My First Show Yesterday-Not so Happy

[mommyhugz1978]

BIG ((((((((((HUGS)))))) I am so sorry that your first show was like that.... but it will only get better.. keep your chin up... do you have any future shows lined up soon?

 

[lizcooks4u]

Wonderful

Sorry this happened to you. Here is some notes from our Spring Regionals that may offer some suggestions to avoid this situation in the future.

One question? Did you practice your presentation? This was helpful for me when I started. I went through it several times on my own and pretended like I was really doing my show. Then I made my mom and sister come over and I did the presentation for them and had them critique me. It was irritating (nobody likes criticism) but I was thankful, because they brought up some points that I didn't think of.

Anyway there is an idea here about negativity police. Julie suggests using squirt guns (not for me) I will use a police car with a siren on it.

Hope these help you. Don't get discouraged the first show is always nerve racking. It does get easier. If you don't know the answer just say let's look that up in the catalog or Please jot that question on the back of the (lead) slip I gave you and I will find out and call you about it.

Thanks for sharing!!!

Liz

 

[lizcooks4u]

Congrats!!

I agree with "move on"!!! Don't let that bunch discourage you.

OK, here is my first show experience:

My husbands ex-wife, whom I had NEVER met came to that show. She new it was my first show and a friend of mine was doing it, (she worked with her and I knew that but didn't expect her to be there!! I tried to take the high road because when my friend mentioned it to me, she said, "I won't invite her if you don't want me to but I just felt bad inviting everyone that I work with except for her" Of course, I tried to be professional about it and said, "I don't care, we are both adults and I didn't meet my husband until long after they were divorced so I have no shame!!" (She cheated on him and did unspeakable things) I really thought that she would just bow out gracefully and if nothing else, just give her co-worker and outside order and not show up!! I mean, did she really think that I didn't know what she did to him??? WRONG!!! She came and continuously asked me questions throughout the show and made me a nervous wreck. I decided she is a WITCH!! Everyone at that show knew that she was my husbands EX and that I was very uncomfortable, the other guests were even apologizing to me after the show!!! I was even scared she would want to book a show and then what would I do. I just don't know if I could have handled that!!! (She didn't THANK GOD!!) But, I do believe that she only came to that show to size me up. again, WHAT A WITCH!!! So, anyway, my point is, it only got better. After the first one, with the witch and the 1st show jitters, the worst was behind me.

Needless to say, I never wanted to do another show again. But, I got over it and moved on. And a year later, I am doing GREAT!!!! Don't let any of them get to you.

Like everyone else has said so far, (I usually post before reading all the posts too!!) move on and we've all had them, but with PC it not only is GREAT in many ways but we learn so much from shows, this board, etc. it will get better and don't let the nasty ones win by quitting or giving up!!!

Liz

 

[SillyChef]

Hey Holly.

I am a newer consultant as well. I am thankful that I haven't had that kind of show before. I have some where only 1-2 people show up and you feel completely terrible. BUT - It does get better. Keep moving forward. You will get some people who are just AWESOME! Good luck!

 

[KellyRedHead]

Hey Jilliesue!What do you do for the raffle (free shipping, product, etc) and do you just use tickets? Also what is wam?
Do you do the fluted pan cake there (and demo or before guests get there) or at home?
Would love to have a $1300 show!!

Thanks for that show outline from the fall DVD! That was a lot of work!

Kelly

That demo on that FALL DVD 2006 is perfect to follow for first shows.....I am telling ya. I follow that to a T.., added in my fluted pan cake and some raffle tickets and wam..had a 1300.00 show. I mean, I know..those crowds will be out there..but that demo is soooo neat and organized. It's just really perfect for first time consultants to STAY ON TRACK.
I am so sorry about that show...but like every said, get them out of your head. There is no excuse for people to act like that....its ridiculous.

