Unless you’re a rare exception, as a direct sales consultant in the home party plan business, you’ve experienced your share of excuses from potential party hostesses. As soon as you pose the question, “Do you want to host a show?” they launch into a gazillion reasons why they don’t. Honestly, if someone says they just don’t like to host parties, that it’s just not something they enjoy, I’m okay with that. But most ladies feel it’s necessary to come up with a million other excuses that they can’t host a party of their own.

Nobody likes to beg, so most of us don’t press the issue. And though I do believe that too much pressure drives people away (and we don’t want that!), come on. Having home parties is fun and a great way to earn free products! As consultants, it’s our job to let people know how much fun, how lucrative, and how easy hosting a party can be!

Here are a few common excuses and what we can counter them with to make potential hostesses think twice.

“My house isn’t big enough.”

I once talked to someone who didn’t want to host a show because she was embarrassed of her home. Whether it was just too small, too messy or dirty, I don’t know. But if someone truly doesn’t feel comfortable hosting a show in their own home, there are a couple alternatives. If you, as the consultant, are willing to open up your home, the potential hostess might jump at the chance to host a party. This would also be easier for you, as you could set up at your leisure and not need to haul your product to another location.

Another alternative is hosting the show at a local restaurant. Of course, you would need to check with the restaurant first and choose somewhere with sufficient space. But there are many restaurants willing to accommodate a large party like this.

One final option is to host a work party in the lunchroom. Again, you’ll need to have this okayed by the boss, but I know many consultants who regularly schedule work parties with no problem at all.

“My husband doesn’t like me to have parties.”

Okay, so telling her to go against her husband and have a party anyway just wouldn’t be right. But, if it’s a matter of him not wanting his home disrupted, you can suggest having it somewhere else, as pointed out above. If it’s because he thinks she’ll need to spend extra money, encourage her to let him know that this is an excellent way to get free products. Ask your potential hostess if she would be willing to give her husband your business card and have him call you with any questions or concerns he has.

“I don’t know who I’d invite.”

I’ve found this to be a common excuse. But if you ask your potential hostess to start writing down names, such as family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and school moms, she’ll likely discover there are many more people she can invite than she first thought. If she really has trouble coming up with a guest list, suggest co-hosting a show with a family member or friend and combine their efforts to create a larger party and, ultimately, produce greater sales totals.

You may encounter other excuses, both valid and wishy-washy. Once you understand the reasons they are balking at the idea of hosting a party, gently countering those excuses with a couple of suggestions may just be what your potential hostess needs to be convinced that hosting a show is not only possible, it will be a success, too.