When Your Host Just "Doesn't Have Time"

[slingmommy]

A good friend of mine is hosting a party for me in less than two weeks. She is a MK consultant, has 4 kids, and runs another business with her dh out of her home. She is a BUSY woman. She just doesn't have time to really go over things properly (no wish list, no time to make a massive invitation list, etc). I know enough to back off my friend for now and just hope for the best for her show. But in the future, what do you do when someone just can't be coached?

 

[pamperedlinda]

Sounds to me like she's really not interested in hosting a show. She might think that she's 'doing you a favor'. Does she really understand the Host Program? Does she understand that in order to get the FREE products she has to have sales and sales means she has to have people?

You might try offering to send the invites for her. Have her just give you a list of addresses (or email addresses and do the e-vites).

Is she a good enough friend that you can be 'frank' with her and tell you that you are not getting good vibes? Or - maybe another route would be to ask her if you can "practice" your host coaching with her.....since you are new to the biz that maybe she can 'offer' some critiques for you.....I don't know what else to suggest. Good luck!

 

[hmolah]

I'm pretty new at host coaching myself. The first two years were mainly distant catalog shows, and I haven't even racked up 10 cooking shows! But, the reason I mention this is because, I too seem to have a hard time getting hosts to want to talk about their shows, before their shows. Today I finally got a hold of the hostess that is having her show a week from today! She had already e-vited 33 people, and I was sending out another 6 post cards for her (some one that actually is inviting 40ish people!), but she mentioned how stressed she was with everything, and I tried to be cheery and tell her to let me take care of it all for her!

Is it ok to handle host coaching via email? Both of my January hosts seem to prefer this method! I'm just worried that there might be some information missed, but then again, I can see what I'm typing before I send it and not have to worry about getting nervous and forgetting something when I'm on the phone!

I was just about to start a thread like this - when I saw this one.... So, I too am struggling with getting hostesses on the phone! I have always just 'winged' my cooking shows, but now that I'm looking at this business as my primary income, what is the best way to handle situations like this!?

Thanks for starting this thread....I think we're in the same boat with similar situations....

 

[tlennhoff]

If the hosts are more comfortable with email and are responding back to confirm receipt and update you on status then I see no reason not to use email.

 

[pamperedgirl3]

I'd say use whatever they like. I've done catalog shows only through email. I usually like to do the first call where I go over the host program on the phone, but if the rest is by email, that's fine by me. Sometimes it seems like I'm in more contact with them when we use email than on the phone.

Sometimes you just have hostesses that booked a show to help their friend or to have a good time with their friends. I just finished a phone call with a host that said she doesn't care how the show ends up-she just wanted to get together with her friends. Fine by me--as long as not all of my shows are like that!

 

[beepampered]

I use e-mail with a lot of my hosts but the phone allows for a lot more questions to be answered and helps you know that someone is for real about the show. Think about how you best respond? Do you REALLY read your emails? Do you get excited after reading an e-mail? Probably not.

Sometimes my best host coaching call is when I set the date for the show (usually on the phone - not at the show). The host seems to be motivated and interested in what they need to do to make it successful. After we get off that call I e-mail them a guest list and tell them to put it on their desk or refrigerator to start making their list (even if it's two months out and I haven't sent a packet).

BEE

 

[DebbieSAChef]

Too Busy?

A good friend of mine is hosting a party for me in less than two weeks. She is a MK consultant, has 4 kids, and runs another business with her dh out of her home. She is a BUSY woman. She just doesn't have time to really go over things properly (no wish list, no time to make a massive invitation list, etc). I know enough to back off my friend for now and just hope for the best for her show. But in the future, what do you do when someone just can't be coached?

Well I honestly have never found anyone who was too busy to talk with me over the phone. And I have talked to ladies who worked preparing taxes in January, TAX TIME, with three children, pets, etc... and she was extremely busy but I scheduled a time to talk to her when her kids were in school and she had about 15 minutes to spare on the phone the minute she got to work. I had her flip to page 47 of the catalog and ran through those things with her. I also told her when she needed to mail her invites or I would be more than happy to send them out if she emailed me her list.
I told her that this 15 minutes would really help her understand her benefits, the importance of attendance and help boost her show sales which in turn would boost her FREE products and other host benefits.
She ended up having a great show, a great turn out and she thanked me for getting her to schedule a time to talk. She didn't realize all the stuff she could get and she wasn't even really planning on inviting anyone other than a few friends, her sister and her mother.
So please try to schedule a short time on the phone when she gets a break and it will greatly help her.
Debbie

 

[sillylittlechef]

