Paparazzi Ordering 101...

I wanted to talk a little bit about Paparazzi inventory and ordering, now that I have a few orders under my belt! There are some things you should know before you sign up or make your first order. None of these things were a surprise to me when I first placed an order after reading the book and having a fantastic upline, but there were things I didn't know before I signed... None of it has dampened my spirits or love for this company but I do want to soften the learning curve for other ladies!

The Back Office
First of all, ordering happens through the back office. You log in and choose "New Order" in the My Orders dropdown menu. The left side menu has all your category options. Pretty strait forward. Once you start a new order, don't leave it unattended for to long. It times out after a few minutes and you lose your order. My first order I meticulously choose everything I wanted, walked away to make some coffee, came back and had to start from square one... not fun! Now I have a very basic system. When I add something to the cart I also add the item to an open Notepad doc open on my desktop, saved as "next order" so that if I do time out it's easy to go back and re-add all the items. 

New and Discontinued Inventory
My next tip, when Paparazzi says that their inventory is every changing... they mean it! You can't count on something being there tomorrow if you want it today, but in the same run you can always expect new inventory frequently. I personally love this! You just have to get over love affairs with the jewelry of yesterday. If you're in love, get it. Or don't look until you're ready to make an order! And never promise a customer you can get them something they wanted and missed out on, you always "have to check" first. If you run into real trouble or have a very hopeful customer you can always check with ladies on facebook groups (if you join my team you're under JemPro which has one of the most amazing Paparazzi groups around, these ladies are intensely helpful) but I wouldn't count on finding something you want easily. 

How Kits Work
Now something that I've found a bit of a struggle to work with... everything is sold in sets of 5. Blockbusters are sold as 5 of the same item in a pack (i.e. you get 5 of the same piece). Regular inventory is sold in 5 different styles that work within the "line" and are all the same color family. For example, "5th Avenue Brass Kit 2 - Bracelet" is a kit of bracelets sold right now. 5th Avenue is the "collection", Brass is the color, Kit 2 is the number kit since there are typically multiple kits in every color, and obviously Bracelet is the style piece. Here is what you would get with this kit at this particular time: 

The problem is that most of the kits contain an item or two that I find unpopular. Say for example I always sell out of the 2 cuffs above, but the rose charm bracelet never sells. I am stuck debating whether to end up with 2 of the "never-sell" pieces and hope to sell the cuffs quickly since I sold out of them before or passing the whole kit up because I know I will potentially not sell 3 of the 5 items very quickly. Now, if you're inventory is high volume this really shouldn't be a big problem, but it does make it more difficult for a woman just doing small home parties and drop ins or who's just starting out with only 100 or so pieces making smaller amounts of purchases at the same time. It is also slightly harder that they are paired in groups by color. I don't see a way for Paparazzi to get around this issue without separating the 5 piece kits, so I understand. It's just you don't typically sell only 5 black necklaces at a time. So If I'm down 2 black, 2 white, 2 blue, 2 green, 1 pink and 1 purple for example, replacing those 10 items would only mean 2 color choices... For regular inventory you just get through it. You buy basic black, silver, white, and brown colors and throw splashes of color in there every few sets. You buy with the upcoming seasons and track colors and styles your customers are buying. This doesn't take anything complicated, just a little notepad with general information will help narrow and that's all you need. 

Now for blockbuster necklaces which in my opinion (and my customers buying patterns prove) are some of the best necklaces. This isn't to say that they are all the best, or that there aren't some awesome necklaces in the regular inventory, it's just that I sell more of these than other necklaces by far. These come with their own trouble. It is very nice that you can pick the items that sell well and avoid the ones that sit on the rack for months, but you also take up 5 items in 1 and lessen your variety. Again, this only effects the people starting out small, or women who are content with home parties and drop ins. If you have 500 pieces or more, you wont really be effected since your variety is in your number. I do get by with this with a little help from my Paparazzi friends! If I buy 2 blockbuster sets and a friend buys 2 blockbuster sets then we can swap with each other and get 4 styles, having 2 or 3 of each. Everyone still has the same PV and we have the chance at twice as much variety. You do need a buddy for this to work and you may have some wait time between when you order and they do, but it's worth it for me right now with just over 150 pieces. 

