Their butts are glued to the seats!

baychef · 06-30-2008, 06:52 AM

Love, love, love to hear everyone's honest experience. Again, I have one person that swears business is booming because of the interactive so yesterday, I did stats going back to Jan. 07.

This person's show average is not up on a consistent basis. They have become more detemined to do more parties and that is happening so if one were to compare paychecks from year to year...yes, her business is booming. Yet at meetings is determined to convince others that the interactive is the only way to go.

My business has been terrible lately and I am struggling to get it back where it belongs. Last night we lost power from 6 pm until 10:30 pm so that shot the Sunday night phone calling all to heck!

In this person's view, their business is soaring and mine is not currently. To this person, it is the interactive...for me, it is just not getting and/or making the calls I need to!

My point...therapy...(thank you and don't send me the bill!!) and the fact that we all should relax and make sure our guests get what THEY want from the party. I agree that getting the products into people's hands is critical, but only if they are willing. The jewerly party senario is a great case in point.

pampermejolene · 07-23-2008, 06:17 PM

I usually start my show with something like "I'm going to let you guys play with the products tonight". I haven't done many shows, but only once have I gotten a negative type response. The whole group agreed that they had come to be Pampered and not to work. So, I did the whole demo myself. Every once in awhile I would ask if someone wanted to try something and did get a few volunteers. I think it works best if the consultant is flexible.

chefsteph07 · 07-23-2008, 06:24 PM

I did my very first interactive show last Fri and it bombed...

There were about 15 guests, I sent out invites that clearly stated it was going to be all hands on and one by one, guests filed in and stated they were not doing anything and only wanted to watch.

When I started the presentation, literally half of the guests walked away from me and went into another room! I had specifically not had the catalogs out for them to view, I had them in my crate, but someone must have spotted them because when I looked over at them, they were all browsing it. I was seriously irritated.

FORTUNATELY, it did not deter from my sales (just closed her at $1001.00) but I got NO bookings from it, other than 2 who could not make the party and booked ahead of time.

I don't think I'll ever do another interactive again.

pampermejolene · 07-23-2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chefsteph07

I did my very first interactive show last Fri and it bombed...

There were about 15 guests, I sent out invites that clearly stated it was going to be all hands on and one by one, guests filed in and stated they were not doing anything and only wanted to watch.

When I started the presentation, literally half of the guests walked away from me and went into another room! I had specifically not had the catalogs out for them to view, I had them in my crate, but someone must have spotted them because when I looked over at them, they were all browsing it. I was seriously irritated.

FORTUNATELY, it did not deter from my sales (just closed her at $1001.00) but I got NO bookings from it, other than 2 who could not make the party and booked ahead of time.

I don't think I'll ever do another interactive again.

Oh, don't give up on it so soon!
I was completely thrown when one of my interactive shows didn't go so well since that was all I had trained for but I managed to wing it.

Obviously, it's up to you, but I would keep it as a possibility. If you don't like planning on interactive (and then just doing a solo demo if the group doesn't like it), maybe you could give hosts the option when they book with you. I think it really just varies on the group. Any time men have been part of the audience, they have LOVED the interactive shows. Also, it seems that the younger crowd likes it, while the little bit of an older set would prefer to watch. And I've noticed if the show is after work during the week, people would prefer to watch but when it was on the weekend, they liked to participate.

BTW, congrats on the kilo show!

SUZIEQCONSULTANT · 01-22-2009, 08:39 PM

I had actually started doing this type of show before the company suggested it. The reason I started was I was having returning hosts and the same people were attending. This was a way to make sure they say something new and had a good experience. I like doing the interactive show but it doesn't always work.
One trick I have found that helps is I take hand sanitizer to the show and at the beginning when I am thanking everyone for attending. I go around and squirt sanitizer in their hands and let them know they will be helping me tonight. A bold move...Yes but almost everyone wants the sanitizer. I do get a few that excuse themselves because of a cold or I had a bad day or I don't cook, etc. but for the most part they will participate.
The biggest secret to successful interactive shows is, choose recipes that blend well, and use different products for each one. I focus on power cooking recipes with hamburger or chicken. If there is more than one can to open, I pre open all but one, drain the excess juice if necessary of all but one, have onions already peeled. Some of the ingredients already premeasured and sitting in prep or pinch bowls. When I use the prep bowls, I talk about them and usually the scrapers or the egg separator and how it sets on the side.

