Using Folders at Shows: Labels and Info?

[K_Jurich]

I just tought I would update. . . .I tried the passing the catalogs out in the begining of my show on Friday night I didn't really like it that much because I did feel like they were more interested in the catalog then me. I will try it again eventually but so far I really don't like it. I tought I would share my experince with you all.

 

[ameliasurf]

I also use the manila folder. I put inside a wish list and a index card with I print a survey/information form on and trade each guest for a catalog and order form later once the index card is filled out. Does anyone else not pass out catalogs right away or do you ? This was a tip my director gave me, but I haven't tried anything else.

i use plastic gallon size bags... i put the guest special, host special, and punch card (that with every $25 spent they get a punch and after 10 punches they get $30 gift certificate towards their purchase), order form and a new business post card from merrill. i am looking into the lapboards but i might just get some cardboard and wrap it with wrapping paper... it is a cheaper way to have a lap board....

 

[PamperedDor]

I actually don't use any folders - I did in the very beginning then found it took too much time to 1. get them ready for each show 2. collect them at the end and 3. costly - I just hand out my catalogs with an orderform and black and white copy of the guest special if its like the last few months 20% off - and go over all that in the start of my show - People are going to look thru the catalog no matter what - nothing is better then having one guest sell another guest on something they have already - so when they are shopping the catalog and not listening to you - its not that bad - could be worse like the ones who just have conversations during your presentation without any manners -

 

[PamperedDor]

i use plastic gallon size bags... i put the guest special, host special, and punch card (that with every $25 spent they get a punch and after 10 punches they get $30 gift certificate towards their purchase), order form and a new business post card from merrill. i am looking into the lapboards but i might just get some cardboard and wrap it with wrapping paper... it is a cheaper way to have a lap board....

I also heard you can buy looseleaf binders and cut them in half (so its 2 boards) - I still myself don't do it - but it could be a local thing also -

 

[ameliasurf]

I also heard you can buy looseleaf binders and cut them in half (so its 2 boards) - I still myself don't do it - but it could be a local thing also -

hey that is a good idea!!! i have a loose leaf binder that is getting on my nerve in my room... i can do that!!! thanks:sing:

 

[elizabethfox]

Thanks for all the great ideas!

 

[graciec1977]

I was thinking the same thing but I guess the point my director made was that if you hand them out then no one listens to you because they are looking at the catalog. So I am really on the fence about this. I have a show tonight, I don't know if I should try handing them out in my folders and see what happens. What else do some of you include in your folders?

Do you do interactive shows? With an interactive show they have no choice but to listen about the products because they are all using them. Absolutely no-one at my shows remains seated the whole show, everyone gets a turn helping prepare the recipe. Most times I don't even touch the food, they do it all. This really is alot of fun for everyone and I find that those that aren't up cooking at the time are looking for the tool in the catalog that is being demoed.

 

[K_Jurich]

I ususally do the cooking but we play games and they ask questions and I ask them m questions. Not sure if that is what you mean. I did see the posting about the 2 team cooking show thing. I may try that,

 

[chefann]

One of the announcements at Leadership was a more interactive show. There's a DVD that will be sent in mid-February with 3 consultants' shows on it as examples. They showed a few minutes on the big screen, and if we follow this format, nobody will get any paperwork until the recipe is done. It looked fun for the guests AND the consultants. In fact, I've got a show this weekend, and I'm planning to use the format.

Before people start moaning about it, HO held focus groups about shows. They found that guests much prefer a shorter (45 minutes or less) show with a LOT of interaction. Those shorter shows lead to more bookings, more solid recruit leads, and higher sales. I don't know about you, but I'm willing to try it for a few months and see what it does for my business.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

One of the announcements at Leadership was a more interactive show. There's a DVD that will be sent in mid-February with 3 consultants' shows on it as examples. They showed a few minutes on the big screen, and if we follow this format, nobody will get any paperwork until the recipe is done. It looked fun for the guests AND the consultants. In fact, I've got a show this weekend, and I'm planning to use the format.

Before people start moaning about it, HO held focus groups about shows. They found that guests much prefer a shorter (45 minutes or less) show with a LOT of interaction. Those shorter shows lead to more bookings, more solid recruit leads, and higher sales. I don't know about you, but I'm willing to try it for a few months and see what it does for my business.

I'm willing to try too. I've done a couple "hands-on" shows, and they just seemed to be chaotic, which stresses me out - but at the same time, I love the idea, so I am really looking forward to seeing the DVD.

 

[heather223]

I would be interested in doing the interactive format too. I don't demo at my shows all the time. I seem to have to repeat myself a lot becuase the guests are asking me about the recipe and not the product. I have also done no demo shows and like them becuase I feel that I give more information about the products and get higher sales but feel bad that they don't get to see me make a recipe. I think the interactive shows would be the best of both worlds! :chef:

 

[chefann]

What they showed was fabulous! Do you ever watch cooking shows on TV and wish that you could try out a technique that the host uses? That's what our guests will be able to do. And they'll get their hands on more products, which leads to higher sales. The shorter format also allows them more time (during the evening as a whole) to socialize. Which will lead to higher attendance, as word gets out that your shows are fun and social, and you're not the "PC Nazi" who demands that everyone sit quietly for 90 minutes watching a demo. (We all know consultants like that, right? )

In fact, the theme show recipes were developed with the short interactive show in mind. The Mini Glazed Lemon Cakes is a 20 minute demo! Gotta love that! It still gives plenty of time for guests to help (since that adds time to the prep), and to visit with each other. And then, you're less likely to have guests throwing order forms at you because they have to leave. And you can spend the time to do full-service checkout with everyone.

 

[heather223]

I can't wait to see the DVD about this. I may try it out on my February shows! :chef:

 

[graciec1977]

When I shadowed a show for the first time before I had a show of my own, the consultant did completely interactive. As guests were arriving she was in the kitchen doing the prep work and she asked each guest if they would like to help her out. This made alot of the work be already done so that when it came time for the demo it was very short (about 20-30 mins). During the demo the guests that didn't have a chance to already try out a product got to help put everything together. The guests really loved it as they could "try before they buy" (i use this statement in my show, "Where else can you try a kitchen tool before you buy it?"). Also at one of our cluster meetings we did an interactive cooking show and everyone gave it a try that month, next meeting everyone was raving about the success they had with it versus the "consultant demo show". It's deffinatly worth trying, my last show everyone loved it so much that I got 5 bookings for Feb and March!

 

[jrny2001]

Update...Here's what I did. I read all the ideas that were posted. All very good by the way.
I still used my lapboards with an order form, guest care card (found in the files) and added a coupon (also found in the files) for free SB or Free shipping w/ $60.00 order or free gift at their show (my way of thanking them for coming and supporting the host).

As they checked out I put their receipt in a folder for them to take home. On the front I made a sticker (mailing label size) that said Compliments of your Pampered Chef Consultant, then had my name, phone number and website address.

 

[wadesgirl]

I would be interested in doing the interactive format too. I don't demo at my shows all the time. I seem to have to repeat myself a lot becuase the guests are asking me about the recipe and not the product. I have also done no demo shows and like them becuase I feel that I give more information about the products and get higher sales but feel bad that they don't get to see me make a recipe. I think the interactive shows would be the best of both worlds! :chef:

I post my show recipes on my website, makes it really nice to tell them they can look up the recipe on there. I also do a no demo show so I don't have to worry about focusing on the recipe, just the products.