To send out the invites or not...that is the question!

[babywings76]

I've been really hurting bad the past several months. My shows just aren't panning out. I've tried stepping up my host coaching, but still the shows are bombing. The catty shows are falling through, the cooking shows get cancelled. This month is the first month where I don't have the commission money coming in to cover my expenses on my supplies and samples I bought.

Plus, I've been mailing out the mini's as invitations for my hosts. I've been doing that for just about every show I can and I am just not seeing the results. The turnout is still terrible and the outside orders are about the same. I'm thinking that because I'm saying that "I try to make hosting super easy...why, I even will send out your invitations and make your reminder calls" (you get the gist), the hosts aren't as motivated to do anything. They aren't talking to people about it and they aren't picking up the phone. They still aren't reaching every circle of friends in their lives...even when I give and go over the "50 in 5" flyer.

So.....I'm wondering if I should just go back to giving the hosts the invites and a sheet of labels w/ their show info on it. It at least saves a step for them.

I just need to cut costs where I can and since the mini's hasn't really brought in anything more than normal, I'm torn. Part of me really feels like I should continue sending them because of all the reasons we know of (less cancellations, we KNOW that they got sent out, we know how many were really invited, etc.) But I just can't afford it.

[ChefBeckyD]

Amanda, Although I do send out invites for my hosts, I tell my new consultants not to spend the money to do that....I encourage them not to spend any more than absolutely necessary until their business is bringing in a consistent income. I think you could certainly apply the same reasoning to your situation right now!

[chefjeanine]

Have you considered postcard invitations? I’m not a real fan of postcards, but they will save you money (cost of the invites and postage) and keep the ball in your court. Or you can do what I do, create a full page invite. The postage is more than for a postcard but I get to list all the information that I want people to know (including specific instructions for ordering on-line and that month’s guest special).

Have you considered offering any incentive to your hosts for the number of names they give you? You can choose your own gift (or decide not to do this at all) but I ask my hosts to give me a list of 45 names, addresses & phone numbers (I make reminder calls the day before a show). When they give me this list (by a specific date and it must have all this info), I buy the ingredients for their show. The biggest thing I have to explain is that 45 people will not show up the night of the party . . . they really do worry about this.

When you do get a tiny list, you can work with them to try to come up with more names or think about places where they can hand out more invitations. Sometimes they work with a bunch of people that they are willing to invite but they don't want to gather the mailing information. I always include five extra invitations in their host packets (I send the host packet after I get their guest list) and will include more invitations when they have a situation where they can hand deliver the invitations.
I've been sending invitations for most of my Pampered Chef career . . . that’s one thing I will not put into the hands of my hosts. I don’t have cancelled shows and my sales are good.

[raebates]

I don't mail out invitations unless the host asks me to. I don't have the time and don't want to go to the expense unless the host really needs me to.

One thing I've started doing is telling my hosts:

It's not about the invitations. Invite everyone. Phone them. Email them. Talk to them in person. Invite people right up to the night of the party. The invitations are great, but they aren't the most important thing.

[KellyRedHead]

Wow Rae! Do you have good luck doing it that way? I mean what is your average on attendance?
I have thought about it (not sending invites) and letting the host text, send email or whatever, but I am not sure I want to let go.
Afraid I will show up and she will tell me "Oh I told a few friends in passing two weeks ago, but I haven't had much time lately to do anything else. After I have driven an hour or whatever to get there and wasted my evening. That is what I am afraid of.

Kelly V.

[cathyskitchen]

I do the same thing Rae does. I work FT and have no time to mail out invitations, and I don't have the extra cash to spend on mini catalogs. As long as you follow-up and make your 3 host coaching calls to your host, and encourage her to invite as many people as possible in any way she can/wants, you'll get the attendance. I usually have at least 15 orders for every show, usually more, even for catalog shows (b/c I say the same thing!).