My First Booking Blitz: How Did It Go?

[loreedfk]

I am participating in my first booking blitz tonight and I'm actually nervous!!

So, how many of you have done this and what were your results?

 

[pamperedalf]

I did it for myslf after conference, and I got 4 bookings. 3 for August and 1 for spetember!!!

 

[ChefinHarmony]

Can you explain - what is a "Booking Blitz?"
Thanks!
Joanne

 

[gilliandanielle]

I wanna know too!!

 

[pamperedalf]

What I was told, is you get on the phone for a half hour or hour and call all your booking leads. Tell them that you are doing a booking blitz challange and need their help to win. Also tell every person that they were the first person you thought of. They told us this bookings to fill your calendar class at conference.
Some people set timers, so your on the phone for the whole period.You can also do this as a cluster challange and reward the person with the most bookings. I hope this makes sense.

 

[loreedfk]

We are doing it as a cluster. We are on a conference call first to go over what to say and then we have an hour to make our calls and then everyone is to get back on the conference call to report their results!!!

 

[chefjeanine]

If you want an "excuse" to make calls, you can have a pretend blitz. . .or call a P-chef friend and challenge him or her. That way you can say, as you are making your calls, "I'm in a contest".

I may have to do this myself as I am having a VERY difficult time making myself get on the phone. Ugh.

 

[gchef]

Jeanine (& others),

It's almost encouraging to see that you have 5 years doing this & still feel like that. I've really been dragging my feet, too, about getting on the phone.
It's a great idea, though. It's kind of late now, but maybe some of us could do a challenge tomorrow amongst each other(?). OR . . . I will try to find someone here to do this with.

There aren't many people in my cluster and everyone has another job. I still feel like a beginner bc I haven't done very many shows in 2 years' time, and don't know many people bc I'm not from this area.

I _REALLY_ appreciate this site, bc I feel I need more encouragement or comraderie than I get from my director/cluster. I just happened upon it a few months ago, then almost forgot about it and found it again. (Whew! Thank God!) This is actually the first time I've written anything, but want to say again how thankful I am for all of the very, very, helpful posts I have been reading.

gchef

 

[mommyhugz1978]

WOW.....that is a great idea I will have to try that and see how that works for me.

 

[pamperedgirl3]

Great idea! I'll tell ya, conference really gave me a new perspective on calling. I HATE the phone (even calling people I know) & REALLY hated calling customers, hosts, etc. I always found an excuse not to. But after seeing everyone walk (yeah you!), I realized that I have to if I want my business to grow. First day I called after conference, I got an August booking! I've made a list in my Franklin Covey planner each day for who I'm calling & I just call. I don't care what they say-I'm more pleased with myself that I'm actually calling! It really is getting easier each day & I don't dread picking up the phone anymore! So just make yourself start & it'll get easier!

 

[gchef]

Thanks Christy. That's really encouraging. It helps to know HOW you overcome something that seems hard.

 

[heat123]

Great idea! I'll tell ya, conference really gave me a new perspective on calling. I HATE the phone (even calling people I know) & REALLY hated calling customers, hosts, etc. I always found an excuse not to. But after seeing everyone walk (yeah you!), I realized that I have to if I want my business to grow. First day I called after conference, I got an August booking! I've made a list in my Franklin Covey planner each day for who I'm calling & I just call. I don't care what they say-I'm more pleased with myself that I'm actually calling! It really is getting easier each day & I don't dread picking up the phone anymore! So just make yourself start & it'll get easier!

I am soo in the sambe boat as you! (Hate talking to anyone on the phone really) but I came to the realization just last night that I need to pick up the phone (no matter how scared I am Or dread the idea) and just start making those calls to grow my business! It's nice to read I am not the only one who's trying to overcome this phone phobia! Thanks for your words of advice and encouragement!

 

[lizcooks4u]

re: booking blitz's

I am soo in the sambe boat as you! (Hate talking to anyone on the phone really) but I came to the realization just last night that I need to pick up the phone (no matter how scared I am Or dread the idea) and just start making those calls to grow my business! It's nice to read I am not the only one who's trying to overcome this phone phobia! Thanks for your words of advice and encouragement!

We did this at our Valley wide meeting (I live in the LRGV of S. TX) anyways, I love the phone, but hate making these types of calls, but the minute I said I was in a booking blitz / contest I had a great turn out. I thought of saying that many times just not too much to the same customers, but to try and get more shows.

I've done great primarily doing catalog shows, but sure would like the higher sales so I'm trying to gear myself up for more home shows.

I used to love to cook, but it's a real pain now. My hardest parts of PC are getting the doughs to cooperate, I rarely get them rolled/stretched whatever and if I have such a hard time at home, how in the world will I be at someone else's home??? LOL I really need to find some very simple things to start off with and have a home show at the end of the month too.

Good Luck everyone!

 

[pamperedgirl3]

It's nice to know I'm not alone in my dread of the phone! Or should I say former dread of the phone!

 

[dcypcar.chef]

If you have a hard time with french bread dough, like I did, an Exec. director told me that you can substitute pizza dough for any recipe that calls for the french bread dough. It is much easier to work with.

I also love the idea of a booking blitz. I had almost forgot about this idea. Our cluster usually does this as a cluster challenge in the winter. Very spur of the moment type thing. Our director calls us all of a sudden during the "big " snow storm when we are all stuck in our houses( and so is everyone else) and it gives us something to do and we don't get as many answering machines. People are also itching to get out, so asking them to get together with friends just seems to fit. It is usually very productive.

 

[MicheleC]

gchef and everyone else,

We have never done a booking blitz and I would love to do one today with anyone who wants to participate. Another thing I read on one of the threads was saying that you have a certain goal and you only need a couple more people to help you meet that goal. People like to feel like they are the one to help you make it to the end. Of course we've always got to keep stretching our goals.

