Booking Beads: Increasing Show Bookings - Experiences?

[Brenda.the.chef]

I am going to try this idea tomorrow at my cooking show. This is my first book in close show. ever! She texted me Wednesday and we're cooking tomorrow! I'm buying the ingredients. I talked to her last night and she already has 4 outside orders. She's always been a great host and constantly sits on the recruiting fence. She needs to get her medical conditions under control before she takes the plunge is what she told me last night!

 

[pchockeymom]

So, if you order them off the first host's show (for the discount), then you will have to meet up with her again to get the items, right?
That is the only part that I am hung up on, because if the items come with the first show, what is stopping the host from taking her free item and giving the free item to the booked show host?

Karen

my host doesn't get the item until the booker's show is held. That way if it never materializes, I'm not out anything.

On another note, I have revamped how i do this since I felt like I was taking too much time having the guest read about the product (that's what I was doing). Now I have each guest tell us "who she is/product wize)" ask if she has it, then a show of hands who else has that product. Then I ask anyone who has that product to tell the others why they love it. If no one has it, I'll then tell a little about it. This worked amazingly at my last show. Lots of interaction, and the gals really got into it.

 

[nay62]

So does that mean you place the orders and have them deliver to you (consultant) instead of host?

Carmen

 

[Brenda.the.chef]

I will just add the item to the host's order when submitting her show. This way, you know that a show will be held and the host will receive the free product.

 

[pchockeymom]

My host from Wednesday remarked to me yesterday about how much she enjoyed the necklace activity! She thought it was so fun and a great way to get everyone involved and show off alot of products. I think when a host is impressed with an activity,it says a lot. I can't wait to do it again tonight.

 

[marystell1]

Great that your host liked it. But did you get any bookings?

 

[pchockeymom]

Yes I did! And I sold several of the products, which I believe would not have sold because they would not have otherwise been mentioned.

Was a huge hit again last night too! Bookings and sales of those products. And again, the host and guests loved the uniqueness of the activity. And last night was a couples party so it made it even more fun - guys wearing beaded necklaces and all...

 

[cochef]

What products did you use and how many necklaces do you make up?

 

[pchockeymom]

I made 30 necklaces. I have gold and blue ones that currently have august host specials on them that are free if they book in august (less expensive things like the 5" utility knife, the paring knife, kitchen shears, etc). With them at 60% off I dont' have aproblem put out $10-$20 for them (yes, even at x2-current host and booking host). The other products are on red, purple, and green beads and are between $10 and $20 dollars, roughly. I hand pick the products I put on people. If I'm using that product in my demo, I don't put it on someone. And, I have products that people may overlook as well as new products I'd like to highlight for those that say "I have everything" (you know there's always ONE in the crowd!). With each person, I have them tell us their name, then what product they are. I ask if they have that product and if anyone else does. Those that do brag about how much they love it. If no one has it, I brag about how much everyone is going to love "Suzy, our brownie pan",or whatever she's wearing.

Here's a list of some:
citrus press
professional shears
apple wedger
jar opener
5" santoku knife
kitchen spritzer
quick stir pitcher
Great Grilling Cookbook
Bamboo Sink Caddy
Wine Bottle Opener
Smooth-Edge Can Opener
Spice Turn About
Chips & Dip
Pineapple Wedger
French Fry Cutter
Garlic Press
Adjustable Coarse Grater
Brownie Pan
Large Scoop

 

[thehaleykitchen]

Would it still be ok to add the free items to the second show? Still hung up on when the free items gets ordered with the discount and when you hand out the free items!!I don't understand why I can't figure that part out ~ maybe its my insomnia messing with my head! Karen

 

[nikked]

Would it still be ok to add the free items to the second show? Still hung up on when the free items gets ordered with the discount and when you hand out the free items!!

I don't understand why I can't figure that part out ~ maybe its my insomnia messing with my head!

Karen

You DO NOT order the item until the booked show holds, that way if for some reason they cancel, you don't have the money already spent. When someone books their show, make a note on your calendar (or whatever you use) the original host's name and the free item. Then, when the show holds, you'll add a qty of 2 to the host's order, so that you are getting them at the host's discount level and still getting commission on it.

HTH!

 

[nikked]

Another way to put it, is that it's not just a "booking" benefit, it's a "show holding" benefit

 

[thehaleykitchen]

Got it now!!! Thank you so much!!!!

 

[Brenda.the.chef]

Your original host will get the Free product when the booking host holds and submits her show. Place them both on the booking hosts order form and "consultant gift" it in payment. This way, the price will be reduced with the booking hosts product discount AND you'll get commission on it.

