Maximizing Your Guest List: Tips for Mailing Invites to Hosts

[yummybytes]

I ask them when I'm giving them the host kit if they would prefer to write them or email them to me. IF they prefer to type it, I email them a label template (Same size as Avery 5160's in Word). If they prefer to write it, I give them TWO of the Home office sheets and a SASE to send it back to me. I've had others who are tech savvy and have sent spread sheets to me as well and I just import them into Word as a Mail Merge onto the Avery Template.

Hope This Helps!!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

So, many of you say you wait on a guest list. Do you give your host labels to write out the guest list on? If so, do you use the labels you can order from HO or do you just use plain white address labels?

Just curious. I'm thinking about offering this "service" to future hosts and am trying to get ideas. TIA!

I have found the labels from HO to be very difficult to use - smaller than the avery labels, and they just look messy........

 

[hoosierchef]

I have found the labels from HO to be very difficult to use - smaller than the avery labels, and they just look messy........

Just wondering. I had never seen them before. I like the idea of the template though. Thanks Jennifer!!

 

[pamperedgirl3]

So, many of you say you wait on a guest list. Do you give your host labels to write out the guest list on? If so, do you use the labels you can order from HO or do you just use plain white address labels?

Just curious. I'm thinking about offering this "service" to future hosts and am trying to get ideas. TIA!

I just give them a sheet of paper that I got on here that has space for the guests' name & address. Then I use a template I found on here that I have saved in Word that I type the host's info & the addresses on to print right onto the invitations. I found when I was using the ones from our paperwork/supply that they were hard to read & I also always had to tape them on to stick. It takes me no more than 10 minutes to get my invitations ready now using the computer template.

 

[pollyscooking]

I've never used the postcard invitations!!!!!???! WHAT?????? True. Most of my hostesses have access to e-mail and they like to be able to personalize the invitation and send it out... We're living in the electronic age.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I've never used the postcard invitations!!!!!???! WHAT?????? True. Most of my hostesses have access to e-mail and they like to be able to personalize the invitation and send it out... We're living in the electronic age.

Wow! must be nice...someone needs to tell my hosts that we are in the electronic age - alot of them don't know it yet! (And I myself am much more apt to remember an invitation if I receive it in my snail mail!)

 

[Brandie]

I love the star search idea! Hot dog! I am going to start doing that!

Thanks!

 

[MGG]

I like the ideas everyone is sharing about sending out invites, but I've found on the last few shows I tried this with I did not receive a guest list. Should I really just cancel their show? I am so nervous about doing that; isn't a small show better than no show? However i have been burned with a few tiny--no way you invited people--type of show.

 

[dwyerkim]

I like the ideas everyone is sharing about sending out invites, but I've found on the last few shows I tried this with I did not receive a guest list. Should I really just cancel their show? I am so nervous about doing that; isn't a small show better than no show? However i have been burned with a few tiny--no way you invited people--type of show.

Did you check in with the host to see what is going on? I wouldn't write it off until you touch base, but my guess is you'll be able to figure out a lot from their response to a "where are you"--said in a nice way of course!--kind of call.

I am in the process of switching over to this. My next two shows that are far enough out to do this are end of May and beginning of June, and I sent both hosts postcards to save the date and encouraged them to start making their guest list now. I intend to pay postage if they give me 40+ names, and I'm going to request $15 up front for their demo ingredients. I feel a little nervous asking for that but I think that is all me--if I just explain "that's how I do it and it saves you addressing invitations, paying postage, and grocery shopping" then I ought to be able to get them on board.

Thanks all for posting the files on this thread... I now have great stuff to work with to put in a guest list letter to send out!

 

[PamperedChefDebi]

I have one question.....Do all the hosts REALLY have their friends' addresses? I mean, I know I don't have my friends' addresses, only e-mails. Because of this, would I offer to e-mail everyone?

 

[chefsrpampered]

I am just wanting too see how many of you mail your invites for the host. I figured instead of totally hijacking another thread I would post out here to get some more information and help. Baychef has already given me a lot of insight and I would like to thank her for that!

I am going to give mailing invites a go, but I am a little unsure of the wording and letters used. I want to sell this too my hosts as a great way to get guests, blah blah, but need some help. Does anyone have a letter made up they would be willing to post?

Thanks guys, and thanks to BayChef for getting me motivated to do this.
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I don't like to send e-vites, some end up as spam. I sent out 35 e-vites (4 at a time) last week and when I went to the show yesterday, the hostess told me only 2 people actually received them. So from now on I will mail the invitations for my hostesses. It gives them the motivation to tell people about their show and I am sure that they were sent invitations. They also tend to go through their phone book and invite more people than they originally thought of. I know that I am eating the cost of the stamps, but it has been worth it in the past.