43 Invited~ Not 1 Person Showed?????

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Discussion Overview

This thread discusses experiences related to hosting Pampered Chef shows where few or no guests attended, despite sending out numerous invitations and making reminder calls. Participants share their personal stories of similar situations and express feelings of disappointment and frustration.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, shared their experience of hosting a show where no guests showed up despite sending out 43 invitations and making reminder calls.
  • Another participant mentioned a similar situation where only one person attended their show after sending out 50 invites, noting that such occurrences can be discouraging.
  • Several users reflected on their own experiences of low attendance at shows, with one participant stating that it can simply be a "bad day" for everyone invited.
  • One participant shared a story of a host who initially had no attendees but later received outside orders, suggesting that outcomes can improve over time.
  • Another participant expressed frustration with postcard invitations, noting that many people do not receive them and suggesting that hosts should also use email or phone calls for invitations.
  • Some participants suggested that the timing of the show might have affected attendance, with one recommending a later start time to accommodate guests.
  • One participant emphasized the importance of following up with friends who were invited to understand their reasons for not attending.
  • Another shared their experience of a show where only two guests attended, but the host still managed to achieve significant sales.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the effectiveness of postcard invitations and the impact of show timing. While some participants agree that low attendance can happen to anyone, others suggest proactive measures like follow-ups or changing invitation methods.

Contextual Notes

Participants shared experiences from various shows, highlighting that attendance issues can occur regardless of the number of invitations sent or the efforts made in host coaching.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants who have faced similar challenges with low attendance at shows may find the shared experiences and insights from others in the community relatable and informative.

S
Skye
What happened? The show was for Sat at 10am. I know all 43 invites went out, because I sent them....I know that they all had reminder calls because I used the post calls (for the first time:mad: ) She was a referral so I had met her (besides talking during coaching calls) for the first time at her show. She lived in a nice area, had a great family, she was way nice.....why would no one come? I felt so bad for her. She won't even call to get any orders because she is so upset. I stayed and made the Trifle with her and her DD. It was so sad.:confused:
Has any one else had this happen or does any have suggestions on how to deal with it?
I also lost the cost of postage, gas..it was 30+ min away and the $9 for the post calls, grrrrr.
Are Post Calls effective? Was the show at a bad time? I have been doing PC for 6 months, and this has never happened before????????????
 
I'm so sorry!! I don't know anything about the post calls, dont' know what they are, or how to use them, but I am sorry! I had the same thing happen to me about a week ago. I had a HWC show and one person came. I mailed out 50 invites and did all of my reminder calls. Unfortunately sometimes it does happen. It is discouraging when this happens, but please know that it does happen! Keep up with your host coaching! Maybe this will be a one time thing and won't happen again!! Think positive!! Maybe you can get her to try it again!!

Good luck!!
 
Sounds like you and the host did everything you could...sometimes it is just a "bad day" for everyone invited.

Whenever *I* host a show myself (even before selling PC) I was one of those people who said "no one comes to my parties" and it was the TRUTH!! It is very discouraging!

Glad you stayed and made the trifle for her, sorry for your time and money spent on it, the show...

:)
 
Yes after 7 1/2 years I can say it has happened a few times before . Tell the hot not to be upset . I went 72 miles about 2months after I started PC and the exact thing NO ONE showed up . so we kept the party open about a week or so and she got her party up to 700.00 belive it or not . She was so upset that night and didn't know how to say she was so sorry to me . but it all worked out .

I hate to say it will never happen again but it may . keep your chin up and just keep going. I do not send out post cards the host does , I do try t have them do E-vites from my web-sit. You can also find E-vites just on the computer if you don't have a PC web-sie so you can try that too.
 
It could be that no one received their post cards. I think at every show lately there is at least one person who never received their invite in the mail. I always tell my host to email and call everyone to invite them as well.

Maybe that happened and then by the time the reminder call went out everyone had other plans already.
 