 

[MissChef]

I just had to respond to this!
My second show was simular to this and I had a professional chef in the crowd and she thought her sh** didn't stink!! She thought she knew everything and was RUDE about everything! Saying how she had tools that were better and how stupid some of our stuff was! I was really tripping out, wanted to cry! But the host worked with me and had become a really good friend, it was her aunt!! Anyway~ She told her "Well then, I guess you are the stupid one that hasn't marketed your "stuff" then! Until you do, shut up! And if you are not enjoying yourself, leave and then everyone else can enjoy themselves!" WOW! She was so mad at her Aunt and apologized profusely (sp?)! So even if you didn't get that reaction from your host, just remember this is NOT THE NORM! I have now done close to 400 shows and it's never been that hard since! Keep doing it! You won't regret it! In our lives we will face tribulation! Keep pushing forward, it's probably that you're meant to do this and that is why it's happening, keep going you won't be disappointed!

And as far as your show length! That would be the one thing that I would not do! 1 recipe! That's it!!!! If you want to do a dessert, have your host make up 2 brownie mixes when you get there, bake it in the bar pan (the smell makes the guest go crazy when they walk in!) and when it comes out, have her top it with a couple scoops of peanut butter and 1-2 cup chocolate chips (amount depends on the hosts' likes). Let it melt and then spread it out. Then chop her favorite candy bar and sprinkle it on top. You've demoed the chopper and you have a stone recipe. If your A recipe required the chopper already, then chop the candy bar in advance and just sprinkle it on! You don't have to demo anything and they LOVE IT! (Peanut allergies? Use Andes chocolate covered peppermints!!! It's sooooo goood!) I don't play any games (sometimes I do) and my show average is about $650.00! Maybe one game would be cool and I'm thinking about it!
Hang in there, as everyone says, bless and release and move on! IT WILL GET BETTER! You did the right thing coming here to the board to vent, let us build you up and then go out there and do it again! It's like riding a bike, if you fall, get back up and ride again! You'll make it, don't let rude people control you!
Good luck and God Bless!


Don't make this hard on yourself! That's all I'm trying to say

 

[chefann]

I just had to respond to this!
My second show was simular to this and I had a professional chef in the crowd and she thought her sh** didn't stink!! She thought she knew everything and was RUDE about everything! Saying how she had tools that were better and how stupid some of our stuff was! I was really tripping out, wanted to cry!

I think sometimes having a professional in the group can actually make things worse. They know all the fancy techniques, so they don't need the "goofy" gadgets to make life easier.

So even if you didn't get that reaction from your host, just remember this is NOT THE NORM! I have now done close to 400 shows and it's never been that hard since! Keep doing it! You won't regret it! In our lives we will face tribulation! Keep pushing forward, it's probably that you're meant to do this and that is why it's happening, keep going you won't be disappointed!
...
Hang in there, as everyone says, bless and release and move on! IT WILL GET BETTER! You did the right thing coming here to the board to vent, let us build you up and then go out there and do it again! It's like riding a bike, if you fall, get back up and ride again! You'll make it, don't let rude people control you!
Good luck and God Bless!

Don't make this hard on yourself! That's all I'm trying to say

Absolutely! Not every show can be the perfect one. Just get back in that apron, back next to that counter and make the next show even better!

 

[Carlee Spradlin]

I have my first show Monday, and I have to say I'm nervous!
I just wanted to tell you I'm new to the site and biz and I was reading all the posts. I saw your Bible Verse. That's the verse I've been thinking on for 2 days! It blessed me just to see it out there again! Thanks for the encouragement!

 

[holly1594]

Sorry for not posting sooner! I work for the government and we are having a BIG audit in a couple of weeks. So, I have been working over! You know...crossing our "T's" and dotting our "I's"...shredding papers (okay just kidding about the papers!)
I really appreciate everyone's advice! You all do not know how much everyone means to me! I wish that everyone was as nice as all of you! Thank you for lifting my spirit, and all the great advice!

 

[micocina]

Jill,
I've heard you talk about the DVD before, is it the one with Laurie Glasshoff? Perhaps some of us could help holly1594 with a quick outline of our shows.

