Ugh! Just Got Home From Show...

[AJPratt]

Rae: I have heard of people who do very well offering this kind of show. Do you do this for everyone, or just larger shows?

 

[pamperedgirl3]

What kind of sales do you have for this kind of show? I've been wanting to go more towards no demo, but just haven't found the nerve yet!

 

[Rebeccascabinet]

Pampered Laura, good to know I am not the only one who is klutzy. I have come to expect something to go wrong at each of my shows. I strive for perfection , but....
I too have had mixed up recipes, forgetten an important tool, recipe has not come out anything like it was suppossed too, food on floor, etc. I use it as a recruiting tool, ( if I didn't I'd probabaly cry), and say something like, "if I can be successful at this anyone can be successful at this." I've just resigned myself that something will go wrong no matter how prepared I think I am or how many times I memorize something, I always forget to say something. I try to laugh it off and move on.

 

[aried]

Anne, I have been there and just let it go. Last Thursday I had 3 guests, 2 dogs, 3 kids and a husband that didn't watch the kids well and my new recruit observing me. I did get 2 bookings.

Ann

 

[janel kelly]

I did a no demo show on Saturday for the first time and it ended up being an 800$ show so far. I felt kind of funny talking about the products without cooking anything but it must have worked since sales are good. I think I just need to figure out how to make it more fun.

 

[AJPratt]

I wouldn't mind bringing something and popping it in the oven. The thought of not bringing home dirties is a great one!

 

[mom2leelee]

I am very interested in this idea but really scared that it would flop. Do you do it for most of your shows or just your 'seasoned' guests? Do you offer the guests a chance to actually get their hands on the products and use them?

 

[Karo]

Yes, we have all had those shows - I once had to do one in the 'kitchen/cafeteria' of a school for emotionally handicapped kids and I don't know who was more distracting the kids or their teachers. The host told me as I unpacked, "they are good kids and most of them we allow to use knives..." I felt like I'd run a marathon by the time I got home!

My best attention grabber is to tell them I need their help - "To keep you here as briefly as possible, I need your help tonight/today. You should know that my father had Alheimer's and I have two teenagers at home. I don't know which factor is killing my brain cells faster, but you have fair warning... I get excited sharing so many ways to save time, save money and make money... and sometimes I go down some simply wonderful Pampered Chef rabbit trails. When that happens, just remind me of what I was talking about when I left the trail, OK?" That always gets a good laugh and people do pay more attention, if only to get out on time... and paying attention does help us get out on time. <g>

 

[PCGINA]

That Director in the post about doing shows at Cluster would have a field day with their food handling!!!

You must have recovered well to have that total and so many follow-ups to do!

Touché I totally agree with you on this one!!!

 

[raebates]

Rae: I have heard of people who do very well offering this kind of show. Do you do this for everyone, or just larger shows?

I do this for all my shows, unless the host requests otherwise.

My show average went up about $45 when I started doing this, and my bookings have increased. Usually my shows hover around $500. I regularly have shows well over that amount, though. Since I live in a very frugal, rural area, I feel like my average is pretty good.

 

[raebates]

I did a no demo show on Saturday for the first time and it ended up being an 800$ show so far. I felt kind of funny talking about the products without cooking anything but it must have worked since sales are good. I think I just need to figure out how to make it more fun.

Janel, it does take a little getting used to, but I think it's worth it.

As to making it more fun, I get lots of laughs by sharing my kitchen mishaps with the various products. I'm sure you have funny stories attached to at least one or two of them. Share those. Encourage your guests to share them. Laughter releases endorphins, which makes people feel good, which makes them view you as even more likeable, which makes them love the products even more.

For example, this always gets a good laugh. (As a matter of fact, I now get requests for the story): I was explaining at a show that you can cook with the scrapers and they won't melt. My aunt was there. She pointed out that even though I said they wouldn't melt, when my cousin's house burned down, her's melted. My response was that, yes, in the 1200 degrees of a house fire, all your Pampered Chef stuff will be gone. However, they are heat safe to 650 degrees.

Your family might not be as wacky as mine, but I'm sure you have stories to share.

 

[pamperedlinda]

I bring a recipe already made. The guests fill their plate before I start. My "demo" consists of going through the catalog page by page. (I lump the cookware pages together, the SA pages together, and the stoneware pages together, talking about the benefits of the groups instead of each page.)

As I go through we play the Have it! Love it! Got a question! Game. When I mention an item they love, the first person to yell, "Have it! Love it!" gets a candy. They then tell everyone what they love about that particular product. (I use dark Hershey kisses because few women can resist chocolate, and the antioxidents in the dark stuff are good for you.) They also get a candy if they ask a question. When we reach the end of the catalog the person with the most candies (or empty wrappers) gets a prize.

This works well for me for several reasons:

• Everyone has a chance to socialize before we get started. In most groups it cuts down on people talking during my demo. (Not always, but ususally.)
  
