Parents and Scouts,
As you know, the annual Popcorn sale is essential to the financial well-being of our Pack. What you may not know is that popcorn funds more than 60% of our annual operating costs. Popcorn is what buys cool things like belt loops and patches, fun things like camp stoves, and important things like scout handbooks for rank advancement.
What you also may not know is that for every $1.00 of top line revenue, Pack 934 automatically keeps about 35 cents. Another 30 cents of every dollar stays here in the council, indirectly benefiting your scout — for example, by funding upgrades and annual upkeep at Camp Raven Knob.
Door-to-door sales start Thursday, September 1. Scouts will get order forms at the Movie Day party on Saturday, August 27. We will also have many weekends of Show and Sells available this year; you can sign up at Movie Day. Show and Sells start on Saturday, September 17. Online sales are happening know; please reach out to Alicia to get your online log-on information. It is the same as last year, but if you’ve misplaced it, please reach out.
The sales goal for each scout is $450. If you sell $750 worth of popcorn, the pack will pay your recharter fees in March. Sales can be combined with online, in person, and door to door sales.
Successful popcorn sales do not rely solely on “cuteness”. It comes down to:
- Establishing a clear goal.
- Organizing a plan to reach this goal.
- Executing the steps of this plan with determination.
TOP TIPS FOR SALES SUCCESS!
Show your pride for Scouting. Wear your clean, neat uniform. Share with customers why you love being a Scout and what the popcorn fundraiser supports. Be polite, professional and respectful towards others and the property you are on. You are an ambassador of the Scouting movement. Don’t just sell popcorn. Show your customers what Scouting has done to help you grow.”
Set a clear goal. Whether it’s an amount you need for an activity or a specific prize you want to earn, be sure to set a clear sales goal prior to the start of the popcorn sale.
Practice ahead of time. Know your CAMP MASTERS script and develop your skills in making conversation, greeting strangers and engaging others with your storytelling. Learn how to take a personal interest in people of all ages. Finally, be ready to address common objections like “I don’t have cash” and “popcorn has too many calories.”
Give customers options. Know your products and be able to comfortably explain the value of larger products to your customers. This includes offering the military or food bank donation options for those who don’t like or want to purchase popcorn.
Never give up. Ask those you meet to support the Scouts through popcorn. Help them understand you’re earning your way to exciting opportunities. Don’t be afraid of those who may say “no” because every no eventually leads to a yes!
Always be prepared. Have a filling meal, get a good night’s rest and do something fun to energize you before heading out to sell. This helps you excite customers about Scouting and popcorn. Wear some bright, colorful shoes to spark conversations. You’d be surprised how well this works. And don’t forget to stay hydrated!