Pulling Teeth to Get Her Guest List

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Discussion Overview

This thread centers around a participant's experience with a host who provided an incomplete guest list for an upcoming show. Participants share their frustrations and seek advice on how to communicate the need for a more complete list without offending the host.

Discussion Character

  • Opinion-based
  • Anecdotal
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expresses frustration over receiving an incomplete guest list and seeks help on how to communicate this to the host.
  • Another participant shares their experience of dealing with similar situations and suggests calling the host to explain the need for complete information.
  • Several users mention the importance of providing clear instructions and the challenges of working with other party plan consultants as hosts.
  • One participant suggests taking responsibility for the misunderstanding to avoid confrontation, using a "kill them with kindness" approach.
  • Another participant emphasizes the necessity of mailing invitations and the need for both names and addresses for effective communication.
  • One participant recounts their own experience of a show cancellation due to a lack of timely guest list information.
  • Another participant highlights the importance of sending reminder postcards in addition to e-vites, as some guests may not see the electronic invitations.
  • One participant shares a strategy for communicating urgency regarding the guest list deadline while expressing excitement for the show.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on how to approach the host about the incomplete guest list, with some participants advocating for direct communication while others suggest a more gentle approach. No clear consensus emerges on the best method to address the situation.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects the experiences of Pampered Chef consultants navigating the challenges of working with hosts who may not fully understand the requirements for a successful show.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants who encounter difficulties with hosts providing complete guest lists may find the shared experiences and strategies helpful in similar situations.

dannyzmom
dannyzmom
Gold Member
Messages
9,271
I don't know how many of you ask your host for her guest list, but I do. For those of you who do, I am needing some advice. I ask my hosts to have the GL to me 1 month before her show date (I am generally booked 6-8 weeks out).

This particular host (a Partylite consultant that I met at a few shows I did for a local Chamber of Commerce group) booked her show exactly one month ago today. Her show date is 11/18. I sent her a reminder email yesterday telling her I needed her guest list by today to secure her date (I have a show tonight - my last Oct show and probably my last chance to fill her 11/18 date if she fallls through).

So this morning I wake up to an email from her saying that she has attached the guest list and she gave me addresses for the 5 people she did not have emails for. (huh? I didn't ask for only emails - my form I gave her asks for names, addresses, email and phone) and she gave me 29 email addresses (no names - just email addresses...our PWS doesnt allow us to send emails w/o names)

I know what I need to say to her...just don't know HOW to say it -- I need to tell her this list is useless and she has 6 hours to get me a sufficient list...but I need help finding better words to use so as not to offend her...help???
 
Grrrrr! sometimes other party plan consultants are the worst hosts!

I would just call and explain to her that you don't have enough info - and so you still need complete info by today in order to secure her date. Let her know that you have people WITH guests lists who would like to book a show, and you are still holding that date for her for the moment...........
 
  • Thread starter
  • #3
ChefBeckyD said:
Grrrrr! sometimes other party plan consultants are the worst hosts!

I would just call and explain to her that you don't have enough info - and so you still need complete info by today in order to secure her date. Let her know that you have people WITH guests lists who would like to book a show, and you are still holding that date for her for the moment...........
Click to expand...

But how do I say that without sounding nasty?
I would like to sya to her "Did you even LOOK at the packet I sent you???"
I mean - the blank guest list form I sent her had blank lines for Name____Address_____Email_____ Phone_____
ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
 
Doesn't she realize that you actually snail mail these? I think I would just tell her that maybe in explaining the guest list that you failed to explain fully that you need complete addresses/names etc. I KNOW that you didn't but it's always better to blame yourself and take the high road when they haven't followed simple instructions. SHE will know that she was being lazy and hopefully comply with what you need. If you take the blame... even tho you don't deserve it.... she won't feel confronted ... does this make sense? It's my mom's "kill em with kindness" technique.
 
dannyzmom said:
But how do I say that without sounding nasty?
I would like to sya to her "Did you even LOOK at the packet I sent you???"
I mean - the blank guest list form I sent her had blank lines for Name____Address_____Email_____ Phone_____
ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
Click to expand...


Make sure you are smiling when you say it! And use a gentle tone of voice.
She probably DIDN'T look at the host packet......she probably thinks she knows it all. You could explain to her how you do your invitations, with the assumption that she knows NOTHING about hosting a show. Go over the entire process with her, and end with letting her know you still need the info TODAY!


