Amethyst, I am a Stampin' Up! demo, also, and have been for over 13 years. 

Don't feel like you have to compete with every fabulous blog you see on the internet.  Just find your target audience, build your mailing list, and speak to them in your own voice and style.  And although some certainly are, remember that just because they have a beautiful blog doesn't mean they are making a PROFIT from their business, which I assume is your goal in your business.  I'd be happy to talk to you more about different ways to build your blog/website... I've gone through a number of ways before landing on one I really think helps you be successful & profitable, no matter what your business is.

Good luck to you!

I was a Stampin' Up! demonstrator for almost 10 years when I left in 2008.  The only reason I left the company is because I had my first daughter and it was impossible for me to host workshops and prepare for them with a newborn. 

That being said, it was also before I discovered the power of the internet and marketing my business online.

I hear you loud and clear that some of those blogs are amazing.  Trust me when I say that they have paid a pretty penny for them.  But, what matters most is that you are doing what you love, you share your blog with your customers, family and friends and you promote your blog.  The marketing of your blog is probably the hardest part as you need to spend time finding your ideal potential customers, engaging with them and helping them.  Then, as they begin to see your knowledge they will migrate to your blog. 

The best piece of advice I can give you as a former demonstrator and now somewhat internet "savvy", use your blog to communicate with your tribe, build a network and become a resource.  Post your latest projects with instructions.  Ask what they want to see, what they want to learn.  Is it a new technique?  A new product? Different ways to use reinkers? The best way to do Two-Step stamping, etc.  

Give them what they want and they will be back for more, tell their friends and build a relationship with you.  People in general want to do business with other people they know, like and trust.  By "giving" first, you create an instant friendship and connection and they will try to help you every chance they get. 

If only I had known this 3 years ago, I would probably still be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  I still have a craft room of supplies I like to "visit" every now and then.   Some day, I can teach my girls to stamp and do paper crafts so I can get back to my first love. 

Good luck!  

All the best,
Ivette 

It is very nice to see this side of the mlm companies where there are very few complaints, and a gentle soul enjoying the business and the product, for it fills me with joy. This is one of those companies that I consider in the league of legitimacy, such as Tastefully Simple, Scentsy, and Tupperware. I don't think that these are get rich fast companies but it is evident that they are stable, reputable and well operated companies with a great deal to offer through simple products that mostly everyone needs. Please remember to update us with your blog dear friend so that we can all enjoy the fruits of your hard work ok?

My gratitude.

Looking forward to seeing your blog Amethyst, I'm sure it will be pretty cool, and don't worry about competeing with the fancy ones, just do your own thing and if you like it that's all that matters.

 So, I have discovered the company for me, and so far I have had more fun with the product than I have had success, but it is growing; albeit slowly. I have slowly began putting together a Stampin' up blog, which has actually been hard because before I joined, I didn't even have any idea what a blog was, I thought it was just an article about something some person felt like ranting about. My first attempt at a Stampin' up blog didn't go well, it made no sense and just had pictures and descriptions of some of the cards I made, but after looking at several others I began to realize what it was I was going for.http://www.stampinpretty.com/

Oh and by the way, Stampin Up products are awesome! and not only the craft supplies but the quality of something as simple as one of their pencils....The only real problem I am having now that I actually understand exactly what a blog is; is that if you Google "Stampin' Up Blog" you get some of the most amazing blogs, that must be created by what could only be God him/herself.....I mean seriously? I'm supposed to compete with this?

What an amazing job she did!

So anyway, if anyone is interested, I'll show you what I have when its done, and if you really pity me, you can join Stampin' up through me.. :) Just kidding, just kidding. I will definitely be open to any constructive criticism though, and I'm in this for the long haul so I don't mind going back and restructuring. Well, thank you for reading my post, and I hope to get some opinions from anyone once I post my own link.

