Maximizing Incentives for Catalog Shows: Tips for New Consultants

[heat123]

I agree that PC has the most generous host plans that I have seen in comparison to other DS companies! I've hosted 2 others and thought their rewards were lame vs. ours!

 

[DebbieJ]

There are many people on this board who aren't even participating in the threads that talk about extra incentives........I USED TO offer all kinds of extra incentives, but have discovered that extra incentives usually
end up just costing me money, and don't benefit my business for the amount of $$ and time that I put into them.
I now focus just on our incredible host plan, and what you can get for hosting a show, and that has helped my business so much more than any extra incentives. Like Beth, I will also offer an extra incentive if I think I am close to a goal, and it will help me meet it to offer the incentive. But that is usually either something I have on hand, or possibly a free show.

I agree with Becky and Beth. I didn't offer a single incentive in Sept or Oct and between the two months I had $12k in sales and will have over $4k in Nov. Our host program speaks for itself. I had one host get over $600 in FREE (no tax either) products. What other company can do that?!?!

Right now I am offering a very very small incentive to finish the year strong--a free cookbook to anyone who holds a show by the end of December. But this is VERY VERY rare for me. If you start constantly offering incentives, then your hosts and customers who pay full price or just get the regular host benefits will be very upset with you.

Pampered Chef has made it work for 27 years and there's no reason why we can't make it work for us too.

 

[dannyzmom]

Well, my first show is in the name of my roomate's pet, who has a very person-like name and a different last name than me! This enables me to get the red trivet to give as a gift or show at parties.

So ... would I be able to, say, over a 10 percent discount to Black Friday orders, putting those orders under the name of the cat? Would this mess up their guarantee? I'm a little worried about meeting the $150 minimum for the Dec. 1 show so I am trying to put in orders that would count toward that.

I am just stumbling upon this thread and noticed this post -- Di, do you realize that you are in essence STEALING from the company that pays your pay check? I don't mean to sound harsh but it is what it is -- this company is SO incredibly generous and what you are doing is ripping them off.
:grumpy:

 

[chefmeg]

I am just stumbling upon this thread and noticed this post -- Di, do you realize that you are in essence STEALING from the company that pays your pay check? I don't mean to sound harsh but it is what it is -- this company is SO incredibly generous and what you are doing is ripping them off.
:grumpy:

yup, that's what it is no matter how you try to glaze it over.....just work the business like the company tells you and you too will be successful! It isn't brain surgery for God's sake!

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

Would you people please calm down???

As I've stated before, it was just an idea that I wanted to bounce of of you. I have not submitted the show and at this point, it looks like I'm not even going to. And if I do ever get enough in orders to actually submit it, instead of combining my measly amount of orders with somebody else's show, I plan to change the name of the host based on the HANDFUL of positive responses I saw here that corrected some of my misconceptions.

I am personally SICK of the personal attacks. When I told my director about this site, she said she did not recommend it because of the negativity. I could not see it then but I see it now. I'll be honest ... I don't know how much I am going to be back on this site.

 

[cmdtrgd]

Di - most people (that I personally know from this board) aren't attacking you. They are trying to make sure that new consultants, like yourself, don't get incorrect information. It can be difficult to see people trying to take more from a company we love. I just had a catalog show of about $300 where they wanted to put all four orders on one so they could split the shipping between the three people. They even had stoneware on that. I don't know if you've ever tried to mail stoneware, but it costs MUCH more than the measly $4 that we charge!!! (On another note, there is a stamping company who has great products but charges 10% shipping - there is no way they aren't making money on that!) I digress, so we want to nip incorrect information in the bud as well as help you to figure out how to "legally work the system" and achieve your goals.

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

Consider it nipped. Can we move on please?

I personally combine orders ONLY if a) there is a strong relationship between the people doing the combining and b) if the orders are small and the shipping becomes about 10 percent of the order. For instance, I can't see somebody paying $4 shipping on an $8 item. Other DS companies charge 10 percent shipping, and I think that's fair in most cases.

