Do you have home parties as part of your Direct Sales business? What do you do to encourage attendance and make them fun and profitable?

_________________
Stephanie Hodges

http://www.theworkathomewoman.com
Twitter: @FitNowStephanie
Facebook: /FitnessNowStephanie

Hostess coaching it key! If she's excited her friends will be too. I try an encourage her to have a party theme, this gets friends focused on fun instead of sales. Sometimes this will increase attendance but not sales, in those cases I focus on sponsoring. I have a prize that is related to the theme (budget under $5), booking incentives (always product focused prizes) and a door prize (they earn entries by completing the survey, answering product questions, bringing a friend, etc. budget $5-$10). I budget $30 per party because I know that money will come back to me on future parties. I don't consider the party a success unless I book at least 2 new parties and get the hostess to rebook within 6 months.

_________________
CJ Littleton
Miche - Independent Representative
Email: cjlovesbling@gmail.com
Phone: 405.517.2749
Web: http://my.michebag.com/cj_littleton

I use themes also. And I agree that hostess coaching is key! One of the biggest issues is the way that guests are invited. Facebook invitations are not the way to go in most cases. Personal invitations mean more and get more "yes" responses. A phone call is the best way, followed up with a mailed or e-mailed (personal) invitation. A Facebook event is fine after contacting people individually, so that questions can be answered and specials can be posted.

I like to focus on the fun instead of the products. Lots of games (with or without prizes), mingling, and "partying," and then plant some seeds about the opportunity, booking a show, and sales. I spend a little time talking about the products themselves, and give everyone a chance to put their hands on the products. That increases sales for me.

_________________
Ashley Mendez-Kestler
Verefina Independent Consultant - http://Oklahoma.Verefina.net
Usborne Books & More, Independent Educational Consultant

I do challenge parties where make different kind of shakes ( milk shakes ) and it is so much fun.