Starting Conversations With Strangers!

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Discussion Overview

This thread explores various personal experiences and strategies related to initiating conversations about Pampered Chef with strangers. Participants share their challenges and successes in stepping out of their comfort zones to promote their business in casual settings.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expresses difficulty in starting conversations about Pampered Chef due to shyness and seeks encouragement from others.
  • Another participant shares their experience of being outgoing in face-to-face interactions but struggles with phone conversations.
  • Several users mention using compliments as a way to initiate conversations, with one participant noting the effectiveness of asking about the other person's job.
  • One participant describes their recent efforts to promote Pampered Chef by wearing branded apparel and successfully engaging with potential customers.
  • Another participant recounts a specific interaction with a cashier, highlighting their approach to introducing Pampered Chef during casual exchanges.
  • Some participants share that they naturally bring up Pampered Chef in conversations related to cooking or personal interests.
  • One participant reflects on their journey from being shy to becoming more outgoing through practice and persistence.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of being a "walking billboard" to attract conversations without initiating them directly.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the ease of starting conversations about Pampered Chef, with some participants feeling comfortable and others expressing challenges. No clear consensus emerges regarding the best approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants share a range of personal experiences, indicating varying levels of comfort and strategies in discussing their business in everyday situations.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to Pampered Chef consultants looking for relatable experiences and different approaches to engaging potential customers in casual settings.

PChefPEI
PChefPEI
Silver Member
Messages
2,144
...hummmm, title doesn't sound very good, but I'm sure I got your attention!! :blushing: ;)

If you were in a waiting room somewhere, would you strike up a conversation with someone and try to bring up PC? Even when having a casual conversation with a stranger somewhere, I just can't seem to make that move! I am shy and I know that the excitement for my business should be enough to help me do that, but I don't always find that it is. I know that I need to step out of my comfort zone, but am having trouble with it.

Can you guys give me a kick in the butt and get me out there so I can build my business??? :p
 
Ok, well I am chatty Cathy so I talk to anyone in public, my problem is the phone. I can talk PC to anyone all day long face to face. I am all up in people's business~ ha ha so I just start chatting and ait just kind of flows out, I am not exactly sure how, because I pretty much never shut up~ ha ha. Let me think about this one.
 
Yep, I do it all the time! I strike up convo's with people in the bathroom at work, in line at the grocery store, at a take-out joint, Dr's office - wherever! My DH (who is in sales) always says to compliment the person first (find anything - their shoes, their earrings, their purse - whatever!) and then when you're talking, find out what they do (work/stay home, etc.). That naturally leads them to ask you what YOU do, and then you can tell them all about PC!! :) Be sure to have your "commercial" ready!
 
Meredith - I think I "invented" chatty-cathy (since it's my name and all!) ;) - it used to be my email address before I started PC, too! :D
 
After attending NC last week, I have embraced the 3 of the 3-2-1 thing. Wore my PC shirt out both yesterday and today and carried my bag. Gave out a mini catalog to one lady, got another lady's contact info and talked about my silver whisk to another today.

I am a closet introvert but pretend to be an extrovert. Had never liked wearing name apparrel but have decided that I WANT to be a director by Dec 1, so I must push out of my comfort zone. Nothing comes easy and I think it comes down to how bad you want it. I want it REAL BAD, so off I go.

So far, my results for 2 days are 1 customer name/address email, and two shows.

We just have to do it. Considered yourself kicked!
 
Good job, Carol! I have to remember to wear my whisk charm to work more, esp. since I can't wear logo merch. at work. I have a 2nd one and have been thinking of making them into earrings - hmmm....! ;)
 
cathyskitchen said:
Meredith - I think I "invented" chatty-cathy (since it's my name and all!) ;) - it used to be my email address before I started PC, too! :D
Click to expand...

Maybe I can be mouthy-meredith :) I agree with complimenting them too.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #8
Wow Carol, that's awesome!! You are absolutely right in everything you say, and it's all stuff I know, I just have to JUST DO IT! Thanks for the kick! :)

And Meredith and Cathy, can you send some of your chattiness over to me, pretty please??? :p
 
Jabbering Jill? Actually, my sister used to call me Jillybean. Yuck.

Anyway, great thread! I can talk to anyone anywhere, but I have a hard time bringing up PC. Today I talked to the cashier at the grocery store, though. Pretty good for me. Nobody in line behind me, so I wasn't self concious.

I really like and appreciate what Cathy said about complimenting someone and then asking about their job or whatever. Thanks for that little lesson. I'm going to try that. I'll report back here or in the 3-2-1 thread.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #10
So, JAE, what did you say to the cashier??
 
Oh, Marie-France, my family would be SO happy if I could send my chattiness over to you!! They'd box it up and put a bow on top!! ;)

Believe it or not, I was shy as a child. I am also a nervous wreck when I do presentations in front of people. But, I'm also a perfectionist and I never quit until I get something right, so I just persisted in talking to people and set my mind to it. I remember my "turning point" was in HS - it was either be a "band geek" or join cheerleading. I liked both, but wanted to get out of my shell more and be more outgoing, so I dropped the flute and basoon and started cheerleading. I sometimes regret not playing my instruments anymore, but I LOVED cheerleading and became very good at it. It taught me how to be outgoing and break out of my shell, too, which was priceless. When I was in college, I actually sold cars one summer, I was that confident!

