Venting Frustration: Does Everyone Have Unattentive Guests?

[pcchris]

Is it just me, or does everyone have shows where the guests totally don't pay attention? I try to be funny and informative, but the guests want to talk amongst themselves, and get quite loud! So, I just kind of go along and do my thing, and if anyone has any questions, they ask me afterwards. I just feel like I'm not doing my job, because no one's listening. I'm sure it happens to everyone, but is it discouraging to anyone but me? Sorry if this is in the wrong area....but just wanted to see if this happens to everyone! At my weekend show, I talked about the Forged Cutlery, and then had 2 people ask me about it after my demo....like "what's the difference between this and the self sharpening knives?" I wanted to slap 'em in the head and say "if you would have been listening, you'd know, because I talked about it in my demo...DUH!" (Of course, I didn't, but sure wanted to! LOL!) Sorry for the long post, but it's frustrating. Thanks for letting me vent!!

 

[caritok]

I don't know the answer to this question, because I keep having the same problem. I want them to have fun, but I am there for a reason. When I make a joke of it and clear my throat or something like that, it helps for a while, but it doesn't always work for long. I think I am going to have to come up with a way for them to be more interactive and still visit with their friends. ??? Competition? I'll keep looking to see what people suggest, because I need help here too. Cristy

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

I'm sorry - were you saying something?

 

[KellyTheChef]

I am adding a new theme show to my list:

Yackin' N Snackin' This is where I will have the recipe totally made, and for the first half hour of the show, they will yack and snack on the recipe and any other food the host has provided. Then, hopefully they will have it out of their system and will actually pay attention once the show starts. I will "air demo" the products used for the recipe that they are eating! So, people show up ON TIME cuz they want to be included in the socializing and eating! (or at least that's the plan! )

Maybe if you can see before the show starts that they are REALLY wanting to talk, you could mention to your host "I can see everyone is having fun visiting...why don't we announce that they can grab a snack and visit and the show will start in about 20 minutes?" Maybe that will curb them!

I understand what you are saying, and I know it's very annoying- especially when they miss important things and then ask those questions that they SHOULD know the answers to if they had been listening! Or, if there are those there who really ARE listening and they can't hear over the others gabbing!

It's hard, because you WANT them to have fun...but not at the expese of your time or others' time!

 

[amy07]

I am adding a new theme show to my list:

Yackin' N Snackin' This is where I will have the recipe totally made, and for the first half hour of the show, they will yack and snack on the recipe and any other food the host has provided. Then, hopefully they will have it out of their system and will actually pay attention once the show starts. I will "air demo" the products used for the recipe that they are eating!

Oh, how I LOVE that theme!!

 

[clshirk]

Cool theme. In my experience, so far I usually have 1-2 people looking at me while everyone else is chatting. I don't really mind being me, as long as people buy stuff. I do agree- I'd be ready to smack myself in the head when they asked again about what you went over in detail. As a guest, I always felt bad for the consultant if everyone was loud- sometimes you can tell it affects them that no one's listening. The best thing in my opinion is to go with the flow and see what everyone wants. When it seems kinda high-talk, just work on making the food and if they pay attention, then they learn. Usually, I would do a little of that, then when I did talk and engage everyone, they would listen. I don't know, I'm sure I'll have some worse shows though.
Good luck. I like the yackin and snackin idea- I think no matter what they're going to chat and I actually think it makes for a better show if they are at least a little. Takes ALL the attention off us while at least a few people listen.

 

[amy07]

you know, after thinking about it, things could be worse!! We probably wouldn't like it either if they were so attentive that they didn't interact with us or the other guests. I mean, we want them to help sell the products right? I had a group that was like pulling teeth to get them to talk.........about anything!! I think I'll take a lively crowd over the alternative!

 

[raebates]

Yes, it happens to us all. Yes, it's incredibly irritating at times. No, there's not necessarily anything you can do about it. However, we're all here to empathize with you--especially if it keeps you from throttling your guests out of sheer frustration.

 

[gratergirl]

That theme sounds great! What I do is make fun by saying to people that may be yacking back and forth, "do I have to separate you two?" Everyone laughs and it usually gets the point across.

 

[Chefgirl2]

A Few Tips That I Have LearnedYears ago I was a guest at a PC show and was telling the girls next to me about the chopper and some other products. The consultant was being quiet and not talking a lot. Well, halfway through she snapped at me "to please shush up because I can't think to do my demo!"

