The Beauty of Booking Boards By Mary Vogel (MBryt1@bex.net)

“Booking boards are to encourage other people at the party to book in the future. They say for every party you hold you need to book at least 2 more at that party to grow your business - one to replace the one you are doing and one to grow the business. If you are struggling with getting bookings at all, a booking board can help to encourage the gals to step up and book a party.” (Wendy Coffman, consultant)

I couldn’t have said it better myself! That is exactly the reason for creating and using a booking board. So let’s take a look at a few beautiful booking boards made by Close To My Heart consultants. Created by Nicole Schuette:

From Korin Sutherland:

Here’s a close-up of the wording on Korin’s:

From Erin Grotegut:

Here’s what Erin says about her booking board (above): “My Booking Board is a little different than everyone else’s. It's smaller, with fewer date spots on it. I can't plan too far in advance because of some other commitments I have with church and work, so I chose a few specific dates that I knew I was available, and then the other "slots" were "any Friday night workshop", "Halloween Workshop", "Anytime Catalog Party". I booked TWO workshops and talked of future workshops so they could learn more techniques and get more comfortable being creative. (These were VERY, VERY newbie type girls. I think ONE might be a seasoned stamper but the rest were afraid of putting together a CARD.) My BBoard is 12x12 and mounted on a piece of cardboard which I cut to resemble the back of a frame w/stand for display purposes. I wanted it to be compact for storage, so I attached the "directions/information" to the side of the board with HINGES. I also attached the Booking Set sample to the board with velcro so that I could switch it out and not have to reinvent the wheel each time a new set comes out. I figure I will make one that is more "fall/winter colors" and then have this one for spring /summer, etc. The folders were cut with the Coluzzle File Folders template. (I love coluzzle templates now!) I figured I could have dressed up the files a little more, but I kind of like the simplicity of it.”

So there you have it – some inspiration to get you started on your own Booking Board! Want to try another new idea at your next Gathering? How about creating and playing Deal or

No Deal! “The DOND (Deal or No Deal) is a reward for the hostess holding the party you are at plus a way more fun way to do a catalog walk through. Everyone learns about 16 of our fun products, following along in the catalogs while you play, and the hostess wins a prize at the end. I always tell my hostesses they only get the prize if the party reaches the minimum sales, so I don't have to pay for the prize up front, and if for some reason the party tanks, I'm not out anything. Doesn't happen often, but pays to cover your behind... I also like how you can get it started even if people are late and they can just come in when they get there,

so you aren't always starting way behind. I love that it can cover whatever products you choose, so I try to change it up for a group each time they see me - it's been a big hit. I personally choose to go with just the DOND board game and a prize drawing at the end - something I had in my extra stuff bin that I wrap up and raffle off. I give tickets for the girls - one for coming, 1 for every $5 they purchase, 5 for bringing a friend, 10 for booking a party, 2 for rounding up for operation kids, etc... I don't push on the bookings, but I seem to do ok. I promote the DOND as a super fun way to kick off a party, and if they book their own party, they get to play at the beginning of their party. So they get a prize if they hold their party, when they play DOND.” (Wendy Coffman, consultant)

So in actuality, playing Deal or No Deal with your hostess can potentially be a booking incentive as well! If your current hostess has fun and gets a cool prize, then other guests will want that opportunity too! Here are some fabulous Deal or No Deal boards from other Close To My Heart consultants. From Erin Grotegut:

Here’s what Erin says about her DOND board and game: “So the Deal or No Deal board is the GIRLFRIEND'S version of DoND. I cut out the smallest purses from the coluzzle template and used scraps of Stylin Papers to design the purses. I added brads, sassy strands, etc for embellishments. I printed the words Deal or No Deal on my computer and tried to match the pink as close as possible to the pink in the Stylin Papers. I stamped some fun shoes from a couple of different sets and glittered them up with the Write N Rub Pen and the Glitter Stack (which btw, the girls went CRAZY over). I wanted to buy a hot pink bell that the hostess could ring when she TOOK the deal. The purses are velcroed (is that a word?) on to the board and velcroed shut. I put a variety of $2 - $15 prizes in the purses that can be removed easily and/or shifted around for other gatherings. Here's how I worked it: I thanked the hostess for having her gathering and told her that since she booked and HELD the

gathering that she gets to play my special hostess game. I refreshed them on how DoND works, told her ours was slightly different but just as fun, and asked her to choose a case. She chose #13 and I placed it on the black and white diamond shape on the left side of the board (no peeking). I had her choose 5 cases and as I opened them up, I told them what was in it and then showed them what it was in the catalog if they didn't know what it was. When the 5th case was opened, she could either choose that case or the mystery case by saying deal or no deal. If she chose no deal, then we opened up 4 more cases, then 3 and then 2. She got down to the 3 case run and the 3rd case we opened was a 3x3 mini album, which she screamed "DEAL DEAL DEAL" over. LOL! We'd already opened up the Level II paper packet which she was very sad about... but she saw the 3x3 album I had made of dh and I earlier when I was setting up and said she sooo wanted to make one of those of her kids. SO, she didn't get a HUGE bonus prize, but she got something she wanted and the other girls got introduced to a few new things.”

From Amber Peterson:

And how about one final board from me:

Here’s how I worked mine: The instructions at the top right say:

Wild Steal or Deal Booking Board

1. Book your Gathering date with me.

2. Select a tag from any of the pockets on the board. One tag only please!

3. Watch out – your tag can be stolen

by the next person who books with me!

4. If your tag is stolen, you can choose another from the board.

5. Once everyone has a tag, you can

turn in your tag to find out what you have won or make a “deal” with me for a better (or maybe worse) prize!

6. The Wild tag is worth $20 in additional

FREE product at your Gathering! All prizes will be awarded when your Gathering is held. Wild bonus valid with qualifying sales of $150 or more. I have all of the tags numbered 1-4 and one Wild tag

The Wild tag is worth $20 in FREE product when the gathering has $150 or more in sales. ALL prizes are added to the current hostess’s order (bumping up her sales) and are awarded on the night of the booked Gathering. Prizes will change from show to show Prize ideas: Sponge Inkpad Marker Ribbon Slides Booking set Mat pack – these are 5 ½ x 4 ¼ cardstock pieces to use for scrapping or stamping B & T Mat pack 10% discount Wild bucks – these are like gift certificates they can only use on a future order Once in awhile I might throw in a larger prize to get them excited – a Level 1 kit or a Ribbon Round, etc… All of the prizes I choose to use will be on slips on paper. Before a show I will randomly pick 4 of these slips and number them 1 through 4. These will be the prizes for the tags for that night. If anyone wants to turn in their tag and make a deal with me and try to get a better prize, they can draw from the remaining slips. No prizes are revealed until the stealing and dealing is over.

I hope you have enjoyed checking out Booking Boards and Deal or No Deal games and I hope you try one at your next Gathering!