April 6th, 2010 | 
Author: When it comes to home parties I think its important to not go over board with the food and refreshments. As a consultant who has been in Direct Sales for over 20+ years, I have seen some party hosts go way over board with preparing food and refreshments for their party.
A few years ago I did a home party for a party host who I had no previous relationship with. When I arrived to do her home party, she sprung it on me that she was expecting over 40 guests (she had told me 22). On top of that, she had a spread of food fit for a king to serve her guests. When I say a spread of food…we are talking about appetizers galore, hot and cold ones along with 8 different types of beverages. On top of all of that, she had numerous dessert style foods for her guests too.
Now let me tell you what I don’t like about this.
#1. My party host had herself so stressed out about preparing and serving all of this food.
#2. It was an un-needed expense.
#3. It cut into my presentation time in a big way. Instead of me presenting for my normal 45 minutes, I had 20 minutes.
#4. I like to be in and out of my party hosts home in 2 to 2 1/2 hours…for this particular party, It took over 4 hours. After my presentation, guests were more interested in eating than shopping and placing their orders.
When it comes to home parties, I think its important to let your party hosts know upfront that you would prefer for them to keep the food and refreshments simple along with the benefits of why they should be kept simple.
Afterall…the primary reason a host books and holds a home party is to earn free and 1/2 price products and the secondary reason is to mingle with their friends and family while shopping.
So…remember…keep the refreshments easy and minimal so that you have the proper time to make your presentation and can get in and out of a hosts home in an appropriate amount of time.
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I hated that too when I was doing home parties. It also stops others from booking shows thinking they need to do all that work too!
Good article!
I was that host, the one who baked for days ahead and served enough food for a pack of starving wolves. I always hosted a day party at lunch time but I still went way over board and it was rather stressful.
Now, as a direct sales consultant, leader and trainer I encourage everyone (hosts & consultants) to keep the prep simple. Parties are are about sampling, and we want them to be simple (to host/present) social events. The easier and stress free we can make it for hosts, consultants and guests the more bookings and completed shows we’ll get. Parties should be fun not work!
Thank you ladies for all of your comments. This particular lady turned the party into a large social event for entertaining her friends and family on a grand scale. It was totally distracting and di-served the purpose. You are right, it does decrease bookings…out of 42 guests, she had one booking.
Shelly
I hated that too when I was doing home parties. It also stops others from booking shows thinking they need to do all that work too!
Good article!
I hated that too when I was doing home parties. It also stops others from booking shows thinking they need to do all that work too!
Good article!
I agree that keeping things simple AND affordable is the key to being a host of a successful party. Nobody wants to end up spending $100+ on food and drink for their home party.
I always suggest even keeping the beverage to ice water with fresh lemon so they don’t feel like they have to have a “stocked bar” to host a nice party. Although many of my hosts do decide to offer a variety of beverages, it’s not something I encourage. The more inexpensive, the better!