forThose of You That Mail Invites

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The thread discusses various approaches to mailing invitations for cooking shows, focusing on whether to include personal contact information for RSVPs and the format of the invitations themselves. Participants share their experiences and preferences regarding the use of postcards versus full-page invites, as well as the implications of using hosts' contact details.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant mentions including their phone number for RSVP calls, while others prefer using the host's number.
  • Several participants share that they use the host's return address to increase the likelihood of the invitation being opened.
  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, notes that they have switched from postcards to full-page invites due to issues with lost mail.
  • Another participant shares their experience of including mini-catalogs with invitations, stating it has increased attendance.
  • Some participants express concerns about the costs associated with sending mini-catalogs versus traditional invites.
  • Several users mention using different methods of sealing and presenting their invitations, such as tri-folding or using envelopes.
  • One participant highlights the importance of ensuring that undeliverable invitations are returned to the host for follow-up.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the best method for sending invitations, with some participants favoring postcards and others preferring full-page invites or mini-catalogs. There is no clear consensus on the most effective approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and strategies related to mailing invitations, reflecting a variety of practices within the consultant community.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants exploring different invitation strategies for cooking shows may find the shared experiences and ideas beneficial.

S
sfdavis918
Do you put your phone number down for the RSVP calls?
 
No, I have the host's number.
 
That's what I do, too.I use labels that say:
Thurs., Month Day, 7:00 pm
hosted by Suzy Q.
123 Main Street, City
RSVP to Suzy at 123-555-1212
 
Nope, unless I'm the unofficial host ... I have a Bridal Show after NC and the bride is moving. Her stuff is all packed up and she's staying with a friend, so I'm the shower host and she's the show host. So, I'm the RSVP on that one. But that's not the norm.

Also, when I mail the invites, I make the host the return address.
 
mine is pretty much the sam as Ann's
 
Nope, but I put my return address on them so the ones that are undeliverable com eback to me so I can tell the host to be sure and call the person.
 
dannyzmom said:
Nope, but I put my return address on them so the ones that are undeliverable com eback to me so I can tell the host to be sure and call the person.
Click to expand...

Never thought of that....I use the hosts, thinking that the guest will open it from someone she knows...I didn't think about returns!!
 
I put the host's return address on it so they will open it. I am a ruthless junk mail purger and often don't open things from people I don't know, so I figured it was best to put the host's return address on it.

I put the host's phone number for RSVPs. I'm not keeping track of that!
 
dannyzmom said:
Nope, but I put my return address on them so the ones that are undeliverable com eback to me so I can tell the host to be sure and call the person.
Click to expand...
Exactly what I do too:)
 
On mine there is nothing to open - it;s a postcard
 
The postcards keep getting lost in the mail for me, so I went to full page invites inside an envelope. I've also adjusted my host coaching to have the host CALL every person FIRST and then the invite is a REMINDER. We'll see how that works...
 
DebbieJ said:
The postcards keep getting lost in the mail for me, so I went to full page invites inside an envelope. I've also adjusted my host coaching to have the host CALL every person FIRST and then the invite is a REMINDER. We'll see how that works...
Click to expand...

Hmmmmm...keep us posted, please...I have been considering doing this as well.
Are you putting them in envelopes? Or just folding them in thirds and sealing them?
 
In envelopes.
 
I make mine in thirds and seal them with a little piece of tape. They can tell on the outside that its Pampered Chef. But I use high quality paper. I'm pretty confident that most of them get opened and at least looked at.
 
At our last cluster meeting, my director shared that sheis now sending invitations out in envelopes along with a mini-catalog. Appartently, once she started doing this her attendance has increased and it does not cost any extra postage.
 
Yes, lots of my postcards were getting lost too....so I started doing the mini's & have loved it. Decided the last couple months of the season to just do full-page invites; I just fold & mail though, not in envelopes.
 
I send out a full page invite in an envelope. I also put the host's address as the return address so if any of them get returned, they go to the host and she'd know. Also I put the host's phone number as the RSVP but also include my info on the bottom with a little blurb saying, "Can't make it? We'll miss you! Place your order online at www......... or call your consultant, Colleen at xxx-xxx-xxxx. :)
 
I've been having more success with postcards since I've been including a postal bar code on the addresses (done through mail merge in Word). I was told that the readers had a hard time reading invitations since there was so much to look at, so I decided I'd give the machine something it wanted to read!