I also let me hosts know that I focus on interactive shows and if her house won't allow it, then we do a traditional show but make sure that we are passing products around the room the entire show.

Hope this helps. Any questions, just ask.

candiejayne · 01-22-2009, 08:29 PM

When I hosted a show back in October, my consultant (now upline), had a goodie basket. For everyone that volunteered, they got to choose one item from the basket. They didn't know what they were getting, she had them wrapped, but everyone was willing to help to get a gift.

pamperedlinda · 01-22-2009, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by candiejayne

When I hosted a show back in October, my consultant (now upline), had a goodie basket. For everyone that volunteered, they got to choose one item from the basket. They didn't know what they were getting, she had them wrapped, but everyone was willing to help to get a gift.

what did she give away?

candiejayne · 01-22-2009, 08:38 PM

scrappers, citrus peeler, mini whisk, just little things we can buy in "bulk".

chefsteph07 · 01-22-2009, 09:24 PM

That's a good idea!
Except for the wrapping part..yuck! LOL

cookin to the top · 01-23-2009, 12:56 AM

I've had great success having all the guests' names on little slips of paper in a stainless mixing bowl. I draw the first "voluntold", then the guest that does a recipe step draws the next name for the next step. That way everyone can sit and relax, and come up only for a few minutes. When each name is called, everyone claps, whistles, etc...for the demo-er, who also gets a playing card. (The first one to show up gets a card, any bus. op. questions, then play poker at the end for a prize) .....it's been really fun, and good bookings (knock on wood)

janezapchef · 01-23-2009, 11:00 PM

I just listened to a cd of a Cooking Show Live, and the consultant passed around the Large Square Bowl filled with products at the beginning of her show. She told everyone to pick something from the bowl, but didn't explain anything about why, just that they should take a good look at it and get acquainted with it if they didn't know how to use it. As she does her demo, she asks for the person with whatever product to come up and do that step of the recipe. For instance, I could say "Susie, I see you have the food chopper. Can you please bring that up here and chop up this carrot?" If they need instruction on how to use the product, she gives it, but it gets people up there. I've never been a huge fan of the entirely interactive demo (the butt glue problem at my shows too), but this seems like it would work.

Jules711 · 01-24-2009, 12:32 AM

I have a show tomorrow...oohh...later today that booked ONLY b/c of the interactive show she attended. I was a little surprised b/c of the 25 people and utter chaos it felt like. But several people said they really enjoyed the show and I had 4 booking, 3 of which occurred within 2.5 months!

I think you do need to check with the host and I tell them YOU need to be excited about it. No one is forced to help and they don't have to get up to see the recipe being made. That's up to them. Usually people do. Even those not intending to sometimes. My sales have increased b/c of this. People intending to buy only a couple things, buy more b/c they used them. THEN they sell them to others. I can tell b/c I'm selling several of items that I don't sell a ton of. Also, I'm booking more shows b/c of it. I don't talk much about booking or anything else b/c it's practically a free for all at some, but those are the BEST shows! Biggest numbers and most bookings.

breannat · 01-24-2009, 12:52 AM

I am loving using the interactive format! I don't begin my shows at the prep area though. I let them sit, thank them for coming, do introductions, and then I do this:
I ask if anyone has been to a PC show recently, it's usually a very mixed group of course.
Then I say, "Well I know for some of you it has been awhile since you have been to a show, and some things have changed. Many of you can remember sitting there and watching your consultant prepare the recipe and demo all of our great products, but now we're going to do it together! We will all work on the recipe, and you will have a chance to try anything you want to get your hands on. So now, I would love you all to come up here and we'll get started."
^^ It's lengthy I know! But they come up, and when they get really excited about a product, they will all try it. I've had shows where I think every guest tried the santoku knife.
Then if the recipe bakes, or as they eat, they sit back down and I go over things we didn't or can't demo like booking, cookware, anything else I want them to know, and sometimes play a game.
It seems to be working... maybe if you want to do it, try weaving it in in little bits.