I LOVE sending out the invites for my hosts.....but every once in a while you get one of these! I had a show cancel last Sat. because the woman never got me her addresses - and then called me on Tuesday to wonder if we could still have a show. BUT - she was mad at me for not calling and reminding her more. Like the in-person, postcard, phone call, and email reminder weren't enough!:grumpy:
 
I would just let her know that our system is not set up to allow us to enter e-mail addresses without names. It also helps you get familiar with your guests names before the show.

Also let her know that it is always helpful to send the reminder postcard to all of her guests because sometimes they don't see the e-vites. I've noticed that often people delete the e-vite by accident or it is dropped in their spam folder. So the postcard is a necessary backup.

HTH
 
  • Thread starter
  • #7
quiverfull7 said:
Doesn't she realize that you actually snail mail these? I think I would just tell her that maybe in explaining the guest list that you failed to explain fully that you need complete addresses/names etc. I KNOW that you didn't but it's always better to blame yourself and take the high road when they haven't followed simple instructions. SHE will know that she was being lazy and hopefully comply with what you need. If you take the blame... even tho you don't deserve it.... she won't feel confronted ... does this make sense? It's my mom's "kill em with kindness" technique.
Click to expand...


This is EXACTLY the route I need to take. EXACTLY!!
Thank you Diane!
So, I will call her and say "I must not have explained what I need as far as a guest list. I MAIL out the invitations so I need mailing addresses for your guests. I also send out email reminders through my Pampered Chef website, and for those I need each person's NAME and EMAIL address." Good?
And how can I word the part about that I need this info TODAY or I will have to open up her date to others?
 
  • Thread starter
  • #8
Any advice on how to let her know I need this by TODAY?
 
Tell her that you have tomorrow morning scheduled to put together the invitations, and if you don't get the info today, you'll open the date. And then add that you know she was excited for the show, and would hate for her to wait another 6 weeks to get on your calendar again.
 
Ann's words.. perfect! I'd add how sorry you are that she may lose that date because you are SO excited to do her show! I'm SURE that you've said it all to her already but she chose not to be listening. I think it's kind of like nurses being the worst patients ... other DS Sales people can be the worst hosts. When I host for another company I try to do it all "extra" right. And allyou nurses... don't be offended... my DD and Mom and SIL and close friends are all nurses.... and THEY tell me what bad patients they are! I realize it's a small research group but .... :)
 
Carolyn... have you made contact yet?
 
One thing I make sure to tell each host is that I only use the guest list info they give me for their show. I don't add people to mailing or emailing lists without specifically asking them. It is amazing how their body will relax as soon as I say this.
 
Kate.. .that is a SUPER point! Thanks for sharing!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #14
quiverfull7 said:
Carolyn... have you made contact yet?
Click to expand...

I left her a voicemail around 10am today and told her I rec'd her guest list and had some questions, could she please call me back? I have not heard back from her yet.
 
Book the date if possible tonight. Try to work out the guest list with her right away. If no one can get an invitation she doesn't have a show anyway. Worst case you have 2 shows booked--give the smaller one to a new recruit for practice. However relying on this show with only email invites and a flaky host is not profitable. Someone who books tonight for that date will take it more seriously and the party will be better for you.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to "pull teeth" to get a guest list?

"Pulling teeth" refers to the difficulty or frustration that a consultant may experience when trying to obtain a guest list from their host. It implies that the process is challenging and requires significant effort, often because the host may be hesitant or unsure about who to invite.

Why is having a solid guest list important for a Pampered Chef party?

A solid guest list is crucial because it directly impacts the success of the party. More guests typically lead to more sales and bookings, and a well-curated list can ensure that the right people are invited—those who are interested in cooking, kitchen products, or hosting their own parties.

How can I encourage my host to create a guest list without feeling pushy?

Encourage your host by emphasizing the benefits of having a diverse guest list. Offer to help them brainstorm potential guests and suggest categories, such as family, friends, coworkers, or neighbors. Make it a fun activity rather than a chore, and reassure them that you’re there to support them throughout the process.

What strategies can I use to help my host feel more comfortable with inviting guests?

Provide your host with sample messages or scripts they can use to invite guests. Encourage them to personalize these messages to make them feel more genuine. Additionally, remind them that most people enjoy social gatherings and will appreciate the invitation to a fun cooking experience.

What if my host still struggles to come up with a guest list?

If your host is still struggling, offer to assist by suggesting specific people based on your knowledge of their social circle. You can also provide tips on how to use social media or group chats to reach out to potential guests. If necessary, consider extending the invitation to your own network to help fill the gaps.

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