Calling New Consultants for Cooking Shows: Courage to Take the First Step!

[ahammons]

I've been putting off calling a couple people from a catalog show that I did earlier this month - mainly because I've never met them! They both want to have cooking shows, so I finally got up the courage and called them today! I knew they were at work (they work w/ my MIL) so I just left messages for them, but that's better than nothing, right? I feel so much better now!!

Another lady that my MIL works with would like to do a show, but I'm not sure how I should approach this one. She's had several shows in the past with a different consultant (apparently, they've all been over $1000). She told my MIL that she didn't know any PC consultants, so she just went to the website and had them contact her. After my MIL had a show, the lady said that she wants to start having her shows with me! Should I contact her, or just let her contact me? I don't want to step on any toes w/ the other consultant - especially since I'm getting ready to move to that area, and she may be in my hospitality cluster!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I would call her! If she doesn't really have a relationship w/ the other consultant........
I've had hosts who couldn't even remember the name of the consultant who did their show - and had no contact w/ them other than doing the show - I don't consider that "stepping on toes" when the relationship isn't there. I would NEVER try to convince someone who had a consultant they worked with to have a show with me instead, but that doesn't sound like this is like that.

For instance - a friend of my DH's (!) mentioned to me that his daughter had booked a party w/ a different consultant (to help out a friend), but didn't like her at all, and so canceled the party, and decided to not have one at all!
He told her that she should book a party with me instead, because "I know what I am doing, and am really good at it"....(his words - and he's never been to a show! ) So I called her, (know her casually - not well) chatted for a few minutes, and booked a show!


Also - PLEASE make sure you talk to the other 2 who want to have shows! Don't be scared! They WANT to have a show! That is a gift! Call them, be excited, and get a date on the calendar - if you don't book them, someone else will!

 

[ahammons]

Thanks Becky - From what my MIL has told me, she only knows the consultant from her shows, and she said she'd rather do them w/ me b/c she knows my MIL. I still need to make some out of the box calls for that show, but I don't have phone numbers for some of the guests. Once I get her number, I will definitely call her. I've had several catalog shows so far, and for some reason, the hosts always forget to give me the guests' phone numbers! I guess I'll need to be a little more clear about this in the future.

As for the 2 that I left messages for, I know that one of them wants a July show and the other one doesn't have a date in mind yet. I'm moving to that area next month, and she wants me to get settled before I have to do a show. I'm sure I'll be hearing from them this evening, but if not, I'll call them back in a few days.

 

[chefann]

I've had several catalog shows so far, and for some reason, the hosts always forget to give me the guests' phone numbers! I guess I'll need to be a little more clear about this in the future.

This is a little sneaky, but to get info about catalog show customers or outside orders, tell the host that you need at least first and last names, and phone number in order for our software to accept the order. You can even include address, if you want that.

And you can completely justify getting a phone number - you need it in case there's an issue with payment or products.

 

[ahammons]

That's a great idea Ann!! I'll have to start using that!