You know that classes are a perfect opportunity for teaching the latest techniques and products. Did you know they’re also a super way to build and foster consumer loyalty? Top off each class by rewarding your students for participating! Offering a premium, discount or membership in the store club makes students feel special and it’s a great incentive for them to enroll in additional classes. It’s also much less expensive than you might think!

Give them More Ideas

Scrapbook class attendees consistently tell us they want to take home a handout from the class. It not only increases the class value, it also gives the student a reference for future use. A simple black-and-white handout with an outline of the class or instructions for the project is perfect. If you’re teaching a page from a Paper Pizazz™ book, students will have paid for the book with the class fee. Be sure to point out to them the other sample album pages included on the cover and inside back cover of the book.

Special Premiums & Goody Bags

Wouldn’t your students love a 12” paper keeper to take their samples and supplies home in? Check your local pizza place for unused pizza boxes—most pizza places will charge about 25-50¢ per box. Cover it with contact paper and personalize it with the student’s name.

Supplying students with a goody bag shouldn’t be cost-prohibitive. First, determine whether the teacher or the retailer pays for the cost of the goody bag. Back issues of scrapbooking magazines and discontinued merchandise are certainly acceptable for goody bags—but when you give out product, try to keep it in the same category as the class. For example, a Milky Gel Roller is appropriate for a lettering class, a few sheets of heritage-themed papers are great for a heritage class, and of course stickers are perfect for a sticker art class.

Small candy packages are another nice way to say thank you. One creative teacher bought plastic film canisters from a photo developing store, then decorated the outside and filled them with candy.

(Speaking of candy, small dishes filled with non-messy candy can be placed in the center of each table.)

Discounts & Specials

Discounts and specials for future purchases is a tried-and-true way to turn students into customers. One teacher gives each student a passport that is stamped once for each class she takes. When the pages are all stamped the customer has earned 15% off the item of her choice. Other retailers give discounts for groups of customers who sign up together or customers who bring a number of friends. Many stores will offer a “Bring a friend and save 10%” special.

Join the Club!

People like to feel like a part of the club—the proliferation of scrapbooking t-shirts, mugs and water bottles is evidence of the scrapbooker’s desire to identify with a group. Market your classes as part of your store’s club, offering students the chance to get a sneak peek at new product and techniques.

Keep Customers in the Loop

Who doesn’t like to be in the know about the latest and best product? Your class is the perfect place to show the newest product—and when you keep the tone excited and informative, it will come across as something special for the customer, rather than a sales tactic.

The Best Reward: Encouragement!

One Washington retailer has one of the best ways to reward students—and it’s a regular part of their popular Introduction to Scrapbooking class. The store has only one rule for these beginners: each student must complete one page during the class. After they are finished, the instructor holds up each page and points out what’s wonderful about it to the rest of the class.