Boosting Show Average: Tips for Encouraging Hosts to Increase Outside Orders

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses various experiences and strategies related to boosting show averages for Pampered Chef consultants, particularly focusing on encouraging hosts to secure outside orders. Participants share personal anecdotes about their sales trends, challenges faced, and methods employed to motivate hosts.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, notes a significant drop in their show average from around $600 to $325, expressing frustration despite positive feedback from attendees.
  • Another participant shares their experience of motivating hosts by emphasizing the benefits of achieving higher sales thresholds, such as earning items from their wish list.
  • One participant mentions a strategy suggested by Deb Bixler, which involves setting expectations for outside orders to guarantee a higher show total.
  • Several users mention the importance of attendance, with one consultant stating that stressing this responsibility has helped improve their sales average.
  • One participant discusses how economic factors, such as rising gas prices and changing consumer spending habits, have impacted their sales and those of other consultants in their area.
  • Another participant reflects on a decline in per-customer sales, attributing it to economic conditions and a perceived decrease in the attractiveness of promotional offers.
  • One consultant shares a positive experience of achieving a good number of outside orders, which significantly boosted their show total, but acknowledges that this used to be more common.
  • Several participants express concerns about the impact of recent changes in promotional thresholds on customer spending behavior.
  • One participant describes a shift in their organizational approach to hosting shows, suggesting that better planning may lead to improved outcomes.
  • Another participant highlights the effectiveness of sending out invitations for hosts to increase attendance and engagement.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the reasons behind declining show averages, with some attributing it to economic factors while others focus on host engagement and attendance. No clear consensus emerges on the most effective strategies for improvement.

Contextual Notes

Participants share experiences that reflect varying regional economic conditions and personal approaches to hosting shows, indicating a diverse range of challenges faced by consultants.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants looking for insights into the challenges of maintaining show averages and exploring different strategies for encouraging host participation and outside orders may find this discussion relevant.

Brandie
Brandie
Messages
232
I'm not sure if I'm in a slump or what, but my show average has slipped to around $325 :eek: in the last couple of months. A couple of years ago, my average was around $600. Yoikes!

My shows are going really well in general, and I have had at least one or two people comment at nearly every show (3 out of the last 4, anyhow) that they have never had more fun at a PC show. I usually have at least two bookings per show, too. That makes me feel great, but my sales are still stinkin'!

I know one thing I have to work on is encouraging outside orders, but does anyone have any other advice or any really good effective ways to get hosts to do a great job with outside orders? I really can't afford giveaways or big "top show" type of awards. :confused:
 
I'm sure you've tried this, but I make sure my hosts are working on their wish list from day one. I also remind them of what they get for a $400, $500, or $600 show. When they see how much of their wish list they can earn, it's usually a pretty good motivator.
 
Deb Bixler had suggested that in her host coaching, she almost guarantees a $1000 show to her hosts......IF they have 8-10 outside orders for her when she arrives to the show, and has 8-10 buying guests at her show. And just promote the $215 in free products, 4 half price items, etc etc once they hit that $1000 level...I also bring my personal experience of a $1000 show, before I signed... I worked my butt off getting outside orders around work....collected about $500 before the show... then about the same from the show!! I tell them that it can double your sales... sometimes that gets a little fire kindled under their butts! I wish more people were motivated like I was as a host....I wanted those free products!
 
Attendance, attendance, attendance.

Once I started stressing this as my host's #1 responsibility, my sales average has climbed steadily.
 
Brandie,
I'm not sure how the economy is in IN, but I think that here in MI, it has alot to do w/ my show avg. I have good attendance, good bookings, and also lots of good feedback about my shows.....but I also have a $ per customer that, slowly, over the past 2 yrs, has gone from about $50 per customer to $30 per customer. It's not just me.....other consultants in this area have had the same experience! I just keep telling myself that perserverence will win!
 
Just like brandie said, It has to be the economy. Here in NY the gas prices are CRAZY over $3.00 a gallon!!:eek: I am doing a fundraiser for my son's school and the dead line is today. Well, out of 58 kids only 10 order's were sent in!!:rolleyes:
 
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  • #7
I'm having the same issue with per-customer sales. I think my average is probably around $25-30 now whereas it used to be $50-75. I really hadn't thought about the economy. I thought that maybe I was just getting a lot of hosts whose friends and relatives had less "disposable" income!

