How Girls Sell Cookies

As a caregiver, you will receive an automated email from noreply@abcsmartcookies.com to register your Girl Scout in ABC Smart Cookies, the online cookie system used to manage the Cookie Program. After the registration is complete, your Girl Scout can start their journey of cookie entrepreneurship, setting up their profile, and setting their goals!

Order Card

The Troop Cookie Manager should give each troop member a Cookie Order Card that can be used to take orders from friends, family, and neighbors. Request cookies from your Troop Cookie Manager to fulfill the orders when you are ready. Be sure to collect the payment from the customer when the cookies are delivered!

ABC Smart Cookies

Girl Scouts can participate in the cookie program right through ABC Smart Cookies by downloading the app on a mobile phone or through the website, abcsmartcookies.com. Once registered into Smart Cookies, Girl Scouts will have access to share ordering links, take orders, take credit card payments, and monitor recognitions earned.

There are two types of orders that can be taken through Smart Cookies. Let’s break it down!

• Girl Delivery—this type of order is placed through the online ordering link shared by the girl to a customer and is fulfilled by you. When the customer places an order, an email is sent to the caregiver to approve or decline. Once approved, the order should be filled with cookies you have received from the Troop Cookie Manager. The order can be pre-paid with a credit card.

• Direct Ship—this type of order is also placed through ABC Smart Cookies but is fulfilled by the bakery. The order is placed using a credit card, including any shipping costs, then shipped right to the customer. This is perfect for out-of-town family and friends that want to support your Girl Scout! There is also the option to place an online donation!

Social Media Do’s and Don’ts

Social media sites are a great way to get the message out that you are participating in the Cookie Program! Girls and families are encouraged to post on their personal social media pages.

Girl Scouts may only advertise their individual cookie program and cookie social link on personal social media pages. Community, marketplace, business, neighborhood type sites are not permitted to promote individual girl sales. Sites with the direct purpose of selling items (such as marketplace, craigslist, yard sale type sites) are not permitted.

Girls who are 13 or older may use their own social media sites to advertise their cookie link. Girls under the age of 13 may use their parent/guardian’s social media to advertise cookies with adult supervision.

Girls should fill out GSUSA Online Safety Pledge at: www.girlscouts.org/help/internet_safety_pledge.asp.

Tips for Posting on social media:

• Girls should only use their first name and troop number when advertising on social media. • Girls and parents should not publish their address or phone number. • Parent/guardians may promote their Girl Scout’s cookie sales through social networking sites such as their personal Facebook feed, Instagram, or Twitter account; however, the Girl Scout must be the one to complete the sale.

How Girls Sell Cookies – Continued

Example social media post:

OK: My daughter Susie is selling Girl Scout Cookies this year to help pay for camp. If you are interested in supporting Susie, please leave a comment with the best time to reach you, and Susie will contact you. OK: My daughter Susie is selling Girl Scout Cookies this year. Please stop by the ACME this weekend from 123PM to support her troop. NOT OK: My daughter is selling Girl Scout Cookies. Leave a comment with your order.

Cookie Booths:

Troop Cookie Booth: Troops sell cookies directly to customers at booths, often in high-traffic areas such as grocery stores, malls, or sporting events. These booths will be arranged by the Troop Cookie Manager. Cookies sold at booths will be divided evenly among the Girl Scouts that participated. Every troop booth must follow GSEP adult ratio guidelines.

Family Cookie Booth: An individual family may run a booth, like a Troop Booth, with permission of the Troop Cookie Manager. Only one family is permitted to attend, and they must be accompanied by at least one adult family member.

Girls selling independently at their personal residence is not considered a booth and is permitted.

All booths held outside of GSEP boundaries are strictly prohibited.

IMPORTANT: Cookies may not be sold or resold on behalf of a Girl Scout. A Girl Scout must always be present when cookies are being sold at a business.

Donations: This is a great option for customers who do not want to buy cookies for themselves but want to help a Girl Scout meet their goals. Troops can also set up a donation box at their booths and then choose nonprofit organizations to donate their cookies. Recipients can be heroes in the community such as shelters, firefighters, police officers, teachers, etc.

Door-to-Door Safety

1. All girls must have an adult present when selling cookies door-to-door. 2. If possible, sell in the daytime or on a well-lit road at night. 3. Girls must Stay within their immediate neighborhood. 4. Wear your Girl Scout apparel to identify yourself as a Girl Scout. 5. If another Girl Scout lives in the same neighborhood, team up! 6. Never give cookies to a customer who has not paid. 7. Check out the For Cookies Sellers page of the GSEP.org website for resources to make selling cookies extra fun!