pamperedbecky
- 4,441
I've been REALLY trying to get my business back on track since conference. I've tried to reach out to other successful people who have made dramatic improvements in their businesses when times were tough and have tried to really step outside of my comfort zone, as well as think outside the box. I'm doing more booths and basically trying to re-build my business.
The latest thing that has come along has me very excited! I'm going to be teaching a cooking class through my local park district. I've also talked to 2 local wine shops that do tastings for groups of people and they're going to let me provide some appetizers and set up a small display during some upcoming tastings. I have an appt to talk with a 3rd place on Monday. I'm really just trying to get better ingrained in the community. I'm hoping the wine things will lead to bookings and perhaps future orders, but I'm not really expecting I'd get actual orders at them. I'm thinking of making the mini BBQ pork tenderloin sandwiches since they don't necessarily need to be served hot and I won't have access to a microwave most likely.
But this park district thing totally has me excited!! It came about indirectly from me trying to think outside the box. I was thinking of other ways to get my name in front of people and was thinking about advertising in our park district brochure. When I called and talked to the PR/Marketing woman, she actually suggested I instead talk to their adult class offerings coordinator about maybe doing a cooking class because they were specifically talking about that idea recently. Wow!! So, I got in touch with him, met with him yesterday and will be teaching in the winter and spring sessions!! Three 4 week sessions! I get paid for it (not much) but it'll cover ingredients and some supplies. I'm just hoping it gets my name out there and may lead to future business/bookings/who knows what!! I can't "sell" during the class, but he said I'm more than welcome to pass out cards and catalogs and have people contact me outside of class. They have a full kitchen that I can work with (heck, I'd be happy with just microwave) and there will be different focuses of the three sessions. But, now I"m getting totally nervous! I obviously will have to adjust the format/focus of my shows to more about the recipe and food tips, as opposed to the products, but I'll be using my own products, which I'm hoping will generate questions.
I've also been doing the Pamper a Business thing too and will give it a try on a 2nd business next week (either my periodontist where I had my gum surgery or my physical therapist's office...I haven't decided which one yet).
Since this park district thing pretty much landed in my lap, I thought I'd throw that out there as a suggestion to people. I had always contemplated filling out the little form in the brochure/book that asks for class ideas or even a willingness to be an instructor for a class that you have certain skill for, but I never followed through. So, if you all have a similar set up with a park district or rec dept, try it!!!
The latest thing that has come along has me very excited! I'm going to be teaching a cooking class through my local park district. I've also talked to 2 local wine shops that do tastings for groups of people and they're going to let me provide some appetizers and set up a small display during some upcoming tastings. I have an appt to talk with a 3rd place on Monday. I'm really just trying to get better ingrained in the community. I'm hoping the wine things will lead to bookings and perhaps future orders, but I'm not really expecting I'd get actual orders at them. I'm thinking of making the mini BBQ pork tenderloin sandwiches since they don't necessarily need to be served hot and I won't have access to a microwave most likely.
But this park district thing totally has me excited!! It came about indirectly from me trying to think outside the box. I was thinking of other ways to get my name in front of people and was thinking about advertising in our park district brochure. When I called and talked to the PR/Marketing woman, she actually suggested I instead talk to their adult class offerings coordinator about maybe doing a cooking class because they were specifically talking about that idea recently. Wow!! So, I got in touch with him, met with him yesterday and will be teaching in the winter and spring sessions!! Three 4 week sessions! I get paid for it (not much) but it'll cover ingredients and some supplies. I'm just hoping it gets my name out there and may lead to future business/bookings/who knows what!! I can't "sell" during the class, but he said I'm more than welcome to pass out cards and catalogs and have people contact me outside of class. They have a full kitchen that I can work with (heck, I'd be happy with just microwave) and there will be different focuses of the three sessions. But, now I"m getting totally nervous! I obviously will have to adjust the format/focus of my shows to more about the recipe and food tips, as opposed to the products, but I'll be using my own products, which I'm hoping will generate questions.
I've also been doing the Pamper a Business thing too and will give it a try on a 2nd business next week (either my periodontist where I had my gum surgery or my physical therapist's office...I haven't decided which one yet).
Since this park district thing pretty much landed in my lap, I thought I'd throw that out there as a suggestion to people. I had always contemplated filling out the little form in the brochure/book that asks for class ideas or even a willingness to be an instructor for a class that you have certain skill for, but I never followed through. So, if you all have a similar set up with a park district or rec dept, try it!!!
