Planning a Multiple Vendor Open House in My Home- Tips?

[ShelbyMichalek]

Ok, So I had my first one in December and I had thrown it together very quickly. It went very well I booked 3 shows and sold $400 in products. What I did and I am doing for my next one in March is:

...............

I WILL ATTACH MY FLYER. IF YOU HAVE SOME QUESTIONS PM ME AND WE CAN TALK MORE!

I can't open those type of documents but I'm curious to see what it is, could anyone make a pdf of this? or a .doc.? Thanks!

 

[Laura4]

Hey, I've been trying to get a party set up actually and I have a Thirty-One catalog, do you know anything about them as a company? I'm seriously considering inviting a consultant to my event.

I know I read somewhere on her site that it's based off of a bible verse (31roverbs maybe???)

Here is the link to her site:
http://www.mythirtyone.com/14416/

Looks like some cute stuff!
I'm excited to meet her and have her be a part of our little group!!:angel:

 

[Deb Bixler]

I have done many programs for Thirty One Gifts and found them to be a attentive and professional group of consultants.:thumbup: I am always wary of multi-vendor events for two main reasons.

• They only work when every vendor invites people.
• Guests need to spread their purchases out between all the vendors as most people arrive with a budget.

 

[MHPampered]

Here is the flyer in a word doc.
I always forget that most can't open publisher files.

I can't open those type of documents but I'm curious to see what it is, could anyone make a pdf of this? or a .doc.? Thanks!

 

[mrshamel3808]

I participated in one with a MaryKay consultant, a Cookie Lee consultant and a girl that runs her own boutique making hawaiian quilted pillow/blankets and had GREAT results! Pretty much all the customers were the hosts (cookie lee) neighbors and clients but with about 25 people attending throughout the entire day I had about 12 orders totaling OVER $600. She didn't require us to give any product (tho I would have been willing); I brought an appetizer and she had surprise envelopes that each guest got to pick as they came in with 5-25% off coupons good at each vendor (there were like...10 5%, 5 10%, 2 20% and 1 25% or something like that). It was at the beginning of December so maybe it was the whole Christmas thing but alot of people were buying for themselves! Also, an open house around this time of year could benefit with tax refunds I'm actually working on contacting other vendors as we speak. This thread reminded me and then helped me decide to invite others to the open house I was planning on hosting at the end of March (sadly the earliest I'm available after the new product launch!). So far I've contacted a PartyLite rep (just by searching online), an Avon rep (a good friend of mine), and a Premier Designs rep (who I met doing a mall booth and have purchased from). I know another Avon rep if the first one isn't interested and I also know 2 Sensaria reps (spa products), one of which is my sister-in-law who I'd prefer but she's not working her business right now to stay on unemployment which they need so I don't know if she'll want to participate.

 

[ShelbyMichalek]

Here is the flyer in a word doc.
I always forget that most can't open publisher files.

That's okay, I actually can't open .docs either on my computer, I have to use Google documents to open those, but google docs doesn't open publisher files at all. Thanks so much!

 

[Laura4]

So far it's getting great feedback from all the ladies we tell. We're planning on doing 2 more in the other ladies' area to get their names out as well. LOL!!

My friend and I are going to a ladies' luncheon today. $5 and a small gift. I'm going to give the adjustable spoons. I'm also taking some catalogs with me and trying to add to my order I got from the Business Expo yesterday. I was able to put together a $150 show from that!! WOOHOO!!!

