How Can I Make My First Open House a Success?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The thread centers around participants sharing their experiences and suggestions for successfully hosting an open house event, particularly in a setting that includes various direct sales companies. Participants discuss marketing strategies, materials to prepare, and personal anecdotes related to their own booth experiences.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, seeks advice on marketing strategies for their first open house, emphasizing the importance of holiday gifts and recruiting promotions.
  • Another participant shares their experience of using mini holiday catalogs and offering a raffle for a free cooking show to attract attendees.
  • Several users mention the effectiveness of tri-fold brochures for gift set ideas, noting that they had them printed professionally to save time.
  • One participant expresses concern that attendees at shows seem to be shopping for themselves rather than for gifts, which may affect the effectiveness of promotional materials.
  • Participants discuss the logistics of printing labels and materials, with some sharing tips on using local print shops for assistance.
  • Another participant shares their frustration about delays in receiving supplies for their booth setup.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the effectiveness of promotional materials, with some participants noting that attendees may not utilize them as intended. No clear consensus emerges on the best approach to marketing at open houses.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects a range of personal experiences related to direct sales events, highlighting the challenges and creative solutions participants have encountered in preparing for open houses.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants preparing for similar events may find the shared experiences and strategies relevant to their own open house planning.

P
PamperedChefDebi
Silver Member
Messages
1,176
I'm doing my first open house and I'd love some advice. This is being held by a large nursing home, open to the public, and it's marketed as a ladies night to "shop, mingle, and giggle with a little jingle." They are having all kinds of direct sales companies represented, along with some munchies, and wine and cheese.

How could I best market myself there? I'm thinking focus on holiday gifts and the recruiting promo. I may not have any of my supplies in time (it's Thursday) so I might have to beg, borrow, and steal to get anything to have for a display. And she'd like me to have a door prize as well.

I'm open to ALL suggestions!

Thank you!
 
Any booth thing I"ve done so far, I've handed out the mini holiday catalogs with the label I found on CS that says if they visit your website within 48 hours, they get a gift.....etc I don't know if you have mini catalogs yet. Do a "free cooking show" raffle. I've also started promoting the 12 Days of Christmas thing I'm doing at booths too, but they can't have a free show AND that.

I also printed up the gift set ideas tri-fold brochure from CS and had them copied at Office Max and had those available at my booth too. Oh and if people actually do order, I also do it as a mystery host show if I get enough orders to make it a show. Last one I had BARELY qualified as a show, so it won't be much but someone can at least get a 60% off stone!

Good luck!!!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #3
pamperedbecky said:
Any booth thing I"ve done so far, I've handed out the mini holiday catalogs with the label I found on CS that says if they visit your website within 48 hours, they get a gift.....etc I don't know if you have mini catalogs yet. Do a "free cooking show" raffle. I've also started promoting the 12 Days of Christmas thing I'm doing at booths too, but they can't have a free show AND that.

I also printed up the gift set ideas tri-fold brochure from CS and had them copied at Office Max and had those available at my booth too. Oh and if people actually do order, I also do it as a mystery host show if I get enough orders to make it a show. Last one I had BARELY qualified as a show, so it won't be much but someone can at least get a 60% off stone!

Good luck!!!
Click to expand...

Becky, would you please email me those documents? There are so many on CS, I have no idea which ones you're referring to. Thanks!!!
 
yeah, post them here!
 
Ok, I'm finally on my computer that has Word, so I can retrieve these files and post them. One is a file of the labels I am putting on stuff I hand out at booths and the other file is the tri-fold gift set ideas that I found on CS. I forget who came up with it, but THANK YOU because it's awesome. Although I do have to say that lately at least at shows, people really don't seem to be using it as a guide for gift shopping. Many only seem to be shopping for themselves anyway.

Oh, I tried to do the tri-fold thing on my own all in one printer and it cut off margins. But I took it to Office Max and they did a great job. They also have a machine that trifolds them and saves SOOOO much time. For $3 extra, they folded all 100 of my copies (I've gotten them done twice) in about 10 seconds.