I don't know what the best way is to do a blitz with everyone here. Maybe just have it all day instead of a short time period and then check in tonight or tomorrow morning to see how everyone does? Rather than a physical prize I'd say the prize is the kudos we all get from each other for getting out there and getting on the phone!

I've been surprised how hard I make this sometimes! It's either too early and people are having dinner, it's getting too late and they may be getting kids to bed, the moon is full...I can always make an excuse for not just picking up the phone and calling!

Michele

 

[mrssyvo]

I am heading out of town for the day, so I will miss the BLITZ, but I am going to do it tomorrow- anyone game for tomorrow? Or I can use a make-believe blitz. Something else I realized, if I do not kick it into gear, I am going to miss out on my incentive trip. I will probably make the San Fransisco trip if I keep up my momentum, but I had myheart set on the Bahamas. I think during my blitz, I will mention that I really need their help, not only to win the challenge, but to make the trip !!!

 

[MicheleC]

OK, did anyone participate in the blitz today? I hope so since I made myself sit down and get on the dreaded phone . I had one customer that talked for over 20 minutes ...I really have to learn to get through those faster! She did give me a wedding registry lead with her niece and is thinking about a show though.

So got four shows booked in September and two calling me back this weekend with dates...definately want to do September or October shows so I would say it was a big success! I also got ahold of recruiting leads and am putting together my own opportunity night next Tuesday night and have three ladies showing up...not any of the ones that booked a show as they may use it as a jumping off point for their own business.

Really helped me get back on track after pretty much taking the summer off.

Hope everyone else had success as well!

 

[chefkeri]

I seem to only be able to steal time to make calls. I am always uneasy about calling. I just put on my happy voice & go gung ho! I Blitz about 1-2 x per month personal & group. It always works! you also get to catch up on what your customers are doing ~ using their new/not so new products? need recipes? customer care? friends, brides, fundraisers. I pack a lot into a 10 minute call. If someone is short, I just say, try you back soon. Thanks. So far, knowone has hung up on me... yet.

 

[pamperedgirl3]

Congrats, Michele! I think I may try that next week. I have a show tomorrow night & don't really want to do it over the weekend. Great ideas, everyone & thanks! I've been trying to get on the phone more & a contest is a great way to call those maybes!

 

[gilliandanielle]

Thanks for this idea! I am mailing out invites for my sneak peek this week and I am going to follow up this weekend or Monday night to get more RSVP's and turn it into a booking blitz! I love the idea of saying it is a contest. Technically if you make a goal for yourself of how may shows you want you could be in a "contest" with yourself to make it to your goal!!

 

[mommyhugz1978]

I told my director about it.. and at our next cluster meeting we are doing our own booking blitz. I will let you guys know how it works out!!!

 

[hmolah]

Our cluster does this. I unfortunately have never been available when they do it, but I hear and see how everyone benefits from it! My director gets a conference call going (we dial into a number) and she tells everyone what to say, and gives us all goals, and then we're all supposed to call and book shows. It has proven pretty successful to everyone! I wish I had the time or availability when they did it! Maybe next time!

 

[its_me_susan]

Jeanine (& others),

It's almost encouraging to see that you have 5 years doing this & still feel like that. I've really been dragging my feet, too, about getting on the phone.
It's a great idea, though. It's kind of late now, but maybe some of us could do a challenge tomorrow amongst each other(?). OR . . . I will try to find someone here to do this with.

There aren't many people in my cluster and everyone has another job. I still feel like a beginner bc I haven't done very many shows in 2 years' time, and don't know many people bc I'm not from this area.

I _REALLY_ appreciate this site, bc I feel I need more encouragement or comraderie than I get from my director/cluster. I just happened upon it a few months ago, then almost forgot about it and found it again. (Whew! Thank God!) This is actually the first time I've written anything, but want to say again how thankful I am for all of the very, very, helpful posts I have been reading.

gchef

We are so glad you decided to post to us! Report back with your results after your hour!

I'm trying to make sure I spend:

15 minutes making booking calls
15 minutes making recruiting calls
15 minutes - customer care (how do you like your chopper? would you like a recipe? How about a show or a fundraiser)

15 minutes - organizing my stuff

 

[mrssyvo]

Does anyone want to join me for a booking blitz this afternoon? We could say we are in a contest- the prize? A fantastic Fall selling season !!!

 

[susans_kitchen]

Well shoot, I did a mini one of these and didn't even mention a contest and managed to book 2 shows last night off the folks from a show I did July 9th. None of them had wanted to book at the show. September's looking up!

 

[mrssyvo]

I just printed off my sheet of 100 no's (attached) and am going to use that while I do my booking blitz. I also forwarded a copy to my team, and issued a challenge to see who can be the first to get out 100 no's.

 

[krzymomof4]

Has anyone had any luck with one of these on the weekends?

 

[mrssyvo]

When our cluster has them, they are usually on Sunday evening about 7-9 PM. They have not had one in awhile.

 

[chefjeanine]

"See the people"

Has anyone had any luck with one of these on the weekends?

I don't think it matters if it's a weekend or weekday. You'll miss people anytime you call. I suggest you make a script for your phone calls. You'll need two. One for if they answer and one for the answering machine -- you want to be ready either way. Look at the Customer Care Call Scripts for ideas. With the new selling season ahead, there is plenty of information to share.

Don't spend more than 15 minutes creating your script -- I know you. You'll perfect your script and then run out of time to make the calls. (Do I sound like the voice of experience?)

If you're like most of us, the most important thing is that you pick up the phone and make the calls. In the words of Belinda "see the people" (or at least talk to them).

Jeanine