Uncertainty Around Pampered Chef Business: What Do You Think?

[sillylittlechef]

What does everyone think of this? I am not sure. Do you think this will be helpful to your PC business?

 

[cmdtrgd]

I like that you can make as many as you want in a 30 day period for only a few dollars! Plus, you don't have to ask HO if the ad is okay - it is preappreoved.

 

[SillyChef]

I will be getting it ... I mean at least for a month to try it out 2.99 is nothing when you think about it.

 

[KimmyDarling]

I'm definitely going to try it. I'm such a dork that I plan on checking at midnight to see if it's up yet, so I can play with it!

 

[chefann]

It probably won't be up. Just because they say Feb. 1, doesn't mean that they have someone in the office in the middle of the night to update the site. And Merrill is in Central time zone, too.

 

[KimmyDarling]

It probably won't be up. Just because they say Feb. 1, doesn't mean that they have someone in the office in the middle of the night to update the site. And Merrill is in Central time zone, too.

Well, no, of course not.

Most companies (maybe not TPC) roll-out new web functionality at a scheduled time, but it's not done by an actual person flipping a switch. It's done (gasp!) by computer.



If it's not there, I can wait. I just look forward to seeing what it's like.

 

[chefann]

I know that, Kim, but I doubt that Merrill has thought ahead that far.

 

[KimmyDarling]

I know that, Kim, but I doubt that Merrill has thought ahead that far.

Maybe not. That's kind of a scary thought, isn't it?

 

[chefann]

It would be par for the course for them, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[KimmyDarling]

You'd probably know better than I would. I've only purchased from them once, so I don't know "how they roll."

 

[raebates]

Well, I've obviously missed something. What is the ad generator? I could search through everything, but you people are much quicker and easier (pun definitely intended).

 

[lisacb77]

It's OK Rae, I think I missed it too. Maybe it was a big Leadership secret!

 

[raebates]

It's so good to know I'm not alone.

 

[KimmyDarling]

From a web mail today:Advertising your Pampered Chef business is about to become easier!Starting Feb. 1, all Consultants will have access to Ad Generator, a service that makes advertising your business easy!As announced in the Special Edition Consultant News, The Pampered Chef® has partnered with Merrill Corporation to bring you Ad Generator, a service that allows you to create professional, personalized, Pampered Chef-approved print advertisements with a few clicks of the mouse.
It’s so easy!Just select an ad and choose an image from the photo gallery. No need to worry about what to say — it’s done for you! Type in your personal information and you’re done!You can e-mail ads to community-based print media, such as church bulletins, school newsletters, community newspapers or subdivision directories. You can even create business card-sized ads, complete with a photo of yourself! Create ads to:
* Host a Show or Theme Show
* Share our business opportunity
* Promote our Wedding Registry
* Announce special eventsSelect ads are available in Spanish.
And it’s affordable!The cost for a 30-day subscription is just $2.99, and there’s no limit to the number of ads you can create in this period.To sign up for Ad Generator, log on to Consultant’s Corner beginning Feb. 1 and click on Promoting Your Business and then the Merrill Corporation logo. A subscription link will be located in the left-hand toolbar.It’s that easy!

 

[raebates]

Thanks, Kim! Now I remember seeing it. The old little gray cells just couldn't access the information.I think it sounds great, but I'm going to have to give some thought as to whether it will be of much use to me. Gonna have to get those gray cells workin'.

 

[yummy4tummy]

It was in an e-mail from HO...New Ad Generator my Merrill. You can send to church, school bulletins without having it approved...as well as sending out customer newslettes. Sounds pretty good (on paper) unlimited mailings for $2.99 Valky

 

[yummy4tummy]

boy you guys are fast...now you Don't see it...now you do! LOL

 

[raebates]

How's this for timing? I just checked my email and the notice from HO is there.

 

[DebbieJ]

I'm excited about it. I think it's going to be great. As Kate said, just a few bucks and you have all the ads you want!

 

[thechefofnorthbend]

RememberIts unlimited mailings from the ad generator from Merrill, but you will still have to pay for the ad space in the newspaper, newsletter, print media ad, etc...so in the long run it may still cost you a couple hundred bucks. But without all the hoopla of getting permission from HO first, it should be well worth it.

 

[DebbieJ]

I think it's very useful because there are times when I'm doing a fair and they have a program booklet. In the past, I've had to do just a business card, but now we can have these PROFESSIONAL ads at very little cost! I'm doing one next month and it's going to be AWESOME!

Also, I sponsor an ad on the placemat for our church's girls club spaghetti supper. Again, now it can look nice.

 

[ChefBurke]

I wonder if our director payed it & made copys if you could get them to print one with your name then just make copys yourself... svae $2! hey it counts

 

[KimmyDarling]

I signed up. So far, it looks good! Haven't downloaded anything yet, but have played around with the different ads.I like!

 

[chefann]

I wonder if our director payed it & made copys if you could get them to print one with your name then just make copys yourself... svae $2! hey it counts

Right in the Terms of Use, it says that we're not allowed to make ads for anyone other than ourselves. And most publications will want the electronic version, rather than a printout, anyway.

 

[ange13]

Can you save the ads to your hard drive for use later down the road? That was one question I had that was never addressed.

 

[KimmyDarling]

Can you save the ads to your hard drive for use later down the road? That was one question I had that was never addressed.

Yes, you sure can.

 

[raebates]

That might make a difference to me.

 

[GourmetGirl]

So I was one of those dorks that just for the heck of it went on just after midnight last night, and nope, it was not up and running I did subscribe today, because for 3 bucks it's worth it to make some to have on hand. I love it! I just made an opportunity one for my sneak peek show in a few weeks! For $3 a month, it could be kind of cool to make your own postcard invites for shows... hmmm... the wheels are a turnin!

 

[DizziePixie]

It would be great if you can print your own business cards with their pictures, logo, etc! Maybe make the bridal ads for shows and fairs!! Super Starter ads for job fairs, etc. Wooohooooooo!!!

 

[KimmyDarling]

For $3 a month, it could be kind of cool to make your own postcard invites for shows... hmmm... the wheels are a turnin!

You're RIGHT! I just made one up for a show later this month, and it looks GOOD!

 

[SillyChef]

I haven't subscribed yet, so I was wondering what they actually offer?

 

[TerraOB83]

Is shipping included in the subscription price? sorry dont know to much about it.

 

[KimmyDarling]

Is shipping included in the subscription price? sorry dont know to much about it.

There is no shipping. You download the ad onto your computer. It's a .PDF file.

 

[TerraOB83]

oh duh lol sorry dont know where my mind is today thanks

 

[DizziePixie]

So, Kimmy, you really liked it? What kinds of ads did you make? Did you see business cards?

 

[SusanBP0129]

bumping...

 

[chefann]

I've made a few ads for kicks - some of the business card size, and some of the others. I've got a message in to a local paper to see what their ad rates are. But since I live in a market that's covered by one of the "Top 100" newspapers (in which we aren't allowed to advertise), I don't foresee using this often.

 

[NMmommy]

Has anyone tried to print the business cards yet? I can't figure out how to print more than one on a page.