WAHM Forums

I was wondering first do these tend to be profitable or good for getting bookings and such? We have one nearby I signed up for it's a Fall festival / Jaguar Car show! Thought I'd give it a try!

Since I've started my business justthis monthI'm afraid people may be too busy for parties soon and this will be my only other option? What's your experience with parties/sales around the holidays?

Secondly, have you have done one with a fellow rep and if so how do you split things? Or is it better just to go it alone?

So many questions I know...but Thanks for any info!

Melissa, I had posted to your posting, but for some reason it's not showing. So, if there's a double posting, sorry! However, I'll try to repost my response.

I have found craft shows/festivals are meant to get your name out there. I don't carry any cash n' carry products and sometimes that was some are looking for. However, I have a "Guest Info. Survey" slip I have those interested in more info. to fill out. I used to have a drawing for those who filled one out, but found some only fill them out to win something. I'd rather have those interested than to win something.

I have had some comment on what I was drawing for! I told them when they book a show with me they get FREE & Discounted products from the company and a special gift from me as a "Thank you"! Some have pasted on filling it out, but those that have, have had shows or scheduled shows. Also, I found it easier following up on those leads, because they wanted me to call them!

As for doing a craft show/festival with another rep., I have done these with my leader. We normally took turns speaking with every other person, but either way who ever we spoke with we wrote our initials on the back of each slip so it was easier to divide the leads. However, I do prefer to do these types of events myself. I feel it gives me the experience to get myself out there and speaking with others on what I have to offer and shows how much I LOVE what I do and the products I stand behind.

I hope this helps and would enjoy seeing what others may have to say on this subject.

Best wishes & good luck,

Sandy McP

I've done TONS of these and I always walk away with solid leads for customers, hostesses and a few consultants. Depending on what product you're selling will depend on your sales in dollars that day. I always go with the mindset of "leads". Any sale is a bonus. Have info slips to you can have them fill out their information and interest level. You can follow-up easier with that info and they're giving you permission to do so.

I would schedule to host your own party and have a flyer or something with the date and time schedule and on a handout. If they RSVP or you follow-up with them and they can make it then give out the address of where it's going to be at. This will take pressure off you pushing others to host....let them be the guest first and then most likely they'll book their own. I host my own party once a month...I've done it for 2 years. this allows people who aren't sure if they want to host their own an option to come and participate in someone else's before making a decision. I've gotten half my leads for hostesses and consultants this way.

75%of the time I split with someone in my downline and it works great....larger events where there will be a good amount of traffic. Anything wespend moneyon (booth fee, copies, handouts....) we split 50%. We also take turns on customers and leads as they walk up to the booth. and we follow-up with the leads we each personal got while doing the event.

Let me know if you need anything else! Good luck!

Tara, I love the idea about inviting them to your own show. I normally have my own twice a year for each new product line. This idea would be great when I do have those craft shows/festivals scheduled to plan my own show and have flyers made up to invite them to and give them the info. than while they fill out the info. slips.

Thank you for the idea:)

Sandy McP

Your welcome...

It's been a great tool for me! I put myself in their shoes and thought about the fact that I don't know if I would just book a show right there with a product or person I didn't know very well. Having that option for people to come to one before hosting one might be a bit more comfortable for most people. http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley1.gif

Your welcome...

It's been a great tool for me! I put myself in their shoes and thought about the fact that I don't know if I would just book a show right there with a product or person I didn't know very well. Having that option for people to come to one before hosting one might be a bit more comfortable for most people. http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley1.gif

That is a Good Idea! Do many of them come? I would think it would be uncomfortable if only 1 or 2 people are there?

I also have had great success with these. For sales, you can do order only. I find that depending on the product and price point, you can get a lot of impulse buys. I sell a lot of books at craft shows. When I did toys, I'd sell some, but not nearly as many.

But the leads no matter what biz, are great! :-)

If youare unsure of an event, scout it out this year.

