3 minute read
Ways to Sell Cookies in 2021
Talk with your girls and troop families to determine everyone's level of comfort with participating in this year's Cookie Program and get started prepping for a fun and innovative Cookie Season! Girls within each troop do not have to sell the same way. Each Girl Scout family decides the best way for them to participate based on their comfort level and method of selling. This goes the same for the troop: if the Troop Cookie Coordinator is not comfortable picking up cookies, they can let the Cupboard Manager know who is picking up cookies on their behalf.
1. Virtual Only (No Contact)
GIRLS: Use the 'Direct-Ship' Feature in Smart Cookies Girls promote their online Smart Cookies store via eCards and social media. With only the Direct-Ship option enabled, customers pay for their cookies and shipping with their credit card and their order is shipped directly from the ABC Bakers fulfilment center. Girls never have cookies on-hand, and still earn credit for their sales. More on page 8. TROOPS: Direct Ship Troop Booth Link NEW IN 2021! Customers who might not know a Girl Scout can use the Cookie Finder app to get GS Cookies shipped directly to them. When customers select this option (vs. finding an in-person cookie booth near them), the Direct Ship Troop Link for a random troop near them (maybe yours!) is displayed. The customer places their order through the troop link and is shipped directly from the ABC Bakers fulfillment center. Your troop will get the proceeds and credit for the sale without have to do anything. Lucky you! P.S. This link can be shared on social media too to promote virtual sales for the troop!
2. Minimal Contact
GIRLS: Use the 'Girl Delivery' Feature in Smart Cookies Enabling the girl-delivery option in Smart Cookies allows customers who live nearby to save on shipping by requesting that the Girl Scout deliver their cookies. Once the family approves the order the customer's credit card is charged. (Families can reject an order if it's not within driving/delivery distance.) The girl/family then reaches out to the customer to arrange a contactless/porch delivery. TIP: Girls can pass out business cards and/or door hangers that include the URL link or QR code to her unique online store. (A QR code can be created easily and for free online. Customers scan the code with their smartphone camera and are automatically taken to her online Smart Cookies store to place and pay for an order.) TROOPS: Hold a Virtual Cookie Booth/Pick-Up Event. Choose a convenient place in your community to schedule a curbside cookie pick-up event. In the days/weeks leading up to the pick-up event, be sharing the Virtual Troop Booth Link (NEW THIS YEAR. SEE PAGE 13) on social media and with family and friends via Smart Cookies eCards so they can place their orders and process their credit card payment ahead of time. During the event, customers show their ID and girls load their pre-packaged cookie orders into their vehicle. See more on page 13.
3. Most Contact
GIRLS: Sell Cookies Door-to-Door If a family feels comfortable going door-to-door in the neighborhood or happens to be visiting family, they can sell cookies from their inventory. Girls collect money and hand off the cookies at the time of the sale. TIP: Cash and check are accepted forms of payment for cookies (we suggest wearing gloves when handling cash). However, we encourage families/girls to use the Smart Cookies app or another credit card processing service such as PayPal or Square for contactless payments. Learn more about these options on page 17.
TROOPS: Hold a Traditional (In-Person) Cookie Booth In a traditional year, most troops hold several booth sales throughout the year where girls work together to achieve troop and individual goals. Traditional booths will be allowed this year, but with special safety requirements. Badgerland will be providing Booth Safety Kits; pick yours up from your PSL. More info on page 11. TIP: Cash and check are accepted forms of payment at cookie booths (we suggest wearing gloves when handling cash). However, we encourage troops to use the Smart Cookies app or another credit card processing service such as PayPal or Square for contactless payments. Learn more about these options on page 17.