Why Do Hosts Cancel? What Do You Think???

[scottcooks]

So what makes a host cancel? In my experience, shows where I haven't done great coaching are much more likely to cancel. That PC is aside my full time job, I get overwhelmed sometimes, and coaching is often something I backslide on. Working on it. Having regular phone hours really makes a difference...hours I block out to be on the phone.

Also, brand new hostesses tend to cancel more than seasoned hostesses.

What do you all think? What has been your experience?

 

[pamperedgirl3]

I host coach everyone the same, so I don't see anything there. I will say that new hostesses do seem to cancel more. Before it was hostesses not mailing out their invites on time. Now I send the invites for them & I've only had a handful of hosts cancel since then--for not getting me a guest list in time! Go figure. Anyway, all but one of those I was or have been able to reschedule. A couple were because the host was moving or had just moved & it took longer than scheduled.

 

[Grandmarita]

Interesting observations. Now that I think about it, my repeat hostesses have not been the ones to cancel. One memorable cancellation was a former consultant, herself. Family illness was the reason but she refused to reschedule. I do send out the invitations and pay the postage. I do ask for reimbursement of groceries, and do the shopping. All they really have to do is prepare the guest list, e-mail it to me, and most have chosen to do the follow-up calls to their guests. I have even done that. Lack of guests has been the biggest reason they cancel. I'm not too successful in getting them to reschedule.

 

[DebbieSAChef]

Keep them excitedNever give a NEW host time to cool down from her excitement. Usually someone who attends a party or even a fair will be anxious to book and even pick a date and time that works. Then weeks go by and after they think about it or even start to make lame excuses they can actually talk themselves out of having a show. Even some negative people might drop a few negative remarks in their ears:
"Oh you are going to have to get your house clean for all those people."
"Are you sure it's going to be worth all that trouble, what if you don't sell that much stuff?"
"What if no one shows up?"

These things can really start to pop into the minds of new hosts. So we need to make sure we keep in touch. We need to send reminder postcards, make phone calls to keep them informed of the wonderful benefits they are going to get and what their guests are going to get if they spend $60 or more at their show. Get her to write a wish list. Discuss what she needs to sell to get these items at the best deal. Make it seem as if orders will come in left and right because our products are fabulous. ANd help her to think of people to ask for orders.
Explain how you run your show. Intro, demo, games, prizes, food and orders. Tell her you will be available throughout the show for anyone who has questions and you will bring tools that they are free to try out for themselves.
Make it seem fun and exciting and really try to make her benefits sound GREAT, which they are, and who doesn't like getting FREE PC stuff??

Host coaching and encouragement are the keys to keeping a host booked and excited to do her show. That's my two cents.

Debbie

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Never give a NEW host time to cool down from her excitement. Usually someone who attends a party or even a fair will be anxious to book and even pick a date and time that works. Then weeks go by and after they think about it or even start to make lame excuses they can actually talk themselves out of having a show. Even some negative people might drop a few negative remarks in their ears:
"Oh you are going to have to get your house clean for all those people."
"Are you sure it's going to be worth all that trouble, what if you don't sell that much stuff?"
"What if no one shows up?"

These things can really start to pop into the minds of new hosts. So we need to make sure we keep in touch. We need to send reminder postcards, make phone calls to keep them informed of the wonderful benefits they are going to get and what their guests are going to get if they spend $60 or more at their show. Get her to write a wish list. Discuss what she needs to sell to get these items at the best deal. Make it seem as if orders will come in left and right because our products are fabulous. ANd help her to think of people to ask for orders.
Explain how you run your show. Intro, demo, games, prizes, food and orders. Tell her you will be available throughout the show for anyone who has questions and you will bring tools that they are free to try out for themselves.
Make it seem fun and exciting and really try to make her benefits sound GREAT, which they are, and who doesn't like getting FREE PC stuff??

Host coaching and encouragement are the keys to keeping a host booked and excited to do her show. That's my two cents.

Debbie

Well said Debbie!