How to Part Ways with Your Current Trivia Host

May 16, 2019
Bars
By Adam Johnston

One of the hardest things about being a business owner is letting go of relationships that no longer fall in line with your day-to-day production. In this particular example, we are talking about parting ways with your current Trivia host. While this can be a daunting task, there are some best practices you can take to ensure a smooth transition.

Written by

Adam Johnston

Give me a bottle of bourbon and half a chicken, and I’ll conquer the world! My job is to make sure that everyone else does their job, which has to be the easiest job in the world considering the brilliant, hard-working people we have in our Flock. My ultimate goal is to run a company that people are proud to work for. I’m an avid statesman, adventurer, Burner, Broadway aficionado, athlete, and I wear my Cole Haans as often as my cowboy boots. It’s a wonderful life.All Posts

Give them notice

Unless it’s an emergency, don’t let your host go with no warning. Essentially, you’ll want to give them a two weeks notice. This gives them plenty of time to process the news, as well as make preparations for their departure and perhaps find a new gig. Many people rely on the extra money from hosting Trivia, so be fair and give them a chance to get their ducks in a row.

Explain the situation and Be honest

Whatever the reason you are parting ways with your host, be honest. Having transparency ensures that your host doesn’t feel cheated or confused by the news.

Need to make budget cuts? Want someone better suited for your venue? Tell it like it is; just be cordial about it. This is a professional relationship and should be treated as such. Be sure to answer any of their resulting questions as candidly as possible.

Ask if there is anything you can do to help them prepare to leave

Asking if there is anything you can do to help ease their transition shows you care and it can soften the blow. People may react negatively, but giving them a fair warning and doing something to help cuts down on any suspicion.

One thing you can help them out with is providing references for their next gig, should they need them. This gesture of goodwill shows that you aren’t just leaving your old in the dust, but care about helping them move on successfully. It also lessens the chance that a negative reaction will result in bad-mouthing of your venue.

Additionally, this is especially helpful in cases where the host simply isn’t a good personality fit for your crowd. Make sure your recommendation is honest and doesn’t mislead other bar owners.

Prepare your guests

Trivia is one of those wonderful things that brings people together. The relationship between guests and hosts can be a strong one. It’s possible that some might be upset or confused if their usual host doesn’t show up one day. The best thing to do is prepare your guests for the upcoming change.

This could mean talking to the host in question about how they can present this change during their final two weeks. By having the news come from the host, it uses that relationship with guests to ease the blow.

You should also be prepared for any questions or concerns that may come your way during this transition. Again, be honest, yet optimistic about the situation. Lastly, post about your new host or new show on social media at least a week or two prior to the start date (if you have the time), so everyone is sure to know the change is coming.

Move forward

The final step in this process is to move forward.

Prepare yourself, your host, and your guests for the transition. Make sure that there is a clear dialogue and be ready to answer questions. Additionally, don’t let yourself or your guests dwell too much on the past; look forward and present them with something that will make their experience even better.

Letting people go is not a fun nor simple task, but there are ways to make it go as smoothly as possible. Following the suggestions above and having an optimistic look on the future will ensure that whatever step you take next is a step in the right direction.