How Effective Is a $1000 Mystery Host Catalog Show in Boosting Sales?

[Chef Diane]

good idea about the Mystery Host on the site...I'll have to add that in. Thanks for the ideas. Keep those updates coming. Im so excited

 

[Cindycooks]

WooHoo - I sent out a mass email to all my past hosts and customers last night - so far I have 2 people interested!

 

[Chef Diane]

UPDATE - 8 YES votes!!! I sent out a followup email tonight (see below) and as I was sending it out to my list, my phone was ringing and emails were flying back!! They don't want to wait either - I am delivering 5 packets tomorrow!! Do you think I'm stopping at 10? Heck NO! If I get 2 - $1000 shows out of this how sweet would that be?!?!?!

I set up a "Mystery Host" as a Host on my website for people to order under - I just asked them to put the "Participant" name in the 2nd line of the address for me to know who gets the credit.

Then I sent an Invitation email to myself. I modified it with the words below and personalized it to each person. I also put a "read receipt" on each one so I know if they read the email.

This is fun!! I love reading all the updates. And it's not too late to do this! Here is my email....


Join me for a Pampered Chef
Mystery Host Catalog Show...
Dear ,


By now you should have received my personal
$1,000 MYSTERY HOST
1st ANNIVERSARY CATALOG SHOW
invitation via mail - it was mailed to you last Friday, October 27th. If you do not have the invitation, please let me know via email and I will send you the file.

This is a follow-up asking you to read the invitation closely and highly consider participating in this awesome opportunity! All participates will WIN a $1,000 show Host benefit - and one person will win the
GRAND PRIZE of $215
in FREE Pampered Chef products!!!
Totally free - no shipping, no tax, no $$ from you!

Please take a moment and think about it. I do need a response by this weekend - "Yes or No" - is all I ask! If you cannot participate, please just respond "No" so I can offer this opportunity to others on my personal "waiting" list.

Update....I already have 6 firm "YES" responses and have mailed the catalog packets to those participants. We are over HALF WAY there! Won't you join in??

Hope to hear from you soon!!!!

Joanne Smith
Pampered Chef Independent Sales Consultant


Catalog orders due by:
Mon 11/27/06

Host:
Mystery Host - COULD BE YOU!

I sent out my reminder/follow-up today. Hope it helps generate more interest. <crossing fingers>

 

[chefwatson4]

I am getting really frustrated right now. Everytime I click on something it tells me to log in again. Is anyone else having this problem???? I wanted to see Joanne's flyer.

 

[quiverfull7]

revised inviteDid someone post a revised invitation here that made one host the winner of all the benefits? I thought I saw one and now cannot find it. I am thinking I am going to do this but wanted the revised version if it's out there somewhere

 

[quiverfull7]

I found it... it was listed at 10 x 10. Sorry to have bothered anyone.

 

[quiverfull7]

I set up a "Mystery Host" as a Host on my website for people to order under - I just asked them to put the "Participant" name in the 2nd line of the address for me to know who gets the credit.

So did you title the show "Mystery Host" on the web or use your name? Also the "Participant" would be the person who is ordering?

Sorry... I just want to make sure I understand.
THANKS!

 

[tlennhoff]

I am getting really frustrated right now. Everytime I click on something it tells me to log in again. Is anyone else having this problem???? I wanted to see Joanne's flyer.

People have found that clearing their cache frequently solves this problem. If not click on the Contact Us link in the menu bar & write to Gregg.

 

[tlennhoff]

I'm trying this today. Wish me luck.

 

[saleenkitchen]

I am going to do this today I am sending out emails and sending some out by snail mail because I am sending it to all past customers and hosts I hope I have good luck like everyone else seems to be having out there!?

 

[pchefinski]

I'm trying this too! I have almost 50 emails to send out (each one separately, so it can be really personalized to the person), but I'm 1/5 of the way there already. My year has been pretty hard, and I have had a hard time with getting full contact information (addresses and phone numbers) from people, so I'm working with what I have on hand -- people's email addresses. (On a side note, I've started telling my hosts that I need full contact information, including address and phone number, to be able to process the order through the computer. A little white lie, but I can't stand not being able to have some sort of info for people; info that I need in case of product issues, etc., as well as for CC.)Anyway, I know I have 2 already - two of my girlfriends have been wanting to host a show for me, and this will be perfect for them. Both are out of state, so I have to have a catalog show with them, and this is perfect. And maybe, for once, my mom will join in and partake in a show for me! (We shall see!!) Anyway, I'll post my results.. Good luck everyone!

 

[pchefinski]

I also put a "read receipt" on each one so I know if they read the email.

How do you do this "read receipt"?

 

[ChefinHarmony]

I set up a "Mystery Host" as a Host on my website for people to order under - I just asked them to put the "Participant" name in the 2nd line of the address for me to know who gets the credit.

So did you title the show "Mystery Host" on the web or use your name? Also the "Participant" would be the person who is ordering?

Sorry... I just want to make sure I understand.
THANKS!

Yes - the First Name is "Mystery" and the Last name is "Host". All the contact information, address, phone number, email is my information.