 

[Cindycooks]

(((Holly))) Im just seeing this and so sorry this happened to you! Everyone gave awesome advice - KISS - keep it simple sugar! That is waht I tell my recruits. Trust me we have all had bad shows! I did one once where the guests we all ladies I'd say 60 and over and all they did the whole time was complaiin about the prices and talk about their surgeries! I did this funny thing that I've done at other shows when I lose their attention.....(got this from my director who is a former 3rd grade teacher)....I started looking under pillows and under my demo table, in a measuring cup etc...and I said really loud "Sorry I seem to have lost attention" Usually that gets a chuckle and gets everybody back on track but these ladies kept talking about their surgeires and looked at me like I was stupid. $250 show with at least 8 people there.

My advice - choose one recipe. Maybe the 3 Cheese Veggie Pizza or the Aloha Pizza. Do that at every show until you have it so down pat you dont even have to think about it! And do your introductions - Name, how you know "suzy", and your favorite PC product. Lots of time I "sprinkle" the introductions throughout the show, that way at ackward moments when you dont know what to say you can do an introductions and that keeps it going smoothly. When they mention their favorite product tey usually get pretty excited or the other guests do and they start talking about the product and they've done the selling! I know you will be fine and at least its all uphill from now on! Nothing can be as bad as that first show!!!!! Prayers and Best Wishes!

 

[keril]

Sorry you had such a terrible experience. Why wasn't your recruiter there to help you at your first show? And why on earth would you make 3 recipes?

 

[pampchefrhondab]

So sorry this happend to you. Those are a sad sorry bunch of people.

Others have given tut good advice, the one I agree with the most is the recipes. I only do one and I make the host get the ingredients.

Good luck next time.

 

[doughmama]

so sorry for you. some people are rude, but I always try to focus on the nice ones. don't let the others get in your way.think your biggest issue was the length of your show. as everyone else said, one recipe is plenty. you aren't the caterer and people don't want to sit there that long. are you using index cards? When I first started, I found that they helped to keep me on track. I didn't read from them - just had a basic outline to follow. I started with my intro, did the recipe and made sure I covered the stoneware, cookware and knives. As my director said, your customers will find the little products. You can't talk about everything.This sounds like a show I did in my first month with a very good friend of mine. I talked and no one listened. I had a feeling it might not be great when my friend told me that they weren't going to sit because they really just wanted to come and drink... ok, so I just made believe someone was listening and kept going. Didn't get any parties out of that but that was fine with me. Not a crowd I needed to party with again - and it took me a while to want to be around my friend too.It does get better, and there will always be rude people, but there will also be great people at each show too! Focus on them and you'll be great. HUGS.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

This post is from 2007!!!

 

[doughmama]

This post is from 2007!!!

hahahahahahaha bizarre. thank you for noticing!! ok, obviously need to get back to my cooking

 

[terisbistro]

you are not in control of the people you meet ...you did the best thing you could have done stay professional and dont react ..It will get better ..I did a show, there were 7 people all who had there heads in their phones the whole time ..I took their orders and my commisiion and left !

 

[ChefPeg]

you are not in control of the people you meet ...you did the best thing you could have done stay professional and dont react ..It will get better ..I did a show, there were 7 people all who had there heads in their phones the whole time ..I took their orders and my commisiion and left !

You're replying to a thread started in 2007 and whose last post before yours was almost a year ago.

 

[BethCooks4U]

you are not in control of the people you meet ...you did the best thing you could have done stay professional and dont react ..It will get better ..I did a show, there were 7 people all who had there heads in their phones the whole time ..I took their orders and my commisiion and left !

Welcome to Chef Success. This is an old thread but I understand how that could be missed by someone who is as new to the forum as you are - first post and all!

There is so much info here and so much help! Feel free to use it all, even old stuff. There are treasures in that old stuff.

Suggestion though: look at the dates on the posts and if its old then start a new thread about the subject. Refer to it and even copy the URL and put it in your new thread if you want. That would keep the threads that pop up current and fresh!

HTH

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

Welcome to Chef Success. This is an old thread but I understand how that could be missed by someone who is as new to the forum as you are - first post and all!

There is so much info here and so much help! Feel free to use it all, even old stuff. There are treasures in that old stuff.

Suggestion though: look at the dates on the posts and if its old then start a new thread about the subject. Refer to it and even copy the URL and put it in your new thread if you want. That would keep the threads that pop up current and fresh!

HTH

When it comes to old stuff, I think I qualify.