Debbie

I was wondering first do these tend to be profitable or good for getting bookings and such?
I found that it depends on the type of event and perhaps a little luck. I havebeen to flea markets where I have booked shows on the spot as well as a wine festival where I had orders comprable to a party as well as a ton of bookings. But I have also spent long hot days in street festivals to get only 2 leads. It really depends. What it comes down to is you have to give it a try and then evaluate taht particular event afterwords to determine if it was worth the expense and time and whether it is something you would do again in the future - of course you may not immediately see the results of "getting your name out there" since you are often just planting seeds, so you have to keep that in mind. Bottom line is the fortune is in the follow up of the leads that you get.

What's your experience with parties/sales around the holidays?
I have found that people love doing parties around the holidays since they know that their friends are more likely to buy more, plus I suppose people are just in a festive mood. My November filled faster than any other month this year. The wine festival that I did was actually in September and 3 out of 4 of the bookings that I got were for November. smileys/smiley2.gif


Secondly, have you have done one with a fellow rep and if so how do you split things? Or is it better just to go it alone?
I have done fairs/fests both ways. When I am with my upline we keep track and split leads. We came out of our last festival with 4 parties each and about 20 leads each, plus we sold some cash and carry retired items and each several orders. I like having someone there since we can take turns going to the bathroom, eating, and just taking breaks in general since the day can get rather long especially if there is an early setup (I am a nervous nelly about leaving my jewelry unattended even if someone in the next booth agrees to watch it - what if they get busy? Jewelry is very easy to slip away with...I am paranoid, what can I say? http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley36.gif). On the other hand it is less confusing being by yourself. I like doing both.

A few other things - I have stopped doing raffles also since I found that people were just looking for something free and I was spinning my wheels trying to follow them up. They had no interest in talking to me if they didn't win something. I do ask that every person who wants a catalog fill out an information form (name, number, email) with three questions to gauge interest in home parties, catalog parties and the rep opportunity in order to get one. I have done 4 fairs/fests this year and I have only had 1 person refuse to complete the form. I found this to bea very solid way to get leads and track where their interest is. From that I have created databases of interested in orders only as well as hostess and rep op prospects.This really helps with follow up. http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley4.gif

There was great post on here a couple of months ago regarding working fairs/fests you might want to take a look at as well. I really got a lot out of it personally -
http://www.wahm.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=437323

Hope this helps! Good luck regardless of your decision.

Great Info Everyone! Thanks for taking the time, now I'm excited!!!

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That is a Good Idea! Do many of them come? I would think it would be uncomfortable if only 1 or 2 people are there?

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I invite people from everywhere once a month...so they're never the only ones. I have a list of 100 people constantly rotating. Even if i do have one, that personal time is priceless!! Every single time i've had 1 or 2 people I get hostesses and consultants out of one or both.

I have had great success with some and with some not as great. However, something always come from them. Leads for Hostesses, Customers and Consultants. I also enjoy shopping at these. I always take a partner with me, it is a great training session. I do offer a gift certificate for the drawing. Using the Gift Certificate instead of a piece of jewelry, I get a new customer and the customer gets something they choose. I am wishing you much success.

Many blessings,

doing shows can be so much fun and successful! I thoroughly enjoy doing them as it gets me in front of the people, and allows me to qualify most of the leads that come into my booth and fill out the candle contest entry.

I have heard of people having fantastic luck at Gun Shows of all places, and Car Shows, because the women tend to not be as interested in guns and cars, so they relish the idea of having something that interests them. :)

As many others mentioned, I find that my shows during the fall are much busier than at any other time of the year. Kids are back in school, people are back into their routines, and thinking about holiday gift giving. :)

I also hold events that include other vendors. Sometimes it's held at someone's house, but this holiday season we're holding it in a hall. We all include our customer base and it becomes a wonderful opportunity for new customers, leads, etc.

I have done events with another rep, and we split everything down the middle. We do an inventory list as to what we each bring, product wise, and go from there. It's fun to work with another person, as it always presents the opportunity to learn something you might not have considered!

Yay, I love the holidays and events! http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley36.gif

I do offer a gift certificate for the drawing. Using the Gift Certificate instead of a piece of jewelry, I get a new customer and the customer gets something they choose.

Many blessings,

That's a Good Idea!

http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley36.gif[/img]


Woo Hoo! I'm hoping that will be the case!

Thanks for all the great ideas everyone! http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley20.gifEdited by: Sammaj