Is My Host Really Ready for Their Party?

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses the challenges and uncertainties faced by consultants regarding the readiness and reliability of their hosts for upcoming parties. Participants share personal experiences and varying levels of trust in their hosts' abilities to manage invitations and guest lists.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expresses concern about a host's follow-through on sending invitations and managing guest lists, despite the host's initial enthusiasm.
  • Another participant shares their experience of trusting a host's excitement and suggests that if the host is motivated, they will likely have communicated with guests.
  • Several users mention feeling nervous about relinquishing control over the invitation process, citing personal tendencies to manage details closely.
  • One participant recounts a successful experience with a host who initially struggled with invitations but ultimately had a successful show, indicating that hosts can sometimes surprise consultants.
  • Another participant notes that some hosts may prefer to handle invitations themselves for privacy reasons, and this approach has worked out positively in their experience.
  • One user suggests asking hosts for a quick list of names and phone numbers to ease concerns about their outreach efforts.
  • Another participant mentions using an automated calling system to assist with reminder calls for hosts, which may provide additional comfort.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the level of trust consultants should place in their hosts, with some expressing confidence in their hosts' abilities while others remain skeptical about their follow-through.

Contextual Notes

Participants share experiences from various shows, highlighting the unpredictability of host engagement and the emotional responses of consultants when managing party preparations.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants who are navigating similar challenges with their hosts may find the shared experiences and insights helpful in understanding different approaches to managing party readiness.

ChefBeckyD
Gold Member
Messages
20,320
I had a woman at a show in Jan., had never been to a PC show, wanted everything, booked for Feb, and was interested in the opportunity....went thru the host packet, talked about the date I would need her list to send invites, and she was totally gung-ho! I sent a follow-up postcard with the important dates to remember. I called her again when the time was coming near for her list to be to me.....yep - she's working on it, just not done yet. Reminded her that she could also email me the list if she wanted.....she called me a couple of days later, said she had just emailed it to me. I checked email several times that day - no list. Called her back - left a message regarding not getting her list. Didn't hear anything, called her back again....she said she would resend it, and call me when it was sent so I would know.....haven't heard anything from her - and her show is Feb 20!!! She had told me that she handed out all the invitations that I put in her host packet (usually 7-8 for them to hand out to people), and that she had also emailed some invitations (but not the PC website ones), already has about 6 (she thinks) who are coming, and a couple of outside orders.....do I trust her that this is all true? She just seemed so excited about doing a show, and now, although she still sounds excited when I talk to her, I have this sinking feeling that I am getting the run-around....what does it sound like to you?
 
As hard as it isI would trust her. If she is so excited about it she will have told people, and passed out the invites. You could still try to get the list to make her reminder calls for her, and just say it appears your email is eating messages again...even if it hasn't before : )

Robin
 
  • Thread starter
  • #3
I guess I'm just kind of a control freak, that's why I send out the invites in the first place:rolleyes: Sooo to leave it all up to the host just makes me very nervous!
 
This kind of stuff makes me nervous too....I had a host do this in November and she ended up having a $600 show with at least 4 bookings. I have a host (one of those bookings) doing it to me this month, but she is a repeat host and she told me that she wants a better show this time, so she is really working hard on calling and emailing people. In fact, she emailed me yesterday to ask how to do the invites via my website.

I know it's hard to let go....but sometimes it works! :)
 
I would trust her, if she wants a good show, she knows what she needs to do. And she really can't lie about outside orders, you'll find out the day of her show if she was making it up. Maybe she's afraid to let you down if she doesn't have a magic number of guest present and that you will back out on her!
 
I would trust her... I had a host not hand out any invites, only made her own using Evites and she just had a $800 show with 3 bookings! It's hard not being able to visually see when they email guests isn't it?!? :)
 
It's not unusual to have people that just don't have addresses handy or find it easier to hand out cards at work and/or use the email. It is frustrating but one thing I have had success with on those people is asking them if they could just send me a quick list of first names and phone numbers. I also do reminder calls for my hosts using postcalls (an automated calling system). This may get you a better comfort level.
 
MicheleC said:
It's not unusual to have people that just don't have addresses handy or find it easier to hand out cards at work and/or use the email. It is frustrating but one thing I have had success with on those people is asking them if they could just send me a quick list of first names and phone numbers. I also do reminder calls for my hosts using postcalls (an automated calling system). This may get you a better comfort level.
Michele~

How much do you pay and who do you use for the calling system?
 
I know you're at your wit's end, but I'd trust her. Sometimes there's just one aspect of the host duties that a host flakes on. As you can see from the other responses, it often turns out just fine.
 
KellyTheChef said:
Michele~

How much do you pay and who do you use for the calling system?

Kelly,

I'm not sure what she uses, but I use PostCalls.com. Email me if you want some info and a special price for direct sales people only.

[email protected]
 
I've had a few hosts who handled all their own invites because they didn't feel comfortable giving out the contact information on their friends.Their feeling was that if the friend wanted to give me their information, that was fine. Or if they made a purchase I would get it. It's always turned out fine. I hope you have the same experience.Ann
 

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if my host is excited about their party?

One of the best indicators of a host's readiness is their enthusiasm. If they are actively engaging in conversations about the party, sharing ideas, and asking questions, it's a good sign that they are excited and ready to host. You can also look for signs of preparation, such as them promoting the event on social media or reaching out to invitees.

What should I do if my host seems overwhelmed?

If your host appears overwhelmed, it's important to offer support and reassurance. Check in with them to see what specific concerns they have and provide guidance on how to simplify the planning process. You can help by offering tips, sharing resources, or even taking on some of the responsibilities to ease their burden.

How can I help my host prepare for their party?

To help your host prepare, provide them with a clear checklist of tasks to complete leading up to the party. This can include sending invitations, preparing a guest list, and selecting recipes or products to showcase. Offer to have a planning session where you can brainstorm ideas together and discuss how to make the event enjoyable for everyone.

What signs indicate that my host is not ready for their party?

Signs that your host may not be ready include lack of communication, missed deadlines for invitations, or a general sense of disinterest in the event. If they seem hesitant to engage in planning discussions or frequently cancel check-in meetings, it may indicate they need more support or motivation to get excited about the party.

How can I motivate my host to get ready for their party?

To motivate your host, remind them of the benefits of hosting, such as earning free products and having a fun gathering with friends. Share success stories from previous hosts to inspire them. Additionally, consider offering incentives or rewards for reaching certain milestones in their party preparation, which can help boost their enthusiasm and commitment.

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