Anyway .. I'm still on the books with the other company. But sales have dried up, hence the reason I'm here. The commission is 10 percent higher too, but 10 percent of nothing is still nothing.

 

[fikibiff]

Even if people are not intentionally attacking here, it comes off that way. Everyone needs to note that TYPING IN ALL CAPS MAKES IT LOOK LIKE YOU ARE SCREAMING AT SOMEONE!!!!! As well as the use of multiple explanation points. Simply explaining the rules or options that need to be followed should not involve screaming. Try to imagine that you are standing face to face with someone before you start typing. Not only will the message be received better, but the person typing will not come off as a ........... There are a lot of posts that I come across and think "wow, I hope I don't run into her at conference."

 

[chefmeg]

Even if people are not intentionally attacking here, it comes off that way. Everyone needs to note that TYPING IN ALL CAPS MAKES IT LOOK LIKE YOU ARE SCREAMING AT SOMEONE!!!!! As well as the use of multiple explanation points. Simply explaining the rules or options that need to be followed should not involve screaming. Try to imagine that you are standing face to face with someone before you start typing. Not only will the message be received better, but the person typing will not come off as a ........... There are a lot of posts that I come across and think "wow, I hope I don't run into her at conference."

When you post something like putting your cats name as the host for a show, you should really be prepared for what comes down the pike from this site.
I am personally trying to make sure that Di understands that this site has alot of intelligent and honest folks but this is not the place to come for the answers-HO or your Director are. There are people on this site that relish in getting an answer to you first whether it is right or not! I agree completely with Di's Director-I do not even tell my new Consultants about this site anymore because I don't want them to turn to this site instead of the resources we already have in place.
Thare are some good things about this site, like the files and recipes and most of the people, but know, Di, that when you put something in writing on here like you did about the cat, it will bite you in the hiney everytime!
I hope that you can put this one behind you and learn all you can about PC from your Director and fellow consultants~that is how it should be and was long before this site existed.
Good luck to you!

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

I mostly come here for the recipes and materials. Every once in a while I have a question and it is midnight when I think of it, and I can't call ANYBODY. I now realize it was a mistake to post it here. Not because I should have written it down and called somebody the next day, but because there are so many people who apparently take a misconception and throw it in your face days later.

I'm a moderator on another forum and am used to the people there, so I just expected this community to be the same. Silly me.

Anyway, I just realized I can edit my posts. I am debating whether to do so, but then again, my posts have been quoted and thrown in my face by others, so I really don't see the point.

Going to work now ...

 

[TwinGirlsMom]

Regardless of what is being said, we should all make the effort to go above and beyond to make sure that we are treating others the way we want to be treated.
Since it's hard to convey 'tone' in a forum like this, it's important that we do re-read our posts before submitting so we are sure that it can not be misconstrued as dishonoring someone.
Personally, I feel that when we dishonor others it's really a poor reflection on ourselves.

 

[pamperedposey]

Sorry...kind long and rambled.

Consider it nipped. Can we move on please?

I personally combine orders ONLY if a) there is a strong relationship between the people doing the combining and b) if the orders are small and the shipping becomes about 10 percent of the order. For instance, I can't see somebody paying $4 shipping on an $8 item. Other DS companies charge 10 percent shipping, and I think that's fair in most cases.

Anyway .. I'm still on the books with the other company. But sales have dried up, hence the reason I'm here. The commission is 10 percent higher too, but 10 percent of nothing is still nothing.

Ok, no caps, no exclamation points...

I'm only going to stick my 2 cents in this once and I'm not saying that I have never added the old $2 tongs or a Season's Best onto another order because that's all they wanted, but I'm also not saying that it wasn't wrong to do that either.

I think that if you listen to what these ladies are saying you will start to look at things from another point of view (if you try to be open minded, which I know is hard to do when you are feeling attacked). But I was thinking...when I go to Old Navy's website and they have $5 shipping and I am shopping in the clearance section as I always do, I might find a really cute shirt on clearance for a few dollars, but you betcha I'm going to add something else to my order if I know it's $5 shipping no matter how much I order. If I find a $3 shirt and shipping is $5 it's no longer a good deal, but if I find 3 or 4 other great bargains, then shipping is only $1 or so on each item (still a great bargain).

