Did Your Fall Preview Result in Disappointment?

[pcjeanie]

Okay, I hate to post this but I'm disgusted after I had my fall preview today. My recruit and I sent out 90 invites and only 7 attended with $77 in sales and no bookings. We tried to call everybody, but lots of people said "I'll do my best to be there" and some we couldn't reach (out of town). Anyway, this is the last open house/ preview I'm going to do. I spent over $40 on groceries and paper goods. I cooked the Chocolate Pecan Lattice Tart, Powdered Sugar pound cake cupcakes, veggies & dip, a breakfast casserole, coffee and juice. And in the process of making reminder calls, one of my Sept hosts postponed her show until December. Ugh! I sure am disheartened. Please post your results and I hope everybody does much better. I worked so hard to put this together because my recruit just got home from her son having back surgery and couldn't help much until this morning. I just don't know what I could have done to make it better.

Jeanie

 

[heat123]

Sorry to hear about the turn out! My last Spring Preview had only 8 show but fortunately it was an $800 show! I mailed out 50+ invites and 100 emails!
I'm hoping my Fall preview has a better turn out next month!

 

[dannyzmom]

I am so sorry about yout icky experience. I have never done an open house/preview show...maybe I shouldn't, huh?

 

[varga11]

Timing is everything!!I had no one show to my spring show and 1 outside order. It was so frustrating. I have never had an open house go so badly. It was even a mystery host show. I am doing it again! So far I have $100 in outside orders and 7 confirmed yes. I am making reminder calls tomorrow hoping to get more orders and more guests.
Think about when your host book and take one of those days or put a bug in your customer's ear. Find out what days are good for them.
It's like a lottery sometimes open houses are winners and sometimes they are not. Think about the benefits. This spring when no one showed, my house got clean, my family ate some good food, and I learned the importance of reminder calls!

 

[ILOUANGOUDOM]

I'm having my neighborhood PC cooking show this Wednesday. My neighborhood is new-still in the first phase(about 50-60 homes). I knocked on doors and introduced myself and told everyone that this is a great way to meet all the neighbors. I got some good response from the invite. Hopefully, many of them will show up this Wed.

 

[ChefLisa]

Hi all!

I decided to hold two Mystery Shows this weekend. The first one was tonight at 7:00 and the next is tomorrow at 2:00. I must admit I did not call everyone whom I invited. However, of those I did call, I did hear 'Yes' a lot.

Holding two in one weekend was the best idea! That way when I called, I would remind them of the show and ask which day would work best for them. About half said Saturday and half said Sunday. If I limited myself to one show, I would have had half the guests!

Today's show is currently at $300, but I think it will go higher. Best of all, I got two September bookings!

I am really looking forward to hearing how my downline did with this idea. Two of them are also holding two shows this weekend!

Thanks!
Lisa

 

[Kristyn]

Hi everyone!I would love some ideas for a fall open house. I'm having my first one next month so I'm not really sure how it will go. I addressed about 40 invites today so I'm hoping it will work out. I just started in March though so I don't have a huge list. I am having 2 shows though hopefully to help make it one big one. My family is about 2 1/2 hours away so I'm going to have a brunch with them on Sunday and hope for some sales there then my real open house is on Tuesday. Anyways, long story short, I could use some tips since I've never had an open house before. Thanks!!

 

[ILOUANGOUDOM]

How can I remind my neighbors about my show if I don't have any of their phone #s? I kinda remember some who said yes, but I wouldn't want to knock on everyone's doors again for a reminder. I thought about placing a sign in front of our neighborhood entrance. What do you all think?

 

[Chef Kearns]

Be careful about posting signs. The officials are cracking down on unpermitted signs (the will charge for any darn thing!). The fines range from $5 to $100. You can post a sign on your property and any of your neighbors that agree to it. But not on Stop signs, light posts or on any city easement (property i.e. the side of the road).

However, that is what I did when I've held my open houses. I wanted to draw in the drive-by traffic. I must say that in 3 years of business and hosting at least 1 open house a year, I haven't had good success with them. The most people that I ever had show up is 2. I still do them because I hear of you guys having great success and I think to myself it CAN happen. My husband just shakes his head and says, "why do you want to do that to yourself again?" I always say I'll never do another one, but then end up talking myself into it every year!