I was horrified! I had planned on booking a show. There was no way I was going to do it now. I swore if I was ever in direct sales I would never -ever tell someone to be quiet.

If you think about it, she should have recruited me. You have to have some enthusiasm to sell these products. They almost sell themselves, but not quite.

I have found that most of the time they are talking about the products. I listen for key words then I'll ask them to share to the group what they are saying. If it isn't about PC, I'll say "Oops!" and share what happened to me. I let them know how horrified I was and I'll try to be fast because I know these parties really are about socialising with your friends. Then I lead in with my booking line that "I used to believe people had shows for the free products. Because face it, Pampered Chef host rake it in! Now, I know people have the shows because it is a great way to socialize with your friends and family and see new cooking products and techniques!"

I always have talkers and since I stand in front of my table I can easily move around the room. If I have a the really loud ones I'll move by them and try to get them involved.

I always have a 45-60 minute show. If during host coaching I find the group is wild, then we have the food done before the show starts. Then we do the "Tell me what you love or hate about PC products (then I say say to the crowd -I usually find if you hate it you were never taught the correct way to use it). Or if you are new to to PC tell me what kind of cooking you do. If they are new I'll talk about the warranty.

I never ever quietly make the food. That is what I used to do when I catered. And I hate catering because I only made $15 an hour.

Even if it seems like all of them are talking I still will have the 1 or 2 that are there for the products. I'll invite them to make the recipe with me. This is a Show Stopper because they draw the attention of the others back to the demo.

I also find if there is alcohol involved I ask my hostess to not serve it until most of the guests have arrived. I let her know it will either make people obnoxious or sleepy if they have to sit still during the demo and they have had 3 drinks.

 

[cat]

Kelly, I LOVE that theme! Sounds awesome! I think I'll have to try that.

At my show this past Saturday, when the guests got really rowdy, I just stood quietly for about 1 or 2 minutes until everyone realized I wasn't talking. Then they turned their attention to me!

I've never gotten upset at guests for talking either. Sometimes I just address the one or two people paying attention. Sometimes I talk quietly so that people have to be quiet to hear me. And now I'm trying the waiting until people stop talking before I continue the demo. If I stand there long enough while people yak, they eventually realize I'm WAITING for them!

When I started this business, I was very shy and did not enjoy talking in front of crowds. So actually, NOT having everyone's attention on me MADE ME FEEL BETTER! Silly, huh? But now that I'm used to doing demos, I'd rather have people pay attention to me, but oh well. Doesn't always happen.

 

[tlennhoff]

I love the Yackin' N Snackin' theme. Cool idea.

 

[KellyTheChef]

I have to say...the Yackin' N Snackin' is NOT my original idea (is there such a thing?) A Director in my area uses that term for the beginning of her Team meetings. They arrive at 6:30, yack and snack, and then start the meeting at 7:00. I also know that there are others in the company that are doing that for ALL of their shows, not just as a theme show. Just didn't want to take someone else's credit!

 

[pcchris]

Great idea! I'll have to try that!

 

[pcchris]

AND...just for the record, the reason I titled this thread bla bla bla, is because at my shows, I could stand up there and say bla bla bla and I don't think anyone would know the difference! Just thought I would clarify that.

 

[Paige Dixon]

Think of the methods teachers use like moving close to the people talking or asking them for feedback on what you just said.

Whenever I have a guest who asks a question that I just explained a minute ago, the other guests usually say, "She just talked about that, weren't you listening?!"

I have one fantastic group who always has huge attendance, and they are all completely silent the entire demo! I feel so strangely uncomfortable for them, but they keep on buying and booking, so whatever!

 

[dannyzmom]

My mom used to occasionally come to my shows and I found her to be terribly disruptive. She meant well but she woul dsit and chat with the lady next to her about various products. I wanted to say "MOM!!! Shut up!!!" But of course I couldn't do that...so I found the only way to shut her up was to say "Hey Mom, why don't you come on up here & press this garlic..."
She hated coming up so she learned to shut up or be singled out. I find that works really well at my shows...single out the chatty ones, make them come up & try out a tool....embarrass them into quietude - LOL

 

[pcchris]

Great idea! Never thought of that! Wonder who my first unlucky unwilling participant will be?!?!?!? LOL!!!