I have found that when I don't do much host coaching the host never understands the host benefits. After the show I start telling what her FPV is and they are always shocked! Really???? I always ask, did you read the packet I sent you? Most say NO! So, I know this year one thing I am def going to do is more host coaching! on the phone and some through email for those who work (I like this because it keeps it on their mind throughout the work day and they can invite co-workers they might not think to invite at home)

 

[Paige Dixon]

Busy people have the best shows! Nobody who sits at home all day and never leaves the house will have a good show! Have her fit her show preparation into her normal routine. For instance, when she's picking up her kids from dance, she can mention her party to the other moms waiting and hand out some quick invites (45 seconds?). At her MK meeting, she can stand up at the end and make a quick announcement saying how much fun the PC she attended was and they should come if they can because they are going to learn _______ (1 minute?). Depending on what her biz is, she can probably work it in there, too. Easy, right?

 

[slingmommy]

Sounds to me like she's really not interested in hosting a show. She might think that she's 'doing you a favor'. Does she really understand the Host Program? Does she understand that in order to get the FREE products she has to have sales and sales means she has to have people?

You might try offering to send the invites for her. Have her just give you a list of addresses (or email addresses and do the e-vites).

Is she a good enough friend that you can be 'frank' with her and tell you that you are not getting good vibes? Or - maybe another route would be to ask her if you can "practice" your host coaching with her.....since you are new to the biz that maybe she can 'offer' some critiques for you.....I don't know what else to suggest. Good luck!

You know I think you're probably right. I think she did this as a favor to me and doesn't realize that PC doesn't work the way MK does. They like really intimate shows with only 4-5 people. She just is really resistent to any advice, but in the nicest way. I'm not going to push her. I'm just going to go, and have fun, and hope for the best.

 

[slingmommy]

Well I honestly have never found anyone who was too busy to talk with me over the phone. And I have talked to ladies who worked preparing taxes in January, TAX TIME, with three children, pets, etc... and she was extremely busy but I scheduled a time to talk to her when her kids were in school and she had about 15 minutes to spare on the phone the minute she got to work. I had her flip to page 47 of the catalog and ran through those things with her. I also told her when she needed to mail her invites or I would be more than happy to send them out if she emailed me her list.
I told her that this 15 minutes would really help her understand her benefits, the importance of attendance and help boost her show sales which in turn would boost her FREE products and other host benefits.
She ended up having a great show, a great turn out and she thanked me for getting her to schedule a time to talk. She didn't realize all the stuff she could get and she wasn't even really planning on inviting anyone other than a few friends, her sister and her mother.
So please try to schedule a short time on the phone when she gets a break and it will greatly help her.
Debbie

I tried to host coach her a bit a few days ago to no avail. I'm now just looking at her show as a fun time with my friend and not getting my hopes up for sales. My last two shows have been *BARELY* shows, $151 and the other is at $138 right now. I've had to help the hosts along by adding orders from outside of their show with people that I know that they don't! Not a big deal, but a far cry from my awesome start with my $1000+ first show. Oh well. Guess I've got a lot to learn!

 

[slingmommy]

Busy people have the best shows! Nobody who sits at home all day and never leaves the house will have a good show! Have her fit her show preparation into her normal routine. For instance, when she's picking up her kids from dance, she can mention her party to the other moms waiting and hand out some quick invites (45 seconds?). At her MK meeting, she can stand up at the end and make a quick announcement saying how much fun the PC she attended was and they should come if they can because they are going to learn _______ (1 minute?). Depending on what her biz is, she can probably work it in there, too. Easy, right?

Those are wonderful suggestions! I have given up on my friend at this point, but I will keep those in mind for future hosts. Thanks!

 

[scottcooks]

Do postcards. Nancy's Artwork has great suggestions.

 

[Chef Diane]

I tried to host coach her a bit a few days ago to no avail. I'm now just looking at her show as a fun time with my friend and not getting my hopes up for sales. My last two shows have been *BARELY* shows, $151 and the other is at $138 right now. I've had to help the hosts along by adding orders from outside of their show with people that I know that they don't! Not a big deal, but a far cry from my awesome start with my $1000+ first show. Oh well. Guess I've got a lot to learn!

Not all shows are going to be $1000, but they aren't all going to be slidding past $150 either. Don't get discouraged yet. Try to get out of the friends and family circle and I think you'll be ok. I know how you feel though, I have had my share of hostess' that didnt want to talk to me before the show. Makes it hard to have a show. I've had to call 2 days before and say are we still on for _______; I need to make arrangements for my kids (lie) but got a return call LOL

Keep your chin up and you'll see another $1000