I suppose that outside orders would be a huge key to this, but I'm just not getting my hosts to do a great job with OOs. So frustrating!
 
My orders per show are the same that they have been - I avg. about 8 outside orders per show, which I think is pretty good - in fact, often my hosts will double their show total, or at least bring it up by 2 levels through their outside orders. For instance, last night I had a show with 12 in attendance, 10 ordered, left last night w/ orders at $360. The host had orders from work and some other outside orders to collect this weekend, and I'm sure will end up with a $500 show. 2-3 yrs ago, I am confident this same show would have been a $700 show easy! Everyone had a great time, there was alot of interaction and laughter, I got 2 bookings (June & July - yea me!).....and a lot of good feedback, including an email today thanking me for a "great presentation"....
I just know that w/ the rate of unemployment, and the # of businesses closing their doors in my area - even for people who have jobs, there is a hesitancy to spend alot of money......even past hosts, when they host now, are not taking advantage of the host discount like they used to - using their FPV, and 1/2 price items, and calling it good.
I'm just thankful that it hasn't effected bookings - as long as I still have shows, I can continue - and eventually the economy will swing back up!
 
I have noticed a drop, too, and I really believe it has a lot to do with the change from "spend $50 to get a free product" to "spend $60..." Plus, a lot of times the free products, well, suck. A $5 spice???? Get real!! Yeah yeah, I know Wal Mart doesn't give you something when you spend $60, but I'm just saying that the incentive to spend used to be better. I could easily coax someone that was at $40 to spend another $10 to get a $15 item for free. I can't talk someone into spending $15 to get a $5 or $9 item for free.
Just ain't happenin' over here.

Just my .02...
 
I think the economy and this rising gas prices have a lot to do with it. I know I have to think twice about what I am spending if I go to a show anyone is having. I have noticed a diffrence in some of my shows but not all of them yet. Thankfully, I am like yall my bookings are still going strong.

And here everyone is in Little League right now and just do not have the time to come to shows and they are spending their money at the ballpark twice a week. I think summer affects it too with everyone planning vacations and things that they need thei rmoney for.
 
dianevill said:
I have noticed a drop, too, and I really believe it has a lot to do with the change from "spend $50 to get a free product" to "spend $60..." Plus, a lot of times the free products, well, suck. A $5 spice???? Get real!! Yeah yeah, I know Wal Mart doesn't give you something when you spend $60, but I'm just saying that the incentive to spend used to be better. I could easily coax someone that was at $40 to spend another $10 to get a $15 item for free. I can't talk someone into spending $15 to get a $5 or $9 item for free.
Just ain't happenin' over here.

Just my .02...
Click to expand...

I've wondered if that had something to do with it too....instead of my $50 avg order going to a $60 avg......it's gone down to a $35 avg.....
BUT, and I have a very short memory, the whole Spend $ and get {} for free I believe is relatively new....my first year or 2 as a consultant the monthly specials were more of a special sale item type of promotion (more like July's guest promo) - and my avg was higher then too......
 
I've found the same trend. Huge show average 2 years ago, often disappointing since then. Last year I thought it was just riding a good or bad host wave. You know, they go to a big show, so when they book, they know you expect a big show. When they book from a show with 3 guests, they think I'm fine with that. Looking back though, I was working in a much more organized fashion then, now I fly by the seat of my pants all the time.
 
Maybe it's that you don't have as many people coming to the shows? I know when I started, alot of my shows were for friends, and they really tried to get alot of people there, but as I began doing shows for complete strangers (I had just met at a party), my host coaching was lacking to encourage them to overinvite.

The last 3 months I have been sending out invites for my hosts. I ask for EMAIL addresses and send evites for them, but also tell them that if they do not have emails for some, send postal addresses. I have spent very little on postage, and hosts try hard to iinvite as many as possible since I see the list. I got this document from someone else on CS, and this is what I email to all hosts. In fact, they don't get a host packet until I get this back! I have saved some work on hosts packets this way since it helps with hosts that are not serious. I have definitely seen an increase in show average!
 

