forThose of You That Mail Invites

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses various approaches to mailing invitations for cooking shows, focusing on whether to include personal contact information for RSVPs and the format of the invitations themselves. Participants share their experiences and preferences regarding the use of postcards versus full-page invites, as well as the implications of using hosts' contact details.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant mentions including their phone number for RSVP calls, while others prefer using the host's number.
  • Several participants share that they use the host's return address to increase the likelihood of the invitation being opened.
  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, notes that they have switched from postcards to full-page invites due to issues with lost mail.
  • Another participant shares their experience of including mini-catalogs with invitations, stating it has increased attendance.
  • Some participants express concerns about the costs associated with sending mini-catalogs versus traditional invites.
  • Several users mention using different methods of sealing and presenting their invitations, such as tri-folding or using envelopes.
  • One participant highlights the importance of ensuring that undeliverable invitations are returned to the host for follow-up.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the best method for sending invitations, with some participants favoring postcards and others preferring full-page invites or mini-catalogs. There is no clear consensus on the most effective approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and strategies related to mailing invitations, reflecting a variety of practices within the consultant community.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants exploring different invitation strategies for cooking shows may find the shared experiences and ideas beneficial.

My concern about sending our flyers in envelopes is the paper & printing costs I'd incur. With the poastcards, I print onto them in a mall font. Evies I would have to address, plus print out the flyers in color - that's alotta ink and paper...
 
I print my full page invites in black, but on colored paper. :) And I got a box of 1000 envelopes at Office Max for like $3 with our Pampered Perks discount. So not so much expense.
 
I just saw the ASTROBRITE paper in an enormous quantity for less than $10 at Costco!

I may have to go back and get it!

They also have a 3-pack of high volume black ink for my printer for $49.99......I thought that was a really good deal.......better than Office Max - I Pay $40.00 for 2 of them there. (I think.....)
 
For those of you using the Mini-Catalog as the invitation, do you put a sticker on the front or how do you do the "invitation" part? And also, could you please share your wording on it? Thanks so much! :)
 
DebbieJ said:
I print my full page invites in black, but on colored paper. :) And I got a box of 1000 envelopes at Office Max for like $3 with our Pampered Perks discount. So not so much expense.

It's this dang printer ink that is killing me. I seriously need to look into getting a new printer - one that doesn't use SO much ink.
 
Check out bestpriceink.com. I used to get my ink there an it was a great deal! I just got a new printer so they don't carry my ink yet!
 
finley1991 said:
Check out bestpriceink.com. I used to get my ink there an it was a great deal! I just got a new printer so they don't carry my ink yet!

Yep - they have mine for a decent price. My one experience with remanufactured ink cartridges was bad - it ran out in just a few days. Can someone talk me into giving the remanufactered thing a try again? Or should I stick with new?
 
dannyzmom said:
Yep - they have mine for a decent price. My one experience with remanufactured ink cartridges was bad - it ran out in just a few days. Can someone talk me into giving the remanufactered thing a try again? Or should I stick with new?

I felt the same way and have to tell you that I never one had a problem with ink from them. I did from some other sites that I will never recommend. I have a canon printer and so far so good!
 
dannyzmom said:
Yep - they have mine for a decent price. My one experience with remanufactured ink cartridges was bad - it ran out in just a few days. Can someone talk me into giving the remanufactered thing a try again? Or should I stick with new?

I don't like the remanufactured either. I use new.

Our Cub Scouts recycle them as a fund raiser, so I don't turn them in for credit, but you can turn them in at Office Max for like $3 credit.
 
One more tip... I print everything in draft mode.. it looks pretty good for something most people are going to look at once or twice and will save on ink too... :)
 
Oh, and the costs ... I found my paper on sale (Astroparche). With paper and ink I figure that it costs me less than $.10 to print my own (I do full color). So, with postage, just a bit over $.50 ea. If the host has 40 guests, it's a little over $20. Right now, it's worth it. Ask me a year from now how I feel about it ;)
 
Yes, I print all my invites in black ink in draft mode on color paper. Whew!
 
