: Invite your Hosts to watch as you teach their upcoming events and they can sign up right then! You might even offer the sales for their event toward helping them get their first order in! Better yet, get several of their friends to schedule their own events from the Host’s event and the sales from those are hers!

Your Own Personalized National Scrapbook Day Website!!

Thanks to Maureen for the following information!!

Have you heard the buzz? Did you know you have your own personalized exclusive National Scrapbook Day website just for you? You can add photos of page layouts, border ideas, video links, music, ideas, polls, and more! You can view hundreds of fun photos of page layouts from others and check out the forum for ideas on what other consultants are doing for their upcoming NSD events! Go to www.cmc-network.com news posting for all the information!

If you haven't planned to join a Virtual NSD Celebration meeting for this Saturday, March 13th, then be sure to tune in to this event from the comfort of your own home THIS SATURDAY! The link is posted at www.cmc-network.com on the NSD events link. For those in Grants Pass, OR, our Virtual Celebration meeting is being held at my house as a workshop this Saturday from 9am to 3pm, so please let me know if you are planning to attend. Only a few spots left, as the Medford consultants are joining us too! It's a potluck, so bring a dish to share and of course your album & supplies or laptop to work on! We'll be creating NSD borders and layouts, so bring those items, too!

I've created my site and am using it for our team for ideas as well as for my customers! If you'd like to check out my NSD website, click on this link. I'd love to hear your comments right on the home page. There are a few polls to take, so check it out! http://www.virtualcelebration.com/guestbook.php?cid=MzQ0&gid=MjI4OQ

Nick Kelsh Video

Click here to watch some quick tips on taking great photos with your digital cameral: Nick Kelsh video Nick created this for Regional conventions and it's also posted on www.cmc-network.com under Campaign HQ, but it will only be there for several weeks. I just showed it tonight at my Digital & Dessert and it was a big hit! Several customers who have seen it have already been practicing with their digital cameras! Check it out if you haven't already and be sure to play it for your customers, too!

Keep it Simple!!

Have you seen our newest product catalog yet? It just officially released yesterday. I’m very excited about it, in large part because the general theme is a subject very dear to me: keeping it simple.

Many of you know I have a shared passion for both storytelling and keeping album-making simple. To me, keeping it simple is one of the most important messages we have to share and one of the most impactful ways we can help you.

But why is keeping it simple so important? Because storytelling is even more important.

In my experience, most of us just don’t have the luxury of spending hours and hours with our photos. We need to move quickly. At the same time though, being creative -– producing something beautiful -– is important to many people. So it’s my hope that every precious minute we can save you in the design and page layout processes is a minute that might go toward more thoughtfully telling the stories that lie behind your photos.

That’s why we offer solutions like our Quick Kits for really fast traditional albums. It’s why our Power® Palette System groups all the papers and enhancements you need into one color-coordinated group.

For me, creating digital photo books helps to keep it simple. I can drag and drop my pictures into Predesigned Pages, type my stories and I’m done! So many paralyzing decisions have been eliminated so I can concentrate on the stories I want to tell.

You can even find ways to keep your journaling simple, if that’s what’s holding you back. Maybe “keeping it simple” for you means bullet journaling instead of paragraphs. Or maybe for you it means typing your stories rather than hand writing them.

Many people have found our Ten Questions idea book a helpful way of keeping their storytelling simple. Lots of times, deciding what to write is the hardest step. So having 10 simple questions to answer can be just the solution you need.

Get in touch with your Creative Memories Consultant today and get a look at this new product catalog and all the great solutions it contains. Then get started using some of them to celebrate some stories. That’s why we make them!