Postcards or Mini-Catalogs: Which is More Effective for Invitations?

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Discussion Overview

This thread explores the effectiveness of using postcards versus mini-catalogs for invitations to shows among Pampered Chef consultants. Participants share their experiences and opinions on attendance, sales, and costs associated with each method.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expresses a preference for postcards due to cost concerns, particularly regarding postage.
  • Another participant shares their experience of significantly increased attendance and sales after switching to mini-catalogs, noting a rise in average sales from $370 to over $700.
  • Several users mention that postcards tend to get damaged in the mail, while mini-catalogs, when sent in envelopes, receive better treatment.
  • One participant notes that they use mini-catalogs for new hosts and postcards for repeat hosts, depending on the situation.
  • Another participant discusses the benefits of including a full-page invitation with mini-catalogs to enhance engagement.
  • Some participants express concerns about the cost of supplies and postage, indicating a shared sentiment about frugality.
  • One participant inquires about where to purchase mini-catalogs and shares details about their availability and pricing.
  • Another participant mentions the new label for mini-catalogs and questions whether postage machines will damage them.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the effectiveness of postcards versus mini-catalogs, with some participants reporting positive outcomes from mini-catalogs while others remain cautious about costs and effectiveness.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and preferences regarding invitation methods, reflecting a range of practices and economic considerations within the consultant community.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants considering different invitation strategies for their shows may find the shared experiences and insights relevant to their own practices.

I use the host's return address on the envelope.Guests RSVP to the host.I will do reminder calls if I am given phone numbers. So far only ONE person has taken me up on that.My cancellation rate for July was ZERO!!!!! July is usually my hardest month, but when I had guests lists for 6 of my 7 scheduled shows, I knew I no one was going to cancel. Then host #7 almost bailed when she said she couldn't find her address book, but I used some of Tammy Stanley's words on her and now we're still on for next Friday! :)
 
DebbieJ said:
I use the host's return address on the envelope.Guests RSVP to the host.I will do reminder calls if I am given phone numbers. So far only ONE person has taken me up on that.My cancellation rate for July was ZERO!!!!! July is usually my hardest month, but when I had guests lists for 6 of my 7 scheduled shows, I knew I no one was going to cancel. Then host #7 almost bailed when she said she couldn't find her address book, but I used some of Tammy Stanley's words on her and now we're still on for next Friday! :)
Click to expand...
I didn't have any cancellations for July either!My sales last year for July - $1850 , My sales for July 2007 - $2700 , My sales for this July - will be over $4000!!!It's funny - I've only had one host take me up on the phone # thing too. That's okay, it's working great to do it this way!I have noticed more and more of my hosts doing reminders via Facebook, though. My host for tonight just did one this morning.
 
Crystal Patton said:
Not to worry about giving me credit, I was just so excited that someone actually used something I posted and it didn't shatter their business. (tongue in cheek):rolleyes:

Here is the postcard as a JPEG file. Swipe this baby!!!
Click to expand...

I love it!! It looks great and sounds...thanks for sharing! One little note (my teacher eyes couldn't help but notice)...description is spelled wrong.

Other than that...mind if I steal ("borrow") it too?
 
I'm re-starting my biz (*again*...this time after baby #2)...and you've convinced me to start sending out mini-cats! I love that it gives them an idea of some of the many fabulous products PC offers, and gets them excited. :thumbup:

I know I can search files for this, and I will once both my kiddos are down for nap...but does anyone have an example of a full page invite they want to share on here...? :angel:
 
ChefJoyJ said:
I'm re-starting my biz (*again*...this time after baby #2)...and you've convinced me to start sending out mini-cats! I love that it gives them an idea of some of the many fabulous products PC offers, and gets them excited. :thumbup:

I know I can search files for this, and I will once both my kiddos are down for nap...but does anyone have an example of a full page invite they want to share on here...? :angel:
Click to expand...

Post # 16 of this thread...
 
Oops...sorry! :o

I had forgotten that this was page 2. I'd read the first page earlier on my phone, and hadn't looked at the invite, and just clicked to go to the first unread when at the computer. :blushing:

Love the invite!! :)
 
ChefJoyJ said:
Oops...sorry! :o

I had forgotten that this was page 2. I'd read the first page earlier on my phone, and hadn't looked at the invite, and just clicked to go to the first unread when at the computer. :blushing:

Love the invite!! :)
Click to expand...

