Booking Weekday Shows: Tips and Advice

[wadesgirl]

I am a new consultant, but speaking of weekday shows. Before I became a consultant the last two shows that I hosted were on Tues night after I got off work. And trust me I was skeptic about doing them on a Tues. I had always done my shows on Sat. but both shows turned out great both were over 900 dollars so I think that it is also about the host's excitement about her show. I had like 10 people at the first show and about 15 at the second...basically we had a blast with it all day. Hope the info helps.

Good point!!! It is all about the host. And for those guests who cannot make it on a weeknight or a weekend, outside orders never hurt a show.


Becky's text earlier is a great way to not be pushy about your dates.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Becky D,

I use the same method, and it is really helpful! In my case Monday and Friday evenings don't work.

Also, now use Post It tabs, so they stay in place. Other brands were not as successful. Came unstuck

When I pencil in a date, I place a small sticker on that date plus pencil in last name of Host. Similar for dates I am NOT available. Different sticker design.

It may appear to a casual onlooker that all the stickers are parties or PC related biz. That's good!

This is true for me too! I thought I was saving money buying an off-brand - but my little squares kept floating away when I would open up my date book!

 

[niccibyrd]

I am having this same problem but I have my first weeknight show tonight. Hopefully it will go well.

 

[sburnside]

My most successful shows are on Monday or Friday. I actually like Monday shows because I have the weekend to get things together if I need to. The host can do reminder calls over the weekend and I have a good turnout.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Very true Becky!

Lisa,

I wanted to add that all of this stuff I'm talking about didn't come naturally for me. I spent some time doing shows whenever, hoping and praying they wouldn't cancel last minute, and then, when I got bookings - giving them every date imaginable to choose from. Typical mistakes made when you are just starting your business. There is an eagerness to please, and to do what ever it takes to secure the booking.

Then, about 8 months into my business, I was able to attend an Training Seminar with Christie Northrup (The Lemonade Lady) - and part of what she said really stuck with me - about this being MY BUSINESS, and treating it like a business - taking control of my business. A little light bulb when on inside my head! Of course! It made perfect sense. I left that day with 2 decisions I made about my business:

1. I would mail out the invitations for my hosts - and take control of attendance at my shows - and my shows holding as scheduled.

2. I would take control of my calendar, and schedule shows during MY working times.

Those 2 things turned my business around! That was in June, and in July of that year, I made every incentive offered (there were camping chairs, and a free nights stay for which ever level incentive you earned!) and beat my director in sales....and had a show avg. of over $700!

So - I understand where you are coming from, trying to make people happy and booking whenever they want - but it will take away so much stress, and make your job so much more enjoyable, if you are in control of how things are run, and not your hosts!

 

[beepampered]

I agree with Heather that people tend to want the same time/day party as the one they booked off of. If you can get just a few people to say "yes" to a weekday party, you'll see a dramatic difference on when people book.

Thursdays are the most popular weekday night for me. Then, Mondays are always really good and I recommend them. Wednesdays are church night around here so I've never had anyone want that.

Good luck finding a balance that works. (I agree with the theory that you should determine the date, but I'm of the mindset that I'll book a party whenever I can get it. Fortunately, it doesn't conflict with my life too much/often.)

 

[cincychef]

I need to learn how to be firm! Not rude but firm and I think that is a fine line. I don't even come close to crossing that line but I think I do at the time.. in other words it's all in my head. I can't continue it though, I got into this biz. so that I could work when it was good for me!

I just had to add, I use the bright colored post its also and it works wonders. I also have learned to say, would you like to host a party off of ____'s show? Yes, ok I do parties on Tues, Thurs, and Sat, what works for you? Tues, the next tues I have is June 12th does that work?
This really works, or if I have a date I really want booked, I just say, I just opened May 1st because we have such a great host special I wanted to give everyone a chance to have a party, would that work for you?
Its all about how you word it so you can be in control of your schedule without feeling pushy.

 

[buckeyefan08]

Thanks ladies! This is the advice I needed, I have thought all of this myself but never actually applied it! Now I have written it down as a personal goal... Run my business without letting it run me!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank You!

 

[wickednoodle]

Tuesdays are good when American Idol is not on! Last year during American Idol people were rushing to leave to go watch it....

Your post got me thinking...

You know how sometimes people have "Oscar" parties, where everyone gets together to watch the Oscars, vote on them, etc.?

If you knew that a particular group of people watched "American Idol" or some similar show, you could have a "PC Idol" show. The presentation could be done at six o'clock or so, everyone could do orders, then stay to watch the show! The PC consultant could make up ballots to vote on their favorite, who they think should get voted off, etc. etc. When they announce the winners the next night, whoever wins a certain category could "win" a free cooking show! It would be a great way to have a second contact with people, and a good way to get attendance up at the show.

Okay, remember this is just an idea that just came to me, so it's really not thought through all the way. Could be fun, though! I remember that back in the day my friends and I used to get together to watch "Melrose Place". It was so fun!

 

[PamperedK]

I have recently taken control of my calendar and because of it - I have 2 openings for June and 4 in July - then I'm booking for August. I also have a number of shows booked for September and October. I don't even open my calendar infront of guests. I write out the next 4 months' worth of open dates on a post-it. Then, when someone wants a date in a certain month, I can easily ask what day of the week works for them and reference my list. If I have a pretty open month, I only write down the first 2 weeks' worth of open dates. I also do shows pretty much every day of the week - except Fridays. For the most part, I like to do shows Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday but I do throw in the odd Monday, Wednesday and Saturday just so I have something available for those who like those days.I have my entire year highlighted in my calendar so I can easily transfer this info to a post-it. I just prefer to have a post-it because it stops people from pointing out other days and saying 'what about that day?' I find that even when I have my dates marked in my calendar, someone always wants a specific day, whether it's highlighted or not.

 

[cookingwithlove]

What great ideas from everyone.

Thank you!

 

[zmom58]

Weeknights are best for me, but then everyone is different. My weekend shows, except Sat. Bridal shows, usually suffer from low attendance, no matter what I do? Everyone is so busy.
Bottom line, do what works best for you.
Deb