Boost Your Bookings with Follow-Ups & Persistence | Venting Included!

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Discussion Overview

This thread centers around the challenges of making booking calls and the frustrations that arise from follow-ups with potential hosts and customers. Participants share their personal experiences with unsuccessful attempts to secure bookings and the difficulties encountered with contact information provided by booth leads.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expresses frustration over a potential host who ultimately chose to book with another consultant despite previous interest.
  • Another participant shares their experience of receiving bad contact numbers from booth leads, questioning the honesty of those who provide inaccurate information.
  • Several users mention the annoyance of receiving disconnected numbers or incorrect contact details, with one participant noting that sometimes numbers that initially seem bad may work later.
  • One participant recounts a similar experience where a customer expressed interest but later decided to order from another consultant, finding the situation both amusing and frustrating.
  • Another participant reflects on their own experience of a booked show that never materialized, highlighting the emotional toll of such situations on motivation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the reasons behind bad contact information and the behavior of potential hosts. While some participants express shared frustrations, there is no clear consensus on how to effectively address these challenges.

Contextual Notes

Participants are sharing personal anecdotes related to their experiences as Pampered Chef consultants, focusing on the difficulties of follow-ups and the unpredictability of customer behavior.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants who are navigating similar challenges in booking calls and follow-ups may find these shared experiences relatable and informative.

wadesgirl
wadesgirl
Gold Member
Messages
11,383
So I sat down for so much needed booking calls (not that my calendar doesn't look great but there are some people that I needed to follow up with). I had a customer of mine in May say that her mom wanted to host a show. I have tried over and over since then to get a hold of her. I've left messages, called back when she said to call back, nothing. So I finally get a hold of her today. I'm thinking YAH! Nope, apparently she had been recently invited to another party and decided to book with that consultant. Bummer. I know I did everything I could have. Just needed to vent.

I didn't have any luck with my calls today. But have a new list of hosts from last year and from 4-5 months ago to start calling this week.
 
Grrrr. Frustrating, I know. But as you said, you did everything you could. There are some people that will only commit if the stars are in alignment - ready, willing and able. Good for you for continuing to make your calls, esp. when your calendar is in good shape.

Becca
 
Bummer.

And (not to steal your thunder) but why do so many booth contacts give bad numbers? This summer I met someone who was so excited about possibly starting the business ... bad number. Four of my seven contacts? Bad number/disconnected phone! Why can't they just be HONEST and stop wasting our time. (Ours and theirs.)
 
  • Thread starter
  • #4
Di_Can_Cook said:
Bummer.

And (not to steal your thunder) but why do so many booth contacts give bad numbers? This summer I met someone who was so excited about possibly starting the business ... bad number. Four of my seven contacts? Bad number/disconnected phone! Why can't they just be HONEST and stop wasting our time. (Ours and theirs.)
Click to expand...

Vent away!
 
Di_Can_Cook said:
Bummer.

And (not to steal your thunder) but why do so many booth contacts give bad numbers? This summer I met someone who was so excited about possibly starting the business ... bad number. Four of my seven contacts? Bad number/disconnected phone! Why can't they just be HONEST and stop wasting our time. (Ours and theirs.)
Click to expand...

Not that this is the case, but I make follow up calls for a business I help with and I've gotten that recording for a number I know is right! If I try it another day it works. So sometimes it may be a good number. Very strange...I know!!

However, if they are bad numbers at the time, that's just rude and weird. My favorite is when someone enters a drawing and gives me no contact info :).
 
  • Thread starter
  • #6
Jules711 said:
Not that this is the case, but I make follow up calls for a business I help with and I've gotten that recording for a number I know is right! If I try it another day it works. So sometimes it may be a good number. Very strange...I know!!

However, if they are bad numbers at the time, that's just rude and weird. My favorite is when someone enters a drawing and gives me no contact info :).
Click to expand...

My husband does that when a store asks him for our phone number! He will always give the last digit off!. I don't understand why, they don't call but they use them to track where people are shopping from.
 
