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

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Discussion Overview

This thread discusses experiences and strategies related to handling flaky hostesses for fundraisers among Pampered Chef consultants. Participants share personal anecdotes about their encounters with unresponsive hosts and explore various approaches to improve communication and engagement.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, shares their experience with a flaky hostess who failed to confirm attendance for a fundraiser, raising concerns about the impact on their reputation.
  • Another participant mentions that leaving a message about their planned arrival time and the number of catalogs to bring has successfully prompted responses from flaky hosts in the past.
  • One user expresses the intention to start sending invitations on behalf of the host, including a postage-paid envelope for easier returns.
  • Another participant inquires if there has been any follow-up from the flaky hostess.
  • A participant notes that they have not heard back from the hostess, indicating a lack of communication.
  • One consultant discusses using a recorded call service for reminder calls, sharing that it has been effective for them since they began using it.
  • Another participant mentions a strategy where hosts can earn free product credit by filling out address sheets, which has reportedly led to increased engagement from hosts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ among participants regarding the effectiveness of various strategies for managing flaky hostesses, with no clear consensus on the best approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and strategies that have worked for them in the context of fundraising events, highlighting the challenges faced with host engagement.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants looking for insights on managing host communication and engagement in fundraising scenarios may find this discussion relevant.

K
Kathytnt
Messages
2,616
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
 
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.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #3
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???
 
Did you ever hear back from her?
 
  • Thread starter
  • #5
Nope - It was supposed to be tonight at 6:30 Its 7:35 and not word
 
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.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the signs that a hostess might be flaky?

Signs of a flaky hostess can include inconsistent communication, missed deadlines for promotional materials, lack of enthusiasm about the event, and frequent changes to the event details. If a hostess is not actively engaging with you or the attendees, it may indicate a lack of commitment.

How can I set clear expectations with my hostess?

To set clear expectations, have an initial conversation outlining the responsibilities of the hostess, including promoting the event, inviting guests, and providing updates. Create a timeline with key dates and deliverables, and follow up regularly to ensure they are on track.

What should I do if my hostess cancels or reschedules at the last minute?

If a hostess cancels or reschedules, remain calm and professional. Discuss the reasons for the change and offer to help them find a new date or format for the fundraiser. If necessary, consider finding a backup hostess or alternative fundraising options to keep the momentum going.

How can I motivate a flaky hostess to stay engaged?

To motivate a flaky hostess, provide regular encouragement and support. Share success stories from previous fundraisers, offer incentives for reaching certain goals, and maintain open lines of communication. Personalizing your approach can also help rekindle their enthusiasm.

What are some alternative strategies if a hostess continues to be unreliable?

If a hostess continues to be unreliable, consider shifting the focus to a different approach, such as co-hosting with another enthusiastic individual or organizing the fundraiser yourself. You can also explore online fundraising options that require less involvement from a hostess.

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