So my point is, sometimes we try to do things to help our business and we are really just hurting ourselves. If the lady wants the $8 item and you stick to the policy, she might just increase her order. I have had it happen.

Again, I'm not trying to sound like a hypocrite. I admit that I'm not perfect, but these ladies are looking out for everyone's best interest and I respect that they are willing to take the bashing and negative comments that are being thrown back their way and still stick to their morals. They've been around for a while and have seen what works and what doesn't. Maybe there is a reason why "sales dried up".

 

[jezabell49]

Ordering a host special for the consultant

Earn FREE products during Sell-a-thon and panarama. Take advantage of host special that the host doesn't purchase. Order products from the supply list. Then all of these can be used as incentive freebies.

Stacy,
How do you order the host special if your hostess doesn't order it. Do you add it to her order and pay for it yourself, and have her give it to you when it comes in?
Jez

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

Maybe there is a reason why "sales dried up".

Yes, there is a reason. The reason is that people in our area are very practical and tend to view the prior product line (jewelry) as a LUXURY. There were once four women in my church/circle of friends who sold it. There is now only one (the one who was my leader) and she has downsized her involvement considerably. I am not the only one who noticed it.

Sticking to your morals is one thing, but personal attacks are another. I am very hurt by the way I've been treated here, especially when I've said, time and time and time again, that I have thought better of the idea I had based on what I read here.

Thank you, TwinGirlsMom, for defending me.

Night all!

 

[BethCooks4U]

I know you think I attacked you but that couldn't be further from the truth. I even stated it wasn't personal toward you. That's not me. I would never attack anyONE (yes I know caps). I attack ideas that aren't ethical or are stretching things too far - not the person who gave the idea. You (a general you) need to be less sensitive when your ideas are corrected or questioned. It's not personal. Many come here for ideas and answers and it needs to be said over and over what is okay because there are always new people and they don't read all threads.

Sometimes I feel like the PC police, but judging from pms that I get thanking me for speaking up from people that say they wanted to say something but didn't want the attacks I get, I think someone should be a voice of reason and remind everyone of the "rules" and when they are crossing the line.

When I see ideas put forth that are obviously against company policy I feel that someone needs to stop that thought process. There are many young, inexperienced consultants on this board and many do take what is said here as bible. They don't go to HO or their director or their business guide. They come here. Putting your idea out here is not the bad thing - maybe you were just fishing for "is it okay to do this", I don't know.

You are new here and you don't know how many times people have come on and said that they did this or that to beat the system and get more from our very generous company.

For what it's worth, my philosophy has always been if (my mother, my husband, Jesus, the person I'm talking about) was behind me would I be embarrassed by what I just said or did?

Anyway, Di, I am sorry you feel it was personal. I wish you the best in your business and life.

 

[chefmeg]

Regardless of what is being said, we should all make the effort to go above and beyond to make sure that we are treating others the way we want to be treated.
Since it's hard to convey 'tone' in a forum like this, it's important that we do re-read our posts before submitting so we are sure that it can not be misconstrued as dishonoring someone.
Personally, I feel that when we dishonor others it's really a poor reflection on ourselves.

no one, and i mean no one, is dishonoring Di. when you come to this forum for help, you have to be very aware that what you are putting out there is going to be responded to by all types of people....hones and dishonest. several of us have been trying to let Di know that bending the rules is not the best way to start her business and by no means was anyone attacking her.

maybe the best thing to do is let this stop. i will not even be looking in this thread anymore and i hope all of you will do the same.