Thanks guys and girls. :)

wow, yeah I'd go ahead and avoid that situation Klaiber, and to be honest I'm a little surprised the person didn't try a little harder because its almost blatantly a scam. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say it must be the same person who wrote this:

"Thanks for your reply,

How are you doing, I'm happy you respond back to me.I am hearing impaired that is the reason I can't call you. Well i just want to talk to you concerning your representative dealership on Stampin Up.I want to deal with you in purchasing this items with you not with the company, cos i am new on internet and this product was introduce to me through my best friend late last year and the woman died on motor accident last month, i don't have much experience on buying or purchasing item through credit card and don't operate a credit card facility .I am currently out of town for a business trip and i want someone that will be my product supplier so that's why i want to buy this items with you direct.i want to purchase this item below,So kindly look on your site if the item is still available on sale there and get back to me with the total cost of all.

- 5 quantities: 12x12 Linen Album Post
- 5 quantities: 12X12 Textured Card Stock - Brights Collection
- 4 quantities: Designer Series Paper Patterns Stack - Brights Collection
- 4 quantities: Good Times Simply Scrappin' Kit
- 5 quantities: Love Impressions Rub-Ons
- 5 quantities: Designer Buttons - Brights Collection
- 5 quantities: Dotto
- 4 quantities: Crop-A-Dile


kindly let me know if there is a discount to it, and also you don't need to worry about the shipping.As for the payment, i will be paying you upfront for the order with a bank Certified check,The payment will FULLY CLEARS your bank before the pickup. And when you receive the payment you can then proceed on making the order for the items i mention,or you can order the items down now.kindly get back now with your.

1.Full Name
2.Contact address(pls no p.o box)
3Phone number
4.Total amount of the order
for payment and let me know the Total cost for the order as well .Looking forward to read from you hope fully soon. So you are to get back to me with your full information to mail out the check payment to you.
Thanks and best Regard.."

Coincidence? Oh I think not :p

So apparently, this guy or girl has been at it for quite some time and sending out these stupid emails to everyone and is probably a distributor, albeit a bad one. I am certain Stampin Up would never tolerate something like this but if the person is even relatively intelligent than they can avoid being caught. Sort of like looking for a serial killer among individuals with the ideal circumstances to be good at it. I can't imagine anyone actually falling for this but I guess it takes all kinds to turn the world. I was sitting here trying to think of a way that a company could easily track their distributors so that they caould possibly pin-point who the bad rep is simply by where things are ordered, but since they would be on the recieving end of the bum rush it makes it possible to do this anywhere in the world. None the less, its interesting that the con chose to use Stampin up as it's company of choice, two times now. I'd love to get a rep in here to get their opinion on how they would go about nabbing someone doing this in their name....

Hi Ivette, I sent you a PM, just to let you know. I am open to any advice you have, and I have been trying to focus on the internet in particular for finding new leads. I went over my entire network yesterday and I'm finding that everyone involved has been having the same problem. I don't know if its that the product is like so many others of its type, or if this economy has people avoiding new products and MLMs like the plague but it seems like my entire downline is on pause with the exception of reorders. Its sustaining quite nicely but not growing.

Stampin Up seems like a heck of a lot of fun, I could see my wife enjoying something like that, although she's pretty busy with the youngins to be doing much recruiting. Maybe one day when they're old enough she can get out there and do some exploring, I'd love that for her, she's in the house too much and I can only get her out so often being busy myself. She is a real talker to, I know she'd be fantastic getting people to try new things.

Hi Wallace!

Just wanted to add my two cents about Stampin' Up!

I was a demonstrator for almost 10  years and I absolutely LOVED the company!  Shelli Gardner, the CEO and co-founder is the most ethical, loving, generous and honest person I know. 

The main reason I stopped being a demonstrator was because I had my first child and I couldn't do demonstrations anymore with a newborn.  Keep in mind though this was way before I understood how to build a business on the internet, how to recruit outside my city and really before I knew anything about direct sales in general.  

