Nervous & Hopeful: Overcoming a Slow Month & Preparing for a Street Fair

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Discussion Overview

This thread centers around participants sharing their experiences and feelings regarding slow business months and preparations for an upcoming street fair. Many express nervousness but also hope for positive outcomes from their efforts at the fair.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant shares their anxiety about a slow month and hopes to gain bookings from an upcoming street fair.
  • Another participant mentions that offering free shows at their booth helped increase interest and bookings.
  • Several users emphasize the importance of being friendly and engaging with attendees at fairs.
  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, describes their strategy of offering incentives like free products and drawing entries to attract potential hosts.
  • Another participant expresses caution about offering too much, suggesting that it may not be financially feasible.
  • One participant shares a successful experience from a fair, highlighting how it helped build their business.
  • Several participants discuss the concept of "bumping up" host rewards to create a more appealing offer without incurring high costs.
  • One participant expresses confusion about the financial implications of the offers being discussed, indicating a need for clarification.
  • Another participant shares their positive outcome from the fair, noting they received a booking and had good sales.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the best approach to offering incentives at fairs, with some participants advocating for generous offers while others caution against potential financial risks. No clear consensus emerges on the ideal strategy.

Contextual Notes

Participants are sharing personal experiences and strategies related to their business practices, particularly in the context of fairs and events. The discussion reflects a range of approaches and outcomes based on individual circumstances.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants looking for insights on managing slow business periods and preparing for events may find the shared experiences and strategies relevant.

P
PamperMeDawn
Messages
22
The past month has been ugly. Bookings are canceling and I don't have enough for it not to hurt. I'm doing a street fair in my city this coming Saturday and I'm a bit scared. I hope that I can get some bookings and that I can turn this around for June. I'm not an agressive person but really want to do good at this or at least recoup the money I paid for the booth.
 
I understand! Good luck with the street fair. I don't know if it is possible for you to do, but I find that people love to get something for free. Last booth I had, I told everyone that I was giving free shows away. It helped a lot.
 
Good luck and keep your chin up!
Remember, it's about THEM!

Oh, and smiling doesn't hurt.
 
Whenever I get nervous and my bookings are down I do a fair or festival and it "saves my business". The key will be in the follow up. You need to give them a good reason to fill out a drawing slip with their info. I usually do a drawing for a small pampered chef product and free kitchen shows. Also -make sure to smile , be friendly and just talk about the business and hosting! It will be great. Update me after the fair with your success story!

I also am down to two shows on my calendar so I am doing a fundraising event in two weeks! Just think in two weeks we both will have successes to share!
 
I've moved last yr to a new area...no bookings. Idid a fair and got 8 !!!!
I've done a bunch of fairs and thats how I build the biz.
Here's what I offer ...I feel you must offer something.

Book an show TODAY to be held now thur July 30( or what ever date)

THIS is what I have to offer....

1- I will bring the ingredients for your show

2- I will enter your name in for a drawing of (whatever, usually something I have on hand...I have some extra cookware I use that)

3- I will start your show off with $100 in sales for FREE products

ok- here is how the 100 in sales works-

Lets say the host ends up with a $300 show
PC benefits are $40 in free products, 1 item half price & 20% discount.
I will bump her up to the next free product level so I give her $25 in FREE products. I do not honor the 1/2 price nor the discount.


I've attached my letter to hosts to hopefully clarify questions

YES I give alot away... I feel you need to spend a bit to make a bit in the very beginning.

ALSO- I am not agressive at the fairs..BUT I never sit and always say Hi to those who pass. If I have someone pass by in the distnace but I hear them mutter Pampered Chef I always invite them over to my table and enter the drawing for free product and give them a free recipe card.

Here's to Lots of bookings! :thumbsup:
 

Attachments

Say a little prayer....ask that people are led to you, and that you are comfy when explaining how YOU feel about PC.

I'm sorry it's been a rough month, but this fair could turn it all around. If you think it.....it will be....

I personally would not offer so much, as it may not be financially feasible nor sound for you. If you are already worried about recouping the fair fee, then you would be at a higher amount by offering more. What about doing little party bags? Colorful with cute PC pics/themes glued on....in them would be dollar store plates, napkins, cups, utensils and use tissue to make it "pretty"....you call it "Party in a Bag", and offer a free "party". They simply provide the friends and ingredients (mention it will be $2 a serving) and you will offer a cooking lesson, the bag of goodies AND host benefits.

Much success, and know that you will be successful....you can do it! Do keep us posted, and let us know what you would do differently and what worked.
 
Jolie_Paradoxe said:
I personally would not offer so much, .
Click to expand...


just want to comment-
Its really not that much-
In reality I bring the ingredients- my recipe choice so I can do a cheap recipe.

That drawing can be optional. So that would cut down on the expense

Lastly when I say I'll add $100 in sales to your show....REALLY I am only giving them $25 but it costs less than 25 because I order it under the host discount and then get the commission So that can translate into about $15-$19. ITs all a play on words! It just sounds better "I'll give you $100 in sales to start your party off, instead of I'll give you $25 in free products. It;s been working for me- The last 2 fairs I did I got a total of 14 bookings. Filled my summer calendar.

Think of all those new hosts. You offer alot at first and then you';ll book future shows off of their show and you 'll be set!

nancy
 
Nancy - I love that play on words - and I will use it at my show next weekend. I really need to get some shows on my summer calendar - so the cost wouldbe small. I think I will bring party bags to visualize the whole summer party thing.

