How Can Early January Bookings Be Secured Before the Holiday Rush?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The thread explores strategies for securing early January bookings for Pampered Chef shows before the holiday season. Participants share their experiences and ideas on how to encourage bookings during a typically busy time of year.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, mentions the challenge of getting people to book January shows before Thanksgiving, noting past attempts with incentives were not very successful.
  • Another participant shares that January offers 50% more free product for shows over $500, suggesting this could be a selling point.
  • Several users express frustration with potential hosts preferring to wait until after the holidays to book shows.
  • One participant discusses using the idea of a decorated home as a reason to host a show during the holiday season.
  • Another participant shares their experience of having successful January sales, attributing it to people wanting to socialize after the holiday rush.
  • One participant mentions experimenting with sending invites closer to the show date, which resulted in higher attendance at their events.
  • Another participant suggests offering gift certificates as a way for husbands to encourage their wives to host shows in January.
  • One participant reflects on their preference for not booking shows until mid-January, finding it beneficial for their schedule.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the effectiveness of early January bookings and the timing of sending out invitations, with some participants advocating for early bookings while others prefer to wait until closer to the date.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and strategies related to booking shows during the holiday season, highlighting the variability in approaches and outcomes.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants looking for ideas and experiences related to securing January bookings and managing the holiday season's impact on scheduling shows may find this discussion relevant.

B
Becca_in_MD
Gold Member
Messages
1,464
I would like to have January booked before Thanksgiving. Can't seem to get people in Dec. to book for Jan. Also, PC usually offers some incentives for Jan., esp. Jan. 1-15. In the past, I've tried "get a $30 product for the date of your show" and would do an example of say the large bar pan for $5 when you have your show on the 5th. I wasn't too successful with it.

Anyone have some good ideas? Something fun? I was thinking of doing a specific free product per date Jan. 5-15. I would do a calendar grid and cut out the pictures from the catalog. They would see the product, pick that date, and get that product with their host order.
 
Have you seen the Nov consultant news? January is 50% more free product when you have a show $500 or more. I would talk this up. Just make sure your December is where you want it first!

I am going to try to get some January bookings as well, but so far I have two for Dec, I'd like at least 2-3 more before I start booking January!
 
kdangel518 said:
Have you seen the Nov consultant news? January is 50% more free product when you have a show $500 or more. I would talk this up. Just make sure your December is where you want it first!

I am going to try to get some January bookings as well, but so far I have two for Dec, I'd like at least 2-3 more before I start booking January!
Click to expand...

How do you know about the Jan specials and what's in the Nov consultant news?? I've not gotten it and don't see it on cc yet??
 
Debbie -

Click on Oct Consultant News, then in the web address, change "oct" to "nov"
 
I can't get people to book for Nov & Dec! Everyone says, "it's crazy, let's wait until after the holidays!"
 
I say:

"Your're going to decorate and your house will be gorgeous, why not have friends over to chill out and take a break from the craziness? It's a GREAT time to have a show!"
 
  • Thread starter
  • #7
cookingwithdot said:
I can't get people to book for Nov & Dec! Everyone says, "it's crazy, let's wait until after the holidays!"
Click to expand...

If the "your house will be decorated" doesn't work, then you should try to get them to set a date for Jan. My Dec. is looking very empty but in the past if I've focused on Dec. too much without mentioning Jan. then both Dec. and Jan. are empty and not a good way to start the new year. It would be a repeat of my Dec. 08 and Jan. 09. Every year my Director talks about booking Jan. before Tgiving.

Even with the extra free product in Jan., I still get the objection of "no one will have any money" to which I reply it's a nice time to get together after the madness of the holidays, there's nothing else going on in Jan., they have money they received as gifts, yadda yadda yadda.

I guess I'm looking for that magic wand that will get them to book early Jan. shows, just something really unique. Eek, I may have to get more creative!
 
I got some great flyers for January Hosts with recipes/incentives from my Director today. I'll post those in a little while after I get a chance to save them.
 
pcchefjane said:
I got some great flyers for January Hosts with recipes/incentives from my Director today. I'll post those in a little while after I get a chance to save them.
Click to expand...

I can't wait to see them! Thanks ahead of time!
 
It's funny, but I've have some of my best sales in January. People are on a high or something. They are excited to get out, which I guess makes sense. It's such a void after Christmas madness for at least a month straight!
 
Here you go ladies! I am really anal about things looking "clean and neat" so I fixed the flyers I was sent to make them all consistent and "pretty"! LOL! :)
 

Attachments

Krista Burson said:
Debbie -

Click on Oct Consultant News, then in the web address, change "oct" to "nov"
Click to expand...

