WAHM Forums

Hi-


I was wondering if any of you have had any success with catalog parties. It would seem that offering that as another party option might appeal to some customers, but do they really generate orders?Has anyone had any successusing catalog parties to generate sales?


Any input would be appreciated-thanx in advance!smileys/smiley17.gif

Yes and no.... It depends on the hostess...But it can be worth it...

I've found that sales are less with a catalog party, however if that's the only way the hostess will agree to do the show, it's better than nothing smileys/smiley2.gif


I think you really need to talk to the hostess about setting goals so that she's trying to earn something free. If she has an idea about what she wants for FREE, she may try to talk to more people.


Bev

Hi-


Thanks for your input-I am currently talking to one individual who I gave a catalog to. She loves the products, but doesn't want to have a party at her house. She has offered to show the catalog around, and my thought was to approach her with the more structured catalog party-giving her the hostess benefits, etc. Like Bev said, set goals for help her earn what she wants for FREE!


My sisters live out of state, and I thought about trying something like that with them, as well. Maybe do an online party!


Any other advice is still welcome!

I always tell everyone that wants to do a catalog party that they are much harder to do than an in-home show - they will be chasing people down, etc., and they will usually benefit more from a home show, but I agree, some women just will not do the in-home party, so catalog parties are the only option. I offer extra incentives if the hostess can get someone to book a party off of her catalog party. You need to keep in contact with that hostess - usually they are less motivated than the regular hostess. I agree with giving them goals - for instance, I just booked a catalog party with a woman that visited my booth at the fair - she was really in love with one of the pictures - she asked how much and I told her either free or 1/2 price - she asked how much she would have to sell to get it for 1/2 price, and I told her, but I said "But, you know what - if you sell only $275 - you can earn that picture for free!" She said - "I can do that!!"


Nora

My approach to catalog shows...for those reluctant or "don't have time" for a home show:


1. I suggest an "office party" or basket party, much like a catalog party. I bring in samples of my products to their officeon one day for their co-workerstobrowse during lunch breaks, and leave catalogs & order forms behind. People still get to see &touch the products,like a 3-D catalog, but no formal presentation and the hostess still collects the orders.


2. I offer "catalogparty contests". I gather up severalhostesses to do catalog parties during the same time frame. I set a minimum amount for them to strive for and give a dead line. I offer X amount formeeting the minimum goal...then I offer extraprizes for "highest sales", "most bookings", etc. This way, with so many going at once, if someone doesn't do as well, I can combine itwith anotherparty and still fill the orders & get decent commission...as well as give the hostess something"for effort".


3. I do the "catalog party" wrap up at their home. I give them X days to gather their orders and set a date to close the party. I come to their home to close the party, and I tell them to feel free to invite a neighbor and a friend because I'll bring just a handful of new samples for the hostess to view. Sometimes it works itself into a small home party with a bunch of outside orders. ;)


Catalog shows are typically lower in sales than home shows, but sometimes you run into a real gem. You still need to hostess coach,and sometimes you need to offer extra incentive & aquick closing date...make it seem urgent to get those orders quickly and ask for bookings. Creativity, enthusiasm and good encouragement can make them successful. If you bunch up several "catalog parties" during the month, then you can have some cushion for when the "live" parties post-pone or cancel. For me, I like 4 catalog parties for ever home party I have on my schedule.


:)

The only problem i seem to have with catalog parties is getting them to close. They always want to show"one more person" or are waiting on someone to pay.

A lot of great advice-thank you everyone!


I saw my "prospect" today. She returned my catalog, saying she didn't want to hold on to it in case I needed it back. I asked if she had seen anything she liked, and she had, but hadn't had a chance to show the catalog to anyone else, "didn't have time to do that kind of running around". I talked to her about a catalog party,and she used the same "no time" excuse, but said she would think about it.I suggestedshe write a list of the people she thinks might be interested. Maybe once she sees how many people are on her list it'll help her decide.


I was thinking about having a "Coffee Crop" for some of the moms at my sons preschool. Maybe that would be a better way to approach her. She could invite a couple of friends!

Hi all. I am new to all this & just starting my business. Actually my Grand Opening party is next wed. smileys/smiley4.gifI am soo stoked!


Anyway, I have a few people that might do a catalog party, but won't do a home show. I was thinking that there must be ways to make things easier on the hostess doing a catalog show,like there are for those doing a home show. Possibly contacting people for them, maybe an e-mail with information, etc? Any other suggestions?

That's kind of what I was thinking about too! If you were set up to receive money thru Propay or PayPal, I guess they could send their payment directly to you, email their orders to you?