You've got an online party
set up so now what? Now, you need to make it a success.
Below are some great ideas
to help you make your online party a success. Remember.. if your first couple of
parties aren't a success, don't be disappointed.. it may take a few times to get
the hang of things and to see what marketing ways work best for you.
Don't forget, you can
announce your online party free in The
WAHM Parties Group.
1. Offer Sales!! Who
doesn't love a good sale? Sale prices can make a HUGE difference in the amount
your customer does or doesn't spend. Ideas for sales incentives and specials:
-
Offer a % off an order.
-
Offer a free gift with order.
-
Do a drawing among orders on
a certain day. Make sure everyone knows the drawing is going on. (Excellent for
themed parties!)
-
Offer a free gift for
referring a customer.
-
Offer a gift certificate for
the next order.
-
Offer a customer appreciation
card to regular customers.
-
Offer a complimentary product
for a discount or free
-
Offer FREE Shipping
-
Offer a certain $ amount off
a $20 order
Make sure to let
everyone know about your sales incentives or specials when you announce or
advertising your online party.
2. Advertise
Advertise Advertise!
Advertising is the only way to get customers to your online party. Below are
some great places to advertise.. for FREE!
1 – Plan
Ahead. Schedule your party at least a week or two ahead of time to give yourself
plenty of time to promote your party and invite guests. Even if the site where
you host your party is advertising the event, your party will be more successful
if you also promote it.
Create more excitement by
planning your party for holiday shopping or a special sale or promotion your
company may be offering.
Attend other parties to
observe what works and what doesn’t.
2 – Send Personal
Invitations. You will have the best turnout if you invite people you know or
people who have expressed an interest in your business. Send personal
invitations, ask guests to RSVP, and send a reminder on the day of the party.
3 – Offer Incentives for
Participation. Give guests extra reasons to attend and to bring friends. Many
online parties are “Mystery Hostess” parties with the hostess gifts being
given away in a random drawing from the guest list. Offer free shipping or a
discount if someone brings a friend who buys something (and give the discount to
both the invited guest and the friend she brought).
4 – Be the Perfect
Hostess. Stay cheerful and polite. Make everyone feel welcomed and appreciated.
Greet them by name when they arrive and thank them when they leave. Make sure
you tell your guests a little about yourself and your company.
5 – Run an Organized
Party. Have a schedule of activities and keep things moving. Have a friend help
you out. She can welcome guests and keep everyone involved while you answer
product questions and help people order. If you play a game, make it one that is
easy for you to run. You don’t want long delays during and after the game
while you tally scores and determine the winner.
6 - Give “Real” Gifts.
You can use discount coupons or free shipping as an incentive to “bring a
friend” or to place an order over a certain dollar amount, but for game
winners or a prize drawing, give a gift of your product. Not only will your
guest be more appreciative, but it’s also a promotional item – the recipient
gets to try out something she may order again in the future.
7 – Inform Guests.
Repeat your website URL, ordering instructions, and incentives several times
during the party and for any late arrivals. Make sure guests understand shipping
charges and expected shipping date. If you are keeping the party open for
several days or longer after the online party, be sure to explain that the order
won’t even be placed for some time.
8 – Grace Under Pressure
– Be prepared for possible problems and handle them calmly and effectively.
What will you do if you start having computer problems in the middle of your
party? How will you answer a guest who keeps asking off topic questions? Or what
if there’s a disruptive intruder or someone starts promoting sales of her
products?
Be as graceful as possible
when handling such issues. If your computer is making participation nearly
impossible, ask for email addresses and email everyone an apology and a discount
coupon.
Confrontation with rude
and disruptive intruders will only escalate the problem and make your other
guests uncomfortable. Most chat rooms have an ignore feature that you can
instruct guests to use for the disruptive intruders. Offer to contact someone by
email after the party for off topic discussions. And ask the person who is
promoting her products to wait until the end of the party and invite anyone who
is interested to stay for a few minutes.
9 – Bring the party to
an end at the designated time and give your email address so guests can contact
you with any additional questions or orders.
10 – Stay in Touch.
Email your guests to let them know when their order was placed and when they can
expect delivery. Inform them of any backorders or delays and offer alternatives.
