Expert Tips for Hosting a No-Cooking Show: Entertaining Strategies and Tools

[Thinker]

I have a host that does not want me to make anything. What do I do? Do a take several potatoes/fruits and show off as many tools as possible? Do concentrate on entertaining? HELP!!

 

[Grandmarita]

Is she planning on doing the cooking herself? It sounds like you will have to do some talking with her, to figure out why she wants to have a party? Maybe a catalog party or on-line party would work better for her. Is it a bridal shower where she would be embarrassed to have you do a hard sell, and yet wants lots of FREE products for the Bride?Can you get together with her face to face, and talk about her party wants and needs?

 

[DessertDivaFL]

I agree that you need to ask her more questions. Perhaps she doesn't want you to use her stove, oven or microwave. We do have recipes that require little to no use of any appliances.

Maybe she had a bad experience with a previous consultant. It is better to ask her than to assume anyway.

 

[NooraK]

Yes, ask her what does she want, then check out this thread:

http://www.chefsuccess.com/f12/questions-rae-about-your-show-16925/

 

[Jacbanes]

She may not have the $$ to purchase the food products too - I would offer to bring the groceries in that case. Usually when something like this happens its due to the host being embarrassed about something - I would tread lightly, but I agree with everyone else, you need to ask some questions!

 

[babywings76]

Let her know that there are many styles of PC parties. She might want a quick party and fear cooking will drag it out.You could bring a dessert already made and then do a catalog walk-through and "paint pictures" for them as you talk about the products. You could have bread and the oil dipping seasonings, cream cheese and the sauces on it. You could cook a couple chicken breasts in the DCB with BBQ sauce and then dice it up and serve w/ toothpicks. Things like that, that you can assemble quickly before the show. This way people can come in and sample stuff while you go through the catalog and specials with them.

 

[Thinker]

Thank you Noora for directing me to that thread. That was exactly what I was looking for. My show went great! The host had 13 guests, $125 in outside orders and will close her show with around $750 in sales. Thanks again!!!

 

[raebates]

Glad you found that helpful, Jane. It's worked well for me.

 

[peortega]

This topic has really peaked my interest. I have heard Senior Directors talk about non-demo shows that have been very successful. Do you think these will be well received? Does anyone else have a script or outline?

Rae, has anything changed in your show? Any additional advice?

TIA

Priscilla

 

[raebates]

Not much has changed. I've stopped doing the negativity cop because it wasn't necessary at my shows. I've added a bookings slide near the end. Otherwise it's still pretty much the same.

 

[ShelbyMichalek]

Rae, has anything changed in your show? Any additional advice?

Was wondering the same, thanks for telling us Rae. I actually might use this...

 

[raebates]

I just realized that I didn't really answer the question about additional advice. Here it is. Be yourself. Connect with your customers. At a recent show I received a wonderful compliment. A guest who does direct sales said that the show was the best she'd ever attended. I was especially flattered when I found out that she was in corporate sales for years before switching to direct sales. She liked that I got everyone involved with the Have it! Love it! game. I explained my theory that for most of the guests I’m a stranger who is paid to sell the stuff. But, if the person sitting next to you, who you’ve known for years, tells you how wonderful a particular product is it carries more weight. That’s when she gave me one of the best compliments I’ve ever received. She said, “But, you didn’t seem like a stranger.” I think it's because I spend that time before the show chatting with people as they arrive, answering questions, and getting a feel for the crowd.

 

[Thinker]

The Have it! Love it! was the best. I handed out tickets instead of chocolate. I would mention an item and if more than one had it the would try to out sell the other. I let everyone you had it tell why they love it, but only gave it to the first person who said. I got very funny. By the end the were trying to out yell over the other one. I also didn't use the negativity cop either. I was very hesitant about doing a no cooking show but I think I like it better than the cooking show. Thanks again Rae for posting it.

 

[Thinker]

The Have it! Love it! was the best. I handed out tickets instead of chocolate. I would mention an item and if more than one had it the would try to out sell the other. I let everyone you had it tell why they love it, but only gave it to the first person who said. I got very funny. By the end the were trying to out yell over the other one. I also didn't use the negativity cop either. I was very hesitant about doing a no cooking show but I think I like it better than the cooking show. Thanks again Rae for posting it.

 

[ChefSandyR]

whats the have it love it game?

 

[raebates]

whats the have it love it game?

When I mention a product, the first person to yell out "Have it! Love it!" gets a Hershey Kiss (or other candy, or ticket). At the end of the catalog the person with the most Kisses (or empty wrappers) gets a prize.

I also include anyone who has a question about a product or the business. That evens the playing field a bit when you have people with kitchens full of PC playing against newbies.

 

[leftymac]

When I mention a product, the first person to yell out "Have it! Love it!" gets a Hershey Kiss (or other candy, or ticket). At the end of the catalog the person with the most Kisses (or empty wrappers) gets a prize.

I also include anyone who has a question about a product or the business. That evens the playing field a bit when you have people with kitchens full of PC playing against newbies.

I do this game too, but I give door prize tickets. I also give a ticket for the first person to find the item in the catalog and mention the page. People go CRAZY over it -- they get so competitive and they love it.

I also give an extra ticket for any PC "virgins".

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

I did my show today the Rae Bates way. Went great! (Oh, and the only one cited by the negativity cop was me ... I had to point out the bad news about the Deep Covered Baker and the stainless bowls going up)