Winter/Bad Weather/Small Town Bookings

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Discussion Overview

This thread explores how consultants manage bookings and shows during winter weather and in small towns. Participants share their personal experiences and strategies for maintaining business continuity despite challenging weather conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, mentions that they have not experienced many cancellations due to weather and typically handle shows on a case-by-case basis.
  • Another participant shares their experience of having to cancel only two shows in five years, attributing one cancellation to personal circumstances and the other to severe weather warnings.
  • Several users mention the concept of "Snow Shows," which are phone shows that can be conducted when weather prevents in-person gatherings.
  • One participant notes the importance of having catalog shows as backups and suggests rescheduling shows as needed.
  • Another participant discusses the necessity of overbooking to ensure that cancellations do not impact income significantly.
  • Some participants express that they wait until the last minute to decide on cancellations, reflecting the unpredictability of weather in their regions.
  • One participant describes strategies for reaching out to neighboring small towns and utilizing community resources to maintain bookings.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the frequency of cancellations and the effectiveness of various strategies. While some participants report minimal cancellations, others have experienced significant disruptions due to weather.

Contextual Notes

Participants come from various regions, including small towns and areas with harsh winters, which influences their experiences and strategies. The discussion reflects a range of personal experiences rather than a unified approach.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants operating in regions with challenging weather conditions or small towns may find the shared experiences and strategies relevant to their own situations.

pcheframsey
pcheframsey
Messages
229
If you live in an area that is a small town, has bad weather a lot, or realy bad winters, how do you book and hold shows continuously? Do you just wait until the weather is better and do a lot of catalog shows in the mean time? How do you keep your business going in these circumstances?

Thanks for sharing!
 
Luckily, I haven't had too many shows cancel because of weather. But I have heard of consultants offering Snow Shows, when the weather is bad. They're phone shows, sometimes with a demo over the phone, if guests can get to the host's house (they all live very close to her, and it's only the consultant who is a distance). You can also do a phone-in order night. Usually, the host will call people to tell them that the live show is being called off, and she can tell people to call the consultant with an order.

Generally, though, I just do business as usual, and worry about the weather on a show-by-show basis.
 
December was really bad for shows for me! I waited until the day of each party to see what happened. One day it snowed all day (4") but cleared up by the evening and we continued with the party. It was low but better than nothing. Always have catalog shows booked as back up. You can also change the show to a catalog show or rebook and spend the evening helping the host call everyone to reschedule.
 
chefann said:
Luckily, I haven't had too many shows cancel because of weather. But I have heard of consultants offering Snow Shows, when the weather is bad. They're phone shows, sometimes with a demo over the phone, if guests can get to the host's house (they all live very close to her, and it's only the consultant who is a distance). You can also do a phone-in order night. Usually, the host will call people to tell them that the live show is being called off, and she can tell people to call the consultant with an order.

Generally, though, I just do business as usual, and worry about the weather on a show-by-show basis.
Click to expand...


This is what I do - I have actually only had 2 shows in 5 years have to cancel because of weather. One was when I was pregnant, and the weather was pretty bad - I would have normally not stressed too much about it, but DH freaked out about me being out alone in bad weather, at night, while pregnant - so we rescheduled.:rolleyes:

The other one - well, The State Police were asking people to stay off the roads - so it was best to reschedule.


But you are in Florida.....what kind of bad weather are you talking about? Here, bad weather means roads are impassable!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #5
ChefBeckyD said:
But you are in Florida.....what kind of bad weather are you talking about? Here, bad weather means roads are impassable!
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A friend of mine is a consultant for another company, but is considering joining my team with PC. She lives up north and the winters in her area are pretty bad. She is concerned about the weather being a problem. I've also been talking to several other potential recruits that are in other areas, and they have concerns about weather and being in a small town.

Thanks for the great ideas! I love how much this group is so willing to share. :love:
 
chefann said:
Generally, though, I just do business as usual, and worry about the weather on a show-by-show basis.
Click to expand...

