How Do You Use Your Booking Tree?

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Discussion Overview

This thread explores various personal experiences and strategies related to using a booking tree for securing party bookings among Pampered Chef consultants. Participants share their methods, successes, and challenges with this tool.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expresses a desire for specific examples of what to include on booking tree cards due to a lack of success.
  • Another participant shares their experience of using decorative cards with incentives for booking dates, noting that they require hosts to close their parties to receive the incentive.
  • One user describes creative variations of booking cards, including themed designs for holidays and using surprise elements like plastic eggs for incentives.
  • Another participant mentions using flower or veggie seed packets as a way to present booking dates, but admits to not having much success with their booking tree.
  • One participant reflects on their decision to stop using the booking tree, suggesting that simpler approaches may yield better results.
  • Several users note that the effectiveness of the booking tree may depend more on the overall presentation and engagement at shows rather than the tool itself.
  • One participant mentions that focusing on the four Fs—food, fun, friends, and free—has led to increased bookings at their shows, independent of the booking tree.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the effectiveness of the booking tree, with some participants expressing frustration and others sharing creative uses. No clear consensus emerges regarding its overall utility.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and strategies, reflecting a range of approaches to engaging potential hosts and securing bookings.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants looking for diverse perspectives on using booking trees and alternative methods for securing party bookings may find this discussion insightful.

chefliz
Gold Member
Messages
254
I would like for someone to specifically tell me what they put on their cards for their booking tree? Or how you use yours? Please be specific because I haven't had hardly any luck so I am wondering what I am doing wrong... :(
 
Girl, I have not had much luck with mine and I think it is a great idea.( not my idea of course)
I use card stock and make pretty flowers or designs on the computer or with my scrapbooking stuff ( punches). I just dates on want to fill, then I cut or print pictures of an item they will recieve if they pick that date. ( eg~ bar board and knife or Julienne Peeler , something $15 or under). I make a pretty card that says pick a date get a prize. I also let them know they have to host and close the party before they get their free item, otherwise people would take the tiem then never have their party. I know other people do it different, but I got my idea from my director and she has success with it.
 
On one side or the card stock I write the date and the incentive.
On the back I have them fill out a form that has there name and all of the contact info so that I can stick that in a card box at home until I have time to get it into the computer.
I have done some different forms of these. At easter I got plastic eggs and printed dates on the outside... the incentive was inside so it was a surprise. And then I got foam sheets and cut out the shape of flowers and cut a tiny criss-cross in the center. I then stuck a Dum-Dum suker in the hole to create the center of the flower as well as the stem. The dates and incentives were written on the "flowers". I put them in a small pot that had foam to hold them in place.
I think I'll do pilgrams for Thanksgiving (probably just Thanksgiving cards cut and mounted on card stock) and something for Christmas.
Somewhere on here someone was talking about getting some wedding shower invitations that were Brides or gowns. She stood the cards on her table at some fair... I thought that was a great idea for Bridal Showers!!
Hope that helps!
 
Here's the party date cards from Julie Weitz. I haven't used mine for a while actually...:blushing:....I need to get it out again. I have a cheap dollar store one and it doesn't hold the cards up very well. Something you can do too is get some flower/veggie seed packets and put the date on each one that you want to book and attach the card to it. I haven't had any luck with mine either when I used it. Guess that's why I put it away, but it's time to take it out again and give it another whirl! :)
 
chefliz said:
I would like for someone to specifically tell me what they put on their cards for their booking tree? Or how you use yours? Please be specific because I haven't had hardly any luck so I am wondering what I am doing wrong... :(

While the booking tree is nice and cute, it's not what will make someone host a show. Remember the 4 Fs: food, fun, friends, and free. There's a good CD on supply order called "Bookings Galore" that talks about all sorts of things you can do at your show to help increase bookings.

So I'd say that if you're booking tree isn't working, it's probably not what you're saying/doing at the tree, but what you're doing at the show.
 
I haven't had any luck with it at all, so I quit bothering to use it. One less thing to take. I do better without it anyway. I have found that it's better to make things as simple as possible at shows. IMO, people don't seem to respond to the "gimmicky" things. I just explain the host benefits PC offers and let the catalog do the talking. It seems to work better that way.
 
hollye44 said:
I haven't had any luck with it at all, so I quit bothering to use it. One less thing to take. I do better without it anyway. I have found that it's better to make things as simple as possible at shows. IMO, people don't seem to respond to the "gimmicky" things. I just explain the host benefits PC offers and let the catalog do the talking. It seems to work better that way.

Good point, Holly! I have found that I was starting to make things quite complicated, so I am trying to go back to the basics, but I do like the Booking Tree. We'll see......:rolleyes:

(pssst....this is post #900 for me....yippee....just 100 to go before I'm a stripper!! :D)
 
  • Thread starter
  • #9
leftymac said:
While the booking tree is nice and cute, it's not what will make someone host a show. Remember the 4 Fs: food, fun, friends, and free. There's a good CD on supply order called "Bookings Galore" that talks about all sorts of things you can do at your show to help increase bookings.

So I'd say that if you're booking tree isn't working, it's probably not what you're saying/doing at the tree, but what you're doing at the show.

I have actually been getting bookings at my shows...just not with the booking tree. I have really been working on attendance and emphasizing the FUN, FREE, FRIENDS, and Food and my bookings have increased dramatically-usually 3 or 4 at every show now.

I just wondered if I could make the booking tree make it work even better...
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Booking Tree?

A Booking Tree is a visual representation used by direct sales consultants, like those with Pampered Chef, to track potential party bookings and referrals. It helps consultants organize their leads and follow up with them effectively.

How do I create my Booking Tree?

To create your Booking Tree, start by drawing a tree structure on paper or using a digital tool. At the top, write your name, and then branch out to include names of potential hosts, their guests, and any referrals. This will help you visualize your network and identify opportunities for bookings.

How can I use my Booking Tree to increase party bookings?

You can use your Booking Tree to identify connections and follow up with potential hosts. By reaching out to those who have shown interest or have been referred to you, you can encourage them to host a party, leading to more bookings. Regularly updating and reviewing your tree will keep you organized and proactive.

What should I do if someone from my Booking Tree declines to host?

If someone declines to host, don’t take it personally. Instead, thank them for their consideration and ask if they know anyone who might be interested. You can also keep them on your tree for future follow-ups, as circumstances may change, and they might be open to hosting later.

How often should I update my Booking Tree?

It’s a good practice to update your Booking Tree regularly, ideally after each event or party. This ensures that you have the most current information on potential hosts and referrals, allowing you to maximize your booking opportunities and maintain an organized approach to your direct sales efforts.

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