Hostess Won't Return Calls or E-Mail--Host Coaching Impossible!!!

[finley1991]

Sandy --- yes it is ALL there for you in your Consultant Business Guide... words for booking, recruiting, customer care... everything! It's a great resource! use it!

 

[muffetts]

Just a couple of thoughts....

A) your host could be on holidays and not around to get your e-mails and messages.... Don't give up.

B) Don't cancel the show in the event that someone orders on-line - they need to go through her show to do it..

Always give your hosts the benefit of the doubt. My very first show I had packed up my kit and headed on over... and waited.... and waited...... and waited........ outside her house (no one was home). What happened was she had an extremely sick child and had left me a message after I had left to go to her house. She ended up making it a catalogue show and we did very well in the end. She's probably going to book again in the Fall, and we've kept in touch quite a bit since her show.

I would tell her, you'll keep the show date open and try and close it a couple of days after the show date, that way she can still make it a catalogue show, if she wants. If you don't hear from her, use that night as a Phone Night and start booking your Fall. You had the time booked off anyway, right? Maybe do the 24 bookings in 24 hours!

 

[mrssyvo]

Calling ScriptsHere are the calling scripts I use. If you make enough calls, they become natural sounding. I hope they help.

 

[MellyMel]

Flaky HostI understand your frustration. I would suggest leaving one last message on her answering machine that sounds something like this:

"Hi, Jane Doe! This is Julie. I was hoping to catch you to talk about your party on the 18th. I've been having a really difficult time reaching you. I hope everything is okay with you and your family. It is very essential that I talk with you before your party to go over all the details. If I don't hear back from you by Friday (give her two days) then I am going to assume that a conflict arose and the party is no longer going to work for you. I hope to hear from you very soon!"

If you don't hear from her in the two days that you allowed, then follow-up with a post card and tell her that you are sorry the party didn't work out and to let you know if she needs anything in the future. I wouldn't recommend rescheduling with her unless she has a REALLY good excuse for not returning your calls- like a death in the family. Otherwise, she could end up flaking out on you again and wasting your time.

 

[pampchefrhondab]

Well Julie you know everyone cares and wants to help.

The only thing I noticed that helped w/my bookings at the show I just got 100% of them to book was how I made it sound like I couldn't believe how great the specials were. I said, "I have never seen such a great special since I've been selling." Then I explained how they can keep getting specials each month from bookings at their show. For the recruiting I just said, "Does anyone have any questions for me." Nobody did. Then I said, "Does anyone have any questions about what I do." The questions began to flow. It was great and I wasn't being pushy.

I have the same fears you do about bothering people on the phone. I just listend to "Ring up Rewards" today. She mentioned when you call them say you were thinking about them. For example, "I was just using my food chopper today and was wondering how you are enjoying yours? (of course look-up what they purchased) Or, we have such a great host speical this month and I thought of you." People love it when you think about them. This sounds so much better then saying, "I'm calling all of my past hosts to let them know the upcoming specials." Then it sounds like they are just a number. They don't know you're saying the same thing to each person you call that night.

I don't mind calling people, I just hate getting the answering machine.

I agree this job does take time, that is why I said in my earlier post I decided to give this 5 years. This is the first year I feel I don't have to worry about running out of bookings. I just want more.

Good luck!

 

[dwyerkim]

I switched to having hosts give me a guest list so that I can mail out the invites back in May (after two particularly heinous experiences that I won't drag out right now!), and it has made a big difference. Yes, people can still be flaky, but as already mentioned, you know it in advance and you aren't sitting around waiting to here back, setting up babysitters then canceling, buying food that doesn't get eaten, etc. I use a guest list and guest list cover letter I found on here, and it says in the cover the letter the latest date that the guest list can be returned, otherwise the show will be postponed. So, at worst, I am out two stamps (one to send it and I send an SASE with it) if someone flakes out on me. I can handle under $1. I don't do so well when I've spent money on catalogs, order forms, invites, postage, etc, and the mental energy of doing a show, only to have it cancel.

The other thing to remember when people are flakey or hard to reach... It's not about you. Say that about 150 times until you truly believe it, because it's the truth! Can you imagine what their lives must be like if they either don't have the time or the consideration to take 3 minutes and return a phone call? Glad it's them and not me.

 

[bethsbiz]

No matter how long you've been in this biz, you will eventually encounter a slug-head host who seems interested but acts opposite. When it gets to where I think I'll have a situation like some of the posts above (before the show) I really do finally say "this just doesn't seem like a good fit right now...how about if we try again in a few months". I had one gal get made and went with another consultant. That consultant later told me that it was one of the worst parties she'd had in a long time.

I believe in the law of averages and try not to let the really snarly shows get me down. For every show that barely qualifies and "was going to be a great show"...I have those sleeper hosts who pull out an unexpected high sales show. You really just never know. So..keep in mind that things even out over time and we do have to take some bad with our mostly good!

 

[amy07]

Here are the calling scripts I use. If you make enough calls, they become natural sounding. I hope they help.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

These are an answer to my prayer!! :angel:

 

[pckel]

This is an easy fix for an unresponsive host....
Leave a message telling them that you are so excited about their show. Tell them that you'll be arriving at their house at _____o'clock promptly unless you hear otherwise from them.
This ensures a very quick response!!

 

[dwyerkim]

This is an easy fix for an unresponsive host....
Leave a message telling them that you are so excited about their show. Tell them that you'll be arriving at their house at _____o'clock promptly unless you hear otherwise from them.
This ensures a very quick response!!

And include that you'll pick up their groceries and they can reimburse you when you arrive...