Good luck!!!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #6
pamperedbecky said:
Ok, I'm finally on my computer that has Word, so I can retrieve these files and post them. One is a file of the labels I am putting on stuff I hand out at booths and the other file is the tri-fold gift set ideas that I found on CS. I forget who came up with it, but THANK YOU because it's awesome. Although I do have to say that lately at least at shows, people really don't seem to be using it as a guide for gift shopping. Many only seem to be shopping for themselves anyway.

Oh, I tried to do the tri-fold thing on my own all in one printer and it cut off margins. But I took it to Office Max and they did a great job. They also have a machine that trifolds them and saves SOOOO much time. For $3 extra, they folded all 100 of my copies (I've gotten them done twice) in about 10 seconds.

Good luck!!!
Click to expand...

Will Office Max also do the labels?
 
I don't have any idea about the labels. For me, those are easy to print up. I just use the 30-to-a-page labels for that.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #8
pamperedbecky said:
I don't have any idea about the labels. For me, those are easy to print up. I just use the 30-to-a-page labels for that.
Click to expand...

Yea, they're easy for me too.....when I actually have a printer! LOL! :approve:
 
Debi said:
Yea, they're easy for me too.....when I actually have a printer! LOL! :approve:
Click to expand...
Oh yeah, that would help! I know you're able to send other print jobs to Office Max, but I'm not sure if they'd do labels. Maybe they would??
 
could you bring the doc on a flash drive or email to your local store and then have them do it there after you buy a box of labels?
 
  • Thread starter
  • #11
DebbieJ said:
could you bring the doc on a flash drive or email to your local store and then have them do it there after you buy a box of labels?
Click to expand...

I think I might try that! I hate to use someone's printer for all this stuff and, again, my stuff still isn't here. (Did I mention I have a TV, a card table, two chairs, and an air mattress. Yea, that's it. Since Nov 2 so far. Sucks!)
 
Debi said:
I think I might try that! I hate to use someone's printer for all this stuff and, again, my stuff still isn't here. (Did I mention I have a TV, a card table, two chairs, and an air mattress. Yea, that's it. Since Nov 2 so far. Sucks!)
Click to expand...

When is all of your stuff expected to arrive??? Oh my gosh, that's so hard! I hope there's an end in sight soon.:pray:
 
  • Thread starter
  • #13
pamperedbecky said:
When is all of your stuff expected to arrive??? Oh my gosh, that's so hard! I hope there's an end in sight soon.:pray:
Click to expand...

(You ready for this....) By Dec 8th.
 
Debi said:
(You ready for this....) By Dec 8th.
Click to expand...

Oh man, that sucks!:(
 
Aw Debi!! I can't wait to hang out with you again at Leadership! I hope your Open House is a HUGE success!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #17
Chef Kearns said:
Aw Debi!! I can't wait to hang out with you again at Leadership! I hope your Open House is a HUGE success!
Click to expand...

Ditto! And thank you!
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What steps should I take to prepare for my first open house?

To prepare for your first open house, start by choosing a date and time that works for you and your potential guests. Create a guest list and send out invitations via email or social media. Ensure your home is clean and organized, and set up a designated area for showcasing Pampered Chef products. Consider preparing a few recipes using the products to demonstrate their effectiveness and appeal.

How can I promote my open house to attract more guests?

Promote your open house by utilizing social media platforms, creating an event page, and sharing it with your network. You can also post flyers in local community centers, libraries, or coffee shops. Encourage your friends and family to spread the word, and consider offering incentives, such as a raffle or discounts, to entice more guests to attend.

What should I include in my product demonstration during the open house?

Your product demonstration should include a selection of popular Pampered Chef items that are easy to use and visually appealing. Prepare a simple recipe that highlights the versatility and effectiveness of the products. Make sure to explain the benefits of each item as you use them, and engage your guests by inviting them to participate in the cooking process.

How can I create a welcoming atmosphere for my guests?

Create a welcoming atmosphere by ensuring your space is comfortable and inviting. Use soft lighting, play some background music, and have refreshments available for your guests. Greet each guest warmly as they arrive, and make an effort to introduce them to one another. A friendly and relaxed environment will encourage guests to stay longer and engage with the products.

What follow-up actions should I take after the open house?

After the open house, follow up with your guests by sending thank-you notes or emails expressing your appreciation for their attendance. Include a recap of the products demonstrated and any special offers available. This is also a great opportunity to ask for feedback and gauge their interest in placing orders or hosting their own parties in the future.

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