• Getting food in their tummies seems to help most of my customers concentrate. They're listening to what I say instead of thinking, "Looks good. When do we eat?"
  
• It gets most everyone involved. (BTW, this is one of the most common comments I receive.)
  
• I get a chance to touch on more products.
  
• They sell the products for me. Most of the people at my shows haven't laid eyes on me until that night. To them I'm just someone paid to sell the stuff. I have little credibility. However, when the woman sitting next to them, the woman they've known for 20 years, gone to church with, served on school committees with, etc., says she can't live without the micro-cooker, SHE'S got credibility.
  
• This has the potential to be a quicker show. I say potential because I sometimes get a group that insists on talking about pretty much every product on every page. ("Hey, you didn't mention the mini-whipper. It's the best thing I've ever found for making chocolate milk.") Thankfully, this doesn't happen often, and, when it does, the crowd doesn't seem to mind.

I still do the occasional traditional cooking show, but most of my hosts like this style.

Rae,

Thanks for sharing this. I've been thinking about doing something like this, but haven't been too sure about it. I'm doing a show for a good friend this weekend so I may try it out with her.

A few questions though:

1) What kind of tools/products do you take with you?
2) Do you demo any of them? If so, which ones do you usually demo and how?
3) Do you feel like you are giving a lecture or does it seem to flow like a conversation?

I really like this idea, but I'm scared that I might be boring.

thanks!
Linda

 

[lkspeir]

Linda,I'm very anxious to see the answers to your questions. I've done about 6 shows for this one group of women. This would be something great to try on them.

 

[raebates]

1) What kind of tools/products do you take with you?
2) Do you demo any of them? If so, which ones do you usually demo and how?
3) Do you feel like you are giving a lecture or does it seem to flow like a conversation?

I really like this idea, but I'm scared that I might be boring.

thanks!
Linda

1. At a minimum I take my tool turnabout (lots of the little things need hands-on instruction), the current and next-month specials, a piece of stoneware, the ultimate mandoline, one of each type of knife, and at least one of the micro-cookers.

I usually take several other things--whatever catches my eye. I like to take lots of stuff because I believe that seeing and feeling the products helps them to sell. Having said that, I use my judgement. On Thursday I'll be doing a show in an upper apartment reached by a narrow staircase. I'll be taking the bare minimum to that show.

2. I hold many of the items as I talk about them, especially the micro-cooker. I always tell how to cook hamburger in it. I show them exactly how I would use it, sort of like pantomime but with my narration (if that makes any sense at all). Basically it's like a little commercial of each product I show which definitely is not every one of the things I bring.

3. Because I'm encouraging the guests to talk about the products as I name them, it really does flow more like conversation. Occasionally I feel a little like I'm giving a speech, especially on those first few pages with all new stuff. I think it helps, though. It gives everyone a few minutes to settle in before the competition begins. (Guests have to be the first to yell "Have it! Love it!" to get a candy. It's amazing how competitive women can get when chocolate is involved. )

Finally, I can't imagine that your show could be boring. They don't allow boring people to be a part of PC, do they? Besides, the guests are doing most of the work for you. No way all of them are boring.

 

[pamperedlinda]

Rae,

Thanks so much for sharing! I'm going to give this format a whirl this weekend.

Linda

 

[klsnyder]

Do you buy the ingredients?When you do these walk through shows, do you buy the ingredients or does the host?

 

[chefkitty]

I just had to say something in response to this one. I too did a very large show this past week and it was difficult to get everyone wrangled in so to speak. I just let them talk (mainly because they were talking about product and how much they loved the pieces they had). THe people who were listening I directed my demo too them. My biggest problem was that i didn't completley read through my recipe and had to adapt it for the oven and not the microwave on the spot. But I did and it came out really good and everyone loved it. Closed my show on Friday and it was over a $1000!!

 

[pamperedlinda]

Okay, so this afternoon I tried out Rae's Walk Through the Catalog show. I have to say that I liked it. We played the Got It/Love It/Got a Question game as we went through the catalog. It felt a little odd at first since the first several pages are new products that no one yet had, but once we got into the meatier sections of the catalog it went pretty well. There were about 15 people at this show and it took us about an hour to go through the catalog. Must have been great because orders are sitting at $1065 and she still has about 5 or 6 more to collect. I'm trying this again on my Tuesday show so hopefully it will be a little more smooth.

 

[tlennhoff]

Okay, so this afternoon I tried out Rae's Walk Through the Catalog show. I have to say that I liked it. We played the Got It/Love It/Got a Question game as we went through the catalog. It felt a little odd at first since the first several pages are new products that no one yet had, but once we got into the meatier sections of the catalog it went pretty well. There were about 15 people at this show and it took us about an hour to go through the catalog. Must have been great because orders are sitting at $1065 and she still has about 5 or 6 more to collect. I'm trying this again on my Tuesday show so hopefully it will be a little more smooth.

