Rocking April & Potentially Decent Looking May - HELP!

[smspamperedchef]

Ok guys! I need some help here. I was having a pretty decent looking month until I actually got into April. Then all of a sudden my month looks pretty bad. I have had 4 hosts cancel or reschedule their shows until May. One host cancelled altogether but she was flaky from the beginning. Another never really set a date but decided to do a April cat. show and the others have moved to May. Now May is looking pretty sweet which I am excited about but I have GOT to turn my April around in a hurry. I have been doing about 6-8 shows a month and January through March has been very successful for me. What can I do to turn this around? Everyone I talk to seems to want to do May or nothing at all or they just want catty shows. I am down to 3 shows this month and 4, possibly 5 catty shows as well. I even sent out an e-mail to 10 valued customers trying to get each of them to turn in a minimum $100 in orders for a drawing for the host benefits of a $1000 show but to no avail. I am not afraid of the phone (too much) and make (AT LEAST-usually WAY more!) 3 calls a day. Any hints, suggestions would be great. What I don't understand is this month has such a great Host Special why aren't people just eating that up??? Anyone else having a rocky April and potentially decent looking May? HELP!!!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

It sounds like you are doing all of the right things so I'm not sure if I have any advice for you.....cancellations just seem to be a part of our business. I don't have last minute/unexpected cancellations much because I mail out the invites for my hosts - so other than an emergency situation, I know several weeks in advance if someone is cancelling. I went into this month w/ 6 shows, had one - a bridal shower - cancel outright (wedding postponed), and another pushed til May (host in Fla. for winter, decided to stay another 2 weeks - smart move!) But then at a show this past week, I had someone book a show for April - so I'm back up to 5 shows for Apr. That is the BEST April Schedule I have ever had! I would say that April is my HARDEST month to book! It may be the area I live in, but between Easter week & Spring Break weeks (diff. schools have diff. weeks) I always have a difficult time getting people to book April. I'm actually thrilled that I have more than a couple shows!
If people want May - I would concentrate on having the BEST May ever!

 

[pcchris]

Well, I just had 2 hosts cancel, but want to rebook, but don't know when. "Sometime this summer" is what I'm hearing. I have one show this month. But, it's all on me, because I have not picked up the phone lately. Well, was gone for a while on vacation, but haven't been able to get back into the swing of things. May is wide open...I have NOTHING booked. Actually have 1 in June. No one I]ve talked to is interested in a HWC fundraiser show...so I'm bummin', but I know I am the only one who can turn it around. I just have to DO IT now. I agree with Becky...go BIG in May!
I'm going to get on that phone tomorrow. I don't like looking at an empty schedule, so I have to change that to a full schedule. Good luck, I hope you have a fabulous may!

 

[catson]

It sounds like your April is going to be a bit slow but May will make up for it so I wouldn't stress too badly over it. Just stay on the phone and you never know what can happen!

 

[lsm72]

Sounds like you're experiencing what a lot of us are - a S L OOOOO W April! I feel like I've done everything short of showing up at people's door and forcing them to let me give a party (I would never do that but you know what I mean) and still no takers. I have 4 people lined up for June, which is great but I'm thinking about that right now. I want to close out my April with a bang. Hang in there....