Is Host Coaching the Key to a Successful Party?

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses the challenges of host coaching among Pampered Chef consultants, particularly focusing on experiences with friends and family as hosts. Participants share their frustrations and strategies related to encouraging hosts to invite guests and prepare for shows.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expresses frustration with uncoachable hosts, particularly friends and family, who do not follow through on invitations.
  • Another participant shares their experience that family and close friends are often the hardest to coach, suggesting that they may not take the consultant seriously in a business context.
  • Several users mention various strategies for host coaching, such as offering incentives for inviting friends and using specific coaching tools like the "40 guests in 4 minutes" flyer.
  • One participant notes that they have shifted to sending out invitations themselves to ensure better attendance, as they found it more effective than relying on hosts.
  • Another participant highlights the importance of patience and persistence in coaching hosts, acknowledging that some may prefer to do things their own way.
  • One participant shares a recent negative experience where no guests attended a party, attributing the failure to the host's lack of communication and preparation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the effectiveness of host coaching, with some participants finding success in their methods while others express ongoing challenges. No clear consensus emerges regarding the best approach to coaching hosts.

Contextual Notes

Participants primarily discuss their personal experiences with coaching hosts who are friends and family, reflecting on the unique difficulties that arise in these relationships.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants who are navigating similar challenges with host coaching, particularly those working with friends and family, may find the shared experiences and strategies relevant.

K
k1tchng0ddess
Messages
38
:cry:

Hi, I am new to Chefsuccess and also to PC! I am on my 3rd show, and I am getting so discouraged with hosts that are uncoachable. I tell them to invite 40 people, then when I call the second and third time, they say they invited 10 people!! Then only 4 show up at the show--UGHH!!!

Then there are some people that you can tell really aren't listening when you go over the information. My sister did this, her show is today, and I am PRAYING she remembers to get all the ingredients for the apple crisp. To boot, she has been in two direct selling businesses already, but they obviously don't teach a thing about host coaching bcuz then she would be familiar with what I am trying to do.

My other sister wound up turning her show into a catty show, didn't get me the email addresses like I asked her, and all me leads basically dried up!

Now my 4th host, on Sunday, just told me that two people told her they don't have any money, and that only 7 are coming.. WAAAAHHHH!! I might be able to turn this into a positive recruit story, but I'm not gonna get my hopes up.

I am basically turning in all 3 orders on 6/30, and praying that there is no reason they will be kicked back to me. I have until 7/10 to qualify, but I really want to reach $1500 by end of June.

Can anyone offer me any advice on coaching my crazy hosts??? These are all friends and relatives. I think sometimes it is better to deal with strangers.
Thanks for letting me rant!! :)
barbara
 
1) offer a free gift to everyone who brings a friend
2) check the files here on CS for the hostess scavenger hunt--it gives them a little push to invite more
3) another good hostess coaching tool is "40 guests in 4 minutes" or "50 guests in 5 minutes" flyer--once again, helps them think of others to invite.
4) just try to be patient with them-in this business slow and steady wins the race. Hang in there--it will get better.
 
Your family and close friends are the hardest to coach, because they're used to you as a friend instead of as a business professional. Let them know that you need to practice your instructions and would like their genuine feedback.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #4
Thanks everyone, for your suggestions.
Unfortunately, things got even worse for me at tonight's party--no one showed up!!! I was so angry with my sister because it was her fault. I had to drag it out of her, but I finally got to the truth. Also, the one person who showed up over an HOUR late said that her invitation had the wrong date on it--but it was for last night and no one showed up then. I specifically asked her to confirm all guest 24 hours in advance, but she didn't listen. I chewed her out on this, but it still did no good.
For the coaching, I told her I wanted to do it by the book to get practice, but what can you do when people simply don't listen to you? I gave her the 40 in 4 and the Show Planning Guide, adn went over things with her, but I saw her paperwork and she didn't even fill anything out! Now she feels guilty and is trying to get catalog orders for me at work tomorrow. I told her just $150 would make it a show. Hope she comes through for me; otherwise I have a $400 show that I haven't turned in, that I can split.
My last show for June is Sunday, and I need $335 to qualify, $585 to make $1500 in sales mark. I was feeling so discouraged, but now that I've written the amounts in this posting, I don't think its impossible. Wish me luck, and thanks for your support! :)
 
First, you can only host coach so much - even if you do it perfectly, you're going to have hosts that want to do it their way. I've never had a host give me 40 names. The way I've come to accept it is that I'd rather them invite 10 folks they're sure will be PC friendly than simply 40 anyones who have little or no interest in buying/booking. I quickly went from hosts sending out invites to ME sending them out because I wasn't getting any info (even with coaching) from my hosts so now I KNOW who and how many are invited. I also supply most of the ingredients and this way I KNOW that not only will they be there but what quality they will be. Obviously, you'll need to figure out what works best for YOUR business, just mentioning how I overcame some of what you're going through cuz I think many of us have been where you are at at some time or another. The important thing is to chin up and keep on truckin' and as soon as you can break out of your 'family/friend circle' the better. I do find host coaching 'stranger's easier.
 
Last edited:
  • Thread starter
  • #6
I love your suggestions! It will be more work for me, but it will eliminate 100% of all the unnecessary stress! With 2 small children and a full time (hopefully soon it will be part time!) job, I don't need any more stress in my life-LOL!
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is host coaching in direct sales?

Host coaching is the process of guiding and supporting your party host to ensure they understand their role and responsibilities in making the party a success. This includes providing tips on how to invite guests, engage them, and promote the party effectively.

Why is host coaching important for a successful party?

Host coaching is crucial because it empowers the host to take an active role in the party's success. A well-coached host is more likely to invite more guests, create excitement, and engage attendees, which can lead to higher sales and bookings.

What are some effective host coaching techniques?

Effective host coaching techniques include having one-on-one conversations with the host, providing them with a checklist of tasks, sharing promotional materials, and offering tips on how to create a fun and inviting atmosphere for their guests.

How can I measure the success of my host coaching?

You can measure the success of your host coaching by tracking party attendance, sales volume, and the number of bookings or referrals generated from the party. Additionally, gathering feedback from the host about their experience can provide valuable insights.

What should I do if my host is not engaging with their guests?

If your host is not engaging with their guests, reach out to them for a supportive conversation. Offer additional coaching tips, suggest fun activities or games for the party, and remind them of the benefits of engaging their guests to create a more enjoyable experience for everyone.

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