I am about done with the postcard invitations! I had a show a week ago and I mailed the invites and half of the people didn't receive them! Luckily, it was my Mom's first show and she was so excited and told everyone about it.
 
You might also try a diffrent time too. Maybe 10 am is too early?
I always do saturday shows at 11:30, that way people can sleep in
and still have their entire day to get stuff done.
 
Did anyone rsvp to her? I think I would push her to follow up with her friends (once she feels calmer about it) and find out if it was a bad time, bad day, just not interested, or what. I think if I had a situation where no one had rsvp'd, I wouldn't use the post calls, I would want to speak with them or have the host speak with them so that I would have some connection there and know that someone was going to show up. I'm sorry that happened to you, that is really frustrating. Try not to take it personally, and sometimes despite everything we do people are inconsiderate (especially if they see it as a "sales" event and not a social event)--that is just life.
 
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I tried to get her to send out e-vites but she wouldn't. I guess I should follow up with her tomorrow about collecting outside orders, and share Doreens story so realizes that she is not alone and that she can still do well. She is really hurt and maybe having a few days will have helped her calm down. I keep hoping that there was some community thing or something that she didn't know about, and someone will tell her.
Thanks for all your thoughts and suggestions!
 
I have been in the same situation. The gal sent out 60 invites and only 2 showed up. Keep trying!! You never know what will happen.
 
I once had a show over 1 hour 15 minutes away - booked from another show and she sent out a ton of invites - said 15-20 people were coming - I got there and it approached the time of the party - only her mom was there and finally one other person showed up and that's it! My host was a bit peeved to say the least - I left with only $42 in sales from those 2 people - she ended up getting a ton of outside orders and had over a $600 show! I told her to call everyone who said they were coming - tell them they missed a great show and what did they want to order? I can't believe how rude some people can be to their own friends (my friends would at least call and make up an excuse if they couldn't be there) - just hang in there and tell her to follow up.
 
Hey Skye,

WOW! I just noticed you are a director after only 6 months in the business?!? That is awesome! Congratulations!

Sorry to hear about your show..as Kim asked, I'm also wondering if anyone RSVP'ed. Did the hostess talked to anyone who said they were coming??
I've never tried post calls either, so I have no feedback on that. But if people did RSVP, I think it's extremely rude for them NOT to show up! If no one RSVP'ed, well, then..that's a different story.

Hope you can turn this one around! Good luck!
 
My host yesterday sent out 55 .. .had 2 guests. But we had a ball and she may even be interested in the business... I hope your host heals a bit and does try to still get some orders. Don't be hard on yourself... you did everything right!
 
One December I had a Christmas Open House hosted by two friends. They sent out over 100 invitations and I also invited people. No one came. The weather happened to be not great that day and there was another event going on but there should have been someone!!! I also had a minister's wife hold a show and no one came. She had only invited people from her work "to give me a new line of customers". I DID host coach her about inviting everyone but some people will not hear.

It happens to all of us. {{shrug}} Just go on...

As far as post calls - I personally don't like them. When I have gotten them I have been very annoyed so I don't use that system. It would be okay if I knew the machines would pick up but otherwise... JMHO.
 
I had the same thing happen. I had a host invite 50 people but only 3 showed up. Her show is closing this week at about $400. This does happen but keep doing what you are doing. Remember, you will have more good shows than bad.:)
 
I had a show one time where NO ONE ORDERED!!! Well, one person did, the booking host....I was flabberghasted. The host was mortified. I don't know who I felt more sorry for - her or me! It was the weirdest show I've had so far too.....I hope never to have one like it again either. I guess we all get one at one time or another.......
 
