Trouble Getting Bookings: What Am I Doing Wrong?

[Rhonda-Roo]

I haven't been working as hard as I could have to get bookings so I can't complain too much. However, I seem to hit road blocks no matter what I try. Last Tuesday I went to 9 businesses & left a catalog with employees (nursing homes, beauty salon - catalog on table for clients at salon, Realtor, used furniture & misc store, doctors office plus old catalogs left for patients, a dentist & Manpower. I had a note explaining that I would be back the next Tuesday to pick up orders, etc.

When I went back this Tuesday, the nursing home, doctors office & dentist office couldn't find the catalog, but they were certain there were no orders. The others had the catalog but no-one was interested in buying anything.

Did I do something wrong? Wrong type of businesses? I'm totally confused. A few weeks ago I also tried the $1,000 mystery host. I only found 2 people interested. One didn't even get the first order & the other one was already planning to order with her tax check... which she did.

I live in a small town & the majority is low/medium income. I don't know if that is the problem or if I am going about things wrong! I won't give up. If I can only get 2 shows a month, that's better than none & I love getting the free products just for submitting 2 shows! I would like to have a few more... hopefully one day I will.

 

[pchockeymom]

I wouldn't say you've done anything wrong. Those catalogs are out there with your name on them. These things take a while. Just keep going at it. Have you tried doing craft fairs/bazaars? I hit a slump last fall and that's how I got out of it. I did as many as I could, set up my table, offered a small free gift with orders, and did a drawing for a $25 gift certificate. I have gotten a ton of shows from that (when I called with the results of my raffle I told everyone that although they didn't win my grand prize, they won my consolation prize of a free cooking show, except the person that won the gift certificate). You could also ask your hairdresser if she'd do a catalog show. She could keep it open for a month, show the catalog to her clients as she's doing their hair, and take orders. I had one hair dresser do this and it was a $900 show. Bottom line is, you're not doing anything wrong, you're working your business, it'll come around.

 

[Jolie_Paradoxe]

Quick question. I saw that you left a note, but did you specifically ask each employee if they wanted to participate & be a host? Did they understand that they'd get free product for passing the catalog around? Did you take their contact info and call them midway?

I agree, you did nothing wrong. Sometimes those work out, and sometimes they do not.

 

[Dotty]

I had a note explaining that I would be back the next Tuesday to pick up orders, etc.

When I went back this Tuesday, the nursing home, doctors office & dentist office couldn't find the catalog, but they were certain there were no orders. The others had the catalog but no-one was interested in buying anything.

Pampered Chef, as well as most direct sales, really focus on the relationship building with your customers. I think this would work better for you if you took some time to chat up the receptionists or anyone at the offices. Explain the process and see if you can find a person who will accept the order forms and catalogues and agree to be the host. The person who takes the packet gets the rewards! They will then take more responsibility for the catalogues and orders. That should be your contact person for when you go back. Don't agree to pamper a business (ie bring in treats or anything special) until you've found your host.

Best of luck to you.

 

[dannyzmom]

Pampered Chef, as well as most direct sales, really focus on the relationship building with your customers. I think this would work better for you if you took some time to chat up the receptionists or anyone at the offices. Explain the process and see if you can find a person who will accept the order forms and catalogues and agree to be the host. The person who takes the packet gets the rewards! They will then take more responsibility for the catalogues and orders. That should be your contact person for when you go back. Don't agree to pamper a business (ie bring in treats or anything special) until you've found your host.

Best of luck to you.

Thank you Dotty - you saved me from typing as you said EVERYTHING I was thinking!!!

 

[Rhonda-Roo]

Thanks all! Dotty ~ it clicked when you said "They will then take more responsibility for the catalogues and orders. That should be your contact person for when you go back." Yeah... then I have a name! lol I don't know why I didn't do that!I've set up at a bridal shop... which was a flop. We only had 13 names in our drawing boxes. The same girl won 4 of the drawings. lol I'm trying to find every opportunity for setting up a booth to help get my name & catalogs out there.