Struggling with Bookings? How Can I Get More Guests for My Kick Off Show?

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Discussion Overview

This thread centers around the challenges faced by participants in booking guests for their kickoff shows. Several users share their personal experiences and strategies for increasing attendance and managing expectations.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses frustration about having only three friends RSVP for their upcoming kickoff show, highlighting the difficulty of booking attendees.
  • Another participant shares their experience of a low turnout at their Grand Opening show, suggesting that pushing for outside orders and planning additional parties may help.
  • One user recounts a similar experience with no attendees at their grand opening, encouraging the original poster to remain optimistic and consider offering incentives for guests to bring friends.
  • Another participant reflects on their first show having only three attendees but emphasizes the fun they had and the subsequent success that followed.
  • One participant notes the importance of following up with phone calls to remind guests about the event, suggesting that invites alone may not be sufficient.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the effectiveness of various strategies for increasing attendance, with no clear consensus on the best approach to booking guests.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal anecdotes from their experiences with booking shows, reflecting on the emotional challenges and strategies they employed.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants who are experiencing difficulties in booking guests for their shows may find the shared experiences and strategies relevant.

Aeilene
Messages
10
AAAHHHHH! I'm just about to blow my brains off. Im having a hard time booking people---and they're my friends and family! My kick off show is in two weeks and so far I only have three of my friends coming...

What to do???


Aeilene
 
I feel for you. I just had my Grand Opening show on Saturday. Invited 47, 7 RSVP'd, 5 showed up (and that was with 2 bringing a guest). My only words of advice are to push for outside orders, plan a 2nd party (for a diff nite - weekend if you had weekday, weeknight if you had weekend), and try to get people to support you with shows, even if they can't come to yours. I found June to be SUPER hard to book due to so many things going on (graduations, dance recitals, tball, vacations etc) - but for each party you can get, its hopefully 2 more in the next month.

Try to stay positive - I know its SUPER hard to do. I'm a natural pessimist and I already had my night of self-doubt and threw myself a big ole pity party with lots of chocolate but, in the end, the only result I got from that was prob a 2lb weight gain and dishes in the sink. :) (Never doubt how many gooey brownies you can eat, especially warm out of the med bar pan!!!)

Like with anything, the beginning is always the hardest. If we can find a way to see past the 'tree' and see the 'forest' we will do ok - just dont focus so much on the tree (your party attendees). My party will still be over $300 (far cry from my $700 goal) but its still $300. And when it comes to PC Dollars - u get credit for a party regardless of the sales so your closer to that goal.

Its not too late to keep calling people! Encourage friends to bring a guest to join in the fun! Use every mode u can - I used email, phone, myspace, facebook (rules referee's don't freak - i used PM on the sites) etc. Grab outside orders - all that couldn't come, try to hit them up for an order. (I have an issue with not being pushy as I greatly dislike sales people so there is where I am lacking). And reminder phone calls! I found many are not addicts to email like myself and don't check their emails to find the invites/reminders. Last but not least, something I am not doing so well at, try to not take it personally. If you figure out how to do that, let me know. When its close friends/fam - I can't seem to accept "its only ketchup".

My words of wisdom that I repeat constantly to myself:
"Forest" not "Tree"
Rome wasn't built in a day
Name it and claim it
Imagine the impossible - then do it!
The tortoise beat the hare. Slow and steady wins the race!

Chin up & best wishes!
"WE" can all do it, we just have to believe. The peeps on this site ROCK for great ideas, support & picking you up when your down. Thanks for listening to my babble. :balloon:
 
I think most of us have been there....my grandopening had 70+ invites sent out and 0 people showed up. So if you have 3 people, you just might be surprised! And if you can, let them know to bring a friend and that you'll give them a free gift, and then add a Season's Best to their order (or if you have some, give them one at the show). Or if you have a couple recipe cards you can give them?Start looking for a Booth or vendor event you can set up a table (ideas on where to find them). That's how I ended up getting contacts/leads. And when you find one, be sure to read this thread with some great tips!It may be a bit slow going- but just keep at it. Check the files and search for "Bookings". You'll find several documents on where to find bookings.Good luck! Don't give up yet. :D
 
I was just telling a friend that my first show--at my house-- hand only 3 people (and was like 3 hours long!) but I had so much fun, one of them was my actual first host; her show was over 600, plus from it I booked my 3300 fundraiser. Hang with it; it'll happen!Believe in yourself - work your business - And HAVE FUN!!
 
One piece of advice, don't expect an invite (paper or email) to be enough. You must call everyone. Also in the future, you need to coach your hosts to do the same thing. And everyone who says yes they will come, call and remind them the day before.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some effective ways to promote my Kick Off Show?

To promote your Kick Off Show, utilize social media platforms to create buzz. Share engaging posts about the event, including sneak peeks of recipes or products you'll showcase. Consider creating an event page on Facebook and invite friends, family, and potential customers. Additionally, send out personalized invitations via email or text to make your guests feel special.

How can I encourage my current customers to bring friends to the show?

Offer incentives for your current customers to bring friends, such as a discount on their next purchase or a small gift for each friend they bring. You can also create a fun referral program where both the customer and their friend receive a reward for attending. Make sure to communicate the value of the show and what guests can expect to experience.

What types of themes can I use to make my Kick Off Show more appealing?

Consider hosting themed shows that align with the interests of your target audience. Popular themes include "Healthy Cooking," "Quick Meals for Busy Families," or "Holiday Entertaining." Tailor your recipes and demonstrations to fit the theme, and encourage guests to dress up or bring themed snacks to enhance the experience.

How can I leverage social media to increase bookings for my show?

Utilize platforms like Instagram and Facebook to share visually appealing content related to your Kick Off Show. Post engaging stories, countdowns, and behind-the-scenes preparations. Use relevant hashtags to reach a wider audience and encourage guests to share your posts. Consider running a social media contest where participants can win a prize for sharing your event.

What should I do if I’m still struggling to get guests after trying these strategies?

If you're still struggling with bookings, consider reaching out to your upline or fellow consultants for advice and support. They may have additional strategies or insights based on their experiences. Additionally, reflect on your approach and consider hosting smaller, more intimate gatherings to build confidence and rapport with potential guests before scaling up to larger events.

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