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Basic Information About Online Parties
Have you ever been invited to an online party? Maybe seen someone talking about having one at a message board you frequent? So what are these online parties everyone is talking about?
An online party is similar to a home party, except obviously online (Normally held in a chat room). So who do you invite to the party? Make a list of everyone that you know online. Include:
- Current customers
- Friends
- Family
- Business partners
You will also want to stop by message boards and post the invite (just make sure you post in the appropriate place, most have a specific section for online parties). Also you can subscribe to Yahoo Groups and post your invite to the group.
A few other great ideas to get people to your online party:
BUILD a newsletter
Before you have your next party or even start to plan it, set up a newsletter. This is something you should have already for your business, no matter if it's an informational newsletter or one that lists your specials - you NEED a list of potential customers. If you haven't started to build one, start now!
USE your newsletter list
No I don't mean take advantage of them, but I do mean send your party notices to your list. Your list is the most important, targeted sources of free advertisement you have!
Give good REASONS to attend
Simply saying "online party - join us" isn't enough. Not even saying "games and prizes" is enough anymore. Get creative and have a good reason for having your party. Such as announcing a new product not released yet, giving away free items (be specific in your email!), or featuring a specific type of product on your website. Informational chats are good as well, such as one that explains what a certain non-familiar product is.
Make a SCHEDULE
If you have monthly parties introducing or featuring specific products, the attendance is going to be better than if you just have them at random. Weekly is the best for repeat guests, but you also do not want to burn your guests out offering them the same products. Monthly would work best, since it's not as often but still creates that habit. Make sure you have it on the same day every month (such as the 1st, 10th, 15th...something easy to remember).
Don't forget to get creative with your parties! With so many offering online parties today, you really need to make yourself stand out. Granted if you do follow the first two steps, you WILL have a much better response since instead of just other wahms you will have a targeted group that may not be familiar with online parties. Even still, there is always room for improvement.
Now that you have your list of people to invite, start planning the party!
Just a few tips:
- Have a game or two to play with prizes for winners - make sure you mention it in your invitations!
- Give incentives to those that attend (discounts, free items, etc) - also mention it in your invite!
- Weekdays work best for a day, so try to plan on a day between Monday and Thursday. Avoid Holidays.
- Plan for an evening party when more people are available. Try not to make it too late or people will leave early. The appropriate time for an online party is usually around 8PM EST. It's not too late for east coast, but not too early for the west coast.
- Before holding your own, try to attend at least one other party so you can get an idea of how they work.
These are just a few ideas that you can use for your online party. Be sure to follow up with your guests and ask them to host a show as well.
Remember that the success of your online party depends on you! If you just sit back and wait for people to come you - you will not get the turn out or the sales that you are looking for. Work your online party just as you would any other home party.
ONLINE PARTIES DO WORK IF YOU DO!
BUSINESS AIDS FOR ONLINE PARTIES - ALL FREE!!!!
Calendar of Events at Direct Sales Party
Invitations should be sent out a few days prior to the party and maybe send out reminders an hour or so before the start of the party. You can create these invites at evite.com for free.
Message Boards
This is not a complete list. If you know of another message board or would like to add your message board to this list please email us at contact@directsalesparty.com
Yahoo Groups To Join
This is not a complete list. If you know of another group or would like to add your Yahoo group to this list please email us at contact@directsalesparty.com
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ONLINE PARTIES
What if my sales aren't that great?
A. That is certainly a possibility. The majority of our parties have been successful. Those that were not were usually the result of poor pre-planning and lack of guest interaction. Remember you need to Promote Promote Promote! We will gladly add it to our calendar but like offline parties you need to make every effort to plan ahead! * *Most people who post their parties on Yahoo groups saying " Party in 1 hour!" Get few results! Plan ahead and post ahead of time!
What happens if I don't consider my event a success?
A. An online event is the same as if you were to hold your event in person. The difference is that you didn't have to leave your house to hold your event. Every event, to be successful, takes effort on the hostess' part. Be sure to plan ahead and make your event a success!
Why not use just a free chat room?*
A: Direct Sales Party has the experience to provide a professional look to your viewers. We also make it possible to chat while viewing additional pages, products, materials, etc. We direct all of your ordering through our secure server Using a free chat room/server, the stability of the site is not guaranteed. Meaning, it could be gone one day without any notice. Most free type chat rooms and/or sites have standard banners that you must have pop-up prior or during your event. You want to keep people at your party, not have them distracted or directed to another site! We use a professional chat server which gives you and/or the moderator various beneficial options to use during your event.
What about playing games at my event?
A: Playing party games online is a lot of fun! There are many ways that you can do this. You can either theme your party around a Bingo Game or have a simple game or two by playing word scramble or search the catalog type game. Be creative and have fun with your guests!
What if my party is a failure?
A: Again, that is possible, just as it would be possible at a physical party. Although Direct Sales Party is not responsible for less than successful parties (unless of a server failure only), we encourage you to do as many invites as you can. Not every single party is a success - and usually it was due to lack of invites, and attendance.
How do I accept orders or take credit card payments?
