Maximizing Summer Bookings: Tips and Tricks for Busy Schedules

[mheat923]

I am looking for any ideas on how to best book this summer when my time and others is already "booked"

For example: MY June Calendar I have 2 weeks literally 14 days avaliable to do shows I am out of town the other days and July is basically the same thing I literally have 14 days to hold shows and guess what....so far I have 1 show booked for each month...I had 4 wanting to book at my last show(I am restarting so its slow right now) and when the 4 of them sat down with their calendars and my calndar only 2 could commit in June and July and I hate to book any further out then July right now...

so any Open house type ideas that have worked for you? I thought about throwing a "tropics" party and inviting friends family customers and former customers...

 

[GourmetGirl]

What about doing a mega show? See if you can use a church hall or community room somewhere and have multiple hosts. You provide the ingredients for the demo recipe and have each host bring a dish to share. You still submit each show as its own, yet you can work with your schedule and do the amount of shows you wish to do in June and July.

I think your Tropics idea is a great one! You could maybe even make it a mystery host for even more enticement.

Good luck. Let us know what you decide!

 

[pamperedchef_OK_LA_MS]

You could do the $100 Catalog CHallenge.... Invite your 10 highest catalog hosts to participate. Alll they need to do is collect $100 and their name goes in a drawing for the host benefits (which will be $200 for a $1000 show) If their sales are over $100 then for every $100 over they get another chance... I know there is a thread on here about it and possibly a flyer too... kind of vague, but dig around on here!

 

[abrahamlaur]

Thats an awesome Idea!!! I love that .. Maybe I"ll do that for when my husband leaves for Iraq.

 

[ltkacz]

I'm offering50% more in free products if someone books with me in May or June. I offered this at a women's show I did last weekend, and it was a huge hit! My calendar is booking up quick. Yes, it's money out of my pocket, but I worked the numbers, by the time you take out the show % off, it's really not that bad. Plus I figure, the more shows I book, the higher payout I'm at, and more of a chance to earn the new products. I also figure if I book solid May and June, the bookings from those parties will carry me into July, Agugust and Sept.

 

[cmdtrgd]

You can also offer a DIY show (from a great Director friend, Mary Ann Rinne). What you do is go through the catalog with the host and get a list of products she is interested in trying out. Put everything in your red crate (more than that could be overwhelming) and take over to her house. Go through a checklist of the products with her and address any products she doesn't know how to use (UM, APCS, etc.). Leave order forms, catalogs, DYLAB and some opportunity brochures with her. Pick up the crate (go through the checklist again) after 48 hours. In that 48 hours she should have friends over to play with the tools, use them, and call you if they have any questions. This is a great idea for weekends - people are out of town, you want to spend time with your family, etc. - so you do your live shows during the week.HTH

 

[mheat923]

Was talking to some moms at dance tonight...and I got a booking for JUne and since she has same summer schedule as me we have the same 14 days free in June lolAlso gots lots of questions and intrest in coming to my "tropics party" which is what I decided to go with!

 

[tlennhoff]

Was talking to some moms at dance tonight...and I got a booking for JUne and since she has same summer schedule as me we have the same 14 days free in June lol

Also gots lots of questions and intrest in coming to my "tropics party" which is what I decided to go with!

That is great contratulations.

 

[heat123]

50% more in free products if someone books with me in May or June. I offered this at a women's show I did last weekend, and it was a huge hit! My calendar is booking up quick. Yes, it's money out of my pocket, but I worked the numbers, by the time you take out the show % off, it's really not that bad. Plus I figure, the more shows I book, the higher payout I'm at, and more of a chance to earn the new products. I also figure if I book solid May and June, the bookings from those parties will carry me into July, Agugust and Sept.

Hmm, that sounds interesting... I need more June-July bookings maybe I should try that at my next few shows?

 

[mheat923]

I am thinking I will play around and offer some kind of incentive whether its the 50% or a specfic $ amount as an incentive for bookings and sales during the summer. I always offer a "free" show. I find it easier to do that and I can write the food off as a business expense.

 

[GourmetGirl]

I just offered $20 more in free product if someone books for may or june and if you refer someone to me that books a show, you'll get $10 to spend at their show. I put this in my newsletter, so we'll see if I get anything...

 

[raebates]

One of the things I offer for summer is a Practice Party. No, it's not a trial run. It's a part at a practice.

I set up a table at the ballpark (or soccer field, or whatever). It's basically an open house. But, since it's right where everyone has to be anyway, it's very convenient.

 

[mrssyvo]

I have decided that this Summer I want to work smarter, not harder, and since my schedule is tight, I want to do as many $1000 shows as possible- so, I am offering to buy the hostess special for the hostess if she has a $1000 show. I tell her it is really only 20-25 orders. I also buy the ingredients if she has 20 buying guests at her show. It starts them thinking big from the start, and gives them a focus and incentive to work hard. I would rather have 1 $1000 show than 3 $200 shows !!!!

 

[heat123]

50% more in free products if someone books with me in May or June. I offered this at a women's show I did last weekend, and it was a huge hit! My calendar is booking up quick. Yes, it's money out of my pocket, but I worked the numbers, by the time you take out the show % off, it's really not that bad. Plus I figure, the more shows I book, the higher payout I'm at, and more of a chance to earn the new products. I also figure if I book solid May and June, the bookings from those parties will carry me into July, Agugust and Sept.

