I don't want to let them get away!!!!!!!!!

HandsOn replied:

this reply is mostly in relation to the lady who booked but you don't think will hold her end of the deal --- dont give them their booking gift until the day of their show! Sometimes this isnt suitable, but its one way of them holding up their end of the deal if they really want that gift. It depends on the $$ value i suppose, and if you are losing much if they do get the gift up front and dont end up holding their party.

Goodluck, i'm interested to read some of the responses to this topic!

Snazza replied:

If only we all knew the answer to this question.....

I too have done markets and trade shows in the past. Had my little entry box and had expressions of interest only to find down the track they were more interested in seeing if they had won anything rather than actually seriously booking in.

I definately agree with not passing out any booking gifts until the bookings are held. Unfortunately more and more people book in grab their freebie and run. I think we need to definately think outside the square.

Bottom line is if people want to book they will. Sometimes no end of incentives will help if there are other reasons for them not going ahead. ie hubbys!!! Kids or other circumstances.

I guess all you can really do is try and make your offer as attractive as you can at the time of the face to face contact with the person. Perhaps even note that they have ticked to have a party and try and book them in on the spot and advise you will call them to confirm? Perhaps have a diary and a little sign book in with me today and receive a free blank on the day of your party. Offer an added incentive if they choose a date you are trying to fill.

Or you perhaps could even try the booking bear idea. If you allow into your expenses to allow for a cheap but nice soft toy. Have a coupon attached to it around its waist and let passers by know they can take home the booking bear and win the bonus attached on the spot. No catch involved, no obligation to buy, just book in your show. Then when they take a bear get them to open the coupon and show you what it is. Write down their name and address and phone number and a tentative date. Make whatever is written on the coupon something spectacular so that they can really see the huge saving they will get if they go ahead. Make it something exciting and something they wont want to miss out on.

Worst that can happen here is you lose a soft toy that should have been a cheap but cute incentive. This does contradict what i said earlier in a sense about not giving a gift till the booking. But in this instance the bear is not meant to be a huge value item its just meant to entice.

Hope i made sense - I run a website where we actually actively go looking for bookings for people. We actually have a gift gallery and people are able to choose a gift from there just for booking through us. They dont however receive this until the booking has been held.

Also i just wonder if the costs involved are dearer where you are rather than in Australia??

Anyway good luck with it. Hope some of those 20 book in for you. Keep us posted.

Kind regards

Snazza

Kirstin replied:

I'd mail them an actual letter saying how lovely it was to meet them and that you hope they are now ready to date a show with you. Give them all the details of the hostess incentive and any expectation s you have (ie minimum numbers etc) and say you will call them in a few days to see if you can find a date. Hand address your letter so it looks like a piece of personal mail not junk mail.

Now for the follow up. Only leave one message and say that YOU will call back, not that you will wait to hear from them. Do not stop calling until we get a positive or a negative response. Try different times of the day so you can catch them at home (ie daytime, early evening, Sunday afternoon).

They expressed interest in booking, so you have their permission to contact them; they might be busy so it is up to you to find the time when you can speak to them and get that booking.

Good luck!

Kirstin xxx