Boost Your Bookings: How Participating in a Kids Fair Skyrocketed My Business!

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses experiences and strategies related to participating in fairs as a means to boost bookings and recruit new consultants within the Pampered Chef community. Participants share personal stories about their successes and challenges at various events, as well as tips for engaging with attendees and following up afterward.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, shared that their booth at a Kids Fair resulted in significant bookings, increasing their schedule from one booking to six for October and five for November.
  • Another participant noted that fairs can be beneficial if properly prepared for and followed up on, sharing that three of their recruits came from fairs.
  • Several users expressed excitement and encouragement for those who had successful experiences at fairs, with one participant acknowledging their own ongoing efforts to chase leads.
  • One participant mentioned their upcoming Church craft fair, hoping for similar results despite expecting a smaller turnout.
  • Another participant inquired about interactive activities and approaches to attract attendees to their booth, seeking advice for an upcoming fair.
  • One participant described their interactive booth setup at the Kids Fair, detailing the activities and strategies used to engage visitors.
  • Some participants shared their experiences of obtaining leads from fairs but expressed mixed results in converting those leads into bookings.
  • Several users discussed how to find fairs in their area, with suggestions including online resources and local chambers of commerce.
  • One participant mentioned their plans for a Holiday Shopping Bazaar and sought advice on display materials and catalogs to use.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the effectiveness of fairs, with some participants sharing successful outcomes while others report less favorable experiences. No clear consensus emerges regarding the best strategies for maximizing success at these events.

Contextual Notes

Participants' experiences vary widely based on the type of fair, location, and individual approaches taken. The thread reflects a range of personal experiences rather than a unified strategy or outcome.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants looking for insights on participating in fairs, engaging with potential hosts, and strategies for following up on leads may find this discussion beneficial.

sailortena
Messages
439
Me, my director, and several cluster mates participated in a booth at a Kids Fair on Saturday. Several thousand people were expected to come to the event. We had interactive activities in our booth and offered a drawing for a free cooking class. As a group we got a total of 170 yes they were interested in hosting, and countless leads for more information about the opportunity. Of those about 44 of them were mine. The next day I started calling people.Before the fair I had only one more booking for September and absolutely NOTHING for October and November. Not any more! As of today I have SIX for October and FIVE more for November! I haven't had this many bookings in MONTHS!!!The booth was expensive, $400 ... but we split it five ways at $80 each. I hope to earn my investment back with my first show. I am really excited. I hope I get several more bookings from these cooking classes.
 
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Fairs are great as long as you prepare for them and make the time to follow up after them.

Three of my recruits are the result of fairs. :) Two of them I met at the fairs and the other I met at a show that was booked from a fair.
 
That is very exciting. Way to go. Just keep makign those calls and before you know it you'll be totally booked thorugh the rest of the year and get all those sell-a-thon bonuses.
 
Wow!!Wow....That's amazing!
I am still chasing leads from a few shows I've done but nothing as impressive as this. Way to go.
 
I hope my Church craft fair has good results like yours! Mine was only $40 from 9-4pm but they only anticipate 400-500 people so I hope that puts some bookings for Nov and Dec. as I have nothing so far!
 
Hello all. I have done some fairs in the past and I have not been as successful. what kind of interactive things did you do? How did you approach people to come over to your booth? Finally what kind of script did you use when you called those potential hosts to secure bookings. I have a fair coming up in October and need ideas..
 
