Not sure about interactive shows

[redsoxgirl]

Last night was my 2nd and I'm not sure how I like them.

At both shows, people were hanging back and not really jumping to help, and some were milling in the back chatting like it was a mixer.

Now I know people are there to have fun and get together with their friends, but it's hard to get people engaged when some are not participating.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

[stacywhitlow]

I encourage my host to let the guests know before the show that we are doing a new interactive format. Once the guests arrive & we are ready to get started I let them know that we are going to be preparing the recipe together. This makes the show go quicker so they can shop, eat & mingle longer. Then we cook. I don't require anyone to participate but rarely have someone that doesn't jump right in. I still do my "demo" talk while everyone is preparing the recipe. When are finished with prep (start to finish is less than 45 min), everyone goes to their seat & I talk about the upcoming specials, hwc, rufth, wedding registry, & opportunity incentives (another 5-8 min). It seems to be a hit. I love this new show!

[ChefBeckyD]

I send out the invites, so I put right on the invitation that it will be a new show format. This is what the label that I put on the invite looks like:

Please Come Join The Fun!
New Format - Try It Before You Buy It!
Host: Stephanie XXXXson
When:Saturday, April 5th@<hidden email>:00am
Where: XXXX Mayfield Apt 2H, GR, 495XX
RSVP by 4/03 to 616.648.XXXX


I tell my hosts to let the guests know that everyone will be using the tools, so come prepared to be a part of the show!

I've had a couple shows that were complete chaos, and no one payed attention - but those shows would have been that way regardless of what kind of demo was done.


Also - if it's going to be a really large group, I scrap the interactive show plan.
I've found that it's hard to do an interactive show with more than 12 people.

[4kids4me]

When one of my best friends booked her show, I suggested the interactive format and she was OFFENDED! She said she's inviting people to relax and enjoy themselves, not to "work". Oh brother! I tried to explain how they'll get to use products and be involved, etc. She wouldn't hear any of it. She's done 2 shows for me before with the "traditional" style and that's what she wants to continue with. To each her own I guess. I invited her to one of my other interactive shows so she can see for herself the diference. Unfortunately, her show will be before the other one.

How are you wording it to "sell" the interactive show?

[redsoxgirl]

I'm not very good at the host coaching - need to get better at that.

How are you wording it to "sell" the interactive show?

Last night when everyone was there, I talked about how we'd all be making the recipe together and that it was an opportunity for them to Try Before They Buy. I said "You wouldn't buy a car without giving it a test drive right? So why not test drive kitchen items too! I know you couldn't walk in to a Linens N Things and just open a knife and try it out. I don't think that would fly very well!" Everyone sort of laughed and agreed.

I'm going to try and use that at every interactive show I think

[heather223]

I'm not very good at the host coaching - need to get better at that.



Last night when everyone was there, I talked about how we'd all be making the recipe together and that it was an opportunity for them to Try Before They Buy. I said "You wouldn't buy a car without giving it a test drive right? So why not test drive kitchen items too! I know you couldn't walk in to a Linens N Things and just open a knife and try it out. I don't think that would fly very well!" Everyone sort of laughed and agreed.

I'm going to try and use that at every interactive show I think

I like your wording and I think I am going to use it. I do the interactive shows and I love them. :chef:

[c00p]

This has been talked about before on here, and I'm in the minority in not really liking them. Chaos is the norm and I too had some folks jumping in, and others not. I've also had the host that has said that people come to sit back and relax and not have to do anything. So, I'm keeping with my usual semi-involved format that has been working for over 4 years now! If it ain't broke, don't fix it!!!

[straitfan]

I've had a couple shows that were complete chaos, and no one payed attention - but those shows would have been that way regardless of what kind of demo was done.


Also - if it's going to be a really large group, I scrap the interactive show plan.
I've found that it's hard to do an interactive show with more than 12 people.


I did my first interactive, Power Cooking show on Wed., with 16 people. Yes, it was complete chaos, but we split up into 4 stations and I had groups working on the the 3 entrees and a 4th group making the mojitos. With the group that was there, I think anything would have been nuts, but in spite of it all it was fun, and it's at over $1K right now (and 2 bookings!) and she was going to collect more orders and we'll close tonight.