 

[Laura4]

I participated in one with a MaryKay consultant, a Cookie Lee consultant and a girl that runs her own boutique making hawaiian quilted pillow/blankets and had GREAT results! Pretty much all the customers were the hosts (cookie lee) neighbors and clients but with about 25 people attending throughout the entire day I had about 12 orders totaling OVER $600. She didn't require us to give any product (tho I would have been willing); I brought an appetizer and she had surprise envelopes that each guest got to pick as they came in with 5-25% off coupons good at each vendor (there were like...10 5%, 5 10%, 2 20% and 1 25% or something like that). It was at the beginning of December so maybe it was the whole Christmas thing but alot of people were buying for themselves! Also, an open house around this time of year could benefit with tax refunds I'm actually working on contacting other vendors as we speak. This thread reminded me and then helped me decide to invite others to the open house I was planning on hosting at the end of March (sadly the earliest I'm available after the new product launch!). So far I've contacted a PartyLite rep (just by searching online), an Avon rep (a good friend of mine), and a Premier Designs rep (who I met doing a mall booth and have purchased from). I know another Avon rep if the first one isn't interested and I also know 2 Sensaria reps (spa products), one of which is my sister-in-law who I'd prefer but she's not working her business right now to stay on unemployment which they need so I don't know if she'll want to participate.

Hmmmm. Sensaria....someone mentioned that at my booth yesterday to the other lady who was going to be booking a show from me. I wondered what it is. Thanks for telling me what that is. ROFLMAO!!!!

I'll have to remember that for future group shows!!

 

[pamperedlinda]

I've done several of these and have always been successful. Some of the things that we do are:

We spilt the beverages, appetizers, desserts

We each donate a door prize worth @ $35-$50 retail value

We each do Mystery Host

Each of us invites everyone we know

currently, this is my invite....but I love the one Scott posted - I might make a few changes.

 

[ChefCat]

Thank you everyone for your posts!

 

[Bri's Kitchen]

Just to let everyone know...we had our multiple vendor open house this past weekend...I have 3 bookings from it!! And each vendor (we had 3) had shows totaling close to $600.00!! Not bad...this works, but you have to work it!!

 

[Jilleysue]

This multi vendor events are awesome. I got one of my first recruits at one. I like using them to get tips and info.

 

[ChefCat]

I thought I would give a final update for my event.

The open house was yesterday. I had six vendors total, me with PC of course, Arbonne, Longaberger, Scentsy, Mystique Jewelry and Cash for Gold. The hours were 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. I made up gift bags for each guest that contained information from each vendor, some just put in a business card, some made up coupons, I put in a magnetic business card, mini cat, recipe card, come join us flier, HWP pin and cancer fact sheet. I did not charge anyone vendors a table fee, instead each vendor brought a dish to pass for the guests, chips & salsa / cheese, sausage & cracker tray / cheesy chicken dip & crackers / soda & water. I provided the paper products and made the cool and creamy chocolate fondue and the apple berry salsa and served them in the simple additions small square bowl and caddy set on top of the large bamboo platter with pita chips, bagel chips and pretzel chips. I also made the S'more cups and served them on the adjustable tiered tower. Each vendor also had a free raffle of some product for the guests to receive.

I feel we had a great turn out, although we did not have any guests after 2 pm. I tried to keep track and count guests but I lost count. I think there were over 20 guests but probably not over 30.

My sales for the day are over $500 with one booking. So I feel the day was a huge success and I am very happy with my results. I really enjoyed the planning and organizing for the event so I am already working on my next multi-vendor event. I'm expanding and will hold it at our neighborhood clubhouse. It will be sometime in fall to launch the fall/winter catalog.

 

[MHPampered]

Can you tell me more about the giftbags you gave everyone? Did you tell the vendors ahead of time you would be doing that? What kind of bags did you use? Oh and how many did you make ahead of time? I am having a boutique of my own with about 7 vendors and then me. So I was thinking of doing something like this with just my information and maybe a citrus peeler in it. Also how did you advertise your boutique?

I thought I would give a final update for my event.

I made up gift bags for each guest that contained information from each vendor, some just put in a business card, some made up coupons, I put in a magnetic business card, mini cat, recipe card, come join us flier, HWP pin and cancer fact sheet.

