Dealing with a Failed Fundraiser: Tips and Advice for Event Hosts

[BethCooks4U]

"Freddie" I'm sorry you had this experience and loss. I hope the following will help in the future:


I have done several fundraisers and have found that I get the best results by starting with a kick off cooking show. JUST ME - if there are other things going on there is less success. I give the organizer a packet with a few (3-4) catalogs and information/invitation about the event. I have THEM make enough copies for their group.

I host coach them to get people there and to talk to those that can't make it to get outside orders. At the party I demo a recipe that the organizers pay for. People order right there and at checkout I ask them if they want to keep the catalog to collect additional orders - some take a second catalog (during the demo I have already said all that too) - and of course I ask for bookings then too. I mark the receipt of those who take the catalogs so I know to check back with them for their outside orders. I found that most who take extra catalogs are saying "Can I have an extra for my sister? She wanted to be here but...". I feel that if they have someone in mind when they take it I have a better chance of getting that order to make the cost of the catalog worth it and they often do order. I also put the fundraiser online but have never gotten many orders that way.

We do a prize for the top seller - it's usually the 60% off item that month and if it's a kids group the organizer usually gets something the kid would like too. I always set a goal of $200 per person. Most don't hit the goal, many don't order at all but those that do are usually in the $100-200 range so it works out.

I pay for the PC prize if the fundraiser is $500 or more. I also offer the group $25 from me for every booking WHEN it's held and is at least $300.

I have had the barely $150 fundraiser and the $2K fundraiser and everything in between. Most of my groups have been around 25 people (band, foods class at HS, things like that) so I haven't even started to come near what some of the fundraisers in the CN are doing but I don't spend a lot and I do okay.

I've attached the outside order I use for fundraisers - I personalize each - and a flyer I made to advertize another one. The format was not my original idea. I'm sure I got it here from someone.

 

[chefsteph07]

What exactly was the reason given for YOU supplying ingredients for this?
Did you volunteer?

I see this thread started in July, how did this turn out, what was the chair's reaction to all this? I really hope that you express that you are out all the money for this...I really think sometimes we as consultants go overboard on these fundraisers by giving commish away, raffle products that we buy of our own pocket, catalogs, etc. and I'm no exception. I've lost out on a few FR's and I'm trying to be better about it, but our commish is less AS IT IS, why should we be expected to shell out for SOMEONE ELSE'S organization when they probably came to us in the first place?

 

[TheFreddiesCook]

I sure hope you meant $35, not $350, and the host should definitely reimburse you for the ingredients.

Nope, you read right, $350.... We made the Teriyaki Ribs with Pineapple...

 

[TheFreddiesCook]

What exactly was the reason given for YOU supplying ingredients for this?
Did you volunteer?

I see this thread started in July, how did this turn out, what was the chair's reaction to all this? I really hope that you express that you are out all the money for this...I really think sometimes we as consultants go overboard on these fundraisers by giving commish away, raffle products that we buy of our own pocket, catalogs, etc. and I'm no exception. I've lost out on a few FR's and I'm trying to be better about it, but our commish is less AS IT IS, why should we be expected to shell out for SOMEONE ELSE'S organization when they probably came to us in the first place?

She called me, got my card from my dr's office... She told me that she could not get the ingredients because it was for a lot of people, and so dh and I felt that we were probably going to do well, based on what was described for us, so we said ok... So we went to our local grocery store and asked if we could have the ingredients donated. At first the local manager said yes, and then the day before, we got a call from corporate that they were not donating anything, just giving us a 10% off. But we had already committed to doing this, and went ahead thinking it's ok because we'll do well... Stupid us.. Both the store and the organizer took us for a ride. She apologized and said she learned a lesson too- don't know which one. I ended up with $220 in orders, including hers.

 

[pampered1224]

My best advice and one that saves your butt more times than not, is treat it like a cooking show. Just like those, the host buys the ingredients or reimburses you. And if you are asked for 100 catalogs, say fine but that will be a cost of $49 to you up front please. And I am afraid I believe the only lesson she learned was to not ask you to do it again next year. Because she already messed with you and knows you will not do it again. Now she has to find a new one.

 

[Chef Bobby]

I like doing fundraisers because I like helping to raise money for needy groups. I don't do them to make money. I offer to match the check they get from PC. My reward (besides helping the organization) is usually lots of good future shows and customers.
My last one had $1100 in sales with only 3 people there. Everyone had sent out emails to their friends and families. I had online orders from all over the country. Before it ended I was starting a catalog show from a booking and it had $1000 in sales. You could say that I've already made about $250 from that fundraiser and still have several more people wanting to do shows.