It's from Crystal Patton! :D:thumbup:
 
OK. I'm convinced! I have already got invites out to all my August hosts so I guess I will order mini's and begin in Sept. THANKS everyone and congrats go all of you who have implemented this and are seeing it's rewards. GO BECKY and busting loose in July!
I had a show tonight and it's close to 700 and 4 bookings for AUGUST! I'm SO excited! Thanks for all your help!
 
quiverfull7 said:
OK. I'm convinced! I have already got invites out to all my August hosts so I guess I will order mini's and begin in Sept. THANKS everyone and congrats go all of you who have implemented this and are seeing it's rewards. GO BECKY and busting loose in July!
I had a show tonight and it's close to 700 and 4 bookings for AUGUST! I'm SO excited! Thanks for all your help!
Click to expand...


Don't feel like you missed something for August- no one can use mini's for August unless they were lucky enough to get them before they sold out earlier this summer. :D
 
ChefJoyJ said:
I love it!! It looks great and sounds...thanks for sharing! One little note (my teacher eyes couldn't help but notice)...description is spelled wrong.

Other than that...mind if I steal ("borrow") it too?
Click to expand...

Oh Man!!! I can't spell to save my life, but no biggy I fill that spot in with other misspelled words. LOL

Joy thanks for pointing it out - I appreciate it (yes I did Google 'appreciate' to see if I spelled it right LOL) and I am more than happy to share!!
 
ChefBeckyD said:
It's from Crystal Patton! :D:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Darn tootin'!!!!
 
Quick question...for those of you sending mini-cats and full page invites, do you also encourage your host to put email addresses on the PWS and send invites that way as well?

I've ONLY been use PWS for invites/RSVP's and I'm really considering doing it differently for my fall shows after reading through this!

Thanks!
 
Cr8vKitchen said:
Quick question...for those of you sending mini-cats and full page invites, do you also encourage your host to put email addresses on the PWS and send invites that way as well?

I've ONLY been use PWS for invites/RSVP's and I'm really considering doing it differently for my fall shows after reading through this!

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I encourage my hosts to use as many forms of contact as possible!
Email Invitations,
Mailed Invitations,
Word of mouth when they see invited guests,
and Phone Calls!
 
Cr8vKitchen said:
Quick question...for those of you sending mini-cats and full page invites, do you also encourage your host to put email addresses on the PWS and send invites that way as well?

I've ONLY been use PWS for invites/RSVP's and I'm really considering doing it differently for my fall shows after reading through this!

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Like Becky, I encourage any and all methods of inviting.

I have found that most emails from my PWS go directly to spam for most people. Those PWS "evites" are not very reliable.
 
Bluiydangl said:
Ok so I never thought to put the minis in an envelope and SO just mailed 40 today. (this isn't the first time) DOH! oh well. I will chalk that up to pregnant brain.... lol thanks for reminding me they can fit in an envelope and hopefully not get mangled!!!
Click to expand...

Don't feel bad, I never thought of putting them in a envelope either and I'm not suffering from pregnant brain. Just old and tired.

Regular size envelope?

Oh, and by the way. I can't find on CC where is the template for the sticker for the invite? Am I just blind?
 
cwinter474 said:
Regular size envelope?

Oh, and by the way. I can't find on CC where is the template for the sticker for the invite? Am I just blind?
Click to expand...
Yes, regular #10 (business size) envelope.

I haven't seen the label template on CC, either, and HO announced that it would be up on 7/25. BUT, in the SECN, it says that it will be available on 7/30.
 
For those of you using the post cards...
Are you really hand writing all the info in? My writing is HORRIBLE and unreadable after 2 or three... I have been thinking maybe someone has a sticker label to go over or a way to do this a bit better?
 
JDooley said:
For those of you using the post cards...
Are you really hand writing all the info in? My writing is HORRIBLE and unreadable after 2 or three... I have been thinking maybe someone has a sticker label to go over or a way to do this a bit better?
Click to expand...

I used Address labels for all of the show info when I did postcards. I do hand address them though - usually while watching TV or listening to the radio.


That's a good point though. If you feel this way about doing them, then imagine your hosts feeling the same way. May be partly why they procrastinate, and never get them sent out!
 
Becky... what size of label did you use that covered that area correctly?
 
chefann said:
Yes, regular #10 (business size) envelope.

I haven't seen the label template on CC, either, and HO announced that it would be up on 7/25. BUT, in the SECN, it says that it will be available on 7/30.
Click to expand...