 

[mrshamel3808]

Mine is this weekend! I ended up doing two days (Friday 4-8 and Saturday 10-2) due to vendor's availabilities. I have me, AtHome America, PartyLite and Avon on Friday and me, AtHome America, PartyLite, Sensaria & Premier Designs on Saturday. I almost had ThirtyOne Gifts, Stella & Dot Jewelry, Scentsy, Cookie Lee Jewelry, and Stampin' Up at different times but all were booked on that day but want know when I'm holding other ones. Depending on how well this one goes I may do this semi-annually (with each new season). I'm hiring my sister to sit on our front porch/patio area to welcome people and have them write down their name & how they heard about us (this will also be an entry for a raffle to encourage them to actually fill it out) and for them to pick a coupon from a basket. They will range from 5%-25% and will be good with all vendors. I have each vendor donating 1 $10-15 product for each day they will be there (so the vendors there both days will donate 2). I will probably be donating 3 so we have enough prizes to do a raffle each hour on the hour only for those who are there at that time. I e-mailed them all flyers and part of my requirements were to tell their entire customer base. I also did a facebook invite, am going to post it on Craigslist and was planning on going around my neighborhood this week. Plus I'll put up signs (we live off of a very major street) and possibly balloons in front of my house so people know which house it is. So far I'm the only one doing food and drink but I'm going to keep it VERY simple. Some desserts to put on the adjustable tiered tower, the pesto cheese pastries since I can make them ahead of time and just pop them in the oven as they get eaten, and probably a veggie tray. I'll probably just have water, some sort of sparkling lemonade/punch type thing in the quick stir pitchers and coffee.

I thought of doing gift bags too, but the thought came to me too late to get info from everyone. I thought it'd be great because they could use it to carry whatever they bought here (I, at least, will have some cash and carry) or whatever print materials they gather from each vendor if they get more info, book shows or get catalogs.

I'm trying not to go overboard and spend too much time or money out of my own pocket (which I tend to do when I plan events) so that it's actually worth while to me even if I don't have an AMAZING turn out.

 

[mrshamel3808]

Oh, and here's my flyer. (first time doing this...see if it works)

 

[ChefCat]

Can you tell me more about the giftbags you gave everyone? Did you tell the vendors ahead of time you would be doing that? What kind of bags did you use? Oh and how many did you make ahead of time? I am having a boutique of my own with about 7 vendors and then me. So I was thinking of doing something like this with just my information and maybe a citrus peeler in it. Also how did you advertise your boutique?

I bought bags from Merrill:
http://www.merrillestore.com/pamperedchef/index.asp
In case the link doesn't work, they are called "clear catalog bags" and are found under the promote your business section. I bought them to use to hand deliver catalogs to neighbors to boost business and to use for host packets.

They are thin, similar to a sandwich baggie, so I'm not sure they would work to hold too much product. I told the vendors ahead of time that I would like them to contribute something to the bag, my thought was so that every guest who came to the event would leave with every vendor's information. Most vendors got me their stuff ahead of time so I stuffed the bags for them, one vendor did it right before the event. I made up 45 bags and hoped it would be enough. As it turned out not every guest took one. Only 15 bags were taken, but we had over 20 guests. I tried to make sure everyone knew to grab a bag but maybe I missed some people or maybe they didn't want it?

I think for my next event I will make up a program for the guests that will have vendor information and any sales, specials and coupons. I think the gift bag is pretty nice so maybe I will still give a gift bag for guests who visit my booth.

I advertised with signs in my yard, hand delivered fliers to some neighbors, hand delivered and posted fliers at a strip mall nearby and posted it as an event on both facebook and craigslist. Most of the guests were neighbors or my friends/family.

Two of the other vendors are my neighbors, the Arbonne lady doesn't know too many neighbors yet but the Mystique Jewelry lady is not only a neighbor, but the founder and CEO of Mystique and is pretty popular in the neighborhood. I think having her company participate was beneficial. Plus, she wasn't even here, her husband came for the cash for gold aspect and she sent a consultant to represent Mystique. She was launching a new consultant out of state. I am hoping she can actually be at the next event so that her friends that come to see her will hopefully see me too! Isn't that terrible of me, totally using her popularity! Ah well, I'm providing a venue for her so I guess it is give/take. =)