So just so I have this correct... say the host reaches $500= 90 FREE Product plus 50% more 90+45= 135 FREE but out of pocket you are only out $33.75 with the 25% host discount??? Just want to make sure my calculations were correct before I offered this special for JUNE and JULY!?? Thanks to anyone who can confirm or correct me!

 

[ltkacz]

Yes, Heather...That's correct - for a $500 show, and 50% more free - you are giving them $45 in free production, but you only are actually paying $33.75 out of your own pocket.

 

[ltkacz]

I love the idea of$1000 show and I'll buy you the host special for the month.

 

[jogle]

plus...you would still get commision on that 33.75

 

[heat123]

plus...you would still get commision on that 33.75

Very True I may have to announce this for sure tomorrow and see if I get any takers!

 

[katie0128]

One of the things I offer for summer is a Practice Party. No, it's not a trial run. It's a part at a practice.

I set up a table at the ballpark (or soccer field, or whatever). It's basically an open house. But, since it's right where everyone has to be anyway, it's very convenient.

I really like this idea... espcially since we are just down the road from ball fields. How do you do it... food/drinks? Demo?

 

[Trish1953]

Who has tried some of these Summer Booking ideas and have they worked? Are you getting more shows? I thought about the 50% Off incentive but that seems like a lot of money out of my pocket.

Trish in Texas
Independent Consultant

 

[ltkacz]

TrishDon't forget, you may pay out of pocket, but you are getting commission on that as well, so, bottom line, it's not that bad. Plus, you get a show which can lead to more shows (and possible recruits).

I've booked 2 shows (one this Saturday - 19th and one next Monday - 21) plus have 3 more people deciding on dates for next month. As it stands right now - that's 5 shows I didn't have.

I will let you know how it goes.

 

[mhrivera]

Liz,
your 50% more free is really an intriguing idea! I have a fair this weekend, and I am desperate for bookings, and this might really work! Thanks for the idea, and hope it works for you!

 

[whitetiger]

I thought we don't get comm on host specials or 1/2 price items?

 

[quiverfull7]

I didn't think so either... is anyone double checking this?

 

[mhrivera]

The 50% free would not count towards the host special or the half price items. If you were to offer a host the host special free, it is true that it would come completely out of your pocket. If you add items to the hostess' order, then you would receive the discount plus commission.Does that clear it up at all?

 

[quiverfull7]

ummm. I don't think so... in earlier posts they were talking about buying the host special for the guest... and then still getting the commission on that item... I think anyway... and we don't make commission on the host special correct?

 

[sillylittlechef]

It is true that we don't get commission on the host special. If you were to offer that free to a customer with a $1000 show or what ever level you choose, then it would be out of pocket costs. But if you offer 50% more in free product then that is commissionable. SO if they earn $90 in free the $45 (50% extra) that you give them free will be after host special and half price items. That will include their earned discount 20%, and is commissionable. So if they earn 20% off and you get 24% commission then you are giving them $45 free but your out of pocket of the 50% is only 6%.

 

[Cassie1037]

Amazingly, that makes sense!

 

[StephsKitchen]

Could you tell me more about setting up at the ball field?

Thanks!

 

[ChefKrisB]

mystery host flyer...For the $1000 mystery host show idea, I came up with a June flyer...I really need some June shows. I have to take some time off in the middle of the month, but I want to make sure I earn my free fall products. Thanks so much for all the great ideas on here. I've booked two shows today for June, just by all the inspiration from you guys!

I just don't know how to get this to convert to a Word Document??? Can anyone else do that?

 

[MGG]

Who has tried some of these Summer Booking ideas and have they worked? Are you getting more shows? I thought about the 50% Off incentive but that seems like a lot of money out of my pocket.

Trish in Texas
Independent Consultant

For July I offered a Price of the Day any stoneware except the deep covered baker and it worked. I am going to confereance and then hubby and I are vacationing so I HAVE TO book the beginning of july.

 

[JAE]

One of the things I offer for summer is a Practice Party. No, it's not a trial run. It's a part at a practice.

I set up a table at the ballpark (or soccer field, or whatever). It's basically an open house. But, since it's right where everyone has to be anyway, it's very convenient.

Has this worked for you? Did you get a good turn out?

 

[ltkacz]

My results...For the first show I offered 50% more free was 2 weeks ago. Ended up with 3 bookings and 2 leads! Show was $600 guest sales, but with the extra 50% it came to something like $657 on commissionable sales. Was it worth giving 50% extra on this - YOU BET!

 

[pamperedbecky]

For the first show I offered 50% more free was 2 weeks ago. Ended up with 3 bookings and 2 leads! Show was $600 guest sales, but with the extra 50% it came to something like $657 on commissionable sales. Was it worth giving 50% extra on this - YOU BET!

So, this seems to be working well and I'm thinking of trying this. Anyone else care to report their results after offering this?? I have a booth this weekend that I was thinking of offering it for. Hmmmm, very intriguing!!!

 

[raebates]

Has this worked for you? Did you get a good turn out?

Actually, no one has chosen it yet. None of my hosts so far have had young kids in sports. I still think it's a good idea, though.

 

[mommyhugz1978]

This would b e a great time to host your own show, if you have PC apperal WEAR IT... I have gotten three bookings so far this month from wearing a PC T-shirt. Offer Catalog shows, offer fundraisers IE Dance Teams, School Bands, this is the time of the year that they do their fundraising for the next school year!!!