I have started to use the mini new product catalogs as invitations. I have a lot that are evidently getting lost in the mail according to show hosts and guests.
I put a sticker on the back with the show information, the host's phone # and email address. Then another sticker that says: Unable to attend? Go to my website -------- and simply type in the host's name to order. I have gotten a lot of outside orders that way.
It does cost a little more to do it this way, but one outside order makes up for that extra cost.
 
We just started refilling our ink and it works fine. We bought a kit of ink on-line. It comes with a tiny hand drill that you put in the top of your cartridge and then use a syringe to put the ink in. Pretty simple and extremely cheap.

They are now doing this at Walgreens and other places for $10 or so. It's not color but at least the black is now affordable.
 
beepampered said:
We just started refilling our ink and it works fine. We bought a kit of ink on-line. It comes with a tiny hand drill that you put in the top of your cartridge and then use a syringe to put the ink in. Pretty simple and extremely cheap.

They are now doing this at Walgreens and other places for $10 or so. It's not color but at least the black is now affordable.

I ruined a printer doing it this way. That was several years ago, so maybe they've somehow made it better. I had ink all OVER the inside of the printer :eek:

I did the ones from Wlgreens, but the cartridge lasted about half as long. :(
 
It's not too messy so this must be different.

I don't know how long this will last but it's done a fair amount so far. The kit is like $30 (I think - not sure) and could get several dozen refillings from it so even if it doesn't last as long - it will save me a ton. It does say to refill it as soon as the cartridge is empty. I think waiting might make it dry out so if you're thinking of doing it - order it now before you need it.
 
Do you guys use regular envelopes or the ones with the pampered chef stuff on them from Merrill? I am thinking about doing the mailing of the minicatalog myself as the invite but I want to make sure something sticks out on the envelope to the guests so they don't think it is junk mail.
 
Maybe a cute sticker or stamp that says YOUR INVITED would get people's attention to open the envelope
 
I make my own envelopes in Publisher. It has the host's return address, the PC logo and big letters that read "YOU'RE INVITED!!!" And of course, it's always addressed to "Mary Jones & Guest".
 
Would anyone have a sample of the invitation flyer they use? I really like the idea of adding the mini catalog w/ the invite.
 
rachelpc said:
Maybe a cute sticker or stamp that says YOUR INVITED would get people's attention to open the envelope
yes, I make labels that say "you're invited to a PC show....see inside for details!"
 
dannyzmom said:
Nope, but I put my return address on them so the ones that are undeliverable com eback to me so I can tell the host to be sure and call the person.

Thanks, Carolyn. I hadn't thought about that...
 
Has anybody had succes being part of these shows with multiple vendors? I'm doing a show next weekend with Tastefully Simple, Home Interiors, some wine company and a purse/jewelry lady. I've heard that these are not very good for sales because people are dividing their budget among so many vendors. But this is the third one I've been asked to participate in--do you think this is a trend?
 
I just depends, you never know who came to shop where. I'd focus real hard on bookings though.....be sure and let them know the upcoming specials.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to address invitations for a Pampered Chef party?

When addressing invitations, it's best to use the recipient's preferred name and ensure that the spelling is correct. Personalizing the invitation makes it feel more special. You can also consider using labels for a neat presentation or handwriting them for a personal touch.

Should I include RSVP details in my invitations?

Yes, including RSVP details is essential. It helps you gauge attendance and plan accordingly for food, seating, and product demonstrations. Make sure to provide a clear way for guests to respond, such as a phone number or email address.

What information should I include in my invitations?

Your invitations should include the date, time, and location of the party, as well as any special instructions, such as whether guests should bring a friend or if there will be a theme. Additionally, mention any incentives for attending, like giveaways or exclusive offers.

How far in advance should I send out my invitations?

It's recommended to send out invitations at least 2-3 weeks in advance. This gives your guests ample time to plan and adjust their schedules. If you're mailing physical invitations, consider sending them even earlier to account for delivery times.

What should I do if I don't receive RSVPs?

If you don't receive RSVPs, it's perfectly acceptable to follow up with a friendly reminder. A quick phone call or text can help confirm attendance and encourage those who may have forgotten to respond. This also shows your guests that you value their presence at the party.

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