"Participant" - that is one of my 10 people. The person who's name will be entered into the drawing. So say "Michelle" said "Yes" and I sent out a packet to her. Then Michelle's Mom wants to order online. She would go to "Mystery Host" and put Michelle's name in there somewhere.

If I happen to get an online order under Mystery Host and I don't know who it belongs too, then I will just email the buyer back and ask who they got my website/catalog from and try to link it to one of my Mystery Host Show participants.

Make sense??

Joanne

 

[ChefinHarmony]

How do you do this "read receipt"?

Amanda,
I use Outlook Express (not sure if there is one for yahoo mail). You go under "tools" and it will state "Request a Read receipt" and that means when the end person opens your email, you will get an email back - a general computer generated response that says it was "read".

Sometimes it doesn't always work - my Express says "the sender has requested a read receipt, would you like to respond?" And I have a choice. So they could always say "No" and then you would never know they read it. It's kinda like sending certified mail!

Let me know if you have other questions!
Joanne

 

[ChefinHarmony]

I have almost 50 emails to send out (each one separately, so it can be really personalized to the person), but I'm 1/5 of the way there already.

Amanda,
Make sure to FOLLOW-UP with all 50 you need to do that to make this work!!
You could have a great month!!

Good Luck!
Joanne

 

[ChefinHarmony]

Okay - One more post from me on this thread!! Here's an update.....

Yesterday I had 8 firm "Yes" votes. And I got 1 from a friend who was listening in as I passed out a Host packet to one of my participants. She said "Hey, I WANT in!!" I didn't see that one coming!!

Well, I started my follow-up calls today. And let me tell you 2 of my calls didn't even open up my letter! They were opening it as I talked to them! SEE!!

Anyway, I hit TEN - YAH-HOO!!!!!! AND I left messages for 5 other people - one was a yes about a month ago when I first mentioned it, so I just need a FIRM yes from her. Then there is one more that is a maybe. So technically, I could have 15 in!!

Here's the plus - one already has over $100 collected and I got 2 bookings for 1 January and 1 February out of it! Remember they get an extra entry when they book a show!

I am LOVING this!! The neat thing... this is all in addition to my regular shows this month. I have four on the schedule & one is a large fundraiser. Oh, how I want to hit Level 2!!

Have fun!!
Joanne

 

[cat]

Hi Joanne,

THAT is so wonderful! Sounds like it will be a great success! I just saw this today and I'm thinking of trying it out...

Thanks!!

 

[szitas123]

This is GREAT!!!! I actually tweaked it for myself, mailed out 15 invites 2 days ago and have already had 4 calls with YES answers!!! I even have a potential recruit out of it too!!!Bonus

 

[its_me_susan]

Well after much discussion with my recruiter - she helped me soooo much - I came up with my $1000 Mystery Host Catalog Show flyer. I got the idea from here a long time ago and then tweaked it to fit me (1st anniversary, timeline, etc). I wanted to share it with all of you!!

If it works, it should be great! Hopefully help me hit Level 2 of the sell-a-thon. I just mailed it on Friday and I have three FIRM "yes" names!! I'm doing this in addition to my scheduled shows and a fundraiser.

I started the "buzz" about it with my Sept. Hosts and ALL of them said they were in at that time. I bought a packet/kit of Christmas paper, envelopes, labels, etc for $9.99 from OfficeMax - set if 25 - and printed it - they looked very professional. Then I put a Mini-Holiday Catalog in each one with a little flyer about the November Host/Guest Special since it is one of the prizes.

I sent out 25 total and figured if I got more than 10 involved, I would split it into 2 separate Catalog shows. I also changed it a bit and sent it to 6 preferred customers that have never hosted.

I put a FIRM timeline on there and intend to call each and every person by next week. I intend to have it entered by the end of the month.

I'll keep you updated and let you know if it works!!

Thanks!!
Joanne

OMG I love this!!!! Is anyone thinking clear enough this morning to figure in new dates??? I love this idea. Thank you for sharing it. Be sure to tell us how the reaction has gone!!!

 

[its_me_susan]

This is GREAT!!!! I actually tweaked it for myself, mailed out 15 invites 2 days ago and have already had 4 calls with YES answers!!! I even have a potential recruit out of it too!!!Bonus

I sent it out to ALL my potential recruits as a GREAT way to start their businesses - - what a small committment to ask family/friends (to collect just $100 in orders)! Great way to jump start a slow business too!

 

[its_me_susan]

Shipping...well I am going to have it all shipped here and I will sort it out for everyone. I already had a past host offer to help me deliver the items in her area (when she gave me her yes vote). The prize winners will will be have their orders entered under the Grand Prize winner's name (one Host) or I could list it as co-hosting too. That's the only thing we (my recruiter and I) were worried about - the warranty issues. I am going to put a HUGE note/disclaimer on the reciepts that state, "If you have a problem with any of your items, please contact me first as this was a special show and submitted differently to Home office" - my recruiter says she does that all the time when it comes to combining orders under one name and the guests usually don't mind. I'm excited!!
Joanne

I'm thinking I might simplify and just pay "consultant gift/tax deductible)" direct shipping to each - they can pay $4 and I can pay the difference.

