It’s the season for Girl Scout Cookies! My daughter is an active Girl Scout. And this year, I am a co-leader. I’m seriously involved now!!! LOL
Luckily, I have a context to Girl Scouts. I was a Scout when I was younger. My Mom believed in girl power and registered me as a Brownie – which was the youngest age you could start at that time.
My mom was active during Girl Scout cookie season. She made me responsible for talking to customers and watched over me to ensure I was safe. For example, when I reached a certain age, she would follow me around the neighborhood with my cookie card and nudge me to knock on doors. She wouldn’t say anything and let me do all of the talking. I had to ring the bell, intro myself, handle objections, collect the money and followup for delivery. Her role was to create a safe space that gave me valuable leadership tools and fostered a sense of independence.
Girl Scout Cookie Selling today
Our world has changed a lot since I was a Girl Scout. It’s not safe to sell door to door. So, the Girl Scouts have provided tools for the various ways you can sell including booth sales and online links. However, I think it is hard as a mom – and now troop leader – to fully give our girls the room “to make mistakes” and learn how to sell on their own.
So as a fellow mom, I wanted to share a few tools to make it easier. Mind you, this isn’t a perfect science. But if you want to stop taking that Girl Scout cookie card to work and have her learn these valuable selling skills, you have to start somewhere!!
1. The reason behind Girl Scout cookie sales
Spend five minutes talking about why Girl Scout cookies sales are important. When it’s time to start selling, ask her why she thinks it’s important. It’s easy to get caught in the mechanics of the sale and miss out on the reason why she is selling in the first place. By reminding her of why she is selling, it will keep her motivated.
(Note: Girl Scouts doesn’t require girls to sell which creates an open environment. But I often wonder if people know the benefits of why you might want to sell. I get there might be real reasons why girls can’t get involved – hard living conditions, lack of space or lack of support. But for those who do get involved, it’s great to have a conversation to help your girl connect the dots.)
How does Girl Scout cookies help the troop?
Your daughter and the troop can experience MORE amazing experiences than what your dues cover.
Years ago, my wise troop leader used to motivate us by talking about our upcoming trips. It wasn’t hard to get us to sell when we knew that we might be going on a fun outing into the City or having an overnight experience at a Dude Ranch or campgrounds. We used to have SO much fun!!! Thank goodness social media didn’t exist back then. LOL.
The troop will use the money it raises from cookie sales. This saves you a ton as a parent. The troops often pay discounted rates as Girl Scouts and it’s one less time that you have to open the “Bank of Mom and Dad”.
Start with this idea first. It isn’t often that fundraising activities have a direct correlation for kids. That is a win-win for everybody!!
2. Focus on developing a solid sales pitch
Ask your daughter what she wants to say and let her record a short video. The Girl Scouts offer several tools to help troops and individuals practice their sales scripts. Use these tools to help you greet your customers and handle objections.
But, first, encourage your daughter to speak up about what she wants to share with prospective customers.
How my daughter and I practiced
Before my daughter sold her first box of Girl Scout cookies, I gave her my phone to make several sales videos. I knew that my child – who is usually not shy – might freeze up when talking to people. I let my daughter speak about she believes is important.
This turned into fun activity. She filmed several videos and I let her speak up about whatever came to mind with the topic. This helped her talk through:
- what she thought was important
- work through the giggles
- have several takes that didn’t work
- find a story that she liked and would repeat multiple times
The video gives you a selling tool. You can share it internally with family and friends . I also shared it with my network and whenever I sold cookies for her. Of course, follow the rules about sharing content online!
3. Send a Thank You Note to EVERYONE
This idea is a game changer. When my daughter was a Daisy, I was kinda mad that I couldn’t take her door to door. Nothing sells cookies like the cuteness factor of a small kid dressed in uniform. But, I also understand why the Girl Scouts wanted to move away from the tradition and got creative about a solution.
She wrote thank you notes to everyone.
It started when I sold a few Girl Scout Cookies to my friends. She had no communication throughout the transaction and I wanted to find a way to get her involved. So I gave her some paper, markers, stickers and marching orders to create a small thank you note.
Our story sending thank you notes
People wound up loving the notes. She had fun being creative. And it started this crazy gift exchange . My friends were buying cookies and sending her fun cards and surprises. This motivated my daughter to write more thank you notes!
I don’t suspect that writing a thank you note will lead to gifts forever. #noentitlementzone But, I do know that the little touch of sending thank you notes are appreciated. It connects my daughter with her customers – even if she doesn’t speak to them directly.
The benefits of thank you cards:
- If you sell boxes, she is involved. Period.
- It’s the right thing to do. How good do you feel when you get a genuine thank you? Or how do you feel when they take your money and never say thank you? A thank you goes a lonnnngg way.
- It creates the opportunity for future sales. People will remember you.
- If you take the time to acknowledge your customers – you are teaching your daughter VALUABLE relationship building skills. I am blessed to have a number of clients and professional relationships that have lasted for years. I have always played the long term game. Not just a one time transaction. Trust me, it works.
So I hope that these ideas help you during the cookie season! If you want more tips, check out my other post.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out and share other tools that help you and your daughters sell better. I will post them in future posts so the moms have less work in the long run!!!!
#weallwin
Please note: This post is not endorsed by Girl Scouts of the USA. It is just one mom’s opinion to help other moms lead their daughters!!