Other Products
Once you have picked your inventory, you do have a few other options. First, start to build up your Starlet Shimmer if you'd like. They aren't worth any PV and don't really count for anything but $0.50 in your pocket a pop but people do like them and $1 girls jewelry is a nice advertisement for anyone who knows a kid. Aunties, grandmas, dads... they all like a cheap spoiler and when marketed that way they are golden at getting people in to look at the rest of your jewelry. 

The next thing you can consider are some of their "Boutique" items. This is all you. If branding yourself "Paparazzi" works in your area I would go for it. But if Paparazzi isn't so well known like it is in my little Rhode Island home state I would avoid the expense of these products and instead go for making yourself a t-shirt with your website, info, or what have you advertising what you're selling... This money is not a necessary purchase in the grand scheme, but if a $25 hoodie makes you feel a part of the team then go for it! Just don't spend the money you would otherwise spend on product. 

Under the Display category there are a few good options for displays. I've found displays a lot cheaper online or as DIY projects (check out my Paparazzi Pinterest Displays Board if you're interested) but I wouldn't discourage you from buying these ones either. They really aren't unreasonable and it's convenient to include in your flat rate shipping. 

The last is marketing materials. My advice, go with Vistaprint for any print materials. You can get a lot more bang for your buck and it be personalized. At least for me, none of these products are worth the money, with the exception of the Paparazzi bags. You can find bags a tad bit cheaper sure, but not with branding or customization without buying a huge amount, so I would stick with buying these plastic baggies for customer purchases instead. 

Check Out
If you bought a kit you know by now that your state's sales tax on accessories priced at $5 per piece is included in your final cost. So even though 100 pieces is only $275, I will be charged $35 in tax, which is 7% of $500. Prepare for that, and be grateful you don't have to deal with any of that yourself! Then, there is a $10 flat shipping charge. This being said, make sure that your order is worth it. In most cases you probably don't want to order less than 5 Kits, or 25 pieces because that makes shipping $0.40 a piece. So in Rhode Island that means I don't want to have less than $87.50 to invest. The other reason for not ordering less than 25 pieces is that you need 25 or more a month to maintain Star Consultant status which lets you earn commission on your down-line, be listed on the corporate website as a consultant in the area, and helps your up-line earn as well. 

So hopefully there was some good information in here. It gets easier as you go through it. If you have any questions feel free to ask! If I don't know, one of the many knowledgeable people above me will! Thank you all!

Ideas for Promoting Paparazzi in a Holiday Lull...

Hey ladies! 

I was sitting on my couch today racking my brain about how to spark some ideas into my customers minds. After a week of preparing for the upcoming baby in my house, I was wondering how I could ramp up the "drop in" foot traffic before the baby comes since I am less than 10 weeks away from d-day and will most likely be on bed rest for the end of the pregnancy... So I got out my paper and started a list. One of my ideas was to promote how great a gift or addition to a gift these accessories really are! My plan is every that day on my facebook page I will post one idea. So... who would I buy Paparazzi for? Here is my list for the coming month. It was hard to think of so many. My goal was to think of 30 and I actually did it! Go me! I will slowly add in my actual posts as I do them!

Gift Ideas for Paparazzi Accessories: 