 

[nikked]

Here are the necklace nametags I came up with. I'm using Avery 5392 (4" x 3") because that's what I could find inexpensively using the nametag holders.

I copied pics and the write-ups from the personal website, with some minor adjustments for typos (REALLY? what's up with that?) and space reasons.

I opted to do two separate cards for each one, rather than printing back to back, mostly cuz my brain couldn't wrap around it any other way :yuck:

Feel free to use and modify as you need... just thought I would share

 

[nikked]

Our Sweet Caroline modeling a Booking Bead for me... I'm really happy with how they turn out. I have back to back shows Mon. & Tues. (with NEW people!) and will be using these... hoping for some great results.

 

[mzpatient]

Hi Nikked,

I was wondering what margin or page set up you did on the necklace word document. I want to add other products for my necklace and use your set up. Thank you so much in advance.

 

[nikked]

I used Avery 5392 (4" x 3") ... don't know the specifics of the setup, just used that Label format (in Word 2010, go to "Mailings", click on "Labels", then choose "Options" to pick the label type, then click on "New Document"; as you tab through the first 3 rows, the program will automatically add a new row)... HTH!

 

[Chefjpeak]

This gave me an idea for booths as well. I usually do the "FREE Cooking Show" giveaway drawing at my booths and will have a sign that says "Book your show today and get a free gift". With my next booth, I won't have a drawing. Instead I will put all the badges in a basket, and advertise that if they book their show on the spot, they will get to choose a free gift (earned at their show) by picking out one of the badges. (kind of grab bag style).

I LOVE this idea!! I will try it at my next vendor show in a few weeks!

 

[lindsaym]

Not sure if this is possible, but is there some way you can incorporate days you want to book first? I love this idea but I have some dates on my calendar I would love to try & fill up!

 

[ChefPeg]

Not sure if this is possible, but is there some way you can incorporate days you want to book first? I love this idea but I have some dates on my calendar I would love to try & fill up!

Then offer those dates first.

 

[esavvymom]

Not sure if this is possible, but is there some way you can incorporate days you want to book first? I love this idea but I have some dates on my calendar I would love to try & fill up!

Or have "special beads" with slightly more valuable bonus items if they select the specified dates you need to fill. Make the beads a certain color ( like red for "red hot dates" etc).

 

[chefloretta]

Learned the "Everyone is a Winner" activity at our TEAM meeting the other night, except it was called the "Dice Activity". Can't wait to try it out! The Necklace sounds awesome also, I may have to try both for 4 shows each and see which one works best for me. Like
Kisrae, I also just moved and have to work with a whole new area, it's been tough but I'm getting there.
Thank you all for sharing these wonderful ideas.

 

[cochef]

Learned the "Everyone is a Winner" activity at our TEAM meeting the other night, except it was called the "Dice Activity". Can't wait to try it out! The Necklace sounds awesome also, I may have to try both for 4 shows each and see which one works best for me. Like
Kisrae, I also just moved and have to work with a whole new area, it's been tough but I'm getting there.
Thank you all for sharing these wonderful ideas.

What is the "Dice Activity"?

 

[chefloretta]

"The Dice Activity" is just another name for the "Everyone is a Winner" game.

 

[mgranich]

I just wanted to say thank you to all of you for your ideas and thoughts on the booking beads! I have been trouble getting bookings and my business has slowed dramatically so after reading this thread I went to the Dollar Store and bought some beads and my daughter helped me make up the necklaces. I used them for the first time at a show last night and I got three bookings!! There were only six guests so that really shows how well it worked! I also found that by constantly saying "when" you book your show and not "if", people really warmed up to the idea. Thank you Thank you Thank you!

 

[mrackliff]

with the booking beads game, say you get 5 bookings, do you give the host all 5 gifts on her show, or at each of her friends show?

 

[pchockeymom]

At the friend's shows. If they cancel, you're not out anything.

 

[DebPC]

Are you still using the Bead and Dice Booking ideas at your shows?
Are you still getting good results?

 

[pchockeymom]

I did get good results but am not doing it any more. I need to stop spending money to make my money and I feel I do an equivalently good job of booking shows at fsco. I've learned to simply continue to ask relavent questions to get to the root of a person's hesitation and to give them a better understanding of how low key and little work is required to host a cooking show. I ask things like "So which party theme do you like the most?", "When are we scheduling your party?" "What big ticket item is on your wishlist that we can get you for free or 1/2 price?" etc.