Setting the deadline

Many WAHMs are using a Party Plan. One of the challenges is when to close a party and other deadlines. So often you are either told or tempted to keep a party open for a certain amount of time. Most times this turns into more of a hassle than it is beneficial to you and your hostess.

Here are a few tips in creating that deadline:

Be clear about your expectations of her party. Make sure she understands her party will close the night of the party. Holding it open in most cases does not allow for more orders. It just lengthens the time her guests can receive their items.

Be sure to include plenty of order forms and catalogs in your hostess packet. Your hostess is most excited and motivated prior to the party. Providing her with these gives her an opportunity to start off your party.

Offer an incentive to have orders prior to her party. Offer double hostess credits for any outside orders or offer a specific product if she has a certain amount in outside orders prior to the party. I like to use a hostess tic tac toe. It makes it fun and gives a few options for the hostess to earn extra goodies.

Coach your hostess. During the first meeting be excited. Provide her with everything she needs to start her party right. Give her a deadline to getting that guest list to you. If you send out the invites you are making it easy for her to enjoy her time and less chance of forgetting that party. Meet or call your hostess weekly leading up to the party. By staying in contact you can be sure she has all she needs and address her questions. You also keep the party on track and all deadlines on target.

During the party be clear the party will close that night. Some are afraid to say they have no money or not interested in buying and often ask if they can place an order in a couple days. Explain that for their friend to receive credit they will need to place their order that evening but offer a party date to them which will benefit their friend.

When booking other parties to benefit the hostess, place a deadline on when these need to take place. I personally like to use a 60 day window. Many times I use this because you will be inviting some of the same people and do not want to overload them on the products. I don't know how many times I have been invited to the same party every 2 weeks until the cycle was broken. When you overwhelm guests the bookings stop and so do the sales. If you are on constant contact, receive their guest list in a timely manner, and begin to take outside orders, the success of the party is greater.

When you have a hostess who is insisting on holding a party open beyond the party date kindly explain you are penalizing the guests who did attend and could cause them to not receive their order as promised. Offer a secondary catalog party if your hostess is adamant about holding that party open. This allows you to process orders for guests getting them their orders in a timely manner, pleasing your hostess in her hopes of getting more orders, and allows you the chance to increase sales.

Catalog parties need deadlines and be strict. Open a window of no more than 14 days for a catalog party to be open. I personally use a 7 day window. This is plenty of time for your hostess to share the catalogs and pick up orders. Beyond that it is easy to lose orders, lose checks, or those wanting to order brush it off ending in no orders.

Deadlines are not just for your hostess. They are for you as well. Create and stick to deadlines when meeting with a hostess for her hostess packet or to collect outside orders. Sticking to your own rules sets the tone for the entire process. Stick to the rules with family and friends. It is so easy to be relaxed with the rules for family and friends because you want to give them extra just because of who they are. Don't fall for the relaxed attitude. This is still a business and personal business should not be compromised. Give everyone the same deals across the board and you will never have an issue.

Do you have tips that work for you? We want to hear about them.

Olivia Vidal
© 2009-2011

WAHM Tip of the Week

Do you hold home parties? Recycle those old real estate signs. Contact a local real estate office or a sign shop and ask about old real estate signs. Revamp them to note where a party is. Most have a plastic container that holds flyers. Next time you have a home party, yours or a hostess, take the sign and post for guests to easily find. Attach balloons to make these noticeable and fill with flyers so others can take one as they pass by.

Olivia Vidal
© 2009-2010
http://sochicbagboutique.com

Party To Go

Often when you're having a home party, there will be guests who would love to host a party of their own, but can't. Perhaps they're moving, their spouse won't allow it, they just don't have enough space in their home, or they are simply uncomfortable.

Give them the option of having a party in a basket. A party to go! This can work for almost any business you have such as candles, makeup, jewelry, food, tea, purses, and toys.

Here is what you can do:

Gather a selection of your lower to mid priced and popular items, package it so that the products look attractive but visible. Try organza or cellophane bags.

Make sure everything is priced and has an item number attached to it.

Arrange it all in an attractive basket. A large basket is best but keep it from being too heavy. You don't want to discourage your hostess. Keep the basket and fillers neutral so the product stands out. If the products are neutral do the reverse and add in colorful filler.

Enclose a typed-up inventory list which includes the item numbers and prices.

Have the hostess sign for the inventory in the basket, especially if you have included some expensive items. This not only protects your hostess but also yourself. Go over the inventory and count with the hostess before she signs. This also makes her aware of the products she has with her.

When going over the inventory sheet, educate your hostess. Not only will she know what she has but she will be able to answer basic questions.

Having an inventory list for each basket allows the hostess to not only keep track of what is in the basket but also allows her to sell the product immediately (only if you have this available). Have a check list on your inventory sheet so your hostess can check off items purchased. Make sure the hostess understands whether she can sell the items in her party to go basket or not. You do not want to sell important demo pieces because of a misunderstanding.

Also include catalogs, opportunity and hostess brochures, and business cards. Ladies love to look at catalogs or maybe they wish to share. Don't forget the male guests. Send them home with these.

If your business has samples available, include them. This allows party to go guests to take something home and try before they buy. Sometimes a guest is passing by quickly and does not have time at that moment to browse. Pass them a sample and let them know how long you will have the wonderful products available.

Have a basket or 2 available at home parties and invite potential hostesses to take a basket that day. Your hostess can keep the basket for 1-2 weeks to gain sales towards their hostess rewards program.

At the end of the party to go time frame, collect the inventory sheet, additional orders, money collected, and the basket. Tally the hostess shopping credit and allow your hostess to begin her shopping.

This is a great way to sell old or final stock. Make sure to note these are the last of the stock so these are not over-ordered.

Parties never have to be limited. Get creative and accommodate your hostesses needs.

Olivia Vidal
© 2009
http://sochicbagboutique.com