Not an Open House - a Cooking Demo!!!

[LakesideMom]

Okay guys and gals!

I am determined to get my business off of the ground - yes, it is still just laying there. I found two places where I can rent a meeting room to host a show. They each cost $50. One seats 50 people and one seats 30. One is a banquet room in a restaurant (nope - they said I don't have to buy their food!!! They just want their $50.) and the other is a meeting room in a local hotel.

Okay - here's the plan. There are a lot of businesses in the area where these rooms are located. I plan to canvas the businesses handing out the attached flyer. When I go in to leave the flyer, I will ask that they leave it in the employee lunchroom and then I will grab a business card and get the person's name I'm leaving the flyer with. The day before the event, I plan to call all of the businesses and remind them of the demo and ask if they plan to attend. I will also send the flyer to some people that have shown some interest but haven't placed orders or booked shows. And finally, I will put up flyers in grocery stores and run a classified ad in the paper.

Okay - before I kick this thing off, I would really appreciate any feedback you may have. I remember from one of my previous posts that it isn't good to refer to it as an Open House and that follow-up calls are very important. Please feel free to share any other feedback you have.

TIA!!

 

[DebbieJ]

Instead of asking them to come to you, why don't you go to them? One by one, stop in each office and drop off some treats--profiterole puffs, caprese sandwiches--and a packet for someone to be the host of the catalog show.

I would guess that you would have a better response.

If you search for "Pamper a Biz" you'll find more info.

 

[lacychef]

I like the idea of doing a lunch time demo. Let us know how it turns out!
I was wondering when you said you were getting the name of the person you talked to at the other businesses, if you were doing something special for them?

 

[pcjeanie]

Andra,
The idea sounds great, but I would hesitate to give away $50 in products, not knowing how much business this will bring. Maybe you want to make it a mystery host and only give away the host beneifts based on sales for the day or either cut it down to $20 free products. Just a thought. I hope it works out great. Are you also trying to recruit at this event? You never know and you should ask people who attend. Anyway, my 2 cents worth. Good luck!

Jeanie

 

[Cindycooks]

I agree with Jeanie on the mystery host. That way you are not spending $50 more out of your pocket, which you are already spending to rent the room.
Great job on the flyer! Good Luck and please let us know how it goes!

 

[strasfamily]

I really like your flyer. It looks like all of the wording is not showing up in your arrow though. Good luck with your demo!

 

[LakesideMom]

Andra,
The idea sounds great, but I would hesitate to give away $50 in products, not knowing how much business this will bring. Maybe you want to make it a mystery host and only give away the host beneifts based on sales for the day or either cut it down to $20 free products. Just a thought. I hope it works out great. Are you also trying to recruit at this event? You never know and you should ask people who attend. Anyway, my 2 cents worth. Good luck!

Jeanie

Great idea!