I am also currentlky getting set to do the phone calls for the 24 bookings in 24 hours too - hopefully all this effort will translate into shows.
 
Ok, Nancy, I'm having a real DUH moment. Can you please spell out exactly how you 'give $100' for less than $20? Also, is not honoring the 1/2 price and discount acceptable to HO, or do you mean this is actually part of the $100?
 
when she submits the show, she isn't adding $100 to the total. She is just giving the hostess benifits of another $100 in sales. So the hostess brings in $350 in sales and she gives them $60, not $40 in FREE products. As she is giving them the benefits of the FREE product value as she stated. HO wouldn't have a say in this because it is not their special, it is hers. She is paying for that portion not home office.

Does that make sense?
 
I forgot to mention that I LOVE your idea Nancy!! Great idea. I may have to steal it!!
 
Love, Love, Love the $100 bonus idea!
Thank you so much!
Jen
 
I just got it...wow, am I slow today. So you are bumping them to the next level, not giving them free $100 in products!
 
LOL....I just got it too.....I thought you meant you were offering an ADDITIONAL 100 FPV. Great idea, and thanks for taking the time to break it down for me. = )
 
So I've read this whole deal 5x now. For someone that excelled in math & has multiple business degrees including a masters, I'm still sooo confused...Just goes to show you can be an educated idiot. hehe

I'll blame it on being a newbie. (Makes myself feel better)...going back to read *again*.
 
You are offering to make up the difference in Free Product value that an additional "$100" in sales would have made for the host...and that is how you are offering the host "$100 in sales". You are not offering the half price items and discount of that additional "$100 in sales" though. Be sure to clarify that with the host so that she is not upset when she thinks her $400 show earned the $500 rewards.

Because you are probably covering an additional $25 in FPV, and are using the host's discount, and you will be making commission on it....you will be actually paying less than the $25.

Hope that helped!
 
Last edited:
Gosh...sorry to cause all the confusion...

I think Chris summed it up for me ...thanks :)

nancy
 
Nancy I'll only speak for myself but I don't necessarily think it was you, I think my comprehension of the 'way it works' is just a tad slow. Sunday...day of rest...my brain may be resting. :)
 
  • Thread starter
  • #19
Ok so the RESULTS.... I got one booking for military family.. Which I think is good. I sold enough stuff to qualify for a show. I shared the booth with a PC friend to help cover the cost. She also had sales of $300+ so I think that is pretty good. I am still hopeful cause we talked with tons of people. Alot of people asked if we were local and many took catalogs and my cards. We offered a raffle for those who booked shows and placed orders. (We used extra stuff we had around for a prize of products valued $125+. I think this business is also a learning experience cause I did not have people fill out slips to gather their infomation.... In the future I will. I saw one of your postings that suggested that a little to late. So I got out there and now people have my info so we'll see what happens.

I used the madoline and the chopper. Every time I was chopping people were turning and coming up to the booth to check it out. Many asked if it was the one they saw on TV..I was like no this one is better and even comes with a 5 year warranty.. But the chopper did cause some excitement.. Although I awas there slicing and chopping for 11 hours I think that anyone who has a booth in the future may want to demo the chopper.

I also like the $100 product value.. I'm gonna use it in the future as well.

Thank you guys for all your wonderful ideas and support.
 
I will second that "follow-up is the key"!!!! I've worked booths in the past and had really, really great intentions on doing my follow up with all of my drawing slips.........and it never happened. Now, with that said, I did a booth last November, DID do my follow-up, got a HUGE bridal show for this past January and from that 1 show alone, I got 4 more bridal shows (2 I just did this past weekend, and on those 2 alone I made over $500!!!), 3 cooking shows and now a recruit lead too!!!!! These are people that were NO WHERE in my circle. Booths/fairs work if you do the follow-up!!!!!
 
of those sales-

how many choopers or mandolines did you guys sell???

and what did you slice/chop??
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I experience a slow month in my direct sales business?

Experiencing a slow month is common in direct sales. Focus on reconnecting with past customers, reaching out to new leads, and hosting virtual or in-person events to generate interest. Additionally, evaluate your marketing strategies and consider trying new approaches to engage your audience.

How can I prepare for a street fair as a Pampered Chef consultant?

Preparation for a street fair involves several steps: secure your booth space early, plan your product display to be visually appealing, and ensure you have enough inventory on hand. Create engaging demonstrations to attract passersby, and prepare promotional materials like flyers or business cards to hand out.

What are some effective ways to promote my booth at a street fair?

Promote your booth by utilizing social media to announce your participation, offering exclusive fair-day discounts, and collaborating with other vendors for cross-promotion. You can also create a buzz by engaging with your local community through newsletters or local event calendars.

How can I overcome feelings of nervousness before a street fair?

To manage nervousness, practice your product demonstrations and sales pitch in advance. Visualize a successful event and remind yourself of your strengths as a consultant. Additionally, consider bringing a friend or fellow consultant for support, which can help ease anxiety and boost confidence.

What should I do after the street fair to follow up with potential customers?

After the street fair, promptly follow up with potential customers by sending thank-you emails or messages, including any special offers or information about products they showed interest in. Keep the communication personal and engaging to build relationships and encourage future sales.

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