At any rate...Good luck with yours!

 

[ILOUANGOUDOM]

Thanks! I didn't know that about the signs. Does that apply to "garage/yard sales" signs too that are posted in front of neighborhood entraces?

Well, this is my first neighborhood/open house. Like I said, our neighborhood is still in its first phase. We've met a few people on our street, but I thought this would be a great and easy way to meet everyone else. I met this lady who just moved into one of the houses and she made a comment about how the neighbors around her stays pretty much to themselves. I felt bad that no one had welcomed her and her family yet. So, we just started talking and she even has a daughter that's the same age as mine. She's said that she would come to the show. I was glad that I knocked on people's doors...I've met some nice people.

 

[its_me_susan]

Okay, I hate to post this but I'm disgusted after I had my fall preview today. My recruit and I sent out 90 invites and only 7 attended with $77 in sales and no bookings. We tried to call everybody, but lots of people said "I'll do my best to be there" and some we couldn't reach (out of town). Anyway, this is the last open house/ preview I'm going to do. I spent over $40 on groceries and paper goods. I cooked the Chocolate Pecan Lattice Tart, Powdered Sugar pound cake cupcakes, veggies & dip, a breakfast casserole, coffee and juice. And in the process of making reminder calls, one of my Sept hosts postponed her show until December. Ugh! I sure am disheartened. Please post your results and I hope everybody does much better. I worked so hard to put this together because my recruit just got home from her son having back surgery and couldn't help much until this morning. I just don't know what I could have done to make it better.

Jeanie

Jeanie, Please don't let your feelings be hurt. ((( hugs ))) to you! I'm thinking this is a really tough time of year for people. Everyone is just trying to squeeze out the last moments of their summer vacations with their families. I'll bet once school starts, if you were to invite smaller groups for coffee and coffee cake or biscotti you might get better results?

How did you like those recipes (Chocolate Pecan Lattice Tart, Powdered Sugar pound cake cupcakes)??? Any tips or comments?

 

[its_me_susan]

Hi all!

I decided to hold two Mystery Shows this weekend. The first one was tonight at 7:00 and the next is tomorrow at 2:00. I must admit I did not call everyone whom I invited. However, of those I did call, I did hear 'Yes' a lot.

Holding two in one weekend was the best idea! That way when I called, I would remind them of the show and ask which day would work best for them. About half said Saturday and half said Sunday. If I limited myself to one show, I would have had half the guests!

Today's show is currently at $300, but I think it will go higher. Best of all, I got two September bookings!

I am really looking forward to hearing how my downline did with this idea. Two of them are also holding two shows this weekend!

Thanks!
Lisa

Lisa, did you do a full demo or just put food and product out? I like the idea of back to back shows!

 

[its_me_susan]

Be careful about posting signs. The officials are cracking down on unpermitted signs (the will charge for any darn thing!). The fines range from $5 to $100. You can post a sign on your property and any of your neighbors that agree to it. But not on Stop signs, light posts or on any city easement (property i.e. the side of the road).

However, that is what I did when I've held my open houses. I wanted to draw in the drive-by traffic. I must say that in 3 years of business and hosting at least 1 open house a year, I haven't had good success with them. The most people that I ever had show up is 2. I still do them because I hear of you guys having great success and I think to myself it CAN happen. My husband just shakes his head and says, "why do you want to do that to yourself again?" I always say I'll never do another one, but then end up talking myself into it every year!

At any rate...Good luck with yours!

Why not invite other home business people (purses, jewelry, toys, crayola) to set up in your home too - advertise it as a "shopping boutique" and let them invite guests and customers to your house. You'll be likely to get new customers from their guests - everyone eats

 

[ChefLisa]

I did not do a full demo. I had the food ready for them. I told them they were my guinea pigs because I was testing some of the new recipes on them. I made the Chocolate Pecan Lattice Tart and the Portobello-Chicken Panini. I loved the tart, but I need major practice for the panini. I think today I will still make the tart, but I will make the Harvest Chicken Salad.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

After reading these posts....I'm not sure why my Open House is always a success! Right now, my Fall Sneak Peek is at 20 in attendance, $500 in sales, and 7-8 bookings (one is still deciding on signing or just booking and signing at her show) I really don't do anything much different - but I'll run thru what I do, and then you can decide for yourselves if there is something different...
3 weeks before the date - I sent out an email invite to around 100 people (all past hosts and regular customers)
2 weeks before, I followed up with a mailed invite to about 75 people
1 week before, I sent an email reminder
1 day before I did a phone blitz and called as many as I could to remind them!

