What are some ways to fill up down-time between bookings?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mistym
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Discussion Overview

This thread explores various strategies participants use to fill downtime between bookings as Pampered Chef consultants. Participants share personal experiences and suggestions for maintaining engagement and productivity during these periods.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, mentions organizing a catalog show at their partner's workplace as a way to fill the gap between parties.
  • Another participant suggests making phone calls during the evenings to book shows, highlighting the potential for success with last-minute bookings.
  • Several users mention reaching out to friends and family for cooking or catalog shows, as well as contacting local non-profits for fundraisers.
  • One participant shares their experience of making out-of-box calls to follow up with customers and discuss future bookings.
  • Another participant expresses that they gather new ideas from the forum during their downtime, which helps keep them engaged.
  • One participant discusses the idea of hosting a "fabulous Friday sale" as a way to generate interest and sales.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of asking for referrals during calls to expand their network.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the best methods to fill downtime, with no clear consensus emerging on a single approach. Participants share a variety of strategies based on their personal experiences.

Contextual Notes

Participants' experiences vary widely, reflecting different levels of experience and comfort with outreach and engagement strategies. Some are newer consultants, while others have more established practices.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants looking for ideas on how to stay productive during periods without scheduled shows may find the shared experiences and suggestions beneficial.

M
mistym
Due to a reschedule I am not having a party until the middle of October. What does everyone do when they have 2 or 3 weeks between bookings? I will get DH to do a catty show at his work - are there other suggestions???

TIA

Misty
 
Get on the phone on the nights you wanted to have shows booked and "dial for dollars'. Fill the calendar. You could offer a gift for those who boo in close to fill the gap.
 
Be sure you are on the phone making contACT the evenings you would normally be working outside of your home. This is probably the best thing you can do for your business.

Make some calls now and see if you can get someone to have a show in close. I once had a gal book a show two weeks out and it turned out great. You can have your Host just make invite phone calls to get the date on their guest's calendars. If you have someone who works at a hospital or in a large office, this could be a great show because of the number of outside orders that can be generated.

Be sure that a reminder phone call is made (by you or the Host) the day before the show.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #4
Ok, great advice, but who do I get on the phone too?? I have only done 3 shows so far and I am quite new at this.

Thanks again

M
 
Call all of your friends or family and ask them to either do cooking or catalog shows or if any non-profit they are affiliated with might want a fundraiser. Call local non-profit organizations about fundraisers. Call local religious institutions about fundraisers. Do an open house and send invites to everyone you know as well as put flyers in mailboxes of all your neighbors for the open house. Also put flyers up in supermarkets and other stores that allow flyers about the open house. Do it as a pre-holiday season get a jump on your holiday shopping and get great products to make preparing the perfect thanksgiving dinner easier.
 
I like to do out of the box (OOB) calls about a month after the show. You make sure they got everything okay and see if it's "out of the box" and if they have questions...then you can talk to them about booking recruiting etc.
 
You guys are really productive! In the time between my shows I gather new ideas on here! That is pretty much it, but it keeps me busy!
 
If you're looking for another show to fill in, you could always try one of those "fabulous friday sales". I'm thinking of doing one on Oct 13 (friday the 13th!) so I can get my santoku at 60% off:D
(do a search for friday phone sale if you haven't heard of it....a bunch of us did this a few months ago...there's a huge thread about it!)
 
  • Thread starter
  • #9
Week 1: Work on your list of 100.
Week 2: Call 100 of them. ;)
 
gilliandanielle said:
You guys are really productive! In the time between my shows I gather new ideas on here! That is pretty much it, but it keeps me busy!

Not always! I'm about a week behind on doing the OOBs a month after my shows. But I plan to catch up this weekend.

I am a little nervous about keeping up in November. I have a packed October, so that's a lot of OOB! And I get REALLY busy at my job Nov-mid Jan. Yikes!

Oh well, I will get through somehow! If I ever want this to take over my day job anyway!
 
Misty,

When you make out-of-box calls or call your family and friends, be sure to ask for referrals. Write yourself a BIG note to remember to do this as it can make a big difference.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some effective ways to utilize social media during down-time?

Social media is a powerful tool for direct sellers. Use your down-time to engage with your audience by posting recipes, cooking tips, or product highlights. You can also join relevant groups or forums to connect with potential customers and share your expertise.

How can I improve my product knowledge during slow periods?

Take advantage of down-time to deepen your understanding of Pampered Chef products. Read product manuals, watch training videos, or experiment with the products in your kitchen. This knowledge will help you answer customer questions and promote products more effectively.

What are some creative ways to host virtual parties?

Use your down-time to plan and promote virtual parties. Create themed events, such as a holiday cooking class or a meal prep workshop, and invite your network. Utilize platforms like Zoom or Facebook Live to engage with participants and showcase your products in action.

How can I network with other consultants during slow times?

Reach out to fellow Pampered Chef consultants to share ideas and strategies. Join online forums or social media groups dedicated to direct sales. Collaborating with others can provide fresh perspectives and motivate you to try new approaches in your business.

What are some ways to follow up with past customers?

Use your down-time to reach out to previous customers. Send personalized messages thanking them for their past purchases, and ask for feedback on their experiences. You can also share new product launches or upcoming promotions to encourage repeat business.

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