Wren-nest · 01-27-2009, 04:57 AM

I am a newby, started in November. But I have done all my shows as interactive shows, if rooms allow we start in the sitting area with introductions and product info and then we head to the food prep area (either dinning table or kitchen table), washing their hands as we transfer and all stand around the table.

I have 3 cutting boards out with the food chopper on one, knives on another and mandoline on another, also the peeler over a bowl. I then talk about the products whilst they use them to prepare the ingredients and they take turns of there own accord.

When the dish is ready to go in the oven, I ask guest that own a product already to pick it up, (rinsing it clean if necessary) and take it back with them to the seating area.

Then we talk about the products they have picked up and why they like them.

Most enjoy the evening and say it has been a great social occassion.

Madsen7 · 04-01-2009, 12:04 PM

I came up with a idea to help me get people involved and tried it last night and it worked really well! I made the truffle brownie cups. I printed the main tools used for the recipe onto small pieces of paper squares and put them in a bowl. When all of the guests arrived I asked each person to take a paper from the bowl (I didn't explain why). I then started the demo. I never asked a guest "if" they wanted to help me or try a product, I just asked who in the group had the silicone basting brush? That person came up and I told her what to do with it. I then explained the benefits of the product as the guest used the product to prep the mini muffin pan. I thanked the guest when she was done and asked who had the stainless whisk. That person came up and while she whisked the brownie mix I, again, explained the benefits of the products she was using (whisk and batter bowl). I kept going through the recipe and not one person complained about participating, even people I anticipated a complaint from based on first impressions. I also never felt like I lost control of the recipe (it kept it very organized). I was able to give more quality infomation because I wasn't trying to do two things at once and the guest could immediately validate what I was saying because she was fully using the product. If you have a small crowd have them choose two pieces of paper.

Madsen7 · 04-01-2009, 12:15 PM

I just realized that this clearly was not an original idea on my part

I didn't read all of the previous posts until now. Either way...it really worked!

chefjax · 09-16-2009, 07:43 AM

I have changed the format of my parties and IT IS WORKING!

Before the party I make name tags for each guest that have the name of a product we will be using instead of their real name.

When the guest comes in I have the HOST place a name tag on his/her guest. As I go through introductions, I ask them to state their product name and tell me if they have it and what they like about it. If they don't have it, it gives me a chance to tell them why they should.

As I go through the demo I call each guest up based on what product they are and when it is used in the recipe. They get a big kick out of it and everyone gets a turn.

Have your HOST get involved too. I think if they see their friend interacting, they will also.

DessertDivaFL · 10-06-2009, 07:24 PM

Since I started this thread I guess I should update it.

Well, no glue on the butts anymore! In fact, this Thursday I have a show with 18 confirmed guests. So I have a strategy of having Team Skillet and Team Trifle. No one will know which team they are on until they pick a random playing card. The red cards will be skillet (hot dish) and the black cards are trifle (chocolate recipe). I will have equal number of black and red so the teams are even. I will start them at the same time and they should be finished at the same time. I will see how it goes. I think it will be fun!

Any thoughts?

Sheila · 10-07-2009, 01:05 AM

Wow, we are reviving some old threads lately! LOL

I only do the interactive shows. I tell the group that it's an interactive show, then invite them all to come wash their hands so we can get started. The first ones ready to go - get to pick which recipe they work on. That seems to get them up and moving. As long as they are going to be involved, they seem to be in a hurry to be first so that they can choose which recipe they do!

