Stamping Is My Business Newsletter

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The Stamping Professional's Source for Business-Building Information, Products & Services!

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Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Happy New Year!

Sorry this newsletter is so late. I usually hold my January newsletter until after Leadership, but this one is coming out later than planned.

Hopefully, your January is in full swing and you're back up to speed after the holiday. Have you made your list of resolutions for 2007? Do you know what you want to accomplish this year? If not, take a moment and make a list. Remember, you don't really commit to a goal until you write it down and share it with someone else. Until then, it's just an idea.

Warmest regards,

John

John Sanpietro

Certified Personal & Professional Development Coach

In this issue

	Are You Anti-Stampin' Up? The New Mini-Starter Kit... A Few Things to Remember 2007 Study Group Now Forming - starts February 12th 3.7%...Can YOU Top It!? Now Booking 2007 Live Presentations Sample of the Month Book of the Month

The New Mini-Starter Kit...

A Few Things to Remember

As most of you probably know, SU announced a new Mini-Starter Kit promotion at Leadership. The Mini-Starter Kit, which sells for $99, will contain all of the business supplies of the regular starter kit, plus one stamp set, two packs of cardstock and one black ink pad.

This is a fantastic promotion and a tremendous opportunity to revisit the recruiting conversation with some of your best customers, as well as former demonstrators in your downline. Take advantage of it!

Here are a few suggestions for incorporating the new Mini-kit into your recruiting.

Let your prospects know that they have both options
Make sure you position the Mini-kit properly. This is not just a cheaper alternative for someone looking to become an demonstrator.
The regular starter kit is necessary for people who don’t already have a lot of inventory and are going to need certain, basic supplies to get their business up and running.
The Mini-Starter Kit is for people who are able to use their existing inventory to run their business
The rule-of-thumb should be – if you have to buy more inventory than is included in the Mini-Starter Kit, you should probably buy the regular Starter Kit
Explain to your prospect that they’ll probably end up spending more money buying the Mini-kit and additional inventory than they would if they just bought the regular Kit

2007 Study Group Now Forming -

starts February 12th

Stamping Is My Business Study Group

If you're looking to make 2007 THE year for your stamping business. If you're trying to find a way to increase your knowledge and accountability, without spending too much money, the SIMB Study Group may be the answer.

The Study Group will meet via conference call once per month, for one hour.

Each month, we will discuss one or two chapters of the book and go into them in much greater depth and detail. I will also ask you to complete tasks at the end of each call.

The Study Group will begin Monday, February 12th, and will meet on the second Monday of each month, at 10:00 p.m. eastern for 12 months. If you cannot make a call, don't worry...all calls will be recorded and you will have access to them. You will never have to miss a call!

You will also have access to me. If you ever have a question or problem that you would like coaching on, you will be able to get in touch with me via e-mail for a timely response.

The best part of the Study Group is the price - just $19.99 per month!

For more information, or to sign up, select here.

3.7%...Can YOU Top It!?

According to a survey by Hewitt Associates, the average base salary is expected to increase by 3.7% in 2007.

That means, if you were working in an office, making $35000 per year in 2006, you could expect to make $36295 in 2007.

Do you think you can increase your stamping business' profit by more than 3.7% in 2007?

I bet you can!

And if you do, that means working your stamping business is more profitable, percentage-wise, than working a traditional job.

Now Booking 2007 Live Presentations!

"John is the BEST business speaker in our profession!"

- Glenda Travelstead

The 2007 Live Presentation calendar continues to fill up, but there are still a few dates left for the first half of the year and several from September on.

If you would like more information about booking John for an appearance in front of your group, send us an e-mail, or select here for more information.

Sample of the Month

Submitted by:

Ann Clemmer

Stamp Sets: First in Fashion, Aida Cloth BG, Rough Edges Alphabet

C/S: Very Vanilla, Blush Blossom, Chocolate Chip, Rose Red, Sage Shadow

Inks & Makers: Chocolate Chip and Rose Red Ink; Rose Red, Sage Shadow, and Blush Blossom Markers

Accessories: Large and Small Tag Punches, Taupe and Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon, Tan Gingham Ribbon, Horizontal Slot Punch, Sponge Dauber

Congratulations to Ann, who wins a $10 SIMB Gift Certificate!