A: You can take orders the best way that you see fit. Via email, telephone or mail. You may accept credit cards through PayPal or other sources available be online businesses. If you don't have a Paypal account you can get one for free PLUS, they'll give you $5 for signing up!
Server Uptime Guarantee?
A: Although there is not a guarantee in regards to the internet, we at Direct Sales Party do guarantee to rebook your party at no charge within 2 weeks if there is a failure with our own equipment. This does not apply to ISP providers, or guests personal computers not allowing them to enter, etc.
MORE FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ONLINE PARTIES
Types of Parties -
Hostess Parties - A hostess party works the same as a home party. You find a person that's willing to invite their friends and family, except online it's done in a chat room instead of a a home. Another idea is to find a rep from another company and set up to exchange parties. You agree to be a hostess for them and in return they host a party for you. Some groups and boards will allow you to ask for hostesses, but please be sure to follow their rules and spam laws.
Mystery Hostess Parties - If all else fails and you can't find another hostess, mystery hostess parties are always a great option. Mystery hostess parties can put a unique twist on the entire party itself piquing the interest of your guests. Basically, the idea behind that is that there is no "official hostess" until the end of the party. Once the party is over, take the names of all the guests and randomly pick one guest to be the "Mystery Hostess" and they receive the hostess rewards.
No Hostess Parties - A great way to start with an online party is to do it yourself without a hostess. This leaves more room for guest prizes and discounts, plus helps you get the word out to family and friends about your new business.
Writing Ads for Your Party-
Make sure that you have the business that you are having the party for and a brief description of the products that you carry. You may also consider listing the games, prizes and specials if any. Make sure that you list the date, time and a clickable link to the party room. Keeping in mind that guests may be coming from all over the country you may consider making a list of the different time zones. This helps void off any confusion right from the beginning.
Make sure you give good reason to attend. Simply saying "online party - join us" isn't enough. Not even saying "games and prizes" is always enough anymore. Get creative and have a good reason for having your party. Announcing a new product not yet releases, giving away free items (be specific in your invite), or featuring a specific type of product on your website are just a couple of ideas. Informational chats are good to, such as one that explains what a certain non-familiar product is.
"Leaving the party open" for maybe an additional day might also be a good idea for those guests that cannot make it to the party but would like to "cash in" on the party specials. If you go for this option, make note in your initiations for alternative ordering information. For example, you may want them to email you their order.
SAMPLE AD:
Date: January 1, 2001
Time: 8:00 PM EST
Contact: Jamie Swartz - contact@directsalesparty.com
Join me for a Creative Memories party. Creative Memories is one of the fastest growing direct sales companies around. We have unique and top of the line scrapbooking products. I love these products and you will too! Email me for a catalog and I will send you one before the party.
Feel free to invite a friend and receive a FREE GIFT!!!!
**Notice that all of the vital pieces of information are included in the above sample. Company Name, Date, Time, Party Room website address, Your name and email address, small business description, details for catalog, time zone, and free gift details.
Online Party Games
Secret Word
This is a game that can be played throughout the entire party and can even be an extra game because it doesn't take up as much time. Choose a "secret word" and tell everyone what it is. Tell them to "let you know" every time you say this word and they'll get a point. Guest with the most points at the end of the party or game wins.
The Perfect Guest
This game too can be played throughout the entire party. You can even do this secretively if you'd like. Keep a list of all the guests. Each guest that does one of the following gets a point.
- Give one point for just being there
- Arriving on time
- Bringing a friend
- Making a purchase
- Making a party special purchase
- Books a party
- Joins a newsletter
- Joins an invite list
- Asks a question about a product or business opportunity
- Wins a game
You can add anything that you'd like and the guest with the most points at the end of the game or party wins.
Scavenger Hunt
Pick out a certain amount of products (maybe 10 - 15 depending on the amount of guests). Give the guests a product name. The first guest to tell you what page it is located on gets a point. Guest with the most points wins.
Scrambled Words
Pick out maybe 10 - 15 (depending on the amount of guests) different products. Scramble the product names and type each product in one at a time. First guest to unscramble the word gets a point. Guest with the most points wins.
Fill in the Blank
Take a phrase, business name or whatever you'd like. (Example: Mommy's Helper) Show the guests how many letters are in the phrase. Let each guest guess a letter. If they get a letter fill it in and give that guest a chance to guess the phrase. Continue this until one guest guesses the phrase and wins.
Trivia
Give the guests clues about specific products. First guest to guess the product and page that it is located on your website gets a point. Guest with the most points wins.
Word Game
Choose a phrase or the name of your business and have the guests see how many other words they can make from the letters in that phrase. Example: Mommy's Helper When the guests are finished making their lists ask them each how many they got. Have the guest with the most type in all their answers to double check. Guest with the most wins.
Alphabet Game
Pick a variety of letters that you have products that begin with that letter. Give one letter at a time. First guest to name a product that begins with that letter gets a point. Guest with the most points wins.
Product Bingo
Pick out a list of products. Give the entire list to the guests. Have each guest pick 5 words write them down and email them to you. Randomly pick words and the first guest to get all 5 words and types BINGO wins.
**Some information provided on this website page contributed by: http://www.DirectSalesHelpers.com and Kara Kelso the owner of Mom's Market
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