New Consultant Open House Results: Low Turnout and Sales Impact

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Discussion Overview

This thread discusses the experiences of a new consultant following a New Consultant Open House event that had low turnout and sales. Participants share their personal experiences with similar events and offer insights into managing expectations and follow-up strategies.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expressed disappointment over low attendance and sales at their open house, despite efforts to engage guests with a raffle.
  • Another participant shared their experience of low turnout at their own open house, noting that they had better success with Mystery Host shows.
  • Several users mentioned the importance of follow-up calls, suggesting that personal reminders can improve attendance and sales outcomes.
  • One participant highlighted the positive aspect of securing a booking from the event, encouraging the original poster to stay optimistic.
  • Another participant noted that low attendance is common and emphasized that persistence can lead to better results in future events.
  • One participant shared their strategy of reaching out to potential customers after the event, including sending catalogs to various contacts to generate interest.
  • Another participant reflected on their own experiences with disappointing shows, indicating that such occurrences are not uncommon and can be overcome.
  • One participant reported a positive outcome following their open house by conducting a follow-up sale, resulting in increased sales and bookings.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the effectiveness of various strategies for improving attendance and sales at open houses, with some participants advocating for phone follow-ups while others share different approaches. No clear consensus emerges on the best method to ensure success.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects the challenges faced by new consultants in building their businesses and the varied experiences shared by participants regarding event outcomes and follow-up strategies.

Who May Find This Useful

New consultants and those interested in hosting open houses may find the shared experiences and strategies relevant to their own business practices.

mandydollie
mandydollie
Messages
433
Good Morning~

I'm a new consultant and last night I had a New Consultant Open house from 6-7:30. I had a raffle for a FREE food chopper and each guest could earn chances by bringing a paid order, booking a show, bringing a friend, etc. I spent a lot of time getting ready and sent out a lot of invitations....

Only three people showed up and only 2 of them ordered. The third guest booked a show, but my sales are not even at $100. I was so sad when everyone left that I didn't even pick my products back up. They are still sitting around my kitchen in living room in their little groupings.

I e-mailed everyone who didn't make it to tell them that the raffle had been extended until Monday night and that I hoped they would browse my website and purchase.

What a disappointing start to my business. :(
 
Mandy,

I'm sorry to hear that your open house did not go as planned. I've done one and the response wasn't great. I have had better luck (with a few years under my belt) with Mystery Host shows. You can run these like an open house. I hope you get TONS of outside/website orders!

One question, did you do reminder calls? I always have to push myself to be coached just like I would do for my Hosts. . .it does make a difference.

You may want to make follow-up phone calls. Tell them the response was so great :) that you had to extend the raffle deadline. Keep it open as long as necessary!
 
Don't get too upset just yet...When we start our business out we don't have all of the experience that we need to make everything successful. I can understand you being sad, but you did get one booking and that is great. Next time make sure that you do all of the things that you tell your hosts to do before their show. Such as following up with phone calls because in this day and age people just don't RSVP...don't know why but some people really need Miss Manners! Get as many outside orders as you can and you will probably save your show. You will find that your shows do get better, mainly because you have gained experience and have found out what works and what doesn't...when you find those things that work, stick with them.

Don't throw in the towel when you have just begun...stay positive and you will start to see things turn around.

Good luck, congrats on your new business and welcome to chefsuccess!!!
 
I totally understand how you feel....but don't let them ruin your business. I had a open house in March and sent out over 40 invites...and less then 6 people came and 2 didn't order.
 
{{{Hugs}}} You sound like you need them!

I'm so sorry that your first event wasn't what you hoped for. On the positive side everyone who showed placed and order or booked a show! You never know where the possibilities might lead with that show. Don't let this affect your excitement for your new business. Open houses can be tricky. I've found the best success comes from when I personally call everyone as a reminder the day before the show. Just like we tell our hostesses, people have the best of intentions but then they get busy and forget. I would encourage you to pick up the phone and call people rather than relying on the email. I know it can be hard when you're feeling down but a phone call is still the best way to get results. Some people are either bombarded by emails and ignore them or don't open their email for several days.

