August Open House: Taste New Recipes & Get Cash & Carry Deals!

[wadesgirl]

I'm considering doing an Open House in August. I just had a Saturday open up. I thought it would be a perfect time to try the new recipes (offer it as a recipe tasting), get orders from the current catalog and promote September shows. I also wanted to have some cash and carry items to get some of them out of my house.

My only thing... Every open house or multi vendor event I've ever done has bombed! Nobody ever shows up no matter how many follow up calls I make, invites I send out or specials that I offer. I really want to do this but I don't want to put the time, effort and money into it if it's going to bomb again. Plus there is no room at my house, so I would have to ask my in-laws if I can borrow their house for the afternoon.

I was thinking past host/repeat customers/plus friends and family. Someone suggested just doing postcalls for invites as a way to battle postage cost, along with email invites.

 

[Jess_K]

I'm having a "Sneak Peek" Open house at my house on August 30th. Last year I had a few people come and a few others who saw a flyer I had posted at the Post Office.. I guess you never know. I'm hoping for a good turn out this year and I'm sending out Oversized postcards I bought from VistaPrint. I guess it's a gamble, but you just never know.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I only invite past hosts and a few special customers. I make it an appreciation evening, and tell them I need their opinions on the new products, theme shows, and recipes. I usually spend $$ on this though, to thank my hosts - so everyone gets a gift for attending (New S/B cookbook) and there are lots of giveaways - stuff I've collected and products I've earned and never used. I make it all about them. It's a fun time!

(And I never refer to it as an Open House!)

 

[mrssyvo]

I am having an Open House (just moved to the area in March) and Sneak Peek on 2 different days (Aug 28th in evening, and 30th in afternoon) Also, at my Farmer's Markets, I ask everyone if they would like an invitation, and they fill out a slip, and then I will send mini-catalog with invitation. My neighbors are excited about coming, because they all what to see inside my house (LOL- We just put an addition on)- This is also the shove DH needs to get things completed. On my invitation,. I explain it is a come when you can, leave when you must- Food to eat, prizes to win, and to find out how to get extra chances to win prizes, visit my web-site. One way to get them to the website, and too much ingo to list on invite. I will give extra tickets for bringing friend or order, booking a show, joining my team, etc. Hubby is finishing the invite at work- I will post it when I get it back. It is sized to fit into mini-catalog.

 

[wadesgirl]

I only invite past hosts and a few special customers. I make it an appreciation evening, and tell them I need their opinions on the new products, theme shows, and recipes. I usually spend $$ on this though, to thank my hosts - so everyone gets a gift for attending (New S/B cookbook) and there are lots of giveaways - stuff I've collected and products I've earned and never used. I make it all about them. It's a fun time!

(And I never refer to it as an Open House!)

I already know that "rule" I was going to call it an appreciation party.

 

[jrstephens]

I did it one time with pretty good success but have never done it again. I always say I am but never do.