When is the best time to distribute catalogs during a demo?

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Discussion Overview

The thread explores various approaches to distributing catalogs during cooking demonstrations, with participants sharing their personal experiences and preferences regarding the timing of this practice.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, hands out catalogs at the start of the demo to avoid having guests stare at them during the presentation.
  • Another participant shares their experience of distributing catalogs as guests arrive, allowing them to browse while waiting for the demo to begin.
  • Several users mention that handing out catalogs at the beginning encourages conversation about products and helps guests remember items they own.
  • One participant notes that they have tried passing out catalogs at the end but found it led to longer shows as guests would page through them while waiting for orders.
  • Another participant expresses mixed feelings about changing the timing of catalog distribution, citing experiences of guests being distracted when catalogs were handed out early.
  • One participant mentions their director's approach of delaying catalog distribution until the end to create a more relaxed atmosphere, which they feel could increase bookings.
  • Another participant describes a casual show style where guests are encouraged to ask questions and chat, which they feel helps maintain engagement.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the best time to distribute catalogs, with some participants favoring early distribution for engagement and others supporting later distribution for a more relaxed environment. No clear consensus emerges.

Contextual Notes

Participants share their experiences based on different show styles and personal preferences, reflecting a variety of approaches to engaging guests during demos.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants looking for insights on catalog distribution strategies during cooking demonstrations may find the shared experiences relevant.

AJPratt
Silver Member
Messages
6,674
When do you hand out your catalogs. I always hand them out when I start the demo. I don't know if I could be up there and have everyone staring at me the whole time. How do you do it?
 
I try to pass them out as the guests arrive. That way they can go ahead and be looking at them as the rest of the guests arrive.
 
jenniferlynne said:
I try to pass them out as the guests arrive. That way they can go ahead and be looking at them as the rest of the guests arrive.

Yep - me, too. I have been to shows as a guest where the consultant doesn't give out the catty til the end and it always irked me.
 
I always hand my out as soon as the guests arrive. The guests still talk about the products-some forget something that they have and as soon as they see the picture they remember and start to talk about it. if you aren't handing out the catalog, do you tell the guests "no" when they ask for one? I just don't think I could do that.

It may work for some people, but i don't like the idea....
 
I always pass my guest books around at the beginning. And I show them the shopping lists so all they have to do is circle what they want and then write it on their order form. With basically a 50-page catalog with almost 500 items to choose from, I want them to look at it!!
 
I pass them out at the beginning. When I started pc in Sept I had gone to a partylite show and the consultant passed out the catalog and order form at then end and I did not like that. I wanted to be looking at the items/prices while she was doing her demo. I also feel that people are ready to check out faster if they have the catalog/order form with them while the demo is going. That way my night ends quicker too.
 
I have to agree. I used to hand out the catalogs at the beginning, but then my director wanted us to try handing them out at the end, so I have been doing that lately.

I have mixed feelings. When I handed them out at the beginning of the demo, I actually had some people hold up the catalogs in front of their face and talk to the person beside them from behind the catalog. I found that incredibly rude. But, now that I have been waiting until after the demo to hand them out, like someone said before, everyone just sits and stares at me which makes me nervous. I think I'll be going back to handing them out at the beginning of the demo again.
 
Our director has been teaching us a new show style - the biggest emphasis is that it is a fun night out - so the catalogs don't go til the end - you want them to enjoy themselves without the sales pressure - it is supposed to increase bookings, etc. Haven't had a lot of opportunity to try it yet, but what she has told us makes sense so far.
 
I still pass them out at the beginning. My director passes them out at the end. When she starts her demo, she says something like "Im gonna be your LIVE catalog for awhile". It works for her.
 
I hand everyone folders at the beginning of the show, and I tell them right away to feel free to page through the catalog during the demo, or they can wait until the end. It's usually a mix.

I tried passing them out at the end of the show, but then everyone sat and paged through the catalog while I waited for orders. The shows ended up being too long. PLUS, I like when they see something in the catalog and pipe up with "Oh, I love that", during the demo.

Diane
 
  • Thread starter
  • #11
dianevill said:
I tried passing them out at the end of the show, but then everyone sat and paged through the catalog while I waited for orders. The shows ended up being too long. PLUS, I like when they see something in the catalog and pipe up with "Oh, I love that", during the demo.

Diane

I do mention that I like to have a casual show, so feel free to ask questions and chat. I haven't had a problem with people talking or being rude.
 
I hand them out at the beginning....I don't think I could stand to have everyone staring at me for too long....LOL Plus, if they see something they have and love, they can talk about it. I don't mind them talking among themselves. Takes the pressure off of me for a while.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #13
When I did the intros at the last show, these ladies were so cool! One said, my favorite item is the cookware and its on page 12.:eek: The next one said, mine's on page x, its the stoneware. Then everyone started to include the page number and everyone was going through the catalog. It was awesome!
 

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to distribute catalogs during a demo?

The best time to distribute catalogs is at the beginning of the demo. This allows guests to familiarize themselves with the products and refer to the catalog as you present each item.

Should I give out catalogs before the cooking demonstration starts?

Yes, giving out catalogs before the demonstration helps set the stage for the presentation. Guests can look through the catalog while you explain the products, making it easier for them to engage with the items you are showcasing.

Is it effective to hand out catalogs at the end of the demo?

While you can hand out catalogs at the end, it is generally less effective. Guests may be more focused on the cooking and less likely to remember details about the products. Distributing them earlier keeps the products fresh in their minds.

What if I have a large group? When should I distribute catalogs?

In a large group, consider distributing catalogs as guests arrive. This way, everyone has access to the information while you demonstrate, and it encourages them to ask questions about specific products during the demo.

Can I use digital catalogs instead of printed ones during a demo?

Yes, digital catalogs can be effective, especially if your guests are tech-savvy. However, ensure that everyone has access to a device to view the catalog. If possible, provide printed copies for those who prefer a physical reference during the demonstration.

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