Thank you so much, Krista!! I got it!
 
I've got a ?? regarding your time line.......

Mon Nov 30
First Call to review packet
Invites should be out if show is before January 10
Click to expand...

I would never mail out invites for a Jan. show in Nov., as I would be afraid they would get lost in holiday shuffle and no one would remember that they have a show to go to or RSVP to for Jan.

Or so you mail them to hostess for her to then mail out??

Just curious on that.

Lisa
 
bumping ......wondering about Time Line and invites
 
Lisa/ChefBear said:
bumping ......wondering about Time Line and invites
Click to expand...

Lisa, I looked at that timeline, and it does seem to state that invitations should be sent really early - one of the December letters has a reminder to the host that invitations should have been sent...

Even if the show is in the first week of January, I wouldn't send out invites until the last week of December. NO ONE will remember through the Christmas holiday about a party in January! In fact, I have been experimenting, based on some of what I heard from Tammy Stanley, on sending invites out one week before the show. My attendance has gone UP since I started doing this! My last two shows both invited about 25 people...and one had 13 in attendance, plus 3 outside orders - and just closed @ $670. (with a booking for December) The next one had...ready for this? 23 in attendance!:eek: (yes, everyone RSVP'd - most yes, and a couple brought friends!) and is at $905 in sales with some outside orders still to come! And the same story could be told for most of my October shows.

So, for example, if you have show booked for Jan 5th, I would mail out the invites around the 28th of December. The one thing I would encourage is to have the guest list early in December, so that you can work on them when you have a free moment. I encourage my Jan. hosts to make out their guest list when they are doing Christmas Cards....
 
Tonight I discussed with a potential "after the holiday" host the following:
1. "your house will still be clean (and maybe even decorated) after the holidays so why not entertain when people aren't so crazy?"
2. Go to the husbands and have them "buy" a gift certificate to give to their wives as a gift. "$50 to spend at Suzy's PC party in January." He doesn't have to shop, she gets to have a fun night with her friends - guiltfree and they don't have to pay for until January's credit card bill comes.
3. "I'll pencil you in for this date right now but I'm going to call you in the midst of a crazy December to confirm this date. You want have to do anything except tell me that we're still on and I'll get you everything else that you need." This is to hopefully prevent cancellations simply because she's overwhelmed at that moment.I have never had a January show before the 20th or so. I always want those early-Jan. incentives but have never gotten it. Maybe 2010 is the year.
 
Honestly, there has never been an early January incentive that was enough of a carrot for me to work really hard to get the bookings. Since learning the lesson that January needs to be booked by Thanksgiving, I've always had really good Januarys (often one of my best months of the year!) but I don't usually ever have a show until around the 10th...and I like it that way. (gasp!) I enjoy that time off.
 
These came from my Director that got it from an ED or SED so I don't know about the early invites going out. I know my current Hospitality Director says the same thing about sending out invites early in December because of being lost in the Holiday shuffle. I plan on doing this so we'll just see how it works out!
 

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I encourage my customers to book parties in early January?

To encourage customers to book parties in early January, emphasize the benefits of hosting right after the holidays. Highlight that they can showcase new year recipes, utilize holiday gifts, and take advantage of post-holiday sales. Additionally, consider offering special incentives or discounts for early bookings to create urgency.

What promotions can I offer to secure early January bookings?

Offering exclusive promotions can be a great way to secure early January bookings. Consider providing a discount on products for hosts, a free gift for booking a party, or a special bundle deal for guests who attend the party. Make sure to communicate these offers clearly in your marketing materials.

How should I communicate with my customers about booking early January parties?

Utilize multiple communication channels to reach your customers effectively. Send out emails, post on social media, and use text messages to remind them about the opportunity to host a party in January. Be sure to personalize your messages and highlight the unique benefits of hosting during this time.

What strategies can I use to follow up with potential hosts?

Following up is crucial for securing bookings. After your initial outreach, send a friendly reminder about the benefits of hosting in January. You can also ask if they have any questions or need more information. Consider scheduling a quick call or meeting to discuss their ideas and how you can support them in planning their party.

How can I leverage social media to promote early January bookings?

Leverage social media by creating engaging posts that highlight the excitement of hosting a party in January. Share success stories from past hosts, showcase new products, and create countdowns to build anticipation. Encourage your audience to tag friends who might be interested in hosting, and consider running a contest or giveaway to increase engagement.

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