  • Thread starter
  • #7
Since it was a kids fair we had interactive stuff for them in the booth. We had people working the front for leads and in the booth with the kids and switching off every hour. When I was getting people into the booth I would first hand them a recipe card I made with a PC recipe that had my info on it, and while they were looking at it I asked them if they new about PC and told them about the activity in the booth and told them about the drawing for a free cooking class. Those who were interested I gave them a slip to fill out.My director brought her A/P/C/S and we brought several bags of apples. The kids got to use the device and put the resulted peeled/cored apple on their fingers. We also had candy and stickers to hand out. When the apples ran out we let kids play with play-doh, creative cutters and the baker's roller. We should of had more apples because that is what drew kids in.The day after the fair I started calling. DON'T WAIT. Don't sit on the slips for a few days. I know some of the girls in my group did and who knows what kind of response they are going to get now. My director came up with the script. It went something like this:"Hi, XXXX this is Tena Chen with the Pampered Chef! We met at Kidz Fair on Saturday! I want to thank you for stopping by my booth. I have good news!!! You are the lucky winner of the free Cooking Class! What that means is that I will come into your home and share two wonderful recipes with you and your friends that can be easily duplicated at home. I will also provide the ingredients for your cooking class AND bring the paper plates, cups, etc, so you don't have to! The only thing that you will need to do is set a date, invite your friends and pick out the products that you
would like for FREE ! It's that simple!!! Are you ready to set a date?"I didn't use the script all word for word at the end, but it got some good reactions. I made calls Sun, Mon, and Tues and called back people I didn't reach the first time. I got the best results on the first two days, and it has been spotty ever since. Some who said they would like to do it and had to check their calendar didn't answer the phone when I called back, so you gotta try them twice.
 
I just did a fair got 80 leads and so far nothing. but I still have hopes. there is a few I have to call. pray for me everyone :)
 
I'm glad the fair was good to you. It helped me get back on track this year also. I wish you the best of luck with the rest of your leads.
 
fairsdoes anyone know how can you find out about fairs in your area that would be a good fit for pc? i tried bru and it was a total waste of time - my area was just not conducive to it. i did get one order and one show which led to one other - but not really worth all time i put into it. thanks for any ideas for fairs though!!
 
I think its called www.craftlister.com. You put your zip code in and it will list fairs all in your area.
Andrea
 
you can contact your local chamber of congress also
 
I have 2 fairs this weekend! Wish me luck!
 
bbauman07 said:
you can contact your local chamber of congress also

That would be Chamber of Commerce.
 
I will be doing a Holiday Shopping Bazaar for the first time in November. There will only be reps from several direct sales companies there. I will be the only PC consultant. Can anyone help me with advice on what to display/catalogs (old ones vs. new ones and how many)/order forms, etc. I was thinking about using old S/S catalogs and F/W minis. I have no idea how to set this thing up! 200 people are expected. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Rebecca
 
bbauman07 said:
you can contact your local chamber of congress also
LOL! I laughed my a$$ off when I read that! Don't worry, we all have those moments!
 
What to take to fairsRebecca I have nott been doing PC for very long but I try and do as many fairs as I can. I take old catalogs and put a sticker on them saying that they can contact me for new catalogs, I also take mini catalogs that are new. I found out the hard way that if you take your newest catalogs they walk away and you are out those catalogs. I also taking recruiting information so that you acn start planting the seed for those people that want more information on the PC oppertunity. I hope that this helps you out! Good luck;)
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of participating in a Kids Fair for direct sales businesses?

Participating in a Kids Fair allows direct sales representatives to connect with families and showcase products in a fun, engaging environment. It provides an opportunity to reach a target audience that is often looking for family-friendly products, which can lead to increased bookings and sales.

How can I prepare for a Kids Fair to maximize my bookings?

To prepare for a Kids Fair, ensure you have an attractive booth setup that highlights your products. Offer interactive demonstrations, samples, or activities that engage children and parents alike. Additionally, prepare promotional materials and consider offering exclusive fair discounts to encourage immediate bookings.

What types of products should I showcase at a Kids Fair?

Focus on products that appeal to families and children, such as kitchen tools that make cooking fun and easy, kid-friendly recipes, or items that promote healthy eating. Highlighting products that can help parents involve their kids in cooking can also resonate well with attendees.

How can I follow up with leads generated from the Kids Fair?

After the fair, follow up with leads by sending personalized thank-you emails or messages. Include any special offers you mentioned during the event and invite them to book a cooking party or workshop. Keeping the communication friendly and informative can help convert leads into bookings.

What are some challenges I might face at a Kids Fair and how can I overcome them?

Challenges may include competition from other vendors and managing a busy booth. To overcome these, create a unique selling proposition that sets your booth apart, such as interactive activities or giveaways. Additionally, ensure you have enough help to manage the booth effectively and engage with attendees.

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