It did turn out to be an expensive hobby for me rather than a business because I was my own best customer.  I have a craft room full of stuff I need to start selling off so that my oldest can have her own room some day.  :)  Keep in mind I did all of this before kids so I was quite frivolous with my money and enjoyed all the toys. 

I think if you are looking at them from a business aspect you will do well   - I know several peopele who have built a stamping empire :)

Good luck in your search!

This made me laugh, thanks I needed it. Just so all you guys know, I get email spam from someone claiming to be a Stampin up rep all the time. I forwarded them to Stampin Up and they told me to stay as far away as possible. I have no idea who this person is, how they got my email, or why they won't stop emailing me but I'm sick of it. I don't exactly have the highest opinion of MLM companies, but I've never thought of Stampin up to be a scam. Here is a copy-paste of the latest one.

{ Hi ::::::::::, how are you doing? I sell products for a company called Stampin Up and I learned from a good friend of yours that you might be the guy to really help me out. See I am hearing impaired, that's why I haven't called to speak with you on the phone. I wanted to talk to you about becoming a representative for Stampin up because I guarantee you will make close to a hundred thousand dollars in two years easy. Lets set up a time where we can meet outside the guidelines of the company so I can get you in at a discount and you can be as successful as I have been. I can only offer this special opportunity to two people because I am not allowed to do it, but I know you would do great with it. I made this offer last year and the woman died in a boat accident. If you want to help me out, I have included a list of items I need you to buy with a credit card. Due to me being on a business trip I am currently out of town and need someone to act as my supplier. Please reply to me before ordering so I can tell you how to do it the way I need it done. Then, I will approve your free membership, give you a distribution package and a check for the total amount of your purchase, plus commission!

- 6 quantities: 12x12 Linen Album Post

- 6 quantities: 12X12 Textured Card Stock - Brights Collection

- 3 quantities: Designer Series Paper Patterns Stack - Brights Collection

- 3 quantities: Good Times Simply Scrappin' Kit

- 9 quantities: Love Impressions Rub-Ons

- 9 quantities: Designer Buttons - Brights Collection

- 9 quantities: Dotto

- 4 quantities: Crop-A-Dile

Please give me the following info so that (not sure what he was going to say here, it just cuts off)

1. Your Full Name

2. Contact address

3. Phone number}

Hey I'll bust in on one of these with a little of my Picasso juice...

I would make a greeting card that has a bunch of gears in it, so you turn one gear and all the rest follow. They could be all on the inside of a person's head, and under it I'd put a little caption that says "Thinking of you".. I'm sure yall aren't gonna give me any hope to try to print this card but I think it would be pretty funny myself lol. Maybe throw in a few led lights or something I don't know. Maybe have a light bulb pop up and light up or soemthing corny. Sure it would be a little different but wouldn't that be nice for a change?

:) Such creativity

I am not very well informed about Stamping up, is this a greeting card company?

A xenowhat?

Oh you made me laugh.

Men. I'll tell you what Wallace, if you could make that card without the gory stuff that I remember from the movie then you might have a winner there lol. I love the versatility of Stamping up and from the first time I saw their web site I thought of a few Stamping Up card ideas, though nothing that would make me rich and famous. When you really look at some of the cards featured on their web site you begin to really appreciate the concept, at least I do. The possibilities are endless and you could make an entire range of holiday cards that are unlike anything we spend so much on in places like CVS, or the grocery store. I know I would love a personalized card more than some generic thing someone purchased for $5, and that is by no means saying we shouldn't appreciate anything we receive on a holiday, just that hand made things are so much more intimate.

I've been thinking about this company and I've always felt it was a bit of an odd product, but only in relation to the usual MLM brand of items people are trying to sell. The more I began thinking about it the more I began to realize you could really do a lot if you have the imagination. I've seen some amazingly cool ones, and the one I'd like to do (go ahead and make fun of me if you want) is a Halloween one with a Xenomorph from the movie "Alien", that bursts out of a guy's chest every time you open the card, what do you think people?