That's me too. And we usually wait until the last minute (it's Michigan, the weather changes every 5 minutes) to actually cancel a show. Off the top of my head I don't remember any shows that I had to cancel but there may have been one or two.
 
Overbook if possible, so when shows cancel, you have other ones to fall back on. If they all hold them congrats on your big paycheck.
 
LOL - do you notice it's all people from Michigan answering her question about bad weather?
 
I have only had to cancel one show in 7 years for weather, and we just moved it to a later day.

Someone talked about a Snow Day, where if it snowed on your party date, guests got a 10% discount on anything white.

Small town? Mine is population around 450. :D On a good day.

Just got to book in the other small towns around you. Send a book to work with your dh (Mom, Dad, sister, etc). Put up catalogs & the monthly specials on the bulletin boards in the grocery stores, gas stations, library. Do a booth for a craft show or your favorite charity (we have a Relay for Life team - and it's not just for publicity, but it helps get your name out).

Ask people to do an Internet Shopping Show (online catalog show). Offer a free SB to anyone who orders from more than 25 miles away. This will give you leads outside of your town.

Stay on top of your customer care calls, and ask for referrals.

Ask the library, or school sports teams to do a fundraiser.

There is a good training CD called Booking Strategies from the Pros that I just got, and it has some excellent tips.

got a little carried away, but hope this helps.
 
ChefBeckyD said:
LOL - do you notice it's all people from Michigan answering her question about bad weather?
Click to expand...


;) Yup! Colorado people must be snowed in without electricity...
 
Sallie_M said:
;) Yup! Colorado people must be snowed in without electricity...
Click to expand...

LOL! Good one Sallie!:D
 
There is a new consultant in my downline that lives in Missouri. Last month was her first month and she managed to qualify with multiple cancelations, ice storms, power outages and no online access for over a week. God bless her, I don't know how she managed. Her recruiter and I just tried to help her keep her spirits up by phone. What do we know...we live in Florida! Just by her showing last month I can tell that She's destined for greatness!
 
I live in an area where most of my shows, we have to go over some passes that requires chains if the weather is bad enough. luckily I havenet had to cancel any of my shows due to the weather though the last couple of yrs has been bad for snow until this yr.
 
I went through the same storms as the girl you mentioned in MO.
I also live in a small town. I do like Becky & some others; schedule business as usual & take it show-by-show. I'd never had to cancel before, & had to cancel 2 in December because of the snow/ice storms. They both just turned into catalog shows.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I book Pampered Chef parties during winter or bad weather?

Booking parties during winter or bad weather can be challenging, but it's not impossible! Consider hosting virtual parties through platforms like Zoom or Facebook. You can also offer incentives for guests who attend in person, such as a special discount or a free gift. Additionally, promote the convenience of cooking at home during the colder months, which can resonate with potential hosts.

What strategies work for small town bookings in winter?

In small towns, personal connections are key. Leverage your existing network by reaching out to friends, family, and acquaintances. Host a cozy gathering at your home or a local venue to showcase products and demonstrate recipes. Utilize local social media groups to promote your events and consider partnering with local businesses for cross-promotion.

How can I encourage bookings when people are hesitant to host in bad weather?

Address concerns directly by offering flexible hosting options, such as rescheduling or moving to a virtual format if the weather is severe. Emphasize the fun and warmth of gathering indoors during winter, and highlight the benefits of cooking with Pampered Chef products to make meal prep easier during the busy holiday season.

What types of promotions can I offer to boost winter bookings?

Consider offering winter-themed promotions, such as discounts on seasonal products or a special gift for hosts who book parties during the winter months. You could also create a "Winter Warm-Up" package that includes a selection of your best-selling items for cozy cooking, which can entice potential hosts to book a party.

How do I handle cancellations due to bad weather?

It's important to have a clear cancellation policy in place. Communicate this to your hosts and guests upfront. If a party needs to be canceled due to bad weather, offer to reschedule the event or switch to a virtual format. Make sure to follow up with guests to keep them engaged and interested in future events.

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