Stamping Up Offering Online Classes - Three Factors That Will Determine Whether It's A Good Or Bad Thing For Demos

This morning, Stampin' Up announced they were going to begin offering online classes for sale. 

This initial announcement was lacking in specifics.  As a result, as you can see from this thread on the SIMB Facebook Page, the reaction is decidedly mixed.

They say 'the devil is in the details,' and that's certainly true here.

When those details are revealed, here are the three factors I believe will determine whether or not this new offering will help or harm business-building, profit-minded Demos:

1. Cost

As was pointed out at Leadership, many Demonstrators are already doing online classes.  Because of this, pricing has to be a serious consideration.  If priced incorrectly, the company can inadvertently hurt their most serious, business-building Demonstrators. 

Without knowing exactly how much information is covered in the online class SU is offering, the only point I can make about this issue is the class should be priced at no less than $24.99.  To charge less would undercut Demonstrators already offering both online and offline classes.  Setting the bar too low doesn't help anyone.

2. How It's Offered

The only way a product like this should be offered is through the Demonstrator.  If SU offers it directly to customers, it places them in direct competition with their Demonstrators. 

To deliver maximum benefit to the individual Demonstrator, these classes should either be made available exclusively through individual Demos' online ordering sites, or the transaction can only be completed after a valid Demo ID is entered on the order form.

3. Call To Action

If one of the purposes of this online class is to encourage customers to purchase catalog product, anyone watching the online class should only be encouraged to purchase that product through their Demonstrator. 

As such, any calls to action in the class videos or literature should not include generic, non-Demo specific links.  Instead, every call to action should prompt the customer to contact their individual Demonstrator to place their order.

 

More details are coming next week.  When we know more, just like I did with My Paper Pumpkin and the Hostess Code, I'll do a BSCG Members-Only webinar and share some strategies you can use to take full advantage of this latest addition.

Until then, take a wait and see attitude, and enjoy your weekend.

Comments

[Kerry]

What I am hoping is that it is a class file that demos can purchase for project ideas, much like what others offer. I am seriously hoping it is not for customers to purchase, after all, isn't that what Paper Pumpkin is? If is it for customers, I certainly hope they have to purchase it through a Demo and that it is commissionable. I have chosen to take the "wait and see" approach and not worry too much about it. I'd like to enjoy my weekend!

[John Sanpietro]

Remember, Jeannette... the person who moves slowest STILL beats the person who never starts!

[John Sanpietro]

JAMIE... Nothing to get into a tizzy over. Take a deep breath. Listen to a little Ella Fitzgerald. All will be right with the world again. :-)

LISA... Darn right I do!

CATHY... Right there with you!

[Jeannette]

I am so glad I joined SIMB. I was on the fence with another, but you know our business and are right in the trenches with us. Thanks.
Now if I can only decide on a blog name and get some of my bootcamp homework done. I sat on the fence a little too long and am playing catch-up LOL

[Cathy Parlitsis]

Great advice, John! I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

[Lisa Brown]

I agree with Sonya. Thank you, John, for encouraging us not to spin into hysteria. That never accomplishes anything for me, but so often that's how I initially react.
After reading your post and knowing you are going to share strategies after all the cards are on the table, I've decided to just chill. We know you've got our backs. ;)

[Jamie AR Albanese]

Thanks. I was in an angry tizzy. I will wait but I am NOT happy that they are taking away my customers attention and time, that's limited as is

[John Sanpietro]

Thanks, Sonya. And don't worry. Whatever the details are, we'll make it work.

[Sonya van Stee]

As always, great advice, and I love how you don't get hysterical as well as how you encourage others to also take a "let's wait and see" attitude as well! Thanks for being the voice of reason when sometimes we are sitting out here worrying...