06-30-2008, 06:52 AM	#21
baychef Location: In a constant state of turmoil Posts: 2,898 Best Show: $2807 Experience: 9 # of Shows: 780 My Mood:	Re: Their butts are glued to the seats! Love, love, love to hear everyone's honest experience. Again, I have one person that swears business is booming because of the interactive so yesterday, I did stats going back to Jan. 07. This person's show average is not up on a consistent basis. They have become more detemined to do more parties and that is happening so if one were to compare paychecks from year to year...yes, her business is booming. Yet at meetings is determined to convince others that the interactive is the only way to go. My business has been terrible lately and I am struggling to get it back where it belongs. Last night we lost power from 6 pm until 10:30 pm so that shot the Sunday night phone calling all to heck! In this person's view, their business is soaring and mine is not currently. To this person, it is the interactive...for me, it is just not getting and/or making the calls I need to! My point...therapy...(thank you and don't send me the bill!!) and the fact that we all should relax and make sure our guests get what THEY want from the party. I agree that getting the products into people's hands is critical, but only if they are willing. The jewerly party senario is a great case in point.

07-23-2008, 06:17 PM	#22
pampermejolene Location: 916 CA Posts: 812 Best Show: $339 Experience: 1 # of Shows: 11 My Mood:	Re: Their butts are glued to the seats! I usually start my show with something like "I'm going to let you guys play with the products tonight". I haven't done many shows, but only once have I gotten a negative type response. The whole group agreed that they had come to be Pampered and not to work. So, I did the whole demo myself. Every once in awhile I would ask if someone wanted to try something and did get a few volunteers. I think it works best if the consultant is flexible.

07-23-2008, 06:24 PM	#23
chefsteph07 Location: Grafton OH Posts: 2,304 Best Show: 1236 Experience: 6 # of Shows: 307 My Mood:	Re: Their butts are glued to the seats! I did my very first interactive show last Fri and it bombed... There were about 15 guests, I sent out invites that clearly stated it was going to be all hands on and one by one, guests filed in and stated they were not doing anything and only wanted to watch. When I started the presentation, literally half of the guests walked away from me and went into another room! I had specifically not had the catalogs out for them to view, I had them in my crate, but someone must have spotted them because when I looked over at them, they were all browsing it. I was seriously irritated. FORTUNATELY, it did not deter from my sales (just closed her at $1001.00) but I got NO bookings from it, other than 2 who could not make the party and booked ahead of time. I don't think I'll ever do another interactive again.

01-22-2009, 08:39 PM	#25
SUZIEQCONSULTANT Location: STANDISH Posts: 57 Best Show: 1008. Experience: 3 # of Shows: 400+ My Mood:	Re: Their butts are glued to the seats! I had actually started doing this type of show before the company suggested it. The reason I started was I was having returning hosts and the same people were attending. This was a way to make sure they say something new and had a good experience. I like doing the interactive show but it doesn't always work. One trick I have found that helps is I take hand sanitizer to the show and at the beginning when I am thanking everyone for attending. I go around and squirt sanitizer in their hands and let them know they will be helping me tonight. A bold move...Yes but almost everyone wants the sanitizer. I do get a few that excuse themselves because of a cold or I had a bad day or I don't cook, etc. but for the most part they will participate. The biggest secret to successful interactive shows is, choose recipes that blend well, and use different products for each one. I focus on power cooking recipes with hamburger or chicken. If there is more than one can to open, I pre open all but one, drain the excess juice if necessary of all but one, have onions already peeled. Some of the ingredients already premeasured and sitting in prep or pinch bowls. When I use the prep bowls, I talk about them and usually the scrapers or the egg separator and how it sets on the side. I also let me hosts know that I focus on interactive shows and if her house won't allow it, then we do a traditional show but make sure that we are passing products around the room the entire show. Hope this helps. Any questions, just ask.

01-22-2009, 08:29 PM	#26
candiejayne Location: Rapids City, IL Posts: 1,532 Best Show: 416 Experience: <1 # of Shows: 10 My Mood:	Re: Their butts are glued to the seats! When I hosted a show back in October, my consultant (now upline), had a goodie basket. For everyone that volunteered, they got to choose one item from the basket. They didn't know what they were getting, she had them wrapped, but everyone was willing to help to get a gift.

01-22-2009, 08:38 PM	#28
candiejayne Location: Rapids City, IL Posts: 1,532 Best Show: 416 Experience: <1 # of Shows: 10 My Mood:	Re: Their butts are glued to the seats! scrappers, citrus peeler, mini whisk, just little things we can buy in "bulk".

