Tips for Success
The key to a successful Popcorn Sale is in establishing individual Scout Goals. It has been proven that a Scout who has a goal will sell twice as much popcorn as Scouts without goals. The steps to setting Scout Goals is easy, just follow these simple steps.
Overall it is important to keep in mind that Popcorn Sales are based on relationships. Most strangers are not going to spend $50 on popcorn. A neighbor or relative, however, is more likely to spend $50 because they want to support your son's Scouting experience.
Step One - Plan your program. Don't worry if you can't plan every single meeting for the next 12 months. The idea is to think about what things you may want to do throughout the year. Regardless of the special events and activities you plan for the year their are going to be some basic costs to running your Pack or Troop. You might call these "operational expenses". Below are "operational expenses" that every unit has.
| Registration Fees for Scouts and Adult Volunteers |
$15.00 per person |
| Boys' Life Subscription Scouts |
$13.00 per person |
| Advancements (Badges, belt loops, awards, etc) |
$7.00 per person |
| Program Supplies ($2 per Cub Scout Meeting / $10 per Troop Campout) |
$70.00 per person |
| Total |
$105.00 per person |
To provide a basic year of Scouting we estimate $105.00 per Scout. That's just to cover the four expenses listed above. This would mean that each Scout should have a minimum sales goal of $300. Additional items you may want to add are Pack or Troop T-shirts, Summer Camp, Day Camp, or Resident Camp.
Step Two - Attend District Popcorn Kick Off. At this meeting you will learn how to increase your sales, get ideas on how to conduct a unit kick off with your Scouts. In addition you will learn of any changes to this years sale.
Step Three - Plan your Show N Sell. Decide early the dates you are going to conduct a Show N Sell. Look for opportunities outside of the normal Wal-Mart or Lowes. Local community events are best. At local community events the chances you will run into someone you know is greater. Once again good popcorn sales are based on relationships. Make sure you confirm it is OK to sell at that location before making plans, some stores have no soliciting policies.
Step Four - Place a Show-N-Sell Order. Decide how much popcorn you think you can sell at your planned Show N Sell events. Make sure to order those items that sell well. Things like Microwave Butter and Butter Light are always popular, new items or higher prices items don't sell well at Show-N-Sell.
Step Five - Sell On-Line. Encourage every Scout to set up an on-line selling account on Trails-End.com and grow your sale by providing relatives and friends who don't live near by to support your son's Scouting program. Email templates and other resources make it easy. In addition this year On-Line Sales Count towards your Scout Rewards and Prizes!
Step Six - Track Your Sales. Den Leaders, Cubmasters, and Scoutmasters should be engaging each Scout every week asking how much popcorn they have sold. A focused effort for a couple of weeks on the sale will increase your sales and prevent you from falling short of your financial goals for the year.
Step Seven - Take Order Sales. It has been proven that the most effective sales are door to door in the neighborhood. A tip is to find a good time of day when most people in your neighborhood are home, that might be Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon. Make sure that parents take a order from to work and co-workers for their support. You may find some of your neighbors are willing to share their past Scouting experiences and if asked may help with your Pack or Troop. It's also important to note that even a 1st Grade Tiger Cub can learn how to introduce himself and simply ask "Would you like to support Scouting?".
Step Eight - Left Overs. It's going to happen. Successful units plan on it and have a plan on what to do with any left over popcorn they have. Even if it's used as snacks for your Scouts at Pack or Troop meetings. Other opportunities beside selling it is to donate it to a local food bank or charity as a good turn project.
Step Nine - Recognitions. Make sure to turn in your prize orders so that they can be shipped to you quickly. Plan what meeting you will recognize each boy for their efforts in the sale. Make a big deal about boys who reach their goal.