Are Mini Catalogs for Invites Worth the Extra Cost?

[batroark]

I was in a class at conference where one of the speakers said instead of regular invites we should send out the mini catalogs to the guests. She said that they would not only have a sample of our products in front of them rather than just a plain jane card of some sorts, but it would not get misplaced as easily. So, let see.......40 invtes, costs+$1.00, and $.27 for a stamp to mail them out v/s 40 mini cats, almost $6.00, and $.42 for a stamp to mail with the possibility of having to have an envelope to stick it in but could place in the host/guest specials if desired.

What do you all think about this idea. Good or bad? Do any of you already do this? Would it be worth the extra for you AND the host to do mini catalogs? The big plus side I see in this mini catalog is they sprinkled some of the old standards or the familiar products throughout this one instead of just the new products!

I would appreciate your input!!!!

 

[Koolotus]

I heard the same thing
I think that if you couple sending them with a reminder to you host that PERSONAL invites work best, it should be worth it.
Heck I would even be willing to put a note on the book saying to bring the catalog back to you to be entered into a drawing for a special gift.
Then stick them all in a basket shake and give the winner a season's best.
Recycle them as long as you can.
If you try it, please track you results over a month or two and let us know

 

[Laura420]

I think it may help guests actually show up. If guests see something they like in the MC, they may be more likely to make an effort to go to the party instead of blowing it off as just another demo show... or place an outside order!

 

[legacypc46]

I'm trying it. I did three host coachings on Saturday and gave them all the mini-catalogs. (I actually gave them the option of those or the post cards...they all chose the minis.) We'll see how it goes. (I did ask they return what they don't use.)

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I'm trying it. I did three host coachings on Saturday and gave them all the mini-catalogs. (I actually gave them the option of those or the post cards...they all chose the minis.) We'll see how it goes. (I did ask they return what they don't use.)

I'll be anxious to hear how this goes for you...I keep waffling back and forth on doing this.

 

[redsoxgirl]

I started doing this in March and it works fine for me. Yes, the stamp is a little more and the catalogs are more than postcards, but the positive outweighs the negative as far as I'm concerned.

People can see what's new. They can see what we offer. With the new minis, they can see the opportunity.
I also include a little slip of paper asking them to bring the catalog to the party and they will be entered in a special drawing.

Other at home companies do this all the time and it works great for them!

 

[batroark]

Wow! This is turning out great! I have, now that it has been mentioned, received a mini catalog from another DS show. I am going to place an order for them today and start it once I get them.

For the ones that already do this.....do you give them 25 cats or the regular amount of 40???

 

[redsoxgirl]

I mail them myself - so do those other direct sales companies.
We're one of the few DS companies I know of that still ask our hosts to mail the invites!

 

[batroark]

Ok, I have been doing PC for almost 4 yrs. now, but do you ask for stamps or money to cover the cost?

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Ok, I have been doing PC for almost 4 yrs. now, but do you ask for stamps or money to cover the cost?

I know some do - but I don't. I just take the tax write-off. It's my business, and I just can't see asking my hosts for money to run my business.

 

[redsoxgirl]

I know some do - but I don't. I just take the tax write-off. It's my business, and I just can't see asking my hosts for money to run my business.

I don't either... just chalk it up as a business expense!

 

[buckeyefan08]

I'm going to try this! I like the idea of me sending them out that way I only use what is needed.

 

[redsoxgirl]

I put the host's name and address as the return address so that she can see if any get returned

 

[baychef]

I would be interested if those who are not doing it currently, track your sales and compare to last years to see if there is indeed an increase in show averages, etc.

It would be worth it to give it a try to see if outside orders picked up.

 

[Kathie's Kitchen]

Do you put the MC's in an envelope or just tape them shut, then mail them?

 

[thecougchef]

Heck I would even be willing to put a note on the book saying to bring the catalog back to you to be entered into a drawing for a special gift.
Then stick them all in a basket shake and give the winner a season's best.
Recycle them as long as you can.
If you try it, please track you results over a month or two and let us know

i like that idea. then, not only are you getting your catalogs back, but you are adding incentive to actually come to the show...

 

[missyciccolella]

My only concern is I think they should be mailed in an envelope. I did a mass mailing last Fall with the mini not in an envelope and when I made my follow up calls 5 days after mailing them about half had not received them. I was very upset and filed a complaint with USPS.

I love the idea for my Sept and maybe Oct shows...I can't wait to hear what results we all have!