 

[chefsteph07]

I like doing fundraisers because I like helping to raise money for needy groups. I don't do them to make money. I offer to match the check they get from PC. My reward (besides helping the organization) is usually lots of good future shows and customers.
My last one had $1100 in sales with only 3 people there. Everyone had sent out emails to their friends and families. I had online orders from all over the country. Before it ended I was starting a catalog show from a booking and it had $1000 in sales. You could say that I've already made about $250 from that fundraiser and still have several more people wanting to do shows.

That's awesome that you have had such good experience w/ fundraisers. I have never gotten a booking from any of mine. It's also very generous of you that you match what PC gives.

 

[Chef Bobby]

Thats one of the benefits of having another fulltime job that pays the bills. I couldn't do that if I depended on PC for a living.

 

[TheFreddiesCook]

Yes.... I don't understand those consultants that say they have quit their job to do PC full time... I don't know what they do to keep a full calendar and be able to pay everything from their commisions... Or maybe they don't have anything to pay... Pampered Chef is not as easy as they make you believe....

 

[lesliec]

I disagree...... There are a few consultants in our area who do this full time. I don't work, another traditional Job, although I do work with our own company. I really am a work from home mom. No PC hasn't given me what I would make from a traditional job, but it has helped, and considering that I have 3 kids and it would cost me $17,000/ year to put them in day care, PC is way better than taking a full time job.
I have had no problems getting bookings when I work the business right. In the last 2 months I have gotten btwn. 2 and 5 bookings off of every show. Some have cancelled or postponed, and yes, some are scheduled all the way in February, but I do have a pretty full show schedule. I have only been at it for 6 months, and am still building my business, and I walk in a hosts home knowing that I want bookings. The sales come b/c the products are great and sell themselves when you demo them well and truly love them and use them in your own home.
This business isn't right for everyone, but I truly believe that it is a wonderful opportunity. I have really become aware lately that there are so many DS companies that are crappy. I really love PC products and the business plan.

 

[msmileyface]

I am nervous now reading this.. I am doing a fundraiser for a h.s drama club. Spent money on catalogs and made lots of copies of info. But the chair said the kids are excited.. so we will see.

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

Freddie ... the people who do this full time are generally directors. I once commented to my (now former) director that I didn't understand her comment about this business replacing jobs, she asked what I would need to replace my job, I said about $2,000, she said that's what she made before her life imploded.

I would bless, release and encourage the host to turn in the fundraiser as a regular show and use the $25 in free product for items for a basket she can then raffle off. And write it all off as a tax refund.

 

[Chef Bobby]

Freddie ... the people who do this full time are generally directors. I once commented to my (now former) director that I didn't understand her comment about this business replacing jobs, she asked what I would need to replace my job, I said about $2,000, she said that's what she made before her life imploded.

I would bless, release and encourage the host to turn in the fundraiser as a regular show and use the $25 in free product for items for a basket she can then raffle off. And write it all off as a tax refund.

I've posted this before, but I accidently put a fundraiser show with about a dozen orders on pampered partner as a regular show. When I tried to change it, I couldn't. Being a hunt and peck typist I was desperate not to have to re-enter all of that information. At the time I would have gotten 25% as a regular show so I asked the hostess if she would like to get lots of free products and I would give her 10% out of my pocket. She was thrilled and I still got my 15% that I would have gotten as a fundraiser.

 

[Sheila]

Yes.... I don't understand those consultants that say they have quit their job to do PC full time... I don't know what they do to keep a full calendar and be able to pay everything from their commisions... Or maybe they don't have anything to pay... Pampered Chef is not as easy as they make you believe....

I'm so sorry you feel that way! When I started, it was just to support my addiction to the product ... which I definitely succeeded! I filled my kitchen and made a $5 profit in '08! LOL

This year, my business started booming with recruits. I started the year with 3 in my downline and currently have 21. Early in the year I started giving away all my booth opportunities to my downline. I've been giving away shows to my recruits because the military was moving us from Okinawa, Japan to Tokyo, Japan. Then our dates were delayed, so I had to find more bookings, then the move was on again, so I started giving away more shows. Even working 1-2 shows per month & taking a few outside orders here & there, I've still been making around $1,000 per month (including team overrides). Imagine what I'd be making if I actually worked PC full time! Last month I was about $85 away from my $1,250 goal and for the first time ever I put a post on FB asking to see if any of my friends needed anything. I received 3 orders putting me at my goal. This month, I'm currently about $800 away from my $1,250 goal. I'm not used to "working" for bookings but am about to have to actually implement the 3-2-1 Plan - something I've never done in the past! I think you get out of PC what you put in. If you put forth a 10%-15% effort, that's what you'll get in return. If you go for it at full force, your results are sure to be better.