Ok, Ann if you can't find it that makes me feel better!!

Thanks
 
JDooley said:
Becky... what size of label did you use that covered that area correctly?
Click to expand...

I used the 30 to a page labels....and I didn't say it covered the area correctly.:D;) I think the email area was still visible.

I had it set up like this:

Show Title or Teaser
Host Name
Date and Time
Location
RSVP #


I also used a label over the PC website which had my website, and instructions for ordering online.
 
OK... So I have minis with the invite label from CC on them, and I stuck an order form inside. Here are my questions:

1) Should I out them in a #10 envelope or leave as is?
2) Is it still a regular stamp?
 
It's a regular stamp with or w/o the envelope. It's up to you on the envelope. Many people have said that the mini's have a history of getting ripped up going through the postal machines. Some use bright colored envelopes so they stand out. I do mine in an envelope just to be safe. But it is added cost.
 
Ok Thanks!
 
I have my host make reminder calls to anyone who hasn't RSVP'd by two days prior. The mini's make a HUGE difference. Instead of getting a straight 'no' my hosts are getting a "sorry, but, I'd like such and such on page..." A little here and a little there adds up. I also send mine out in a regular envelope with a full page invite and the guest special on the back; however, the two sided guest specials need their own sheet and require an extra seventeen cents. If you figure the cost of mailing 20 invites, it doesn't take long to make up the cost and I'm finding my guests take them along to the show and take them back home with them! Many of them keep them strictly for the recipes and tuck them away. I had one guest who arrived at the show and said, "I feel stupid, I went to the grocery store looking for basil blend canola oil, knowing I had seen a recipe needing it somewhere. Now I remember it was in my mini." She walked away with the oil she needed for the recipe, along with $115 order and a booking. It was her first PC show and she probably wouldn't have attended had the recipe not caught her eye. I've gotten two more shows from her show. My postage has more than paid for itself!
 
gwyn26 said:
I have my host make reminder calls to anyone who hasn't RSVP'd by two days prior. The mini's make a HUGE difference. Instead of getting a straight 'no' my hosts are getting a "sorry, but, I'd like such and such on page..." A little here and a little there adds up. I also send mine out in a regular envelope with a full page invite and the guest special on the back; however, the two sided guest specials need their own sheet and require an extra seventeen cents. If you figure the cost of mailing 20 invites, it doesn't take long to make up the cost and I'm finding my guests take them along to the show and take them back home with them! Many of them keep them strictly for the recipes and tuck them away. I had one guest who arrived at the show and said, "I feel stupid, I went to the grocery store looking for basil blend canola oil, knowing I had seen a recipe needing it somewhere. Now I remember it was in my mini." She walked away with the oil she needed for the recipe, along with $115 order and a booking. It was her first PC show and she probably wouldn't have attended had the recipe not caught her eye. I've gotten two more shows from her show. My postage has more than paid for itself!
Click to expand...

Small hijack...

On that full page invite others have shared, it says that there's a yummy recipe in the mini. But I just can't seem to locate a recipe in the new mini. Am I completely missing it somewhere? I ended up deleting that line in the invite and put in "Check out the new Fall products!"
 
There was a recipe in the Spring mini, but there isn't one in the Fall one.
 
Thanks for confirming! :) Just thought I'd post that earlier also to point that out, so people can edit that invite if that's what they are using....you don't want all those guests to feel like you don't know what you're talking about and be like "Hey...What recipe? I don't see a recipe...she said there was a recipe!" :D
 
I use one of two different invitation styles. I print them at Office Max on colored paper. If it is a theme show I'll say "30 Minute Chicken) etc, in the heading. I have found that by giving specific instructions for the website it makes things a little clearer, especially for the less techno saavy people out there.
 

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Last edited:
I use envelopes with mine, I just go to staples, earn my rewards with all I buy from them, lol.

I put in envelopes and use hostess name/address as return and put my info on flap.

I've never thought of putting order form inside them. I generally stick my invite and I could shrink an outside order form to put on back of my invite.

Also, link if up on CC for mini invite label.......these need Avery label style 5164

My concern doing without an envelope is: If it gets wet from rain or snow or spilled on during mailing, my ink will run, as I've got an ink jet not a laser printer.

https://www.pamperedchef.com/images/cc/us/pdf/download_invite_sticker_form.pdf

HTH,

Lisa
 
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