contact before party

marina replied:

Hi Tracey,.

no way 3 times in a week for me.

I send them the hostess pack and then they contact me about a week or so prior with their selection list.. this is a good sign for me as they are planning and no need to worry. I then send them a text message  the night before....

If i do not here from them then I text or email them about a week or so prior to confirm the booking and then message them the night before.....

so all in all about 1 or 2 contacts and mostly be email os text.

chocolateaddict replied:

After initial contact, I send out the host pack then ring them a few days before the party to confirm numbers.

No way would I ring 3 times in one week. If I was hosting a party and the rep rang me that many times I would be quite annoyed.

jenlerose replied:

When I make a booking with a host, I let them know I will be ringing 1 week before party day.  Then when I ring on that day (week before).  I let them know to expect a call from me the day before or the day of the party.  I always ask if thats alright with them.  Just to make sure of any last minute details ( and for me to confirm party is definately going ahead).   I also always say to them that they can call me if they have any other questions at any stage.

So, after initial contact,  I contact them twice.  The last contact is just a quick call to confirm really.

Thats what I tend to do anyway.  And its worked well for me.

Cheers,

Jen

ExMember148 replied:

I agree with all of the above.......you don't want to be seen as pushy or harrassing!!

aussiemumof3 replied:

Hi, After I give them their hostess pack, I send them a Thankyou card to obviously say thanks for booking the party.  I would then send them a postcard 3 weeks before to tell them to have at least 10 people coming, 5 outside orders and 2 bookings ready.  Then 2 weeks before, I send them a postcard to remind them to remind their guests and then 4 days before their party, I will ring them and find out guest numbers and if therer is anything in particular they want to see. 

I get the postcards from Boost. 

After the party I immediatley send them a thankyou for hosting a great party, then a week later, I will send a Party Summary, so that they know what monies need to be collected from their guests, then a week after that I make delivery.  This is not required by my PP, but it is what works for me and my customers always tell me that I do great customer service.

craftymum replied:

how weird a thing.......i was planning on hosting a party this friday night, however, when i am being called on home and mobile 2 a day for a week leading up to this, i had enough and cancelled... don't like being harassed.  in fact i explained to ppc at the beginning, don't call me until 3 days before the party - will confirm numbers then......

this is the first party in 14yrs that i have cancelled due to the consultant being pushy...  ABSOLUTE PET HATE.

as a ppc i do exactly as jen - hostesses don't want that feeling of being pushed into this......

Mandy replied:

3 x is way to much contact before the party. Is sounds like the right road to go down if you want to lose a hostesses interest and thats the last thing you want to do.

A reminder call a few days before and maybe one on the night prior to the party should be enough.

I recalled reading somewhere once in a hostess coaching article - it said to actually ask the hostess for all the names and ph numbers of the people attending so the consultant can actually call them and confrim their attendance, i found this way to pushy and over the top, something i would never do.

Michelles replied:

I agree with everyone else here.  3 times in one week would be too pushy.  I would say use books, references ects as a guide only and always go with your gut instinct, as you have done.  Sometimes written guides are just so rigid without flexibility - so use as a guide only and then apply your own common sense or test as you have done.  For example "How would I feel if someone rang me 3 times leading up to the party?"  Your answer to this question would then guide you in what your next step would be.

All the other PP have been wise in their advice!!!

DEBBIEANN replied:

hi hun,

in general business socialising 3x per week is outragious!...everyone is different no matter what they sell. if everyone did things the way the manual states every party would be the same, no-one would have anything different to advise you, listen, watch & read everything , then work out your own work plan that you feel comfortable with...if you love the plan you create, it will show and boost your confidence... if you dont like it , throw it away and try another..here is what i do:

hand/mail out hostess/vip pack...depending on how you get the booking... containing specials, cats,invites, recruiting literature and a game to find guests eg a pregnant lady, a person with red hair, a mum of boys only...they get 10 on the list and recieve a special gift from me, relatively in expensive- business pen, $2 necklace etc..you get the idea im sure!...send a thank-you card the following day for the booking...if the booking is four weeks in advance generally call week 2 just to see how she is going with her game list.   a week b4 ph to verify dates and time are still ok, ask if they have any questions and tell them i will ph them the day b4 for guest numbers so as i know how many gifts i will need for games and the time they can expect me....if they need to re-schedule ( never use the word cancel) for any reason plz do so by any means sms, ph, email as soon as possible. the day after the party send thank-you card, and let them know how long they have to obtain additional orders if they choose to do so,as well as another inexpensive gift for hosting a successful party or if you have to deliver products( another call to confirm date and time) you may choose to give your gift then.

this method reminds them of what they need to do (as life has unexpected hiccups) but without excess! take in everyones advise and go with what you feel comfortable with, no-one knows you & your clients like you do! if in doubt put yourself in their shoes, you will get to know who really needs more reminders as you get to know your clients, cheers and enjoy your own work patterns!