How Can I Improve My Booking Rates for Cooking Shows and Boutiques?

[MHPampered]

Hey all... I had 3 cooking shows and one boutique and no bookings. I am not sure what was wrong but I know everyone had a lot of fun. On Sunday I did some calling and got a bunch of nos... Any ideas to try and get some bookings for December and January.

I have 2 booked for December and one possible boutique. January I have one so far. I have ran out of lead cards to call....

Thanks!

 

[DebbieJ]

Did you ask everyone at the show? Did you do the full service checkout?

 

[Suzballard]

Along with the full service checkout are you using the booking slide? I have found that to be very helpful.

 

[cookingwithdot]

You can also ask the no's if they would like to do a catalog show & just give them the same benefits. I've had several really good catalogs shows - $500+.
I too am getting a lot of no's at the shows, but people seem really interested when I am doing the booking slide. Maybe find out what they really want, but didn't get and offer it to them for 50% off if they book a show! It usually doesn't end up costing you very much & you will make a lot more at a show to make up for it. One thing my director always says is "remember, it's all a #'s game ..." Good luck!

 

[pampered1224]

I know the feeling! I have had three parties and two Holiday Shoppe things and LOTS OF NOS!!! It is driving me nuts. Nothing I seem to do or offer works. My 12 days of Christmas is offering the Deep Covered Baker at 50% on three different days and still no bites! So I don't know what to do either. And no, asking for help for something does not work either! I made up a flier that is titled: "WILL WORK FOR FOOD" which explains my new situation of being out of work and wanting to make my business grow. Zilch, nada, nothing. Not even a real response either. I just think people are so scared of what is going on that they have no clue either what to do. That is even with people who know what we do! I did a fund raiser for Habit for Humanity last night. I was offering $10 gift certificates where 100% of the purchase price would be donated. DIDN'T SELL A ONE! I was one of 15 vendors and everyone did poorly. So....

 

[cookin to the top]

I am in a slump too, but one thing that has helped me get 2 shows (from the last 2 where I would have gotten NONE) is I play "Poker for a Prize", where guests learn all about the biz and about host rewards, which I pump up big-time, then the prize is a FREE show. I did this on accident the first time when I actually forgot the prize! It worked- I got a show on the calendar that held, then I did it at the next show, and that worked too! It's worth a try....

 

[PamperedSD]

I'm also in a slump but for my last show I offered for the month of December a free show - one recipe and I'll bring paper plates, napkins & cutlery. I told all the gusts - This way if your busy this time of the year all you have to do is invite a few friends over (something you were going to do anyways) and have fun and relax. I had one taker and 2 that asked if that would apply for January. I added this after people were commenting on who has time to plan a PC party at this time of year after I showed the booking slide.

 

[Danette]

I am in a slump too, but one thing that has helped me get 2 shows (from the last 2 where I would have gotten NONE) is I play "Poker for a Prize", where guests learn all about the biz and about host rewards, which I pump up big-time, then the prize is a FREE show. I did this on accident the first time when I actually forgot the prize! It worked- I got a show on the calendar that held, then I did it at the next show, and that worked too! It's worth a try....

What is Poker for a Prize??

 

[lorilynn95]

I play "Poker for a Prize", where guests learn all about the biz and about host rewards, which I pump up big-time.

How do you play "poker for a prize"? It sounds great and being new at this I don't have any good door prize games that also have to do with PC!

 

[MHPampered]

I am in a slump too, but one thing that has helped me get 2 shows (from the last 2 where I would have gotten NONE) is I play "Poker for a Prize", where guests learn all about the biz and about host rewards, which I pump up big-time, then the prize is a FREE show. I did this on accident the first time when I actually forgot the prize! It worked- I got a show on the calendar that held, then I did it at the next show, and that worked too! It's worth a try....

I am a lil confused so what do you do? Give me some more details...

Thanks!

 

[cookin to the top]

Poker for a Prize: I play "Texas Hold-'em". It's sort of like the "ticket game", where the guests get their hand of 2 cards for 1 question either about the Biz or about what Hosting is all about. When everyone has their hand, I lay out the "river" which is 5 cards shared by everybody. With every card I put down, I say "Did you know..." and give a fact about the biz. (tax benefits, no inventory, have a retirement plan, no need to be a salesperson or cook, can make $500 for 4 shows a month) Whoever has the best poker hand wins! (I say "poker for a prize" has no guilt-strings attatched- it's for a prize- NOT gambling! The guests usually laugh) Oh- when I announce what they've won, I pull out the Bookings Slide so they see just what they've won- NOT just me buying ingredients- lots more for being a host!

 

[cookin to the top]

I hope that was clear- has anyone else tried this game?

 

[MakinBacon]

May I just ask what a Boutique show is? I've seen the term a lot and have no idea what its all about! Thanks in advance,
M