MazimiIg Your Party Invitations

Let's Talk About Maximizing 

Your Selling Appointment Invitations!

Let's face it. We are in the Party Plan Business. We HAVE to have Parties for us to have residual selling opportunities, meet new people and as part of our main stream of income. Because we have parties, we need hostesses and those hostesses need invitations. Or rather they need to compile a guest list and WE mail the invitations. But you know what? Most of the party plan invitations I have received were post cards. Some of them were bland and unappealing. And some were uninteresting. And they got lost in the junk mail on the side table. One actually managed to get posted om my fridge, but it was covered up with some notice from the city about the parameters of garbage collection. And I really wanted to go to that party. And I know from experience as a hostess, I procrastinated to the point where I had to literally BEG a friend and a family member to attend. EEK! And I also received an e-Vite which I mistakenly deleted with the junk email in my box. Whoa! Now you don't want any of that to happen to your invitations do you? Well I don't. Not any more. So, with that in mind, here are a few tips to help you maximize your invitations.


Maximizing Your Invitations

Use Envelopes  - Nothing says this piece of mail is important than a stamped envelope. Nothing says that the receiver is important than an invitation in a colored envelope. And we all know what Mary Kay Ash said. "People have signs around their necks that read 'Make me feel important.'" - But "I don't know where to get colored envelopes from" you wail inwardly. Yes you do! Go to envelopes.com and voila! My suggestion is to order by size (The A7 should fit the invite post card and anything else you put in it. And it comes in a host of colors - most significantly in colors compatible with Mary Kay!). Guaranteed that the party goer Will Not throw away the invitation just because you took the time to address and mail out an envelope!

Use Stickers - "WHAT?! But Stickers are for children!" Yes, but the are also for the Party Plan Consultant. You just need to know where to get them. On my Resources Page, you will find a listing for The Booster, which is also known as the Jenny B website for us party planners in the know. You can go crazy there but most significantly, you should look at the stickers for Party Attendance and Recruiting. The stickers are colorful, say "I'm all about the party" and they have a range of sayings. You should place on your invite, 2 for attendance, 1 for booking, 1 for sales and 1 for recruiting. If you place them on the side where the address goes, you have room and you still have the front side visible. Don't overwhelm. The rule of thumb is 1 from each category, but I tend heavily on attendance because (and here's the thing) - Any consultant worth her salt will "pepper" her catalogs with stickers. Yay!

Make Coupons - "What do you mean?" - Well, I don't know if anyone remembers the Penny Saver. But we all recognize the Valpak envelope when it comes. This idea is along the same vein. Make Coupons. Use your Microsoft Word program and start making shapes. I like the heart, star and scroll. Then you fill them in with things like : "Lipstick exchange - bring your favorite old lipstick and get a new MK lipstick half price!" - you don't lose anything and you can "color match" her old lipstick and you will have a lipstick customer for life. Another idea is on a scroll shape, Do the 5 steps to great skin care. Leave off 1 step randomly with a remark "Come to the party to find out the missing step!"  It's all about grabbing the attention and securing her attendance. Don't forget to have fun with this. The only limit is your imagination. 

Confetti Time - Put colorful confetti in the envelope! Some people say it's "stale" others say that it's "childish". But you know what? You are sending out a party invitation and you want to convey that her time will be spent having fun. Now, Can You Get Excited? If you are not sure where to get confetti, Try WalMart or your local crafts store. 

Sample Them - Put at least one sample in the invitation envelope. With a Fragrance, you might put a small sticky note saying "It makes scents to come to the party". With an eye shadow or cheek color sample, your sticky might read, "Color our world with your presence". It's all about securing party attendance. And the hand written message lends another personal touch to the invitation. 

Follow Up Phone Calls - This is probably the MOST IMPORTANT step to the invitation process. It's your first time to make an impression on the party guest. As you pre-profile her, you are making her feel important as you ask her questions about her skin care or gift giving needs. You should really be making 2 follow up calls - The first should be done after she receives the invite (You have to estimate the time of mail delivery). The second call should be right before the party, where you assure her that you will bring "exact what will work for her skin" and to ask her if she has any questions, concerns or needs. Invite 102 - Do the calls. The phone may weigh 200lbs, but the dividends via "for life" customers are greater!

Maximizing your invitations for your selling appointments is a learned process. But once you have your systems in place it will be a breeze and you will be assuring attendance. The rest will come at the party. Rule of Thumb:  Remember Book, Sell, Recruit and Book Again.  

1.  Invite Her  

Whoever She May Be

She Deserves to be Invited!

2. Pamper and Entertain Her 

Make Her Feel Important!

Discuss Her Needs and Wants.

3. Happy Customers for Life! 

Happy Customers For Life!

Happy Consultants Forever!

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