Avoid Being Flaked On: How to Handle a Flaky Hostess for Fundraisers

[Kathytnt]

I got my first flaky hostess - I primarily do fundraisers so this doesn't happen often. The show was booked out of another fundraiser back in November. Sent her her packet - e-mailed and called to confirm she received it - No response. Finally got in touch with her Sunday. She said she was excited about the show but thought she might have to go out of town. (Now I am questioning how many people did you invite if you think you may be going out of town???) I asked her to call me on Monday and leave a message to let me know whether or not we were confirmed for Thursday. Never heard from her. Emailed and called again on Tuesday leaveing a message to let me know what to do or let's reschedule and these are the dates I have available. I let her know that she needs to call me as soon as possible because I have a special goal for the next 30 days and I am booking heavy.

Sure hope she didn't invite a bunch a people and didn't bother to ever call me back. It could cause me a black eye with a group for which I do a lot of fundraisers but what am I to do. I don't make any money - I give htem al my commision and this is what happens. Although this is the first time this havs happened.

I will be working in my office to book for February and March

 

[MicheleC]

I've left the message on my flaky hosts telling them since I didn't hear from them I'll be coming at x time and bringing catalogs for 15 people and let me know if they need me to bring more. This has always received a response! I don't know how far away she lives but it may be worth showing up if you're afraid of looking bad with your customers.

If it doesn't turn out then spend some time for you tonight. This is one of the areas where sending the invites for them really helps because you know if you don't have a list back they haven't invited anyone!

Sorry this happened.

 

[Kathytnt]

I am going to start offering to send out the invitation and adding a postage paid envelope for them to send it. So you do the reminder calls???

 

[SusanBP0129]

Did you ever hear back from her?

 

[Kathytnt]

Nope - It was supposed to be tonight at 6:30 Its 7:35 and not word

 

[MicheleC]

Kathy,

I do the reminder calls through postcalls which is a recorded site. You buy a certain number of calls ahead of time and then use them as you go. It's very easy. I just started doing this in November so not a whole lot of experience so far but it seems to work well. Another thing my director does that I'm going to start is that she uses the address sheets and tells them that if they fill one up completely then she will give them $10 in free product credit at their show. She has had all of her hosts this month fill the first sheet and half of the second one!

Let me know if you want a referral for postcalls as I couldn't find the rate I received on the internet site. I got a referral from my director.