I am so sorry nobody showed up. I had a show a couple of months ago and 2 guest showed up, but the host ended up with 300 in sales. I am sure she was upset. It is such a bummer when your friends let you down. But, Saturdays are hard for me. These days everyone works hard all week and then has all of their kids activities and Saturday is their day to spend quietly with their family...or they are playing softball all day. And, I find in all things...church, school functions, etc...that a lot of people will say "oh, there will be plenty of people there without me. Unfortunately, that is the society we live in these days. I have my Saturday shows either at 10:30 or at 2:00. 10:30 actually seems best around here because people can sleep in, come to the show and still have the afternoon to spend with their family.

One thing though, she may get a ton of outside orders...she can play the nobody showed up card.
 
My open house in April went the same way. I invited 30+ people and only 2 showed up. It's frustrating but I assumed this is how it is when you first start up w/PC. Stay strong. Do you think your host will try to get orders despite the lack of people at her show?
 
I had a fundraiser on Saturday, I sent out 120 invitation for the open house and I had 6 people show up. I didn't know what to do, right now the way it sits I spent more on postage and gas then I get at the fundraiser commission. Sorry you had a bad day also.
 
I would suggest including a post card to the host in the postcard list -- if she doesn't get her invite then you have a clue that the invites have gotten lost in the mail.

When host coaching, do you suggest to your host that she do verbal invites herself in addition to mailing the postcard?

I have had similar situations -- in the first case my host had 6 confirmed attendees and only one guest showed and she was 1/2 hour late. We made the recipes and had fun , the guest spent $180 and booked a catalog show. The host ended up closing the show at $400 after outside orders, but I felt horrible for her (she's a good friend of mine and this was her first party of any time at her house and no one even called to cancel).

Another host called me the night before the show to tell me that no one was able to come but she had a bunch of orders. We converted her show to a catalog show and it was also almost $400.

I always suggest that my host invite everyone in a variety of ways (send invites, sends emails and personally invite on phone or in person) -- this also increases her show totals because the personal invites allow the non-attending guests to place an outside order.
 
I really wonder about the effectiveness of post-calls? I know that for myself, when I get a recorded message - I almost always hang up before it finishes, and I think if I got one for a party that I had been invited to my feeling would be "wow - {the host} really cares if I'm there (said sarcastically) - he/she couldn't even be bothered to give me a call to see if I'm coming."
On the other hand, when I have been called(by a real person) for a show reminder, most of the time, even if I can't make it, I will place an order over the phone. So in my mind, the whole post-calls system is causing the host (and consultant) to lose out on sales and guest attendance. (IMHO)
 
ChefBeckyD said:
I really wonder about the effectiveness of post-calls? I know that for myself, when I get a recorded message - I almost always hang up before it finishes, and I think if I got one for a party that I had been invited to my feeling would be "wow - {the host} really cares if I'm there (said sarcastically) - he/she couldn't even be bothered to give me a call to see if I'm coming."
On the other hand, when I have been called(by a real person) for a show reminder, most of the time, even if I can't make it, I will place an order over the phone. So in my mind, the whole post-calls system is causing the host (and consultant) to lose out on sales and guest attendance. (IMHO)
Click to expand...

This is exactly why I will NEVER use this dis-service. IF I actually stayed on to listen, as a guest, I would feel no personal care went into inviting me. I know people are busy -- I really do -- but at the same time, if you want me there contact me personally. Sticking my name on a card and my number on a calling list makes me feel like I'm only being invited for my order, not my company.

Of course, I might be weird. :)
 
I don't know you well enough to know if you're weird or not, but I share your opinion. Hmm, I don't know if that will make you feel better or worse.
 
I'm definitely weird... but in the best way possible! Left of center, against the grain, or something like that.

Now it's YOU who has to feel better or worse about that :) Personally - I'm thinking we're in great company.
 
I like your way of thinking!
 
I am sorry to hear about this. I never have any luck when hosting my own shows (PC and others) I sent out 54 invites for my starter show and 5 people showed up (3 of them were my Mother, Sister, and Mother in Law)

I agree with what others were saying about the postcards getting lost in the mail. I am contemplating ditching the postcards and printing out my own invitations. Unfortunately that will get costly, but I figure that if it means that everyone will receive the invites it will be worth it in the longrun.
 
