Maximizing Military Host Shows: Tips from Experienced Hosts | Your Brand Name

[nikked]

Okay. I am faced with an issue that I am hoping that those of you in the military can help me with.

I have finally "diagnosed" the issue I am having with shows on base. I know that my hosts are inviting non-military affiliated guests, and they are making telephone calls, etc. The night of their show, they are only having a few show, and it's always the same ones. Now, to be honest, this part makes me feel good I have a devoted following and I really appreciate it! But, I am trying to figure out how to increase my hosts shows so they can get what they want.

I know that most people think its a pain to get on base, and to be honest, it is! Our base, in particular, has really intense security because they do a lot of top secret stuff here. We know it's different from other bases, even now, because of TDYs.

So, if you have dealt with this issue before, could you please share on how you host coached, got around the issue, etc.? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks!

 

[stephanieboyd]

Nicole,

I know exactly what you mean!!! Our bases in Europe and overseas in general are very difficult to get on!! We have to have an id cardholder sign in every guest every time they hit a gate!! We do have one option that most bases don't have, that is to get a visitor their own temporary id card. We did this during the holidays for my parents because we were going to be on and off several bases at a time. They still had to have one or both of us with them when they hit the gate!

The only solution that I can think of, is avoid it all!! When you are having a show on base, only invite id cardholders. Try a whole dorm party, for the single guys and a whole building extravagansa for the family housing units. Try branching out to off-base locations to hit that customer base. You have to be meeting military families that don't live on base. Try inviting lots of non-military to those parties!!

I hope this helps!!!

 

[Dawn]

I get that problem all the time and its not because of our security, its because our base is far out of town and no one likes to drive out here. And Our housing is right out side of base so we don't always have MA's checking the gate since were not secured. But everyone always asks about gettingon to the base and we have to explain to them that housing isn't secured. But people still don't show up. So I understand how you feel and i'm not sure what else you can do...its hard.

 

[WendyAebi]

I tell military hosts to still invite everyone they can think of, and when they get a yes from a civilian friend, to go the extra mile and arrange a ride for them with another guest who has base access. Or, if it's someone who would be uncomfortable riding with a stranger, invite them to bring a military member/spouse that they know--A great way to emphasize "bring a friend" You can also tell them to tell people to meet at the Domino's outside the gate, and have the host zip out and pick them up in her car at 6:55.

 

[kitchencop]

Non-Military AccessIf you are looking to bring on non-id card members to shows, contact your base Security Department and ask what they require for access. Sometimes all you have to provide is an access list with their names, drivers license number, vehicle and plate number. The Security department can then do checks and allow approved guests access. This list can then be at the gate along with your contact number in case of an issue. When your guests arrive, they present their drivers license and as long as everything matches they can have access. This also depends on how Security is at your base. Bases with highly classified locations can require escorts. But I recommend calling the Security Department and request information on what your hosts can do. We have that problem here and do all we can to help outside guests attend as well. One or two of these can also lead to non-military customers if you go the extra mile to get them on.

 

[nikked]

This is the track...

Sometimes all you have to provide is an access list with their names, drivers license number, vehicle and plate number. The Security department can then do checks and allow approved guests access.

This is what I'm going to check into tomorrow, but thought I would check other options. I think that this type of thing isn't available here (from what I've been hearing), but I want to check on it myself.

Thanks!!!

 

[nikked]

I love this site!!!

I tell military hosts to still invite everyone they can think of, and when they get a yes from a civilian friend, to go the extra mile and arrange a ride for them with another guest who has base access. Or, if it's someone who would be uncomfortable riding with a stranger, invite them to bring a military member/spouse that they know--A great way to emphasize "bring a friend" You can also tell them to tell people to meet at the Domino's outside the gate, and have the host zip out and pick them up in her car at 6:55.

One of the many reasons I love this site...great ideas I would never think of, and twists on ideas I already have! This would really only work for afternoon or very early evening shows, but it is definitely a start. At this base, they check the ids of everyone in the car after 6 p.m., and if they don't have an id, they have to get a pass...yuck!!! Plus, our pass system is new, and requires the social security number of the guest, and the person signing them on (not just the Sponsor's SSN)...a lot of my friends are really uncomfortable providing this information!

Issues, issues, issues! Keep the ideas coming!!!

 

[janel kelly]

I'm military spouse as well and the best thing for my busniess was getting shows off base. I don't know why but my shows done on base didn't turn out so well. For my first several months with PC my shows were done with military hosts on base. They were all nice hosts but for some reason the number of guests who showed up was always low and the sales were not very high at all. I still don't know exactly why. My hosts would say they expected 10-15 people and 3 would show up. I don't know if they were lying to me or if people were so rude to say they were coming and never showed up. Its not like I was looking for big numbers or anything but I always felt so bad for my hosts because no one would show up for them. And then people on the military base just don't spend much money. It may be because we don't make as much as much, like I said I don't know. When I started getting hosts who lived in down my sales have skyrocketed since then. I have been so surprised by the difference. My director had kept saying to try to get shows off base but I didn't really think it would be that much of a difference. My hosts off base have been fabulous and many of them have $700 + shows. I think it may be because they have lived in the area alot longer and have lots of friends and family. Like I said it has made a huge difference in my business. I'm so thankful to have been able to branch off from the base. I don't know if my story will help at all but I just wanted to share what I've experienced.

 

[nikked]

Bump...here it is...again!Hi. Just wanted to give this a "bump" in case anybody else had any great ideas out there!

Thanks!!!

 

[nikked]

UpdateHi. Just wanted to let everyone know that I finally figured out how to beat the system!

At least on our base, if there are AT LEAST 10 non-base affiliated names on a list, they do not have to get an actual pass. And, no-shows don't matter. So, I figure as long as the host has at least 5 non-base affiliated attending, we can use other friends' names, starting with the "maybes" and "I don't know yets", and going from there. I am attaching the form letter I created for my hosts to give to the police.

Hope this information is helpful to some Cheffer out there!

 

[kristenskitchen]

I live on Scott AFB, the average show around here is $450, so with that, I really emphasize to my on-base hosts they need to try and get as many outside orders as possible. I tell them if they have friends who sound hesitant to come on base, to tell them to shop online and book a show! That gives my host an incentive to get bookings so she can get the special at their show and also help out their friends. I tell her to say something like "I understand you are uncomfortable with coming on base, how about you check out the website and then book a show and then you'll already have one guaranteed guest...me!" That helps me get off base AND serves the host and guests at the same time. Just my thoughts. I love the car-pooling idea! Maybe to take that a step further, ask one of your neighbors that has an ID to be your "chauffer" and you'll give them free shipping on their order?? Just an idea.

~Kristen

 

[ChefJesssica]

Maybe the reason military shows don't do well is because usually people living on base are broke! Atleast on our base, people don't live in housing unless they are broke and have only one spouse working. Many military wives decline to show up because they feel guilty not buying alot. I think the best way is to expect low shows on base and venture off as much as you can! Not that military families don't love Pampered Chef, but with only one spouse working and one at home with the kids, there is NO wiggle room! People will buy lower quality cooking ware because they just can't dish out the money for more. I have done a litttle better with the wives on base who have part time jobs, but usually, if they are both working (atleast over here) they will move to a house so they don't have to live in the horrible housing!