That is great Linda. Thanks for letting us know how it went.

 

[raebates]

When you do these walk through shows, do you buy the ingredients or does the host?

I buy the ingredients and use it as a tax deduction. I usually choose one or two recipes and make those all month. This way I can buy most of the ingredients in larger sizes, so it keeps the cost down.

 

[raebates]

Okay, so this afternoon I tried out Rae's Walk Through the Catalog show. I have to say that I liked it. We played the Got It/Love It/Got a Question game as we went through the catalog. It felt a little odd at first since the first several pages are new products that no one yet had, but once we got into the meatier sections of the catalog it went pretty well. There were about 15 people at this show and it took us about an hour to go through the catalog. Must have been great because orders are sitting at $1065 and she still has about 5 or 6 more to collect. I'm trying this again on my Tuesday show so hopefully it will be a little more smooth.

Congratulations! I'm so glad to hear this worked well for you.

 

[torres]

What is Rae's Walk through the Catalog? I am a new consultant and I'm having my first real show in two weeks and I need some Idea for a smooth show.

 

[tlennhoff]

What is Rae's Walk through the Catalog? I am a new consultant and I'm having my first real show in two weeks and I need some Idea for a smooth show.

In our Recipe For Success book that you got with your starter kit they include 3 recipes and scripts. You may want to pick one of those and just practice, practice, practice. Yes your family may get tired of the food and hearing your speil but I've heard this really works and wish I'd done it.

 

[raebates]

What is Rae's Walk through the Catalog? I am a new consultant and I'm having my first real show in two weeks and I need some Idea for a smooth show.

I don't know that I'd call it "Rae's" walk through the catalog (the idea really didn't originate with me), but it's fairly simple.

I bring something already made. The guests fill their plates as they arrive. About 10 to 15 minutes after the "start" of the show, I begin my demo. Just like at a traditional cooking show, I introduce myself, have the guests introduce themselves, and go over the specials.

At the point that I would normally start a recipe, I simply have them take out the catalog and go through it with them page by page. I choose an item or two on each page and talk about what a great product it is. I combine the pages for cookware, Simple Additions, and stoneware.

To make the show interactive, I tell them as we're opening the catalog that we will be playing the Have It! Love It! Got a Question! game. My apron pockets are filled with candies. When I mention a product, the first one to yell, "Have it! Love it!" and explain to the group why they love it gets a candy. I also toss candies to anyone asking a question about a product or about the business. When we reach the end of the catalog, the person with the most candies (or empty wrappers) gets a prize.

It makes the show seem shorter, because everyone's involved. There's also no time spent waiting for the recipe to cook. It works well for me. I've been doing this for almost a year now. I'd be glad to answer any other questions. Feel free to send me a personal message.

 

[sandraschmitz]

I've had a few shows like that as well and I've just learned to let it go. It's not about the demonstration. If you play a couple of games that gets them thinking about hosting shows and selling the products that are interactive then you've got them. Especially when they are familiar with PC and love it. I do the majority of my getting to talk to guests when we are filling out the order form.
I know that it can be frustrating but I get through the demo as quickly as possible and sit with the guests for longer.
I haven't tried the poker game yet but it sounds like that would really keep them on track and interested.
Sandy

 

[redprincess]

First let me say that I love the "Got It/Love It/Question" game and will definitely be using it. In regards to losing your place during your presentation, I'm a bit of a nerd and have completely written out my presentation, then put talking points in powerpoint and run it on my laptop, only facing me, to use as talking points. It also tells me what I need for my recipe (oven time, amount of ingredients, etc.). In my full time job, I've had a number of presentation classes and they have recommended writing your full presentation out, then identifying talking points as it gives you more confidence.

 

[AJPratt]

Thats a great idea about the laptop!

 

[amazoncook]

Love the "have it, love it, got a ? gameThanks Rae for walking us through it, one step at a time. I am also going to try this. You guys give alot of confidence to try something new! There is strength in numbers!! Kim

 

[MGG]

To make the show interactive, I tell them as we're opening the catalog that we will be playing the Have It! Love It! Got a Question! game. My apron pockets are filled with candies. When I mention a product, the first one to yell, "Have it! Love it!" and explain to the group why they love it gets a candy. I also toss candies to anyone asking a question about a product or about the business. When we reach the end of the catalog, the person with the most candies (or empty wrappers) gets a prize.

It makes the show seem shorter, because everyone's involved. There's also no time spent waiting for the recipe to cook. It works well for me. I've been doing this for almost a year now. I'd be glad to answer any other questions. Feel free to send me a personal message.

I played this game at a show I went to approx 4 years ago with my mother-in-law and I had the most fun ever. I loved it and everyone was laughing and having a great time. it is still the best show in my memory, even after some of the lady's started giving e.o glances after they said "so your the one who married Angies's baby boy". I still wonder what she told them about me & besides he was 25 when we got married, but like all men still a big baby