SO, that being said....it is now very cold (by my southern girl standards) here in Va. we woke up to 30 degrees this morning! how is it where you all are

 

[dannyzmom]

I know you think I attacked you but that couldn't be further from the truth. I even stated it wasn't personal toward you. That's not me. I would never attack anyONE (yes I know caps). I attack ideas that aren't ethical or are stretching things too far - not the person who gave the idea. You (a general you) need to be less sensitive when your ideas are corrected or questioned. It's not personal. Many come here for ideas and answers and it needs to be said over and over what is okay because there are always new people and they don't read all threads.

Sometimes I feel like the PC police, but judging from pms that I get thanking me for speaking up from people that say they wanted to say something but didn't want the attacks I get, I think someone should be a voice of reason and remind everyone of the "rules" and when they are crossing the line.

When I see ideas put forth that are obviously against company policy I feel that someone needs to stop that thought process. There are many young, inexperienced consultants on this board and many do take what is said here as bible. They don't go to HO or their director or their business guide. They come here. Putting your idea out here is not the bad thing - maybe you were just fishing for "is it okay to do this", I don't know.

You are new here and you don't know how many times people have come on and said that they did this or that to beat the system and get more from our very generous company.

For what it's worth, my philosophy has always been if (my mother, my husband, Jesus, the person I'm talking about) was behind me would I be embarrassed by what I just said or did?

Anyway, Di, I am sorry you feel it was personal. I wish you the best in your business and life.

Beth, I think I speak for all of us (and probably for HO as well) when i say that we appreciate the fact that you help point out what is right and help to point people in the right direction so they can be successful in their business.

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

It's all good ....

I've done some thinking, and I thought I needed to say the following before I stopped posting in this thread.

I realize I need to adjust my expectations. This is a new group of people that, bottom line, I really don't know.

I realize that maybe I need to have a thicker skin. I also realize that many of you are very zealous (and in your zeal, may have forgotten, just for a moment, how things you say may be perceived by others.

I don't appreciate my words being taken out of context, especially when I point out, in numerous posts, that the idea was one I had thought better of. And I REALLY don't appreciate being called a thief for something I have not even done, something I had decided, upon further reflection, not to do.

For the record, I am not able to turn this show in at this time. An order I had been promised has fallen through for the time being. The orders I have will probably be combined with another show. So the point of who was going to host the show is now moot.

I do appreciate posts that have served as a "voice of reason" but since I have stated, time and time and time again, that I have thought better of an idea I posted about several pages ago, I am begging you, CAN WE PLEASE MOVE ON and GET BACK TO THE TOPIC OF THIS THREAD?

THE POINT OF THE THREAD IS THIS:

Since I'm a TOTAL newbie, I have the same question when I read about various incentives, like discounts, gift certificates, and other promotional items.

How do you do it? Submit a catalog show and give them a discount using the host discount? Pay for the certificate or discount out of your own pocket?

I come to this business with three years of direct sales experience, with a very different mindset in many ways. In three years, I never made a profit, something I was determined to change with PC. And then I come here, and see people making their own sales, offering gift certificates, giving 20 percent discounts, and I wonder how in the world any of you are making money at this.

That is what I wanted to discuss here ... not an idea I brought up in one post (which I would delete if it hadn't been quoted so many times.)

To move this on to a lighter note:

It is cold here. Since this is a regional cold front, I imagine that it is frozen over in Hell, Michigan. And that is what I pretty much thought the forecast would be before I posted here again, but I have thought better of it. If we can return to the point of this conversation, I will read the posts. If not, I will move on.

Blessings,

Di

 

[legacypc46]

Di,
The incentives are completely optional and usually tied to some goal you are trying to achive.

For example, I love it when a host has a $1000 show. To help this happen, I offer $20 additional free product value if the host has 5 outside orders before her show (includes web orders). Since the average PC order is $50, five orders usually equates to $200-300 in sales. Having this amount of sales before her show, can be wonderfully motivating for the host.

This offer doesn't actually cost me $20. I apply her host discount to the $20 in product value, and pay the difference as a consultant gift. I spend around $14.50...more than worth it to me for a $1000 show.