I don't do a Mystery Host Show - I did one once and it was my least successful Open House...What I do is advertise great giveaways and booking incentives.....I do drawings every 15 minutes (and make sure everyone's name gets drawn!) for products I have gotten free or as 60% off or 50% off host items through out the year....This year that included SA, Stoneware, Cookware, an EAD, Hot Pad Trivets, Chef's Tongs, QS Pitcher, Chillzanne, and other miscellaneous stuff. Anyone who brought a guest received a mini serving spatula, and for everyone who booked a show - they will receive a Celebrate! Cookbook at their show!
When people arrived, I gave them a lapboard with a S/S catalog, a list of discontinued items, Customer Care Card, and an order form.
I had all of the new products displayed on a table, covered up with a tablecloth, and I directed everyone around it (NO PEEKING ) to the kitchen, where I had several recipes from the new SB ready for them to sample & vote on.
I had a short presentation(15-20 minutes) about 1/2 way thru the open house - mostly talked about the PC opportunity and passing around the Empowering Women Magazine, talked about all of the great opportunities for hosting this Fall Season, and then unveiled the new products and handed out Fall Catalogs, and went over some of my favorite new products.

Then I just told people to play with the new products, have more to eat, and when they were ready to check out and book their Fall Show, I'd be at my computer ready to help them.....I had Host Packets, Recruiting Info, and SB cookbooks by me, and as everyone checked out, I asked them these questions:
1. Did you have fun & enjoy the food and new products?
2. When were you thinking you would like to host your own show?
3. Would you like some info about doing what I do?
Then I thanked them for coming, and gave them each a SB cookbook for coming!

I will attach everything that I used for this open house - none of it is original - all of it is stuff that I have taken and tweaked for myself! The customer care card and also the questions I do at the end are thanks to Cindy Wynne - a Director from Ohio who I had the opportunity to watch in action, and who was so willing to help and give me pointers!

 

[BethCooks4U]

Why not invite other home business people (purses, jewelry, toys, crayola) to set up in your home too - advertise it as a "shopping boutique" and let them invite guests and customers to your house. You'll be likely to get new customers from their guests - everyone eats

I've done them this way and done them alone and have never had more than a handful of people show up.

But I am having another on the 10th. I've included an invitation with my email newsletter this month (over 350 on that list - some out of town) and I am sending out about 100 invitaitons in the mail plus a sign in the yard.

I have also asked my downline to come (it can at least be a training event) and bring guests too!

I am billing it as come see the new products and try some new recipes - do some early Christmas shopping... I'm also offering some great deals and promoting the Stoneware sale.

I'll let you know how it turns out. Again this time I am tellling myself if I don't get the people I won't do it again...


BTW: I've already gotten one booking from the email I sent out yesterday.

 

[Kelley Sells]

Just did my open house too....Friday night..DON'T GIVE UP ON THE OPEN HOUSE......I did it as an impromptu stop by between 6-10 p.m.....I sent out 120 invites, bonus of being a realtor, you can get street address labels easy enough.....and I had 10 people show up....I didn't ask for an RSVP....I sent out reminder cards about 1 week prior.....but my show is at 400 and climbing. Last time I forgot beverages, but this time, I had PLENTY, so the house was full until 1:00 a.m......LOL.....AND we have 4 new neighbors, but only one came......

Do NOT give up on it.....send out a slew of invites.....and keep holding them, make them a fun gathering for everyone.....My 1st one was only 5 people....my second was 8 people, so everyone is starting to catch on that they don't HAVE to order, just come by, see everyone and have something to eat and drink......

I will do another at the beginning of Nov. for the holidays.....everyone is starting to enjoy the "laid back" atmosphere.......

I tried Deal or No Deal and it went OKAY, needs to be tweeked though.....