As part of our efforts to continually improve, I'm happy to announce the NEW & IMPROVED SAMPLES SECTION. Utilizing blog technology, the new samples section features a search function which allows you to look up samples by a particular stamp set or theme. You can also click on each sample for an even larger version. In total, WE NOW HAVE OVER 500 SAMPLES and are adding more and more every day.

Use this link to view the new Samples Section.

We are now looking for Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day samples!

If you would like to submit a sample to be considered for Sample of the Month and the Samples Section, just send me a scan via e-mail, or mail your sample to: John Sanpietro, Stamping Is My Business!, 36 Fir Street, Jay, NY 12941.

Please include your name, e-mail address, phone number and all materials used to make your sample.

Book of the Month

The Speed of Trust - The One Thing That Changes Everything

by Stephen M. R. Covey

Stephen M. R. Covey (son of '7 Habits' author, Stephen Covey) has written an inspiring book about an essential element of business - trust.

Much of your stamping business is based on relationships. However, many stamping business owners focus on whether their customers like them or not. Covey makes the point that you should be focusing on whether your customers trust you or not. If they trust you, even if they have to swallow something they don't like... such as a price increase... they'll swallow it. Trust moves your relationship farther along than like.

This is a good book for anyone looking to really build relationships with their customers and downline.

Select here for more information from Amazon.com.

Stamping Business Q&A

Are You Anti-Stampin' Up?

Absolutely Not!

A few people told me this week that there were some people at Leadership who felt that I was against Stampin' Up.

So, let me be clear... nothing could be further from the truth!

I'm actually a big fan of the company. If I wasn't, I couldn't do what I do. I wouldn't be able to encourage people to build a business with a company I didn't believe in.

Anyone who takes the time to listen knows that I'm a big supporter and actually provide a counterpoint to a lot of the negativity that is unfairly focused on the company.

I think you'd be hard- pressed to find another person who's not an employee, demo or relative who actively points out as much as I do that a) the company is solid, b) the compensation plan is among the best in the direct sales industry and c) the blame for a less- than-successful business usually sits with the individual, rather than the company.

So, where do people get this incorrect impression?

There's a saying in direct sales - "If you're not 100% positive, then you're 100% negative." In other words, even if you're 97% positive, any suggestion of even a little something other than full-throated support can paint you with the negative brush.

And while I'm a big supporter of the company, I have no problem telling you when I think something doesn't make sense from a business/profit point- of-view, or, more often, sharing what I believe to be a more profitable alternative.

Unfortunately, some people interpret that as being anti-company. Personally, I interpret it as being pro-you.

The reams of e-mails I have from people thanking me for convincing them to remain with the company and showing them the path to a thriving, profitable business is testament to that.

I hope this clears up any false impressions you may have gotten. If you'd like to learn a little more about me firsthand, I invite you to e-mail or call me anytime or feel free to take part in any of the free conference calls I offer throughout the year.

(If there's a question you'd like answered, or a topic you'd like me to cover, feel free to

send me an e-mail)

Testimonials...

Six months ago, I was ready to quit. My husband was pressuring me big time! But you spoke with us and convinced us both to give it one more shot. Now, thanks to your coaching, my sales are up 20% and my profit is up 50%! My husband and I both think you rock!

- MD, Michigan

I am so glad that I got the chance to hear you speak in Seattle last month, you are very inspiring and manage to break down to the easiest form what we know we should be doing...

- LS, Washington

Quick Links...

Order the Electronic Version of "Stamping Is My Business!"

Order the Printed Version of "Stamping Is My Business!"

Order one of the SIMB Training CDs

Join the Stamping Business Coaching Group

Find out how to book John to speak live to YOUR group

Learn more about the SIMB Referral Program

Sign up for 1-on-1 Coaching

Order the "Stamping Is My Business!" Tote Bag

Stamping Is My Business! Homepage

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