Is it Okay to Assign Random Dates for Unconfirmed Show Bookings?

[pamperedpnina]

If someone expresses interest in booking a show but wont give an exact date, is it ok to just randomly put a date in so that the current host gets the booking benefit? b/c if I just leave it as expressed interest she wont get the bb...
If I have a bunch of bookings that never hold is that bad?

 

[ivykeep]

I have found that if I am willing to work with my guests, they are more likely to book (and hold) a show with me. When someone expresses an interest in booking a show I always pin them down on a month, then book them for the 1st of that month -- that way if they are booking a couple of months out, I have a tickler in my files to follow up with them... and honestly, over 80% of them actually DO end up with a show.I also ALWAYS rebook my host for 4 months out... then in month three, my tickle to follow up kicks in, I contact the host and we talk about how she likes her products, what she still wants and go over the upcoming host specials (and I mention that if she holds a show in the next 2-3 months she will get TWO of the host special, one as the past host and one as the current host), I have a huge rebooking rate from doing that -- and even if they can't do another cooking show, they are often willing to do a catalog show.I would have a "system" though -- so that you can separate the FIRM booking dates with the dates that need a little more massaging to get them confirmed so that you don't get confused and nothing falls through the cracks.

 

[c00p]

I do put in "bogus" dates quite often, simply because people don't have their planners with them, or they aren't really sure they want to do a show....or like the other night - I had 2 people at my show that had never been to a PC show before so they were thinking about booking, but weren't sure because they wanted to test-drive their new products first. So, I put in a date for them, and I'll of course follow up with them.

 

[lauradahl]

I have done it for a long time. There is no obligationg, but if they do decide later to do one, I want to make sure my original host is taken care of and gets the booking benefits. Usually they will do a party...I keep in touch and make sure they know the monthly specials and that usually seems to entice them at some point.

 

[PChefPEI]

I do it all the time. In the notes section, I write "not confirmed" as a note to myself to contact them to firm up a date.