1. Birthday Gift: "Paparazzi makes an incredible gift at an affordable price! Whether it's just one piece or a whole look, your gift will look fantastic without busting your wallet. Planning something bigger? Add a hair clip as the bow on the package or tie the bow with a ring to accent it!"
2. Teachers Gift: "Have a teacher meet and greet this week? Bring a little welcome back gift! Free gift wrapping if you let me know in advance!!"
3. New Mom's Gift:"Got a friend with a new baby or one on the way? (Well, besides me!) Make them feel like they're important too with a teeny $5 gift! Bring a pretty headband to the hospital for all those pictures were you feel less than "done up"! Or, drop off a bracelet that can help her keep track of "which side" by switching wrists!"
4. Congratulations on an Engagement: "Are your two buds finally planning on tying the knot? How about a little "yay" present! A hair clip or necklace will be welcomed for all the engagement festivities!"
5. Hair Dresser: "Off to your hair dresser or nail salon ladies this week? Bring along an extra tip!! A $5 headband, clip, or fun ring is a great gift to make her feel like more than just a service!"
6. Baby Sitter Thank You: "Have a summer baby sitter going back to school? Give her a little bling with a pair of starlet shimmer earrings for $1. Pair with a $1 bracelet and a $5 hair clip or headband and you got yourself a really sweet $7.50 with tax gift! Is she a little older than grade school? Go for a hair clip and a pair of really cute earrings to start off classes! Add a bracelet, just $16.50 with tax." Complete with this photo: 
7. Father Daughter Date: "Do you (or your hubby) have a Father/Daughter date? Have him swing by and grab a Starlet Shimmer bracelet and earrings for $2. Toss in a headband for $7.50 total including tax! She'll feel very special for getting the little gift from dad to show how much she's loved."
8. Bridal Shower: "Have a lovely lady getting ready to walk down the isle? Get her a great gift for the honeymoon! Pair with an outfit (or some unmentionables) in the colors and feel of their destination!"
9. Encouragement for a Child (for doing the right thing or completing a hard task, its only $1)
10. Hostess Gift
11. Thank You Mom Gift
12. Secret "Just Because" Package
13. Birthday Party Favors
14. Dress for the New Job Gift
15. Bridesmaids Gifts
16. Gift for a New Empty Nester (this is a hard time, give a little pick me up!)
17. Baby Shower Gift
18. Wrap with a Real Bow!
19. Away at College
20. Breakup Pick-Me-Up
21. Prom!
22. Job Promotion
23. Retirement Gift
24. Flower Girl Gift (make her feel like one of the big girls!)
25. First Interview
26. Congratulations on the Big Game!
27. First A!
28. Back to School Gift
29. White Elephant Gift
30. Get Well Soon (after an operation or hospital visit, a pretty headband could make someone feel a little more human again)

So there you have it. Steal it if you like it, ignore and whisper behind my back if you don't, it's up to you! Love you lots ladies, sweet dreams!

3-2-1, Launch!

My launch has approached! So so excited to have thrown myself a jewelry party! I picked out something from my inventory just for myself too and wore it. I feel like since I have less of a selection I don't want to take too much right away so I have a headband and a necklace for now, and some things my sponsor shipped to me, such a sweetie (we have a good team)!

For my launch party I kept it very simple. Here was my process. I decided to pick the date on a Sunday because my husband works at a church and a lot of my potential initial customer base could be from there. Since I live directly across the street from there, it would make it very easy to ask them to stop in after the first service or before or after the second. I planned to have my Keurig on and loaded and homemade cookies, simple easy and cheap.

Next, invite invite invite! I invited everyone I could think of from facebook to an event under my Accessorize With Five page. Then I went to my email and sent one to anyone I missed or who would appreciate it. But I don't suggest relying solely on digital invitations. Every time I talked to a friend or family member I reminded them. I texted my 3 sisters about it and asked them to invite their friends too. The Sunday before my party I spread it around church as well. 

To prepare, I had to set up. I wrote in a previous post that I had merch racks available to me as displays. I found the most central open space in my house (my dining room with table pushed on the wall) with no other clutter around, and set them up. I hung all of my necklaces on bent over paperclips one per hook. Always use one per hook, if you wonder why then check out this video from one of the Paparazzi founders (this is also a great series of videos so keep clickin'!). I have also since changed the display from the picture and color blocked the necklaces. It makes more sense that way (another great video on that too). I then took my rings as is in the boxes and laid them out. My headbands wer displayed in a little pail with their designs facing out. I used my current jewelry display from my room for the remaining bracelets and earrings. Then I took a ribbon and clipped the hair accessories to it flanking each side of the display. I've posted this picture before but here it is again: 

Now I just had to wait for people to show up the day of! I had decent traffic and I was happy with my end result, selling $181 worth of product while my son napped, and had 2 "orders" for things they had seen of Paparazzi that I didn't have. I did get to fulfill them both (8 pieces total) the next order as well. The best part was that I met my goal which was to be able to purchase 50 more items to supplement my slight disappointment in the kit. Unfortunately out of the 20 necklaces that were 2 different designs only one was sold. I hope that those aren't the ones that will hang forever and that my friends are just the type of crowd I predicted. 

The best part of this experience was that now the word is out and I can start getting more drop ins along with pushing for parties and maybe try my hand at an event!

Sorry this post wasn't that entertaining, see you next time with some helpful information about ordering as I walk through making my first real order with Paparazzi!