Anniversary Open House?

[Can]

This November marks my 15th year in massage. I've worked for myself from my home office for 6 years. I FINALLY settled on a business name and logo (I know, took me long enough!) so with all that being said, I am thinking of having an Anniversary Open House sometime this fall. I am starting to brainstorm ideas and I wanted to come here and see if anyone had anything to add. You are all so good with helping!

I don't have a huge budget, but I'm not sure what my top amount to spend would be.
I would like to have some items made using my new logo, like sweatshirts, or bags etc. Something that people could really use. Maybe a sweatshirt for my longest standing clients and then something else for everyone else. Would that be an ok thing to do? Do you think people who don't get sweatshirts would feel mad?
I thought about having some of my professional friends and business owners donate items people could sign up to win - no money involved.
Appetizers and small desserts instead of main dishes

I plan to invited my family and my most regular clients. I would invited those who are more infrequent and who have been in to see me in the last year, but I probably won't branch out much farther than that.

That's all I have come up with so far. I idea came to mind today to do it based on my anniversary. I've been wanting to have a client appreciation event, but I think the anniversary would feel less like a marketing thing. My schedule is steady and I'm not really looking to get business from this event, just genuinely a celebration and thank you type event.

Any ideas would be great! Thank you!

 

[hb :)]

Anniversary Open House?

Read... thinking....

BTW, Congratulations!

 

[Rina]

Anniversary Open House?

Thanks! and Thanks!

 

[Sasha]

Anniversary Open House?

A bowl draw with a chance to win a free massage gift certificate (for yourself or a friend)? And an announcement for it on your invitations?

Congratulations and welcome back, Masthera!

 

[Expressyourself]

Anniversary Open House?

I really like the idea of an open house...
we are planning on doing this too in a couple of months.

The thing that I am trying to figure out is
WHY would someone want to attend the event?
What is in it for THEM?
I have seen many open houses that are a total BUST.

So - the giveaway ideas are a good starting point.
But what can you think of that would really bring people in that they would perceive/receive value from?

 

[Pure Jersey]

Anniversary Open House?

I went to a great open house that had a wonderful spread of food. And they also had crafts for sale by local artists. There was a women who made belts that seem to do really well at that open house

 

[stevejobs]

Anniversary Open House?

I too think drawings would be a great idea. I think that it would be great if you can get together with other business owners in your area and maybe brainstorm some.

Of course you could have a drawing for a massage package (3?), a 90 min massage, a 60 min massage or even a 30 min massage if you do those...

But if you were able to get a GC from a nice restaurant in town that would be a neat prize to give away.

I'd also talk to a florist about getting some flowers or a plant delivered... that not only makes the place look more festive, but they could put a card on it "Happy 15th anniversary Masthera!" from "Best Floral!"

Also not sure when in November you are planning on having it... but... I would say that any time after the 15th you could also encourage GC sales for the holidays... and if it's after Thanksgiving you could decorate your place with fall/holiday theme in mind.

It would be neat if you were able to give a little something away to all who come... a small "favor" like they do at weddings or whatever. So they all feel included in your special day. And share in your joy.

What time of day will your open house be? Will you be serving alcohol? Will kids be there? (Yours or others and what will you do to keep them entertained?)

Keep us posted on your progress! t056

 

[Eric Madison]

Anniversary Open House?

When we had our open house, we had a drawing every hour on the hour (which was great for the one person who came the first hour lol) We made up containers of peppermint and lavendar bath salts tied (one of each) in a clear bag (the novelty bags you get from Walmart 20 for $1.35) Punched a hole in our business card and ran it through the ribbon we tied around the bags. That was the prize that was given away for the hourly drawing and then we had 5 additional drawings for 30 min. free massages. Served a 3 ft club subway sandwich with sweet tea (the beverage of choice here) and water. Printed flyers 2 weeks in advance and brought them to local businesses as well as posting the event on bulletin board here. Really 'talked it up' and had good response for it. Though we were doing this to promote my son and the free massages were from him, the women who drew were reluctant to book with him. But, I picked up new clients from the event and it was great fun! And even though it went in a different direction than we wanted, since I ended up with the new clients instead of my son, I still consider it a success and one of my favorite memories of my time here.

Good luck to you!

 

[Ginny]

Anniversary Open House?

And let me add that I got a major break on the Subway Sandwich as well as they considered it great advertising...

 

[diekery]

Anniversary Open House?

I do an annual open house around the business anniversary "celebrating 1/2/3/4/5/6/7 years in business!" and I find it is popular for two types of folks:

1). Those interested in checking out the space and/or what we do.
2). Clients that love to come and hang out with us. :grin:

Our most popular theme was recreating a German Barfuss park in the front of the property. We had folks that came from all over to check that out! Other popular themes have included: an aromatherapy station, face readings, complimentary henna tattoos, and foot readings.

Congrats on 15 years! That's wonderful.

 

[Amanda & Jess S]

Anniversary Open House?

Congratulations on your 15th year in massage! What a milestone that is.

Personally, I think like you-- small budget, but wanting to have a BIG bash. We had an open house for our first anniversary, and it went over VERY well. We did have a few local businesses donate items for drawings, and we gave away a free massage. We had almost 50 people show up over the evening, I think.