 

[traci4tpc]

I too took that class and was wondering if it would be cost effective. I would really love to hear the results and I like the fact that if they bring them back they will be entered into a drawing. Great way to recycle.

 

[batroark]

Good deal! I am so excited that everyone is putting their input in so well. I made a supply order around noon and so far I am ordering 6 packs of 25 which will be a good start! I can't wait to start in on this that I wish they were already here! Woo hoo! Thanks girls for the inspiration and the motivation of trying something new. Let us know just who else is jumping on board?????

 

[legacypc46]

My hosts are mailing them in an envelope (at least that's what they agreed to do!)

 

[redsoxgirl]

I put them in an envelope and include the printable invitation from CC and on that I ask them to bring it back to be entered in to a drawing.

 

[Kattyschack]

I had never thought about doing this before. What a great idea! I know that I would be tempted to go and buy more if I could preview a catalog before arriving. I may even get some outside orders to take with me. Hmmm......

 

[jessicafawn]

I'm going to try this for my next few shows... Great idea. I'll post the results whether good or bad.

 

[thecougchef]

i just skimmed through this real quick again --
how are you inviting them? besides sending the mini catalog...
i was thinking about putting an oversized address label on the back with the date/time/host/address/rsvp #. but i was thinking that some people might miss the fact that there is a sticker inviting them to a party there...

 

[lacychef]

I've done this the past couple years. I do it for the first few months of a new season. In the past I've put a typed note inside the front with the party details; and a label on the outside that says "you're invited to a cooking show~see inside for details!" This season, I plan on doing a full page invite & mini inside an envelope.
I've felt that doing this has generated lots of excitement from people. The guests that come are excited to see the new stuff in person; and outside orders have gone up since they have a little mag to look at right away.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I've done this the past couple years. I do it for the first few months of a new season. In the past I've put a typed note inside the front with the party details; and a label on the outside that says "you're invited to a cooking show~see inside for details!" This season, I plan on doing a full page invite & mini inside an envelope.
I've felt that doing this has generated lots of excitement from people. The guests that come are excited to see the new stuff in person; and outside orders have gone up since they have a little mag to look at right away.

Hmmmm, this has me wondering if putting in a small order form right with the mini might not be a bad idea. I've seen the small order forms (2-4 to a page) on here before, wonder if I could find one now?

 

[Oklabell]

I mail them in a envelope with the a flyer with the host and guest specials for the next three months. The drawing is a good idea I will try that. I may do a prize for outside orders.

One thing is customers take them to work or somewhere else and other people can look at them. I had a lady bring several outside orders just from sending them a mini.

 

[batroark]

Ok, I am putting this in the invitation as well.....

Bring this mini catalog to the party to help recycle AND be entered into a drawing for the most "Environmentally Friendly" guest.

Has anybody got the min's host/guest flyer and the mini order forms. I am getting ready to send some out today or tomorrow with a CC Game Day invitation. Thanks for all of your help!

 

[jrstephens]

I have a lot of old mini catalogs left over. I thought about using them and then it would not be a big deal if I did not get tham back.

I need to look into the mini inserts more.

How do yall address yours with the party info? I see one below that puts it inside of the catalog. If that how most do? I considered this the other day for my show on 30th but could not decide how to do the show info, so, I decided to wait.

Does it cost more than one stamp if you just seal up the catalog and do not put it in an envelope? My host mail their invites. I do not. SO, I would need it to be simple and not too costly.

 

[jessicafawn]

Has anybody got the min's host/guest flyer and the mini order forms. I am getting ready to send some out today or tomorrow with a CC Game Day invitation. Thanks for all of your help!

I didn't know PC had mini host/guest flyers and order forms. Do we order them on a supply order with everything else? I guess I'll have to look... and then add it to my list for my next order.

 

[batroark]

I didn't know PC had mini host/guest flyers and order forms. Do we order them on a supply order with everything else? I guess I'll have to look... and then add it to my list for my next order.

No, they are not through the supplies order. They are made up from some of us. I found the Sept. & Oct. h/g flyers (2 per page) over in the flyers area here, but I have not found any mini order forms that someone was talking about.????? I am sure it is on here somewhere, just where????

 

[stefani2]

I am not gonna invest in any minis this year - most people ask me for a FULL catty anyways. I think the mini cattys are a good idea - but haven't had very much sucess with people wanting/keeping them.