Attachments

Well, I am not happy to hear that your averages have gone down but am glad to know that I don't just plain suck at this. Just had my 3rd show, 3 outside orders and 8 guests and we only made it to $350. I believe she's got a couple of other outside orders to get but still only $400.

On the flip side no other job I know would I make $80 for just 2 hours of work :)
 
Recommendation: While doing your spiel, mention that your AVERAGE guest spends at least $60, and my doing so, you'll get "guest special" for free. I started doing this a few months ago, and it really does work...plays on their mind...psychological thing. I got this idea from a recorded call I listened to a while ago...from Don Funt. (what a riot he is!) I would suggest that you all try this...see if it helps. It has helped me! Now if I could only get my booking up there, I'd be all set! LOL!!
 
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  • #16
Grrrrrrrrr!!!!Really worked with host coaching--this is the second show from this host, and we discussed outside orders, her wish list, and so on. I go and do the show (not my most sparkly performance, either), and she only has TWO guests there, but several outside orders. Still, all totaled, the show is only about $220! I drove an HOUR for this show. I am getting really discouraged...:(

I have a catalog show closing in a day or so that will be over $400, and I think my HWC FR will be around $500, but this is really getting ridiculous. Do I sound desperate? I feel it!

I really want to get myself in gear to kick booty in June and July, but this is dragging my butt around. Maybe my bridal shower will get me going again...

Sorry to vent!
 
I was on a conference call the other day and we also were talking about show average. One thing we talked about is making sure that you explain that shipping is only 4.00 unless you want it direct shipped. Some customers are getting confused (because shipping rates are on the front of the order form)and placing lower orders becase they think it willl cost them less in shipping.
 
I am writing in the $4 shipping along with our tax rate on all my order forms so that hopefully that isn't an issue but thanks for mentioning that! I am going to make sure to point that out. I had lady the other night ordering like $50 worth and asked where it got shipped so I explained everything... she said she didn't think they should have to pay any shipping if it was all going to the host!!!!!!! I just smiled and said she could order $4 worth or $400 worth and it was only $4. It's amazing some days how people think they should get things for nothing. sorry to hijack ... :) Pointing this out is a great tip! Thanks
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some effective ways to encourage hosts to promote outside orders?

Encouraging hosts to promote outside orders can be achieved by providing them with clear communication and tools. Share tips on how to reach out to friends and family, such as using social media, email, or text messages. Offer sample messages they can customize and send out, and remind them of the benefits of outside orders, such as earning more rewards and discounts. Additionally, consider hosting a training session where you can share success stories and strategies that have worked for other hosts.

How can I help my hosts set realistic outside order goals?

Start by discussing the potential of outside orders based on their network size and previous show averages. Help them set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. Encourage them to think about how many people they can reach and what types of products might appeal to their audience. Providing a worksheet or template for tracking orders can also help them stay focused and motivated.

What incentives can I offer to hosts for increasing outside orders?

Incentives can be a great motivator for hosts. Consider offering additional discounts, free products, or exclusive items for hosts who achieve certain outside order milestones. You could also create a tiered rewards system where hosts earn more as they reach higher levels of outside orders. Recognizing their efforts publicly during your shows or in your team meetings can also boost their motivation.

How can I assist my hosts in following up with potential outside order customers?

Provide your hosts with a follow-up plan that includes templates for messages or phone calls they can use. Encourage them to reach out to potential customers shortly after the show invitation is sent and again closer to the show date. Remind them to personalize their messages and express genuine enthusiasm about the products. You can also role-play follow-up scenarios with them to build their confidence.

What role does social media play in boosting outside orders for hosts?

Social media can be a powerful tool for hosts to reach a larger audience beyond their immediate circle. Encourage them to create event pages, share posts about the products, and engage with their friends and followers. They can also utilize stories and live videos to showcase products and demonstrate their use. Providing them with social media graphics and content ideas can make it easier for them to promote their shows and encourage outside orders effectively.

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