How to Host a Party-Plan Party
Tips for Planning a Successful Sales Party in Australia
There are many factors to consider when planning a sales party:
Choosing a Party Plan
A wide variety of party-plan options are available. Tupperware plastic and kitchen products, Nutrimetics and Mary Kay cosmetics, Grace cosmetics and jewellery, Crafty Kids stamping and children’s craft products and Enjo cleaning aids are among the better known. Clothing, lingerie, children’s books and games, perfumes, linen and a multitude of other items are also available through sales parties.
Choose a company with a good reputation for quality and service.
Party plan companies have host/hostess incentive deals to encourage higher attendance and sales. If this is a motivator, it is best to ensure before the party that some guests are willing to host parties themselves if that is necessary to qualify for the specials. Orders by guests unable to attend the party will also raise the sales figures to reach higher qualifying levels.
Finding a Party Plan Demonstrator
Some demonstrators are high-pressure salespeople. Others have a more laid back casual style. Don’t feel pressured to book a party with a demonstrator that you find too pushy or too relaxed. Other guests are likely to feel the same way. The company website will generally provide options for an alternative demonstrator in the area if it is not possible to find one through personal recommendations.
Holding a Party Plan Party
Location - Is there sufficient room at home to host a party? If not, consider asking a friend to share the host benefits by holding the party at his/her home. Some sales companies are also happy to hold lunchtime or after hours parties at an office or business. This is not always appropriate and should always be approved by office management before making further plans.
Time - Daytime parties during the week will exclude friends that work regular business hours. Evenings can be difficult for parents of young children or shift workers. Weekends encroach on family time and may conflict with other social or sporting commitments. Consider what time is likely to be suitable for the largest number of guests.
Parties held during the busiest time of year for school (at the end of the school year and in the weekend before school goes back after summer holidays) are likely to have a poor attendance by mothers of school age children. Some companies have additional specials and hostess incentives in January to encourage people to attend after a slow sales at the end of December.
Party Style and Catering - Gatherings can be formal or informal. Be aware that the more work you go to, the more intimidating it might be for others to offer to host a party themselves. Even a slightly more formal ‘wine and cheese night’ party can be kept simple with a basic cheese and fruit platter. A morning or afternoon tea is more casual and a cake along with some chocolate biscuits is often sufficient.
Some companies, such as Tupperware, will incorporate cooking a meal or preparing a sweet dish as part of their demonstration.
Unless the party is planned around a meal, simple finger food is easiest for the host and guests.
Guests - Invite as many people as possible. Some people will have prior commitments; others will simply not be interested. Suggest on your invitation that people bring along a friend. Most demonstrators will be able to provide you with stationery for invitations, or it is sometimes more effective to make your own, especially if you are planning a special theme.
Make sure that anyone who is unable to attend is offered a catalogue so they can view the products to place an outside order. If they are sufficiently interested, suggest that they might like to hold a party themselves.
It is important to remember that if the host/hostess is interested in the products and is having fun, the guests are more likely to do the same. Relax and enjoy spending time with your family and friends, let the demonstrator do his/her job and everyone is likely to have a great time.