I think it all comes down to just practicing something over and over until you do well at it, and giving yourself a break along the way. THe first time you rode a bike, you probably fell a few times, but now you can't imagine NOT being able to ride a bike, right? It's kinda like that. Hang in there and eventually, you'll be GREAT!! :D
 
The shyer you are, the more important it is to become a walking billboard. That way you won't have to strike up conversations. People will approach you.Other than that, I'm probably not going to be much help. I've been talking to strangers about all kinds of things for years and years. (I can see by your stunned expression that you're shocked. LOL!) It's been a source of consternation to my mom for the last 45 years. However, it makes talking with people about PC pretty easy.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #13
Thanks you guys! You have inspired me. Will see how I do tomorrow when I'm out and about! :)
 
PChefPEI said:
So, JAE, what did you say to the cashier??
Click to expand...
I was wearing my new PC shirt that I bought at conference. (Almost love it.) I just said, "Have you ever heard of the Pampered Chef?", and she said that she had because her mom used to sell it. So I said, "have you ever thought about selling it?" She said that now wasn't a good time because she just got back from Poland where she went on a mission's trip. Not sure why that makes now a bad time, but her name was Jessica. I'll get in her line again, even if it's really long. I gave her a mini catalog from this season, not the new season. I told her to check it out and share it with her mom because her mom may want to know what's new.
 
I always steer it that way no matter where I am. That doesn't mean I have to bring it up to everyone I meet but usually it just comes up because it's part of who I am. I love to cook and bake! So naturally being a Pc consultant comes up.

For instance I am at the waiting room at the vet's office and we'll talk about our pets (as my dog is jumping around all over the place), and I'll mention that I make her homemade treats that I got from a PC consultant. I then mention that I am a PC consultant and the converstaion goes from there.

If I am at the doctor's office with my kids I always try to bring current catalogs to leave in the waiting room (the staff knows me) and as I am placing them in the magazine rack I mention to whoever is nearby that they are for browsing or for the taking if they would like to order products. And the conversation goes from there. Either they are not interested and I can sense that right away or they are.

Another example would be at the grocery store, I usually ask people in front of me, who seem to like to strike up conversations, what they are having for dinner? "What's for dinner?" And that gets the ball rolling.

Debbie :chef:
 
I will talk to moms at the park and ask do you work part time, full time? I will compliment someone on there purse or an outfit, especially shoes!! If they have cute kids, compliment how cute their kids are. I don't really have a plan of when I am going to do it, it just kind of happen. I open my big yap and out it comes.
 
You need the chattiness from my 4 year old girl...and her girlfriend..OMG...barbies and princess' oh my...I need to get out and talk to people as well. I am quite until I know a person really. I have to stop that....I need a good swift kick as well....Cheers
 
PamperChefCarol said:
After attending NC last week, I have embraced the 3 of the 3-2-1 thing. Wore my PC shirt out both yesterday and today and carried my bag. Gave out a mini catalog to one lady, got another lady's contact info and talked about my silver whisk to another today.

I am a closet introvert but pretend to be an extrovert. Had never liked wearing name apparrel but have decided that I WANT to be a director by Dec 1, so I must push out of my comfort zone. Nothing comes easy and I think it comes down to how bad you want it. I want it REAL BAD, so off I go.

So far, my results for 2 days are 1 customer name/address email, and two shows.

We just have to do it. Considered yourself kicked!
Click to expand...



Wow, you just described me to a tee. I have had no luck finding a full time job in the new place we just moved to, and hubby says I have PC - make that my full time job until I can find something - or unless this takes off. I'm so shy, but I've got to start doing something else we're going to be in the poorer house. :( Thanks for this post! I needed this. It's 9am and I need to go work my business for the day.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some effective icebreakers for starting conversations with strangers?

Effective icebreakers can include asking open-ended questions about their interests or experiences, complimenting something they're wearing, or commenting on the environment around you. For example, you might say, "I love your necklace! Where did you get it?" or "Have you tried any of the food here?" These types of questions can help create a relaxed atmosphere and encourage dialogue.

How can I approach someone without coming off as intrusive?

To avoid coming off as intrusive, approach someone with a friendly demeanor and a smile. Start with a light, casual topic and gauge their interest in continuing the conversation. Pay attention to their body language; if they seem engaged, you can delve deeper into the conversation. If they appear disinterested, it’s best to politely excuse yourself.

What should I do if the conversation starts to stall?

If the conversation starts to stall, you can ask follow-up questions based on what they've already shared or introduce a new topic. For example, if they mentioned a hobby, you could ask how they got into it or what their favorite part about it is. Alternatively, you can share a related experience of your own to reignite the discussion.

How can I tie in my Pampered Chef business while talking to strangers?

You can naturally incorporate your Pampered Chef business by mentioning it in the context of a conversation. For example, if you're discussing cooking, you might say, "I recently discovered some amazing kitchen tools from Pampered Chef that have made meal prep so much easier!" This way, you share your passion without forcing the topic, allowing for a more organic conversation.

What are some tips for overcoming the fear of starting conversations with strangers?

To overcome the fear of starting conversations, practice makes perfect. Start by initiating small talks in low-pressure situations, like with cashiers or fellow commuters. Focus on being genuinely interested in the other person, which can help shift your attention away from your own anxiety. Remember, most people appreciate friendly conversation, and you might be surprised by how welcoming they are.

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