Maximize Bookings: Tips and Poll Results from Successful Entrepreneurs

[VeronicaW]

I Did It!I took on the 24/24 Challenge!
I left messages; I left e-mails; I talked to potential hosts = I got 21 bookings!

Don't be afraid of the phone!

I've been a Consultant for 5 years now, I LOVE It!

I now have a very busy Fall, and it's going to be worth it!

 

[Jayne]

Great Job!! All Of You!! And Good Luck!!

 

[tlennhoff]

Wow that is fantastic.

 

[Morvin]

Great IdeaI think this is a great idea my business is in a really bad slump right now and I love the 24-in-24 idea I am going to do this but I have a few questions did anyone send out emails and if so does anyone have a script? also where does the $100 shopping spree come from? does it come from your pocket and when is it rewarded?

thanks Heather

 

[AJPratt]

Yes, it would come from your pocket. If you wind up with 10 shows then $100 isn't too bad. You can do it after everyone has held their show or, just pick someone and give them the spree when they submit their order. Its however you want to do it, and it doesn't have to be $100-- it could be $50, but I think the $100 gets people's attention.

 

[mandydollie]

I did this yesterday via e-mail as I was having a slow day at work. I sent out about 25 e-mails (only in month 4, not a lot of contacts yet) and I ended up with 5 bookings. I was hoping for a few more. But I guess it's five more bookings than I had before yesterday.

 

[lacychef]

So what do you all think about when to do the drawing?? You think after you draw & they don't win, then they won't be as comitted to holding the show? Maybe it's best to draw after all shows have been held?
I'm debating on whether or not I want to try this....my Sept is booked now, & I have about 7 people to call that wanted shows in October. Are you all calling those people that you already knew wanted to do shows this fall too, or just new leads? Just curious--thanks!

 

[Morvin]

I would wait until the parties are held just incase. But I have really bad luck with people cancelling on me.

 

[gilliandanielle]

I would wait until the last day that you are booking for. Then if you had enough shows to afford it, offer the winning host double free product if they host another show. They can also get two host specials if it is within the next six months and you rebook them off themselves.

 

[Morvin]

I think that sounds great!1

 

[Jayne]

I think this is a great idea my business is in a really bad slump right now and I love the 24-in-24 idea I am going to do this but I have a few questions did anyone send out emails and if so does anyone have a script? also where does the $100 shopping spree come from? does it come from your pocket and when is it rewarded?

thanks Heather

Here, I attached the script for you!!

 

[melindag]

My resultsWe talked about this at my cluster meeting Monday night, and were challenged to see what we could do, with our challenge ending today (9/13) at Noon.

because I work full time, and I also had my daughter's field hockey and my son's back to school night last night - this really cut into my time that I could effectively make phone calls. But I used my lunch break from work and I called 20 people in about 45 minutes time. I left messages mostly, and would have liked to follow up with them before my noon deadline, but still got answering machines again last night. I also started out by emailing this out to my preferred customer email group (about 150 people)

But I did end up with 3 firm bookings for October, that I didn't have before so that was cool!

Although I didn't have a true "blitz" in my bookings, I did learn the effectiveness of doing this - and it showed me that i can do this anytime - and offer my own incentive if I choose to. I don't have to wait to be told to do it by my director!

So I will definitely try it again.

 

[Carol Waggoner]

Eeeek... PHONE-A-PHOBIAI don't know how I came across this post last week.... but I told my director about it on Thursday and then gave myself the weekend to *pump* myself up to do the CHALLENGE. Well, I couldn't do it on Monday due F/T work priorities, but, after the second person that I told about the challenge last week asked me how it went, I took the plunge on Tuesday (yes, even before BITES came out!). Disclaimer: this is not to toot my own horn by any means, it is to encourage those of you that are thinking of doing this to do it!

It was extraordinarily painful for me because I am petrified of the phone (if you knew me, you would be surprised) and it put me in the worst mood. I pretty much hyperventilated and was nearly in tears prior to the first phone call, ......But, I put on a big fat smile and picked up the phone. I made 27 calls, sent 17 e-mails and the results are: 12 Cooking Shows, 2 Catalog Shows, One Bridal Shower, One Bridal Registry, and there are a few tentative dates still being confirmed.

I am so glad that I found this post and took the challenge- it was a huge boost to my business, and proved that I have no reason to be afraid of the phone ever again in the future. Also, I NEVER want to have to do this again, so I am going to develop some new habits- solid booking at shows, follow-up and more follow-up.

Who did I contact?
Past Hosts
Past Clients
Family, friends and co-workers
Anyone who owed me a favor

I thought that if I offered the incentive to them where THEY are the one who receives all of the benefits (WIIFM....) it would seem more sincere and would hopefully work!

"I'm booking dates between now and December 15th for preferred hosts who are interested receiving free and discounted quality kitchen tools out of the brand new Fall/ Winter catalog. Hosts that book a Catalog/ Internet, live Cooking show, Pampered Bride shower or Bridal registry with me in this 24- hour period will not only receive all of the fabulous host benefits from our new Fall catalog, but they will also be entered into a drawing to win a $75 gas card*."

(I will take a bit of $ here and there to pay for the gas card.)

So, I guess that the moral of the story is, JUST do it! Good Luck!