HAVE YOU STARTED PLANNING YOUR OPEN HOUSE?

Anytime we have a new catalog, people love to be the first to see the new products.  Inviting them to your home is the best way for them to see everything "in action".  We can only bring so much to a show, but at our homes, well ... need we say more??!!!

Many recruits have come from Open Houses.  It is best to always have  career opportunity information area, where they can look through the literature and take home some information.  This is a perfect time for you to get together your Opportunity Basket and set it out for display.  Talk to your guests about becoming a consultant.  You never know who might be interested and just waiting to be asked!

 

A few tips on hosting an Open House  (many of these were learned the hard way):

• Get your invitations out 3 wks. prior to the event.  Make sure you state an RSVP with a date you would like it by, on your invitation.
• Friday nights or Saturday am works pretty good, but do what you think will work best with your customer base.
• Go easy on the refreshments.  A punch served in a large basket, assorted cookies, or simple snack foods are best.  Save yourself some time and order from the bakery, or buy prepared items at Sam's for example.  Don't go crazy!  Remember, your guests don't want to see you cooking in the kitchen and refilling drinks.
• Hire your babysitter, teen next door, or one of your children to help you out.  Let them hand out any catalogs, etc.  for you.  They can also help with tidying up, raffle tickets, refilling the refreshments, gathering coats as people enter, etc.
• Have an area set up for order taking.  It's great if someone else can take the orders for you.  It let's you visit with your guests.
• Make sure you have enough cash to make change.
• Set a definitive time for your Open House, i.e.: 12-4pm.
• Have an area not only for recruiting, but with different category of products displayed such as: new product display, feature items, and keep any cash & carry is a separate area.  If you plan on doing cash & carry, I have a sign that simply states that there is no refund or exchanges on cash & carry items.  Items are sold "As Is", and that credit cards are accepted for purchases.  (You may also want to have some type of verification of the current value of your cash and carry items ... for instance in some basket cases you can use something called a Bentley Guide to show secondary market values.  Have these items available for those who are purchasing, to refer to the value of the item.
• Provide a theme to your Open House.  Maybe a Springtime gardening theme, Easter, Holiday, etc.  Use your imagination.  Involve your guests by asking them to wear something red, white, and blue, for a Summertime 4th of July theme, etc.
• Don't go crazy with raffle items.  Don't feel as though you have to give away lots of items.
• Display your products with use ideas.  Chances are if they are in your home, your using them all different ways, so give them a tour of your home.  If this is not comfortable for you to do, then limit it to a few rooms with display ideas throughout these rooms.
• Have your guests sign the guest list .  Some guests may be bringing a friend who would like to be on your mailing list.
• Ask everyone if they would like to schedule a show.  Now that the holidays are over and the weather is starting to warm up, you will find that your customers are probably more willing to book that show they've been putting off.
• Set the mood with relaxing music, and the scent of candles.  We all like to get away for a relaxing afternoon or evening without the kiddos!  Make them feel special.  They are the heart of your business!
• Dress for success!  Take the time to make sure your appearance reflects professionalism.
• Take a deep breath before your guest arrive, and relax!  If you missed something, don't worry!  Your probably the only one that will ever notice it!!
• Smile, and enjoy your guests!

ANOTHER OPEN HOUSE ANGLE

I have been selling for 5 years and do one Open House a year -- it is the Sunday before Thanksgiving (same time every year).  From the beginning I made it clear that it was just an open house -- come see my Christmas decorations (yep, can you imagine -- all done--I admit I get a little crazy the week or two before), come see the products in my home and the displays of new things, etc.  My purpose in my open house is not to take orders
(although yes, that does happen) or book shows (again, does happen).  I also have a nice selection of retired and cash and carry items in my garage -- depending on time I even do a few of them as gifts (wrapped with bows,
etc).  There are good dips and appetizers and my "famous" Margaritas as well as wine and non-alcoholic punch. 

Of course, there is a drawing for a door prize. My giveaway this year was the magnetized note pads with my
business card on it (from supply order).  The first year I had about 30; last year and this year I had about 80 customers and friends of customers come through. Some stay for an hour, some stay all day.  I think part of
the reason I get a great turnout is because they are comfortable that no one is going to ask them to buy something or book a show.

So where is the "payback" if the goal is not orders and sales?  It is in the relationship -- just saying thank you for your business and a chance to share my excitement about our products.  I do a lot of decorating for the holidays and love to show off my home and they love to see it.  I also get rid of a lot of retired and extra products and they have a chance to pick up something retired for their collection or perhaps a gift.  And as a side benefit -- my decorating is all done and I can entertain all through December!

BJ (OH)

OUR EXPERIENCES

I like to do my open house in September, the first part. I have 3 kids very active in everything from football and cheerleading to soccer and girl scouts. My time is consumed with kid stuff all the time. I usually have my invitation sent with my Christmas newsletter and it is a simple invitation with a map on the reverse. Not everyone will come, you need to remind people. I did one that was from 3 to 9 and another from 7-9 (different years). More people came to the 3-9. They can stop on their way home from work. Or even come over before the kids get home from school. I give everyone a lapboard as they come in. I have a drawing for a $5.00 gift certificate from me every 1/2 hour. (Note it does not say the company name on it), everyone enjoys seeing the new catalog, Flyers and displays. I try to display my products as I would normally. I do set up a Christmas table with Holiday decorations, I don't set up a tree, remember my time is limited. I have a cash and carry table with retired items. Liners and protectors go great. I do have some regular line items that I mark are strictly "displayed only", I don't even give them a receipt for these, as they are "cash and carry." I take the shipping and tax off, and explain that I only do this occasionally because I like to change my kit around. The food is simple, something chocolate, salty, fat free, and yummy. (brownies, pretzels, yogurt dip and fruit, cheese cake tarts with cherries, chips and dip. I also offer Hot Cider in the cookie jar with a warmed buffet brick in the cake basket, beer, wine, soda, and coffee. As they leave I give them a votive or teabags or such, something simple but not more than a $1 a piece (closer to 50 cents if I can). Everyone usually buys something, but the main objective is to create bookings for future shows, get them in the books and give them their hostess packet. Once you start an Open House, if you continue to be regular every year they will come. My customers enjoy it and some even do their own show right there. This is a relaxed setting. I usually have someone there to help take orders.