Effective Open House Tips from a First-Time Host - Stephanie's Guide

[Stephaniechefs]

I am hosting my first open house this weekend and would welcome any tips on what has worked for you.

Thanks!! Stephanie

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Not calling it an Open House is the most important thing I can think of.

 

[cookwithtiffany]

call it something catchy like "stop and shop" or "pre-holiday home shop". Off a door prize every so often when you have several people there at once. DO NOT get discouraged if you do not get a lot of orders. Talk to EVERYONE.

 

[cookingwithdot]

Is this your Grand Opening Show?
I had my first one last week & this is what I did -
had a start time to get everyone there the same time.
I had 3 little door prizes (2 SB & one orange peeler) that I handed out when people asked about my business
I had a Mystery Host Party, so I raffled off the Host Special, 2-1/2 off items & a 25% off shopping spree (they had to wait to the end, so I knew what the sales were). Plus I raffled off two potted mums that I had bought.
Good luck & have fun!

 

[Stephaniechefs]

Interesting that most of you recommend I change the name, both my team leader and my Director have called it that, so I figured that was the way to go. I do have to be careful bc I live in a deed restricted neighborhood. I guess you could call it my grand opening, I started in August with some succes, but have basically gone back to the drawing board to get more parties booked. I will go with the door prize suggestions. Actually had been thinking of it. Have any of you tried the neighborhood mailer and received any success with it?

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Jolie_Paradoxe]

Be sure to tell EVERYONE....friends, family, group members, school buddies....everyone. Get outside orders for those who can not attend...even better, ask them to book a show. I also did a Mystery Host for my Kick Off Show.

Ask friends to pick up an order or two for you. Ask everyone who says they're coming to bring one or two people you do not know.

Have fun, and ask everyone who does attend to help you expand your business by agreeing to host a cooking or catalog show.

Wishing you much success!

 

[Kelly8]

I do an "auction" every August. I offer $100 bills I had made. They can earn the $100 bills by RSVPing, attending, bringing a friend, ordering, placing an order over $60, etc. (really whatever you want to reward). I have samples of the new recipes (usually about 6). Then we use the $100 bills they earned and I "auction" off items I have earned or nabbed on host 60% off items they didn't use. It's getting bigger every year! This year, I even ran out of food and my sis had to go to get pizza!