At the beginning of the new selling season, I do use the mini catalogs as the invitation. They get a great deal of interest.

Mary
 
Those of you who send out full page invites...is it something you ordered or just created yourself?

Do some people mail out the postcard and a mini-catalog in an envelope?
 
Mary I love your Yoda pic!!! LOL!
 
vtchef said:
At our last cluster meeting, my director shared that sheis now sending invitations out in envelopes along with a mini-catalog. Appartently, once she started doing this her attendance has increased and it does not cost any extra postage.
Click to expand...

I like this idea. Maybe I'll try it in the fall & see how it goes with attendance & sales.
 
pamperedgirl3 said:
I like this idea. Maybe I'll try it in the fall & see how it goes with attendance & sales.
Click to expand...

I'm going to try it for my Fall Preview Open House in August......and then poll everyone (I usually have a really good turnout for this event) to see how they like the mini catalog as an invitation.
 
I really want to try using the mini catalogs for invites too. I think this is a great idea!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #24
That is an awesome idea! I also do full size invites and mail them in an envelope with the host's return address. I used to use my return address and found that most people will not open it unless it comes from someone they know and also because the hostess needs to get the returns back so she can follow up with her friend and it also lets the hostess know that I HAVE mailed the invites and that is COST ME MONEY if she gave me phony addresses to get an incentive for forty names and addresses.

I used to mail my invites trifolded with a piece of tape, but I have had several hostesses tell me that they thought it was junk mail and some also said it was torn when they got it. (I mail my hostess an invite the same time I mail out for her show so she knows to start expecting RSVPs)

:)
 
I send out a full page invite tri-folded and a bit of tape. I use my return address with a sentence under the city, state saying "You are invited to a Cooking Show at Host's Name home" That way they recognize the host name and don't throw it away. I use the Host Phone number for the RSVP's. See a generic invite attached. I think I will take a look at the mini catalogs though - especially if attendance increases at the show.
 

Attachments

cookingmommy said:
Those of you who send out full page invites...is it something you ordered or just created yourself?

Do some people mail out the postcard and a mini-catalog in an envelope?
Click to expand...

I make my own, but I started with one that GourmetGirl (thanks, Alison!) created and run from there. I've been working on Bridal Shower invites the last couple of days. I'll attach one here so you can see. My regular ones look very similar - just say different things. Oh, I'll just include one of them for you, too. Hope that someone can benefit from them ...
 

Attachments

Isn't it more expensive to send out the minis as invites?
 
krzymomof4 said:
Isn't it more expensive to send out the minis as invites?
Click to expand...
The minis have to go first class, letter rate. So they're 41 cents, compared to 26 for postcards. BUT it gets a selection of products in front of the customers right away. So it can be worth it.
 
I know that postage would not be any different than regular envie invites. My thought is that the minis are more expensive than the other invites like make your own or the postcards. I have to be careful of my costs this year. My tax guy said since I am in my 3rd year, I need to start showing a profit or get audited by IRS.
 
Well, the minis are about a dime each, compared to 2 cents for the postcards. But they increase interest and have increased many consultants' outside orders. So if you're getting an extra $150 in orders per show, it's worth it.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to address invitations for a Pampered Chef party?

When addressing invitations, it's best to use the recipient's preferred name and ensure that the spelling is correct. Personalizing the invitation makes it feel more special. You can also consider using labels for a neat presentation or handwriting them for a personal touch.

Should I include RSVP details in my invitations?

Yes, including RSVP details is essential. It helps you gauge attendance and plan accordingly for food, seating, and product demonstrations. Make sure to provide a clear way for guests to respond, such as a phone number or email address.

What information should I include in my invitations?

Your invitations should include the date, time, and location of the party, as well as any special instructions, such as whether guests should bring a friend or if there will be a theme. Additionally, mention any incentives for attending, like giveaways or exclusive offers.

How far in advance should I send out my invitations?

It's recommended to send out invitations at least 2-3 weeks in advance. This gives your guests ample time to plan and adjust their schedules. If you're mailing physical invitations, consider sending them even earlier to account for delivery times.

What should I do if I don't receive RSVPs?

If you don't receive RSVPs, it's perfectly acceptable to follow up with a friendly reminder. A quick phone call or text can help confirm attendance and encourage those who may have forgotten to respond. This also shows your guests that you value their presence at the party.

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