I got one booking, and THAT was what it was all about, getting the bookings, I didn't think ANYTHING about sales and was SHOCKED when everyone started putting in orders.....LOL.....

 

[AJPratt]

Don't feel so bad... its a tough time of year, people are focusing on back to school and all that stuff. Its no excuse for being rude, but be glad you had a few show up. You just never know what it could lead to... ANd you know what, Call the people who couldn't make it and offer to send them the mini catalog, or ask if they want to place an order, or do a "First to See" show of their own. Make this into a positive for you! I always tell myself if something goes crappy, that its good training. (Hugs)

 

[heat123]

After reading these posts....I'm not sure why my Open House is always a success! Right now, my Fall Sneak Peek is at 20 in attendance, $500 in sales, and 7-8 bookings (one is still deciding on signing or just booking and signing at her show) I really don't do anything much different - but I'll run thru what I do, and then you can decide for yourselves if there is something different...
3 weeks before the date - I sent out an email invite to around 100 people (all past hosts and regular customers)
2 weeks before, I followed up with a mailed invite to about 75 people
1 week before, I sent an email reminder
1 day before I did a phone blitz and called as many as I could to remind them!

I don't do a Mystery Host Show - I did one once and it was my least successful Open House...What I do is advertise great giveaways and booking incentives.....I do drawings every 15 minutes (and make sure everyone's name gets drawn!) for products I have gotten free or as 60% off or 50% off host items through out the year....This year that included SA, Stoneware, Cookware, an EAD, Hot Pad Trivets, Chef's Tongs, QS Pitcher, Chillzanne, and other miscellaneous stuff. Anyone who brought a guest received a mini serving spatula, and for everyone who booked a show - they will receive a Celebrate! Cookbook at their show!
When people arrived, I gave them a lapboard with a S/S catalog, a list of discontinued items, Customer Care Card, and an order form.
I had all of the new products displayed on a table, covered up with a tablecloth, and I directed everyone around it (NO PEEKING ) to the kitchen, where I had several recipes from the new SB ready for them to sample & vote on.
I had a short presentation(15-20 minutes) about 1/2 way thru the open house - mostly talked about the PC opportunity and passing around the Empowering Women Magazine, talked about all of the great opportunities for hosting this Fall Season, and then unveiled the new products and handed out Fall Catalogs, and went over some of my favorite new products.

Then I just told people to play with the new products, have more to eat, and when they were ready to check out and book their Fall Show, I'd be at my computer ready to help them.....I had Host Packets, Recruiting Info, and SB cookbooks by me, and as everyone checked out, I asked them these questions:
1. Did you have fun & enjoy the food and new products?
2. When were you thinking you would like to host your own show?
3. Would you like some info about doing what I do?
Then I thanked them for coming, and gave them each a SB cookbook for coming!

I will attach everything that I used for this open house - none of it is original - all of it is stuff that I have taken and tweaked for myself! The customer care card and also the questions I do at the end are thanks to Cindy Wynne - a Director from Ohio who I had the opportunity to watch in action, and who was so willing to help and give me pointers!

Thanks for the run down on your prep work! I will try and do exactly what you did and hopefully get a great turn out with 130 evites and and 60 mail invites then follow up with reminders and calls!

 

[pckimboyers]

I'm so sorry about your fall preview show! I tell you I know how you feel! I had mine last weekend-both Sat. and Sun. I sent out a lot of invites, but not as many as I've seen suggested. I got a lot of the going away, getting kids ready for school, really busy right now replies...but I did manage to get 300.00 doing it. I had a booking already with one of my neighbors and I was worried she would cancel, but I've got so many people wanting to place fall orders I can kid with her that she's not allowed to cancel! Out of all the invites I sent about 7 showed. I take the blame though, I didn't invite a lot of my past customers ( I was trying to make it just for my hosts as a special party) and I could've done more to just make it more exciting.... I felt like it sneeked up on me and I really wasn't as prepared as I hoped. I only do open houses if I feel like that's the only way I'll have a chance to get the sales/bookings I want. I've done 2, and neither one were that great! I understand how terrible it is to work so hard and to get hardly anything out of it...but just tack it up as experience and look to the next show!! Big Hug!