I give an old phone number (that's now a fax machine) when a store asks for a phone number. I understand if I'm purchasing something large that has a decent guarantee. But most stores collect phone numbers for demographics, or to use for marketing (since you've done business with them, they're allowed to call, even if you're on the Do Not Call list). I don't want to get calls from stores. So I give them the old number, which has the advantage of being one I can rattle off with no pause so it doesn't seem made up. The fact that their marketers get an ear full of fax whine is a bonus.
 
Jules711 said:
My favorite is when someone enters a drawing and gives me no contact info :).
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's a tie with those who write so illegibly that I can't decipher it. How do they expect to win?
 
wadesgirl said:
So I sat down for so much needed booking calls (not that my calendar doesn't look great but there are some people that I needed to follow up with). I had a customer of mine in May say that her mom wanted to host a show. I have tried over and over since then to get a hold of her. I've left messages, called back when she said to call back, nothing. So I finally get a hold of her today. I'm thinking YAH! Nope, apparently she had been recently invited to another party and decided to book with that consultant. Bummer. I know I did everything I could have. Just needed to vent.

I didn't have any luck with my calls today. But have a new list of hosts from last year and from 4-5 months ago to start calling this week.
Click to expand...

Same sort of thing happened to me. A woman came up to me at a booth at our state fair and was so excited to see Pampered Chef. She wanted me to show her the knives in the honing cases and had wanted to order them. We couldn't take orders at the fair, but could only collect contact info. She willingly gave me her information. I sent her a catalog and followed up with her a week or so after she got the catalog. I called wanting to know if she received the catalog and was ready to place her order for the knives. She then proceeded to tell me that yes she got the catalog, but will order with another consultant someday when her daughter gets invited to a party. I thanked her for her time and hung up. I was ticked, but found it amusing at the same time. Some people will do anything to get a catalog and then be a complete jerk when they get contacted on the phone. Luckily I didn't let this one person wreck my night. After I hung up the phone I muttered something under my breath and then started laughing. DD couldn't understand why it was so amusing to me.
 
Vent away!
Wadesgirl, that was actually very rude of that woman to tell you she would book with you and then later she booked with someone else.
Becky, that is pretty bad the woman had you send a catalog and she plans to give someone else her business. My director has told me to just make sure to book extra shows because it is the nature of our business that some hosts or customers will flake out on us.
I had a bad experience, I had a sales girl at a shop book a show with me. She was very excited and I gave her a hostess packet. Yet she never returned my calls or emails. It really bummed me out especially because I took an 8 month break from PC and now I am trying to make a comeback. It will take time but it is hard to stay motivated sometimes.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the importance of follow-ups in direct sales?

Follow-ups are crucial in direct sales as they help maintain communication with potential customers, remind them of your offerings, and build relationships. Consistent follow-ups can significantly increase the chances of closing sales and securing bookings.

How can I effectively follow up with potential customers?

To effectively follow up, personalize your communication by referencing previous conversations or specific interests the customer expressed. Use various methods such as emails, phone calls, or social media messages, and ensure to follow up within a reasonable timeframe after your initial contact.

What strategies can I use to boost my bookings through persistence?

To boost bookings through persistence, set a follow-up schedule and stick to it. Use reminders to ensure you reach out consistently. Additionally, offer incentives, share success stories, and create urgency by highlighting limited-time offers to encourage potential customers to book with you.

How do I handle rejection during my follow-up process?

Handling rejection is part of the sales process. Stay positive and view it as an opportunity to learn. Ask for feedback to understand their concerns better, and don’t take it personally. Use each rejection as a stepping stone to refine your approach and improve your future interactions.

What role does venting play in the sales process?

Venting can be a healthy way to relieve stress and frustration that comes with the challenges of sales. Sharing your experiences with peers can provide support, new perspectives, and motivation. It helps to acknowledge difficulties while focusing on solutions and maintaining a positive attitude towards your goals.

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