As for your question about whether one can make money as a PC consultant: yes. :blushing:

leggy

 

[pamperedposey]

A good incetive I have heard is to tell the host that if she hits a $1000 show then she can have unlimited half price items. You add the items to the host's order, she pays half, you get the host's % off and your commission, so it costs you nothing, but you also make nothing on those orders. In long run you have just put your host in the $1000 show mindset, boosted your incentive points, and your actual sales (for Sell A Thon and such). HTH

 

[chefmeg]

A good incetive I have heard is to tell the host that if she hits a $1000 show then she can have unlimited half price items. You add the items to the host's order, she pays half, you get the host's % off and your commission, so it costs you nothing, but you also make nothing on those orders. In long run you have just put your host in the $1000 show mindset, boosted your incentive points, and your actual sales (for Sell A Thon and such). HTH

What a great thought! I love this and am going to have to coach like this from now on!

Di, I have given incentives in the past, but have decided to just get over it and let the already wonderful host benefits do the job.

As for people making money with PC...oh yeah, baby!!!

Also, I see your point about the threads on here-it could really make one think we were all spending what we made on incentives. I think it may be the time of year-with the end of the year comes the end of the incentive trip earning period and that may prompt folks to do things they would not normally do to earn the level they set their sites on!

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

My goal for this month is simply to qualify (turn in four shows) by my 30th day. It was to get to $1250 by then, but my expectations have become more realistic.The other shows are swimming along just dandy. The only ones that have fallen apart are MINE! Suddenly, my friends are too poor, my stepmother messed up her checking account and incurred an overdraft because I deposited the check she gave me, and everyone wants to delay their order. One friend even wants to cancel but her order is so small I told her I'd get them for her and she could consider it a gift! I am tempted to take $50 out of my pocket and bail the show out, but I made mistakes like that with the previous product line, and I promised myself I would not do that with PC!Anyway, I too am shooting for a goal, and that's why I was looking for some sort of incentive to offer.The $1,000 show idea is nice, but since this is my sister's first show with ANY plan I worry that it would put too much pressure on her. Plus she's got ENOUGH on her plate without adding this to it!

 

[wadesgirl]

You don't have to say "You HAVE to have a $1000 show for me!". You host coach her towards it without mentioning something like that. Talk to her about making sure to send out all 40 invites, collecting 7 outside orders before her show, doing reminder phone calls, sending email invites, and then collecting orders after her show. This will usually guarantee a wonderful show! Hosting coaching is one of the most important parts of our business. Even if it is your sister, if you don't want her to feel like you are pushing her, tell her that you need to practice host coaching for future shows and to do what you need to do for those other shows. That way she doesn't totally feel like you are telling her what to do but helping you out.

When is your sister's show? Can you add those orders to her show? What about just getting people some Christmas presents with the extra money you need to spend? I struggled when I first started but I promise that if you work it, it will work for you!

 

[chefmeg]

You don't have to say "You HAVE to have a $1000 show for me!". You host coach her towards it without mentioning something like that. Talk to her about making sure to send out all 40 invites, collecting 7 outside orders before her show, doing reminder phone calls, sending email invites, and then collecting orders after her show. This will usually guarantee a wonderful show! Hosting coaching is one of the most important parts of our business. Even if it is your sister, if you don't want her to feel like you are pushing her, tell her that you need to practice host coaching for future shows and to do what you need to do for those other shows. That way she doesn't totally feel like you are telling her what to do but helping you out.

When is your sister's show? Can you add those orders to her show? What about just getting people some Christmas presents with the extra money you need to spend? I struggled when I first started but I promise that if you work it, it will work for you!

Very wise words!

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

I have it on my agenda to make a second call to my sister ....

My goal is to have FOUR parties in my first 30 days. My sister's party will be its own, as will my friend's . I have another book party out so these orders I have would have been my fourth. Throw these orders on with another party, and that eliminates one of my four. I was very discouraged.