01-22-2009, 09:24 PM	#29
chefsteph07 Location: Grafton OH Posts: 2,304 Best Show: 1236 Experience: 6 # of Shows: 307 My Mood:	Re: Their butts are glued to the seats! That's a good idea! Except for the wrapping part..yuck! LOL

01-23-2009, 12:56 AM	#30
cookin to the top Location: So Cal Posts: 389 Best Show: $1706. Experience: 1 # of Shows:	Re: Their butts are glued to the seats! I've had great success having all the guests' names on little slips of paper in a stainless mixing bowl. I draw the first "voluntold", then the guest that does a recipe step draws the next name for the next step. That way everyone can sit and relax, and come up only for a few minutes. When each name is called, everyone claps, whistles, etc...for the demo-er, who also gets a playing card. (The first one to show up gets a card, any bus. op. questions, then play poker at the end for a prize) .....it's been really fun, and good bookings (knock on wood)

01-23-2009, 11:00 PM	#31
janezapchef Location: Elyria, OH Posts: 950 Best Show: 1695 Experience: 7 # of Shows: My Mood:	Re: Their butts are glued to the seats! I just listened to a cd of a Cooking Show Live, and the consultant passed around the Large Square Bowl filled with products at the beginning of her show. She told everyone to pick something from the bowl, but didn't explain anything about why, just that they should take a good look at it and get acquainted with it if they didn't know how to use it. As she does her demo, she asks for the person with whatever product to come up and do that step of the recipe. For instance, I could say "Susie, I see you have the food chopper. Can you please bring that up here and chop up this carrot?" If they need instruction on how to use the product, she gives it, but it gets people up there. I've never been a huge fan of the entirely interactive demo (the butt glue problem at my shows too), but this seems like it would work.

01-24-2009, 12:32 AM	#32
Jules711 Posts: 1,787 Best Show: 1,614 Experience: 5 # of Shows: My Mood:	Re: Their butts are glued to the seats! I have a show tomorrow...oohh...later today that booked ONLY b/c of the interactive show she attended. I was a little surprised b/c of the 25 people and utter chaos it felt like. But several people said they really enjoyed the show and I had 4 booking, 3 of which occurred within 2.5 months! I think you do need to check with the host and I tell them YOU need to be excited about it. No one is forced to help and they don't have to get up to see the recipe being made. That's up to them. Usually people do. Even those not intending to sometimes. My sales have increased b/c of this. People intending to buy only a couple things, buy more b/c they used them. THEN they sell them to others. I can tell b/c I'm selling several of items that I don't sell a ton of. Also, I'm booking more shows b/c of it. I don't talk much about booking or anything else b/c it's practically a free for all at some, but those are the BEST shows! Biggest numbers and most bookings.

01-24-2009, 12:52 AM	#33
breannat Location: WA Posts: 18 Best Show: Experience: 3 # of Shows:	Re: Their butts are glued to the seats! I am loving using the interactive format! I don't begin my shows at the prep area though. I let them sit, thank them for coming, do introductions, and then I do this: I ask if anyone has been to a PC show recently, it's usually a very mixed group of course. Then I say, "Well I know for some of you it has been awhile since you have been to a show, and some things have changed. Many of you can remember sitting there and watching your consultant prepare the recipe and demo all of our great products, but now we're going to do it together! We will all work on the recipe, and you will have a chance to try anything you want to get your hands on. So now, I would love you all to come up here and we'll get started." ^^ It's lengthy I know! But they come up, and when they get really excited about a product, they will all try it. I've had shows where I think every guest tried the santoku knife. Then if the recipe bakes, or as they eat, they sit back down and I go over things we didn't or can't demo like booking, cookware, anything else I want them to know, and sometimes play a game. It seems to be working... maybe if you want to do it, try weaving it in in little bits.

