Organizing Your Show Supplies: What to Bring & How to Pack

[micocina]

What paperwork do you all take with you to your shows besides order forms and catalogs and what do you carry it in?

 

[chefann]

I use a Longaberger Market Basket to carry paperwork. I take:

• Guest folders - manila folders containing a catalog, order form, and recruiting brochure
• 2 cooking show host packs (generic - no specials)
• 1 catalog show host pack (generic)
• Paperwork organizer (plastic divided folder) containing:
  • specials fliers for the next 2 months (to put into host packs)
  • gift certificate order forms
  • kit agreements
  • registry info
  • information about the next monthly training/recruiting meeting
• Display binder with specials (I take the current one out of the binder and put it in one guest folder. That guest is responsible for reading it 3 times during the show, and then they get to pick a gift from my prize basket.)
• Recipe cards to hand out
• Door prize pad
• SBRC for the host (I have everyone sign it)

I have been taking my laptop to shows, too, and that also fits in my basket, along with the Host Folder (a manila file folder with the host info. I write notes all over it as I host coach, and use it to hold completed order forms, etc.) The basket sits on the front passenger seat of my car and is the only thing that goes to the door with me when I get to the house.

 

[Rebeccascabinet]

What is SBRC?

 

[sillylittlechef]

I think Season's Best Recipe Cookbook is what she gives away to hosts.

 

[legacypc46]

Ann,

I really like your approach: simple, but complete! (And I'm a sucker for the Longaberger Market Basket)

I'm curious about having the guest special in just one guest folder and that guest reading it three times during the show...versus having the guest special in each guest packet?

Kris

 

[jenpartain]

Hi! I've been wanting a Market Basket myself just for PC shows. What size do you have? I've noticed on their website, it's in medium. So is that the size you use? And what liner do you have? I'm thinking maybe I'll go with black liner, what do you think?

Thanks!!!

I use a Longaberger Market Basket to carry paperwork. I take:

• Guest folders - manila folders containing a catalog, order form, and recruiting brochure
• 2 cooking show host packs (generic - no specials)
• 1 catalog show host pack (generic)
• Paperwork organizer (plastic divided folder) containing:
  • specials fliers for the next 2 months (to put into host packs)
  • gift certificate order forms
  • kit agreements
  • registry info
  • information about the next monthly training/recruiting meeting
• Display binder with specials (I take the current one out of the binder and put it in one guest folder. That guest is responsible for reading it 3 times during the show, and then they get to pick a gift from my prize basket.)
• Recipe cards to hand out
• Door prize pad
• SBRC for the host (I have everyone sign it)

I have been taking my laptop to shows, too, and that also fits in my basket, along with the Host Folder (a manila file folder with the host info. I write notes all over it as I host coach, and use it to hold completed order forms, etc.) The basket sits on the front passenger seat of my car and is the only thing that goes to the door with me when I get to the house.

 

[micocina]

Thanks for your feedback Ann. I like your approach. Was your Longaberger basket expensive? Is it not too bulky or heavy with everything you put in it?

 

[amy07]

Love the market basket idea......I'd been using it to store the kids movies. I think I'll talke it back now!

 

[chefann]

My Market Basket has the Market Stripe liner, which I believe is no longer available. It isn't too heavy with paperwork in it, but I am careful not to overload it.

Your basket CAN be a recruiting tool, too. My director used to use one, and a cluster mate told me once that she saw Cindy walk in with it, and though, "Wow. She has a Longaberger for her paperwork. She must be successful - and making real money at PC."

Rosa- the Market Basket is about a $70 basket (I think). But it's also one that LB puts on sale a couple of times a year. It's now available in colors, too.

 

[chefann]

Ann,
I'm curious about having the guest special in just one guest folder and that guest reading it three times during the show...versus having the guest special in each guest packet?

Kris

I do that to get a little more participation, and then I don't have to print oodles of flyers that just get thrown out. And I can make up a bunch of guest folders at once without worrying about what special is in each.

 

[ChefAggi]

I had never heard about these baskets before. I went to their website and wow what nice baskets they have!!! I looked at a cute video too that was on their site.

Cheers

 

[jenwallace]

LOVE the idea about having a guest read the special! Anne, what would we do without you?!?