Fall Open House Failure: The Disappointing Reality of an Empty Event

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses experiences related to hosting open house events, particularly focusing on instances where attendance was low or nonexistent. Participants share personal anecdotes about their own events, the challenges faced in attracting guests, and the strategies they employed to encourage attendance.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expressed disappointment after hosting a Fall Open House with no attendees despite sending out 89 invitations.
  • Another participant shared their experience of inviting 75 people to a kickoff show, with only 4 showing up, highlighting the difficulty in getting responses.
  • Several users mentioned the importance of follow-up phone calls to increase attendance, with one participant noting they planned to spend a day making calls for an upcoming event.
  • One participant recounted a community party that failed to attract guests despite extensive promotion, attributing the lack of attendance to timing close to the holidays.
  • Another participant shared a positive experience with a Mystery Host open house, which attracted around 10 guests and resulted in significant sales.
  • Some participants noted a general reluctance to make phone calls, yet acknowledged their importance in ensuring higher attendance at events.
  • One participant suggested that open houses might be more successful if not labeled as such, proposing a structured approach similar to regular shows.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the effectiveness of open houses, with some participants expressing frustration over low attendance while others share successful experiences. There is no clear consensus on the best strategies for improving attendance.

Contextual Notes

Participants shared a range of personal experiences and strategies related to hosting open houses, reflecting varying levels of success and challenges faced in engaging potential guests.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for Pampered Chef consultants looking to understand common challenges in hosting open houses and exploring different approaches to increase guest attendance.

Hathery said:
I just had my open house; I made it a Mystery Host open house to give some incentive for people to come. I had around 10 guests, and I believe I'm going to end up with around $500 in sales.
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What exactly is a Mystery Host open house? I just ordered my New Consultant Kit and I am planning to kick off my PC career with an open house as I just moved to Texas a few months ago and don't have any contacts here! I am open for ANY suggestions from people for how to make contacts when you move to a new place!
 
I've only done one. I did it three days BEFORE the new catalog came out, so they were the first ones to see & touch the new products. I made it fun. Tickets for RSVP by a certain date, tickets for coming, tickets for bringing a friend, so many tickets for every $20 spent, so many tickets for booking a show. I gave out several door prizes. It went over well. $600 catalog show. I was really hoping for bookings for a new recruit who helped out, but no luck. We closed it the first day of the new season.
 
CABean03 said:
Well it is now 9:27 p.m. and my Fall Open House is officially over, but wait, if nobody comes then did it ever really begin???

I sent out 89 invites to past customers, guests, etc. and not a single person showed up tonight. My table looks great with the Fall products I had ordered to display and it was all for naught. :(

Has anyone else ever experienced this?

Thanks,
Mindy
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Might you be interested in having it again in 2 weeks? Call everyone that didn't come and say "Sorry you couldn't make the last one, I'm sure you'll want to come on XXX"
 
gailz2 said:
Might you be interested in having it again in 2 weeks? Call everyone that didn't come and say "Sorry you couldn't make the last one, I'm sure you'll want to come on XXX"
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The original post is from 2008, and I don't think the poster is active on the boards anymore. I remember someone saying if the name is black, their subscription has expired.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the common reasons for a low turnout at a Fall Open House event?

Common reasons for low turnout can include poor marketing, lack of engagement with potential attendees, scheduling conflicts, or a failure to create excitement around the event. Additionally, if the event is not well-promoted on social media or through personal networks, it may not attract enough guests.

How can I effectively promote my Fall Open House to avoid an empty event?

To effectively promote your Fall Open House, utilize multiple channels such as social media, email newsletters, and personal invitations. Create engaging content that highlights the benefits of attending, such as exclusive offers, product demonstrations, or seasonal recipes. Consider collaborating with other local businesses to expand your reach.

What should I do if I experience a disappointing turnout at my event?

If you experience a disappointing turnout, take the opportunity to gather feedback from those who did attend and analyze what may have gone wrong. Use this information to improve future events. Additionally, consider hosting virtual follow-ups or one-on-one consultations to connect with potential customers who couldn’t make it.

How can I create a more engaging atmosphere at my Fall Open House?

To create a more engaging atmosphere, incorporate interactive elements such as cooking demonstrations, tastings, or hands-on activities. Set up inviting displays and create a warm, welcoming environment with seasonal decorations. Offering refreshments and small giveaways can also encourage guests to stay longer and engage more with the products.

What follow-up strategies can I use after a low-attendance event?

After a low-attendance event, follow up with attendees through thank-you emails, surveys for feedback, and special offers to encourage future purchases. Reach out to those who RSVP’d but didn’t attend to express that they were missed and invite them to your next event. Building relationships and maintaining communication can help improve attendance in the future.

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