Hosting a 2008 Kickoff Show: Tips and Tricks

[pcrae]

I have booked a room at the local civic center for a 2008 kickoff show (also to be sure and get a show in for my tablecloth!). I am fairly new to the business and feel that I have exhausted my contact list. My goal is to find neutral ground to be able to invite as many people as I can find in hopes of getting my calendar filled for the first few months of 2008. What suggestions do y'all have for invitations, getting the word out, and also ways to host this event? Has anyone ever done an "open house" event not actually at their house?

 

[smile10308]

Hi there-

When I started I did something similar. I had a grand opening at my house. I did a mystery host theme and gave tickets to everyone for different things. For instance....RSVP by a certain date, show up on time, for each outside order, for each guest you bring, for every $25.00 in purchases. Then they all showed up (About 20 people) and I did a demo, had TONS of food, gave away door prizes, offered some extra products from my kit as incentives to book within my first 30 days. Then once everyone left I drew a name from all the tickets and gave one person all the host benefits. Overall it was a huge success!!!! I sent invites to everyone (About 50 people) and they all just started calling. It was AWESOME!!! My business took off from there over $500 in sales, 4 bookings, and lots of fun!!!

Ow I forgot to mention, I did call every person and tell them what I was doing and invited them to have their on show. If they said no, then I invited them to my grand opening. After that is when I sent the invites.

 

[Admin Greg]

Hi there! Congrats on booking the room for your kickoff show! Hosting an open house event at a neutral location like the civic center is a great idea. It allows for more people to attend and also gives off a more professional vibe.
As for invitations, I would suggest creating a Facebook event and inviting your friends and contacts. You can also create a flyer and post it in local businesses or community bulletin boards. Don't forget to utilize social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter to spread the word as well.
To make the event more enticing, you can offer some sort of incentive for attendees, such as a raffle or special discounts for booking at the event.
In terms of hosting, make sure to have a clear schedule for the event, including any presentations or demos you may want to do. Have some light refreshments available and make sure to engage with guests and answer any questions they may have about your business.
I have not personally hosted an open house event at a neutral location, but I have attended a few and they have been successful in getting the word out and generating interest. Good luck with your event!