Don't take it too hard! I once scheduled a show where the host sent out over 50 invites. 8 said they were coming and only 2 people showed. Turned out it was Back to School night in her district and everyone invited had kids. She collected lots of orders and it turned out to be a $600 show AND she signed. She expressed interest in signing and I told her, when people apologize for not making it ask them, would you like to order or be one of my first hosts? She got enough orders and hosts to start her business. You just never know!

And, I use PostCalls all the time: for business and personal things (parties at my house, LOL). People always thank me for the call. Maybe we're less personal in the northeast? I dunno. I think the thing is to leave a message when most people are out or at work. I usually do mine at 10am, where if you work 9-5, you are out. Then the recording sounds like you left a message. You can also check on the website to see if the calls were received. My director's some was supposed to drop the invites in the mail for her and he forgot, leaving them in his car for weeks. The host was upset that no one responded. My director did the post calls a few days before the show and had an awesome turnout. She realized what happened with the invites and apologized to everyone for trusting her business with an 18 year old. Hey, the mailbox is at the end of the drive, whooda thunk it, he'd forget?
 
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Okay, here is my 2 cents...
I have had 2 shows where only 1 or 2 people showed up after the host had invited many, with me!
What I found out afterward is that she told no one and they were all surprised that they had just seen her and she didn't mentiopn it. So sometimes you may not know the circumstances on why they didn't come.
Anyhow, I changed the way I did things and now I get a great rewsponse, at LEST 12-15 people at every show where the host is doing what I coach her too.
1) Personally call and invite everyone on your guest list as you write it out. I do suggest they do it when they think they might get a machine so it doesn't take forever.
2) I send them 20 preprinted postcards when I send their invites and call them and talk about who they will give them too. I add them to the guest list so I can check with the host
3) I do use post calls and love it!
So do my guests! I always use the same script and just changed the names and the recipes.
here it is:
" This is a message on behalf of Susie Hostess. Hi this is Cheryl, your Pampered Chef consultant and I am just calling to remind you that tonight at 7 pm is Susie's Show! We will be making Aloha pizza and an amazing cake so Susie and I hope you can make it!
If you can't come you will miss all the fun but you can still get your PC goodies if you go to www.PC.Biz/ me and enter susie hostess' name in the host box or just give susie a call. We look forward to seeing you at 7 pm! Thank You!"
always sound very upbeat and excited that you are going to have a great time and taylor it if you are doing a special show.
I started saying this is a message on behalf of because people told me they started talking to me and that was annoying. Since I changed it, no problemo.
HTH
Cheryl
 
Cheryl: I'm stealing your verbiage!
 
That's why it's there... You are welcome to it!
:)
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "43 Invited~ Not 1 Person Showed" mean?

This phrase typically indicates that 43 people were invited to a Pampered Chef party or event, but none of them attended. It highlights the disappointment and frustration that can occur in direct sales when expected attendance does not materialize.

What could be the reasons for no one showing up?

There could be several reasons for low attendance, including scheduling conflicts, lack of interest in the products, poor communication about the event, or even external factors like weather or illness. It's important to analyze these factors to improve future events.

How can I improve attendance at my Pampered Chef parties?

To improve attendance, consider sending personalized invitations, following up with reminders, and creating engaging content that highlights the benefits of attending. Offering incentives, such as giveaways or exclusive discounts, can also encourage more people to show up.

Should I be discouraged by this experience?

While it's natural to feel discouraged, it's important to view this as a learning opportunity. Analyze what went wrong, gather feedback from those who were invited, and adjust your approach for future events. Persistence is key in direct sales.

What are some strategies to re-engage those who didn't attend?

To re-engage those who didn't attend, consider reaching out with a follow-up message expressing your disappointment in not seeing them and offering to share any highlights or special offers from the event. You can also invite them to a future event or offer a one-on-one consultation to showcase the products.

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