Top 10 Sales Secrets

1) Set Goals

• Sales - for your group AND each selling member.


• Start & Finish - Set kick-off and completion dates and stick to them
.

• Share the work load - require that a certain number of volunteers be found first to be part of a management team to insure that the group has the manpower to achieve its goals.

2) Planning Time - Give yourself enough time to get the project organized. The first step should be to take the time to write up a simple plan by brainstorming with your management team. Preliminary steps always take longer than expected.

3) Know Your Customer - Choose a fundraiser your customer will buy and use. A fundraiser that offers great profits or involves a product/service which the members like, may do poorly if the customers won't buy it.

4) Know Your Competition - If possible, avoid conducting your fundraiser at the same time as other groups. Choose a fundraiser that offers products which are not the same old thing, offer a great value, and something which your customers actually use. If other groups happen to be conducting their fundraiser at the same time as yours, customers will choose the best value. Products from gourmetfundraising.com fulfill these requirements.

5) Promote Your Fundraiser - Before your fundraiser starts, issue a press release. We will be happy to supply you with a sample press release which you can easily adapt to promote your group. Have each group member e-mail family members about your cause. Send a letter home ahead of time informing parents about the event - goals, dates, and the need for volunteers.

6) Motivate Your Group

• Offer a group prize for reaching the groups' goal
.

• Create sales teams of 2's and 3's to compete for a top team prize.


• Contact local retailers to trade product/services in exchange for advertising consideration. They may be able to offer two for one coupons or a wide variety of other ideas which won't cost the group anything except the time it took to contact them.


• Offer prizes to anyone who sells a certain amount within the first week.


• Post a large sales thermometer type poster on a wall that is adjusted throughout the event to allow each member to see exactly how much the group has sold.


• Talk it up!

7) Avoid ordering and shipping problems - make sure each group member understands how each part of the selling process works: filling out forms, cash exchange and security, follow up, product deliveries, etc.

8) Keep good records - order forms, invoices, packing slips, member lists, volunteer names, etc. This is especially helpful if you plan to make this a yearly event, with each year having a new volunteer leader.

9) Supplier Sales Expertise - communicate openly and often with us at gourmetfundraising.com. The needs of your group are unique. We encourage you to use our many years of experience to help you eliminate all problems and maximize your financial success.

10) Streamline the Distribution Process

• Double check orders against paperwork.


• Immediately report any damaged or missing products


• Keep copies of all order forms


• Choose a fundraising supplier who includes a pre-sorting service which makes distribution a breeze.

Have a great time! Believe that you can and you will!