As it happens, my other book party hostess has not done all that well either. However, she will see family over the holiday. Since people have told both of us that they will probably be able to order the first of the month, and since she really wants the November specials, we agreed to co-host this party. She'll get the Simple Additions at 60 percent off which I really don't want or need, and we'll also co-host a show on Dec. 1... which would be a fourth one. As long as we can submit the second show by Dec. 4, it's within my first 30 days. Goal achieved ... if things work out the way they should.

That doesn't mean I'm not also doing everything I can to have another show by the end of the month, so I can be more assured of meeting my goal.

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

Oh, and in my last plan, I found myself spending too much money on the product. Little things that added up, like taking advantage of a discount if a customer didn't want it. And then that product would be retired when the next catalog came out.

I promised myself I would NOT MAKE THAT MISTAKE with this product. What is the point in spending $50 just to get $50 in PC dollars?

My parents have made it very clear that they want Home Depot gift cards for Christmas, and almost everybody else on my list is age 15 and under ...

 

[wadesgirl]

Just do what you can do, if you try and don't make qualify within your 30 days, at least you tried. Keeping working at it.

One thing, a consultant is not allowed to co-host a party. You can help by inviting people and collecting orders to help but your name cannot be on the show when you submit it in PP or P3.

Book parties can be a little frustrating. I really try to help my book party hosts alot more normal. I offer them a free gift (a mini serving spatula) if they give me 5 orders with in their first week. That way I can tell that they are working on it. I also try to help them come up with ideas on how to get orders like putting a catalog in their purse so it's sticking out for people to see it.

 

[Christ Follower]

Good Luck DI! Just remember, it goes to 90 days, so if you don't make the 30, there's still time to earn those PC dollars. Plus, this company is always offering the best incentives so there will be more chances in the future to get some goodies!

 

[chefmeg]

I think it is really admirable that you are trying to get the 4 shows in your first 30 days! When I was at the Directors Training Day last month, they were talking to us about getting our new consultants off to a great start~they like us as Directors to focus on the fact that you have 90 days to grow your business and that the 30 days thing is a BONUS! You are already leaps and bounds beyond what most people are focusing on~good luck!

 

[Jules711]

I have to admit that I was shocked by the show in the cat's name...only b/c it wasn't a person. I agree about offering incentives (been there, done that). Too many cheapens our host benefits b/c they really ARE great. Even if another company gives more free, can they really walk away with as much? We have a great variety of prices. Also, when commissions are higher, much of the time the consultants are expected to pay some of the host incentives. I'm glad I don't have to. However, as I earn a decent commission, sometimes I DO give 20% any one item or something. If I have discontinued items I don't want, I might give those as an incentive, but typically, I do Mystery Host shows so that everyone is doing the work, but someone really gets rewarded. I do put shows that I'm technically doing in someone else's name quite often, but it's usually the highest order or someone that collected some orders for me.I agree...don't spend a lot on product. You don't have to have everything. You'll earn a lot along the way. REALLY! Oh...and friends/family NOT usually the best hosts. Sometimes they do try (my mom and Grandma & a few friends are my best hosts), but I have a ton of family and only 2 really did anything. I think they feel that if they don't try/don't do well, you'll still love them. It gets MUCH better after awhile so just be patient. Don't be discouraged even if your first 4 months are just okay. Get your name out that you are doing PC. Follow up with customers and check in with them as often as they'd like. The great thing with PC is that your list of customers grows and grows. People have a ton and still want more or CAN buy gifts for others (vs home interiors or jewelry which is more personal and less versatile). Oh...on that note. You MAY be able to buy some gifts for the teens. I just had 2 at my show on Monday with their wish lists ready for their moms. This is a GREAT site. Yes, people get fired up, but that's because it's frustrating to be trying to follow the rules and others profit by not doing the same. I say this as someone who has definitely bent the rules at times and no one can get on too high of a horse b/c we all do things that we shouldn't. Not pointing fingers, just stating a fact. In the end, PC is FUN. I love it and I love all of the info on this site. I don't like the defensiveness I come across. I, honestly, didn't think they were personally attacking you, but that's b/c those frustrations have been discussed elsewhere. Don't be afraid to ask questions. We LOVE to give our 2 cents!!