 

[its_me_susan]

Shipping...well I am going to have it all shipped here and I will sort it out for everyone. I already had a past host offer to help me deliver the items in her area (when she gave me her yes vote). The prize winners will will be have their orders entered under the Grand Prize winner's name (one Host) or I could list it as co-hosting too. That's the only thing we (my recruiter and I) were worried about - the warranty issues. I am going to put a HUGE note/disclaimer on the reciepts that state, "If you have a problem with any of your items, please contact me first as this was a special show and submitted differently to Home office" - my recruiter says she does that all the time when it comes to combining orders under one name and the guests usually don't mind. I'm excited!!
Joanne

Why not just enter each orderer under their own name - get their contact info (future contacting abiliies - add to newsletter). Any expenses will be business expenses? You can send them thank you notes if you have their address info?

 

[its_me_susan]

I've started telling my hosts that I need full contact information, including address and phone number, to be able to process the order through the computer. A little white lie, but I can't stand not being able to have some sort of info for people; info that I need in case of product issues, etc., as well as for CC.)

I tell them (and this true) that I give PC their full informtion so, should they lose ME, they can call PC with their problems and PC has a better chance of looking them up. I've actually been able to return full sets of cookware for people I just met a show b/c they had provided full information.

 

[Chef Diane]

great advice Susan. I was thinking about the Host thing putting everyones order under the host.(to save time) Thanks for thinking of that, I deffinately need the contacts and you never know I may not be here in a year and HO needs to be able to find them. Now I dont have to feel unconfortable asking for all that info. : )

 

[its_me_susan]

great advice Susan. I was thinking about the Host thing putting everyones order under the host.(to save time) Thanks for thinking of that, I deffinately need the contacts and you never know I may not be here in a year and HO needs to be able to find them. Now I dont have to feel unconfortable asking for all that info. : )

Yup~ you are doing it for them. You are welcome.

 

[RitaKey]

I am doing a Multi-Host show in Nov. I contacted everyone that has said I want to but no space, no time, etc. I found a bowling alley to let us use a lounge, they will do all the table set ups and families even get discounted bowling during the show!! I am having incentives for hosts for the most attendees, outside orders, bookings(close by Dec.15 of course) and sales.
I currently have 11 hosts, some are reserving space for 15 people! How do I keep the attention of the crowd with this many people. I never play games at my shows but I will need something for this one. I thought Bingo, But I can't immagine making all those cards w/ pc items on them. Any suggestions???

 

[its_me_susan]

I am doing a Multi-Host show in Nov. I contacted everyone that has said I want to but no space, no time, etc. I found a bowling alley to let us use a lounge, they will do all the table set ups and families even get discounted bowling during the show!! I am having incentives for hosts for the most attendees, outside orders, bookings(close by Dec.15 of course) and sales.
I currently have 11 hosts, some are reserving space for 15 people! How do I keep the attention of the crowd with this many people. I never play games at my shows but I will need something for this one. I thought Bingo, But I can't immagine making all those cards w/ pc items on them. Any suggestions???

I would just do it boutique style. Maybe have an interative station where they can chop celery or potatoes with the chopper... peel apples with the APSC... do a drawing, have treats, maybe top an already made cookie or brownie pizza (but have extras already prepared to give everyone a taste. Good luck.

 

[its_me_susan]

WooHoo - I sent out a mass email to all my past hosts and customers last night - so far I have 2 people interested!

Me too - - actually sent out several emails. I heard it's best (even through website) to send out only 7-8 at a time, because SPAM filters sometimes place emails with large lists of recipients to junk mail.

 

[ChefinHarmony]

UPDATE... It's official! My "Deadline" to enter was today. Before I even started my calls, I had answers back from all but 5 people out of 25. I called them tonight like I warned them I would! I only had to leave one message and I actually said "Sorry you weren't able to participate this time - but let me know if you need anything before Christmas!" I talked to the other 4 people directly - 1 in, other 3 out. But I had a nice "customer care" call with them so it wasn't a total waste - one may do a show after the new year.

Now HERE WE GO!! I have to mail out 2 packets tomorrow - but I am up to TWELVE - I am soooo glad I mailed out 25, because it shows that it's only about 50% takers. One participant wasn't even on my list. There were a couple "sure things" in my mind that just couldn't do it right now (final exams, moving, etc).

Now I just sit back until Nov. 19th - that's the follow-up call to see how the orders are going - and ALL my participants know I will be calling them!

One thing I'm tickled about - only 2 participants are family members (one niece and one sister). That shows me that I have established a "business" this past year - it's not just good friends & family that buy from me!

Try it - this works!!

Joanne

PS. I presented this at my cluster meeting this weekend and I could hardly contain my excitement!! I hope it pays off for all of you! Please keep me posted....

 

[Pampered Laura]

Okay I'm considering this, but I'm not a big fan of putting $$ out. LOL so, tell me what your expected COSTS are for doing this. I'm making the final push to earn Atlantis and this may help a little!