And remember, smile when you call! Let them hear the excitement in your voice that they still have a great chance to win! Don't forget to remind them that they can earn extra chances by sending a friends order your way or booking a show.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #6
You guys are always so positive. I plan on taking a catalog or two with me this weekend to my darling boyfriends family and making sure that they don't miss out on the chance to win, also plan on dropping off catalogs at Daycare since the mothers were apparently too busy to attend last night. And I plan to mail a catalog to my ex mother in law, who is still a sweetie to me. I was happy that at least everyone ordered or booked. And those who RSVP'd that they were coming and then didn't show up.... yep, I e-mailed them and said that now they HAVE to place an order, just for not following through...one girl laughed at me, but said that she would be looking at the website today. It will turn around...I'm not worried!
 
That's the way to be!! Good thinking ahead...these are the things that will make you successful.
 
At least you still have some possibilities! Have you gotten any bookings yet? I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #9
Gillian~One of the guests did book a show for early July, so that at least helped the night be a bit of a success. Plus she's a neighbor and doesn't run in the same social circle, so it will be nice to branch out!
 
Just like the others said, you have to look at the positive. I've been doing this for 4 yrs, and every once in awhile I have bad shows too. It happens to all of us! I was disappointed with my HWC fundraiser I did, only 6 showed up. But I followed up with phone calls & emails & ended up with a $700 show.
Keep smilin and have fun with your new business:D
 
  • Thread starter
  • #11
Well girls....here's how it turned out. I ended up doing a Wacky Wednesday sale today to try and increase my sales from the Open House FLOP! I ended up only getting 2 orders from the e-mail sale...but one was $169.00 and the other was $35.75 which brought my total sales just over $300. I know it isn't great, but much better than the $50 that I started with. Plus it's enough to qualify for the Cluster Challenge. AND... the man is coming over tonight and I'm going to suggest that he help push my show to at least $350 and order some grilling products for his dad for Father's Day! So, I guess persistence paid off. We'll see how my next cooking show comes out and I have two catalog shows going on. They all know my goal for the month and they are excited to help!:)UPDATE: JUST TRANSMITTED THE SHOW WITH SALES AT 386.00
 
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are common reasons for low turnout at a New Consultant Open House?

Low turnout at a New Consultant Open House can be attributed to several factors, including poor marketing and promotion, scheduling conflicts, lack of interest in the products, or insufficient engagement with potential attendees. Additionally, if the event is not well-publicized within the consultant's network or community, it may not attract the desired audience.

How can I improve attendance at my New Consultant Open House?

To improve attendance, consider promoting the event through various channels such as social media, email newsletters, and local community boards. Offering incentives, such as giveaways or discounts on products, can also encourage more people to attend. Additionally, choosing a convenient date and time, and personally inviting friends and family can help boost turnout.

What impact does low turnout have on sales during the Open House?

Low turnout typically results in fewer sales opportunities, as there are not enough potential customers present to generate significant revenue. This can lead to disappointing sales figures for the consultant and may impact their confidence and motivation. It's important to focus on building relationships and follow-ups with attendees to maximize sales potential, even if the initial turnout is low.

How can I follow up with attendees after a low turnout event?

Following up with attendees after a low turnout event is crucial for maintaining engagement. Send personalized thank-you messages to those who attended, and offer them exclusive deals or information about upcoming products. For those who couldn't attend, reach out with a summary of the event and any special offers they might have missed. This can help convert interest into sales and build lasting relationships.

What strategies can I implement for future Open Houses to ensure better results?

To ensure better results for future Open Houses, consider implementing a strategic plan that includes setting clear goals, creating a detailed marketing plan, and utilizing social media to create buzz. Collaborating with other consultants for joint events can also expand your reach. Additionally, gathering feedback from attendees can provide insights into what worked and what didn’t, allowing for continuous improvement.

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