01-27-2009, 04:57 AM	#34
Wren-nest Location: Essex UK Posts: 4 Best Show: 433 Experience: # of Shows: 13 My Mood:	Re: Their butts are glued to the seats! I am a newby, started in November. But I have done all my shows as interactive shows, if rooms allow we start in the sitting area with introductions and product info and then we head to the food prep area (either dinning table or kitchen table), washing their hands as we transfer and all stand around the table. I have 3 cutting boards out with the food chopper on one, knives on another and mandoline on another, also the peeler over a bowl. I then talk about the products whilst they use them to prepare the ingredients and they take turns of there own accord. When the dish is ready to go in the oven, I ask guest that own a product already to pick it up, (rinsing it clean if necessary) and take it back with them to the seating area. Then we talk about the products they have picked up and why they like them. Most enjoy the evening and say it has been a great social occassion.

04-01-2009, 12:04 PM	#35
Madsen7 Location: Coeur d'Alene, ID Posts: 16 Best Show: Experience: # of Shows: My Mood:	Re: Their butts are glued to the seats! I came up with a idea to help me get people involved and tried it last night and it worked really well! I made the truffle brownie cups. I printed the main tools used for the recipe onto small pieces of paper squares and put them in a bowl. When all of the guests arrived I asked each person to take a paper from the bowl (I didn't explain why). I then started the demo. I never asked a guest "if" they wanted to help me or try a product, I just asked who in the group had the silicone basting brush? That person came up and I told her what to do with it. I then explained the benefits of the product as the guest used the product to prep the mini muffin pan. I thanked the guest when she was done and asked who had the stainless whisk. That person came up and while she whisked the brownie mix I, again, explained the benefits of the products she was using (whisk and batter bowl). I kept going through the recipe and not one person complained about participating, even people I anticipated a complaint from based on first impressions. I also never felt like I lost control of the recipe (it kept it very organized). I was able to give more quality infomation because I wasn't trying to do two things at once and the guest could immediately validate what I was saying because she was fully using the product. If you have a small crowd have them choose two pieces of paper.

04-01-2009, 12:15 PM	#36
Madsen7 Location: Coeur d'Alene, ID Posts: 16 Best Show: Experience: # of Shows: My Mood:	Re: Their butts are glued to the seats! I just realized that this clearly was not an original idea on my part I didn't read all of the previous posts until now. Either way...it really worked!

09-16-2009, 07:43 AM	#37
chefjax Posts: 3 Best Show: Experience: # of Shows: My Mood:	Re: Their butts are glued to the seats! I have changed the format of my parties and IT IS WORKING! Before the party I make name tags for each guest that have the name of a product we will be using instead of their real name. When the guest comes in I have the HOST place a name tag on his/her guest. As I go through introductions, I ask them to state their product name and tell me if they have it and what they like about it. If they don't have it, it gives me a chance to tell them why they should. As I go through the demo I call each guest up based on what product they are and when it is used in the recipe. They get a big kick out of it and everyone gets a turn. Have your HOST get involved too. I think if they see their friend interacting, they will also.

10-06-2009, 07:24 PM	#38
DessertDivaFL Location: SW FL Posts: 1,076 Best Show: 1,150 Experience: 1+ # of Shows: 60+ My Mood:	Re: Their butts are glued to the seats! Since I started this thread I guess I should update it. Well, no glue on the butts anymore! In fact, this Thursday I have a show with 18 confirmed guests. So I have a strategy of having Team Skillet and Team Trifle. No one will know which team they are on until they pick a random playing card. The red cards will be skillet (hot dish) and the black cards are trifle (chocolate recipe). I will have equal number of black and red so the teams are even. I will start them at the same time and they should be finished at the same time. I will see how it goes. I think it will be fun! Any thoughts?

10-07-2009, 01:05 AM	#39
Sheila Location: Okinawa, Japan Posts: 1,065 Best Show: $1,364 Experience: <2 # of Shows: 54 My Mood:	Re: Their butts are glued to the seats! Wow, we are reviving some old threads lately! LOL I only do the interactive shows. I tell the group that it's an interactive show, then invite them all to come wash their hands so we can get started. The first ones ready to go - get to pick which recipe they work on. That seems to get them up and moving. As long as they are going to be involved, they seem to be in a hurry to be first so that they can choose which recipe they do!