Planning

We've all attended one, and we've all hosted one - parties where you invite a sales representative from a product line to show your guests their merchandise.  You, as hostess receive free or reduced prices in return for your guests buying the merchandise.  It's a fun way to see certain products and to get  the bonus of purchasing items that otherwise you may not have due to budget constraints.  If your friends are crafty there are scrap booking parties, if they have kids there are kids craft lines, if your friends like to cook there are cooking related lines, not to mention home décor, jewelry, make-up, adult products, and even negligee!  The key is to select a product that you, and your group of friends would be interested in. 

The success of a product party depends on two things - 1)  how much your guests (both attending and catalogue) purchase and 2) how many of your guests book a party.  If someone you know likes the product line so much that they want to become a representative, then there's generally an added bonus for you as the hostess who introduced them.

To maximize your sales and bookings, the key is to maximize attendance.  The more people who see the product, the more people will probably purchase at least one or two things.  However, it's not as easy as just inviting your friends over.  How many of us really want to spend a Saturday afternoon looking at plastic food storage?  Chances are we have something better to do, and know that we are going to walk out of that party with lost time, and chances are, lost dollars. 

Here are some keys that will help boost attendance and sales:

1. Don't be a chronic Product Party host.  If you do this ALL the time, your friends will learn to avoid your get togethers because they know they are simply going to be sold something.  Select one or two a year to host.
2. Select a party that will appeal to your group of friends.  If your friends are mostly singly without kids, then a Crayola party is not going to go over well.  However, a jewelry party, a make-up party, or a home décor party may be just the ticket. 
3. Have fun on the front end and the back end of your product presentation.  Make showing up at your home more about the "party" and less about the "product."  If you can incorporate the product into a themed party, even better.
1. Beauty Products Parties - have a ladies "Spa Day".  Include hand and foot massagers, foot spas, paraffin  baths, manicure and pedicure sets, facial items, etc.  You can even hire a massage therapist for a couple of hours (they will bring a massage chair or table) to provide hand and foot massages for your guests!  During the Spa Day, you can also incorporate a demonstration from a beauty product line - the representative can show off facial supplies, manicure/pedicure supplies, and will often do make-overs for each guest!
2. Chef Supplies Parties - Many product lines that center on the chef base their product presentation on an actual cooking demonstration.  Select a theme for your buffet and have the cooking line incorporated into your buffet.  Guests can watch preparation, ooh and aah over the products that are used (I still have a garlic press that I purchased almost a decade ago from a product line party!), eat, be social, and then purchase those must haves that were demonstrated during your party. 
3. Jewelry Parties - Have a ladies night with movies, popcorn, your favorite signature drink, and invite a jewelry representative.  She can set up her display, show the products and then take orders while everyone sits back and enjoys the movie.
4. Scrap booking Parties - If your friends are scrappers, then have a scrapping day/weekend.  Everyone brings there supplies, you play some great music, have great food and drinks, and then during your day, you have a demonstration of scrapping products.  The party isn't about the product line, it's about the scrapping, the product line is just a bonus!
4. Put as much effort into a Product Party as a regular party.  You have invited guests to your home to spend their money.  You know and they know that you will be getting free products based on what they buy.  They are giving you there time and their money - the least you can do is provide some party atmosphere and refreshments.  Have some nice wine, some great appetizers, music, and an atmosphere conducive to socializing, not just buying.  Otherwise your guests will start to feel used and avoid your Product Parties. 
5. Have catalogues available.  Often your guests will know someone who may be interested that they can share a catalogue with.  If you have your party "open" for a week then you can include catalogue orders.  Also, there may be an item that a guest would like to purchase but is not comfortable buying on a whim, particularly if it's an expensive item.  Let them take a catalogue home and consider the purchase. 
6. Share the wealth.  If you've earned free or discounted merchandise - consider what you are going to purchase.  If you have earned more discounts that you have big ticket items on your Wish List, or you have earned a discount on a particular item that you are not interested in, consider passing along your discount to your guests:
1. If you have a guest that routinely spends a lot at your Product Parties, ask them if there's an item that they may want and could use the 50% off on.  You may sacrifice a few saved dollars, but you will probably have earned enough bonus points with your big spending friend that they will attend other Product Parties you may host.
2. If you have a friend whose budget is very limited but who still came to your party and supported your effort, consider offering them the discount so that they may be able to take advantage of this product line that otherwise they may not be able to afford.
3. If there is a specific "Hostess" item that you are not interested in, see if any of your guests were interested in purchasing the item.  If they have, pass your savings on to them. 
7. MAKE SURE YOUR PARTIES ARE FUN.  Again, you are asking your FRIENDS to give you there time and money - if your party is just sitting in chairs, looking at products, paying for them then leaving - this is NOT a successful party.  If you have another one, your friends may avoid it.  Vet your Party Representative to make sure they are fun and interesting, and add other elements to your party to energize it.  Make it fun, social, and something your guests will remember in a positive way so that the next invite they get will be accepted! 

 

 

Product Reps

 

 

Invites

Your Product Rep should supply you with invitations. As in any party, people need a couple of weeks notice. So plan ahead and get the invites out early. Make sure to put RSVP. Call anyone who has not responded at least a week before the party. Those who can't make it will often purchase from a catalog so allow time to get theses orders.

 

 

Food/Drink

 

Since the goal of a product party is to sell product, the focus needs to remain on the product. Keep food to a minimum and if serving desert, make it after the orders are finished.

As guests are arriving, serve drinks and light munchies. At the end of the party, serve desert and coffee.

 

 

FunStuff

Activities - Get people talking! 

Usually the Product Rep will have "warm up" games. Ask if you are not sure.

 

 

Prizes/Favors

A little something to remember your event by…

Your Product Rep will bring samples of her product or prizes.