Launch Party

[ruthxxx]

Hi

I am thinking of holding a launch party, not at my premises ( too small ) but at a brand new function room that have offered me the room for free as they are trying to promote the room. My aim is to get appointments for my wedding dress business. I am handing out invites to local businesses and so far have got about 12 brides attending but need more.

Has anyone got any ideas please to make it a success,?

So far I have got a photographer, tanning studio and nail technician who would like to have a stand.

I am giving everyone who attends a glass of bubbly and there will be free canapes and cupcakes as well.

I would appreciate any other suggestions.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

you have already asked others to attend, have they marketed for you also?
get posteers up int heir shops. if they have Emailing lists then use them

 

[Banned]

Invite the local Councillors, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary & Round table etc. They may not all be potential customers, but you will start making useful contacts.

PS
I'm honestly not stalking you or your threads :redface:

 

[ruthxxx]

Oldwelshguy

So obvious but never occurred to me!! Thanks

Banned

Your advise is always so valuable you can stalk all you like! Thanks

 

[Jackie606]

How big is the room... could you take more stands?

think like a bride and what she would like to see...

the dress is obviously the biggest part and you should get the largest focus of interest...

what about non competing businesses, caterers, favours, jewellery, etc etc... small business focus to get some press attention and free advertising pre-event?

sure the room provider would help and all the stand providers could email their databases.... sure they would appreciate the free opportunity to attend, I know I would but I am not in the bridal business LOL
just a couple of thoughts

 

[ruthxxx]

Thanks Jackie,

There is a stage so I am going to put a mannequin on there with a massive dress on it!!

Also will have a rail without probably about 6 more dresses as a sample of what we do.

I am a bit scared of inviting loads of businesses in case we finish up with more stands than brides!!

 

[Jackie606]

Yes I can understand that fear...... other ideas to get brides attending, look up bridal non dress businesses.... for the stands and ask them to invite a minimum of ten brides each maybe? could be a condition of stand rather than a fee...

also you may have to pay for a bit of advertising....

in my experience we all fear these events won't work and no one will show...( (I have done a number of seminars - some to rooms only 20% full becasuse of selection of venue/weather or tv schedule that night!!)

.. the embarrasment of an empty room is usually the fear.. not the possibility of no business.. so invite as many supporters as you can... friends/family and business associates.... no one will know how many are brides, so face saved and lesson learnt on whether it works or not... Good Luck

 

[Banned]

Keep in mind you are launching YOUR business rather than hosting a wedding fayre. I would keep other business stands to a minimum if any at all. You and your products need to be the centre of attention. You can easily explain you will be working with photographers etc, they really don't need to be touting for business at your launch though.

And you can always host a wedding fayre at a later date when you have decided on who you will be working with and recommending. Trust me you will be inundated with people wanting business off the back of yours, so pick and choose the best as you will be associated with them for better or worse.

 

[Jackie606]

I agree with banned...its not a wedding fayre.... but... I would also say stands or No stands... launch party or not, and my suggestions were around ruths thoughts on already having three requests... from photographer etc.. Its all networking.... in my experience good relations and favours in your own industry do no harm....

 

[ZooTicuS]

Hi

I am thinking of holding a launch party, not at my premises ( too small ) but at a brand new function room that have offered me the room for free as they are trying to promote the room. My aim is to get appointments for my wedding dress business. I am handing out invites to local businesses and so far have got about 12 brides attending but need more.

Has anyone got any ideas please to make it a success,?

So far I have got a photographer, tanning studio and nail technician who would like to have a stand.

I am giving everyone who attends a glass of bubbly and there will be free canapes and cupcakes as well.

I would appreciate any other suggestions.

Hi Ruth,

Were are you based if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks

 

[ruthxxx]

Hi

Thanks all.

I am in Leicester.

I thought that having other businesses there would make it more interesting for the brides as I dont want to take all my stock so there wont be that much too see!
I was hoping to create a nice buzzy atmosphere but not too sure how to do it so I was hoping for ideas of things I could do?

I thought about doing a raffle but not sure if that would work, I just want people to not get bored and disappear too quickly!!

 

[ZooTicuS]

Have you got a business Facebook page? Maybe promote the event there to your 'likes'?

With this you could look to use Facebook Marketing, reaching women (you can set targeting, area, age, gender, marital status etc) in your local area.

 

[ruthxxx]

Yes, thanks I have got a facebook page

 

[ruthxxx]

do any of use twitter for business, personally I don't get it!

 

[Jackie606]

I don't Ruth but the guys working on my website say I should think about it... I am starting a lettings and sales business and apparently i can convince followers they will get details of new properties first.... still not sure I get it!

 

[ruthxxx]

I know what you mean we signed up and it is just baffling!!!!

 

[ruthxxx]

did secretly follow Gok though....shhhhh!!!

 

[Deleted member 74679]

could you do some type of draw (not raffle - 'draw' sounds more sophisticated ) where one person attending gets a free dress (on condition they don't mind being featured in future publicity...think ahead!), or even better, get an 'exhibitor' to offer a prize as a condition of being there (e.g. a handcrafted tiara from a jewellery-maker). It doesn't have to be as big a gesture as a dress, if that isn't financially do-able, but every bride would love to be in the position to have one of their 'to-do' items ticked off and paid for.

 

[rossatron3]

Hairdressers a perfect for this as they talk to so many people. If you are having models to do a catwalk show (ideally a must at this sort of event, the brides will love it), find a hairdressers that does hair up - offer them an opportunity to do your models hair also then they can promote their services. This way the hairdresser will tell all of their clients about the show.

A raffle is a good idea too, would recommend it. Also, with facebook, one way to get your page sent around is to offer a discount (10-15%) for every bride that "Likes" you on facebook and attends the event. Get everyone of your friends to send it to everyone of their friends and it will spread like wildfire! Everyone loves a discount.

Contact local radio and ask them to talk about it, will be easier if you are doing a raffle. Try and find a story in there for them....

Good luck when is it?

 

[rossatron3]

OH. just looked at your website and saw that you are already open lol.

How did it go? Any tips for someone planning on opening a shop?

 

[KaytaHackman]

Could you possibly do a goodie bag for people to take home with them with a catalogue, business card and maybe some sort of incentive to buy with you (discount, etc) as well as some bits and pieces?

Also, you could try reaching out to some bridal bloggers that would look to post about it to create some awareness.

In terms of Twitter, do not hesitate! It's such a fantastic way of networking and opening up opportunities, and completely free. Even if you don't get the hang of things right away, it's a really easy way to boost your online presence.

If you want any tips at all feel free to private message me and I can give you a few pointers.

Good luck!!

 

[karlcw]

Might be a little late but there's a couple of things I'd add:

1 - Find a quirky angle and get a press release to the Mercury (they're good at novel stuff for small local businesses)
2 - promote like mad and ask your friends to do the same on facebook/linkedin/twitter

cheers,