Erin's First Web Party: Need Tips for Friday's Big Debut

[ErinJ]

Hi all. I'm new to PC and am so excited about it. However, I don't seem to be getting as much support from people in the area as I had hoped for. (I have my "Open House" on Friday and only have 5 people coming!!! ) I line in an area in which most people don't do many direct buying (San Francisco area), but I thought I could really make this work. So....my question is, has anyone ever done a web party? I have lots of friends and family through out the U.S. and know that they'd support me, but I don't have enough catalogs to mail out. Since I don't have a web page set up yet, I was hoping to have them check out the PC website and then send me their orders. I'm assuming they'll all just have to send me a check or would send me their CC#. Has anyone done this? How'd it work?

Any tips for Friday's first "big debut"?
Thanks! Erin

 

[CAmomCookin4U]

web sale w/o website

Hi all. I'm new to PC and am so excited about it. However, I don't seem to be getting as much support from people in the area as I had hoped for. (I have my "Open House" on Friday and only have 5 people coming!!! ) I line in an area in which most people don't do many direct buying (San Francisco area), but I thought I could really make this work. So....my question is, has anyone ever done a web party? I have lots of friends and family through out the U.S. and know that they'd support me, but I don't have enough catalogs to mail out. Since I don't have a web page set up yet, I was hoping to have them check out the PC website and then send me their orders. I'm assuming they'll all just have to send me a check or would send me their CC#. Has anyone done this? How'd it work?

Any tips for Friday's first "big debut"?
Thanks! Erin

Until you get your website you can refer your Friends and Family to view the PC Website and e-mail or call you with there orders. You may then call them to confirm their orders and make additional suggestions as necessary. Upon confirmation you could get CC info or request payment in the form of check. CC #'s will definately be easier. I personally wouldn't mail my CC# to anybody including relatives that's why it's important to follow-up with a phone call.

Good Luck and Don't discount only 5 guests. They could be 5 Bookings you never know HTH Laurel

 

[DebbieJ]

Sounds like a great plan, but DO NOT have anyone email you their CC#s. Email is NOT secure. Call them for their number or have them mail you a check.

 

[lisacb77]

Ditto what Deb said.

Seriously consider doing the six month subscription for the website. If you have a lot of ppl out of town, you'll make back the $$ in no time. I had 2 catalog shows out of town (one an hr away, one in Ohio) and I easily made $200 plus in commission on those two alone...and it's great for show outside orders, hosts love the evite system, etc. It's a bit to spend at first but totally worth it IMHO.

 

[pamperedcindy]

I only had 5 show to my first show, sells were ok I told them since this was my first show I was going to do it as a mystery host. For every 50.00 in products that they purchased I would give them 1 ticket for every outside order that they turn in during the week they would receive 2 tickets if they were to book a show they got 3 tickets and if their friend book they got 3 tickets. I would close the show a week later but before I did I drew a ticket the the ticket holder would receive the Host Special. And it worked the show went from 225.00 to 800.00 and 3 bookings. The tickets you can get at any party supply store. And with your relatives that can be your second show. Good luck and I hope this helps.

Cindy Munesato
Future Director
Wave 2 and walking

 

[yummy4tummy]

you can also set up a pay pal account (if you don't have one already) and they can submit electronic payment via their checking/ savings (free of charge to both parties) directly into your account. It is a secure method of payment too. Hope that helps Valky

 

[pampermeplease]

Hi Erin,

If you google 'online party room' you'll find some info and places to have your online party for free. I've 'attended' a few of these. Here's a post from another forum on how to:

"Online parties are a blast! They aren't always as profitable as your face to face/home parties but just another way to promote your business. Even though sales probably won't be as big as your offline events, there are some benefits such as no food prep, product set up, no travelling and no set up. Yes, you will have to prepare in advance your special offers, advertising, invites, etc but it's much less work than your traditional home party. You can even do online vendor events similar to your offline fairs/festivals.

But for now we'll go over online parties where you have a hostess or mystery hostess or even have it as an open house where you are the host. Decide what route you want to take first. If you want to find others to host the party for you, you'll need to advertise that and show people what's in it for them

Set a date and time, find a location (online party room) that will accomodate your date, send out invitations and advertise (if you have a hostess, both of you will need to advertise for the event).

Then comes the party! Prepare everything in advance. All specials, your intro, the business info, etc should be typed out into a file so when it comes time to party, all you have to do is copy and paste into the chat room. Be sure to test out the party room in advance of the party to make sure it's easily accessible. On the day of your party be sure to arrive early in the chat room, welcome everyone who comes to the party (people are going to pop in and out during the entire party so be prepared for that).

Ok, so you're going to announce your specials and advertise your website link and specials throughout the entire party. Give time for people to browse your site. You can announce that you'll play a game too. If it's a 2 hr party, I usually start the game about 40 min-1hr into the party.

Be prepared and know your product.

Be sure to explain how your guests can place their orders too.

That is a basic overview! I would highly recommend that you attend a few online parties before one of your own unless you think you have a handle on it. The more you do, the better you get at it.

Hope this helps!"

 

[pampermeplease]

Here's one to view....it's an online party set up for Feb 28th, march 1st and march 2nd to give you an idea.

http://www.classybusinesswomen.com

 

[ChefShannoninVA]

My web page has already paid off for me. I moved to VA in July from SC and a lot of my customers from SC use my site to place orders. At Christmas one of my customers husband purchase his wife the cookware. Just one purchase off the website pays for the website itself. It is great to have.

I have never done a web part but would love to one day.

 

[SillyChef]

Maybe you should call all your family and ask them to have catalog shows for you? That might make more of a profit than just them calling in their orders. HTH