 

[pcjeanie]

Thanks for all your ideas and encouragement. I did get something out of it - tried new recipes and everyone liked them. I especially liked the chocolate pecan lattice tart and it was very easy and turned out pretty. I'll definitely do that one again soon. Now my challenge is to turn my small amount of orders into a show by month-end.

Jeanie

 

[AJPratt]

Thats the spirit!!!

 

[Chef Kearns]

Thanks! I didn't know that about the signs. Does that apply to "garage/yard sales" signs too that are posted in front of neighborhood entraces?

Yes, it does apply to garage/yard sale signs. Any sign actually. Piano lessons, For sale by owner, Direct TV...etc. I thought it was something only in Phoenix, but we've moved to San Antonio and they ran the same news report here. The report showed people taking down the signs and then going to the addresses on the signs and letting them know about the ordinance. Check with your city, but I assume most places will have something about signs. I would hate for you to be fined for something so trivial (the fact that they would fine is silly).

 

[pampchefrhondab]

I've only tried one open house and had no one show up! At that time I was new at the business and didn't have a large customer base (only my friends and family). I did make flyers and passed them around the neighborhood (about 100) - but not one person responded. I also made a lot of food, but luckily my family liked it all!

I also advertised a drawing every 15 minutes for prizes. Mine was scheduled on a Sunday afternoon. It is a lot of work, and I haven't had the courage to try at all again; however, if I did I would do it on a week night. I think people just like having the weekend for family. The weeks are just so busy anymore. I would actually do it two nights that way people could choose when they want to come.

Like I said I don't know if I will try it again. I prefer to work booths at fairs. You get a lot more interested people when they can see the products in front of them then trying to get them to your house. I did a booth in June and so far have booked 8 shows, with a lot more intested in this fall. I will be calling all of them this week and next now that school is back in session. Then I hope to book from them and keep my business growing!

Good Luck!

 

[jrstephens]

Very Pleased with mineI sent out about 30 emails and handed out about 20 flyers. I had 7 show up. I was VERY pleased b/c I was expecting no one to show up. My sales are at $432 right now and I have about 5 catalogs due back by Thursday. I hosted it as a show under my mom's name and entered bookings people wanted to do from the new catalog that way I can use the booking benefit. In all I have about 6 bookings from talking to outside order people. One booked two weeks from yesterday b/c she was so excited. I think it was a great success! My goal was to just qualify as a show for the booking benefits and I exceeded that. Everytime I have worried, God has blessed! I will defenitely do it next change over. Also, I just did the Rocky Road Brownie Squares that I displayed on the 3-tier Stand and a vegetable tray that I put in a Chillzane, only cost me $11. I made tea and lemonade in Quik Stirs.

Much luck and God Bless to all Open Houses!

 

[Loriann]

Mystery HostI had my Sneak Preview/Mystery Host Open House on Friday. I had several outside orders and 14 in attendance. Show sales are a little over $1,200 right now - only one booking though

Had fun and it was a great opportunity to try out the new recipes.

Lori Williams
Future Director (just signed my 6th recruit today - need to qualify 3 more to promote

 

[ILOUANGOUDOM]

Thanks. I just hope people in my neighborhood remember. I have 1 RSVP and a few who told me that they'll try to come when I handed them the flyer. Please pray for me...I really need the sales and bookings.

 

[ILOUANGOUDOM]

I was wondering...Is it better to have the food cooked before people arrive at an open house/neighborhood show or have a cooking demo? This is my first. What does everyone who attend an open house expect?...I know food, games(?), prizes(?). I want to make sure that it's a relaxing time for everyone and that everyone is comfortable. This is probably the first time most of the neighbors are going to meet each other. Any ideas?

 

[AJPratt]

Then I would suggest doing some things ahead of time. You could do a quick pull apart bread demo later if it felt right.

 

[AJPratt]

ILOUANGOUDOM: Can I suggest something? Call everyone you invited and tell them, "I can't believe I forgot to tell you this, I heard about this conest and thought it would be so much fun!! I am having an ugly pot holder contest. SO, bring your ugliest potholder, we'll all vote on it and whoever has the worst will win a prize." It could be a Seasons Best. I tell them, if its the ugliest, I'll buy them a new one.