But, I've also learned a lot since then. The folks who showed up were mostly from out networking circles, rather than actual clients. We didn't really get any new clients from the deal, either. So, next time we do something like that, I'm going to totally re-think when, why, and how we do it and advertise it.

I also wouldn't have big things made up for specific clients. If you want to have sweatshirts or tote bags (I *love* nice sturdy canvas shopping bags!) made up to give away, make THOSE part of the drawings. Give everyone a shot at winning one. Yes, I do think some clients would take it wrong-- like "You like Johnny better than me!" giving away the sweatshirts would be a fun alternative to giving away massages, too. You might also want to have some smaller giveaways made up-- like stress balls, or pens, or those little handheld back massager things, or hot packs (if it's in colder weather). I like the idea of the salt packs, too.

 

[. otto.saxo .]

Anniversary Open House?

Thank you everyone!

I will certainly add in the idea of raffling my services into the mix. I like the idea too of having a local restaurant and florist get involved. I want to have some smaller items printed with my logo to have on hand as favors if I raffle off sweatshirts and large items. That is a good way to help with me feeling like I'm keeping everything even for everyone. I though about putting together a large basket with items from everyone involved, plus some nice relaxation items and raffle that off as well. It will all come together as I look into things more.

The theme idea is great too. I never heard of a German Barfuss Park, but looked it up and that is a very cool idea! I will have to see how I can incorporate different stations. Maybe some mini classes or mini treatments for various things.

Food, alcohol, kids or no kids - not sure about any of that yet. I think I want to keep things simple though. I don't mind kids either way. I still need to check into all the items that are available for personalization. There is a local company I am looking into now. Just wanting for a catalog. It's exciting! I haven't ever printing anything promotional like that before.

I am really hoping to keep this event more of a celebration/thank you/appreciation event. I have a really great client base and some professional friends who refer to me regularly, so I'm not in any need at the moment to do any marketing.
I don't mind having it benefit others who what to donate their time or services for the event though. I just want people to come, have a good time, and leave feeling like they are supporting a good business. KWIM?

 

[T a r a n]

Anniversary Open House?

I would like to have some items made using my new logo, like sweatshirts, or bags etc. Something that people could really use.

http://www.wellpromo.com/Wholesale/Coin-Holders/2-1-2-x2-1-2--Coin-Holder-218011.htm

I got a coin holder like this (see above) as a promotional items way back 20 years ago. I still have it & I love it! I keep it in my vehicle in case I need a few quarters. It is flat and holds 8 quarters. It's right at 2½" x 2½" and in black. I'll be honest... I don't know the company who gave it to me, because it was from a metal fabrication company that did work for someone I know. But, the logo is still on it.

I also ran across one that says it holds Euros, which are about the same size as a quarter.

http://www.bridgat.com/coin_holder-o167644.html

Maybe something like this would be less expensive than a sweatshirt?

 

[Elliott N]

Anniversary Open House?

Thanks for the links! Never seen something like this.

I was thinking too about getting some personalized ice packs or something like that. There is so much out there!

 

[nickdc1960]

Anniversary Open House?

Thanks for the links! Never seen something like this.

I was thinking too about getting some personalized ice packs or something like that. There is so much out there!

If you scroll down on this page, this company (which was started by someone I knew from school) will put your laminated business card into the icepacks (they do the lamination). I've used them with and without the laminated personalization and both forms work great. The laminated card does not hinder any of the icepack functionality as far as I am concerned. However, I have never ordered from them, so I can't say anything about timing for getting your order and the like.

• "Send us your business card -
  we will laminate it and place it in between the bags in our double bag construction of any size bag."

They are really good ice packs (not as awesome as Chattanooga ColPac's are, but then who is? ) and do a great job, along with the ability to be easily personalized.

They are also non-toxic, which the doctor I knew (original owner) worked really hard at in order to get right.

 

[BOOMER]

Anniversary Open House?

Thank you!

 

[Hmmmm]

Anniversary Open House?

I just had my open house this past Saturday and wanted to share what I ended up doing.

I had some desserts, cheese/grape platter, veggie/dip platter, snacks, water and warm apple cider (since it's getting chilly here)
I set up a 10 item raffle and gave tickets to each client as they arrived. I also gave them a personalized pen that they got to keep as a favor. Amsterdam Printing Company has great pens! Very good quality and you can almost always find some discount code.

The raffles were:
One hour massage
90 minute massage
Reflexology treatment (donated by a friend)
Chiropractic Exam (donated by a friend)
Silpada Jewelry discount (offered by a friend)
GC to a local restaurant
GC to a local restaurant
GC to a local chocolate business plus some chocolates
GC to a local winery plus a bottle of wine
Assortment of Mrs. Meyer's products (clients ask often what soap I have in my bathroom and it's from that company)

I had everything set up on a table with containers to put the tickets in. I allowed a person to put in more than one ticket per item (if they wanted and item more than something else) until all ten tickets were gone. Once a person won, they couldn't win again.

The turnout was great and everyone has been telling me how nice it all was. It was a fun way to thank them all for their business. Since the event was more for showing my appreciating, I only invited current clients. But, I had my Reflexologist friend and my Chiropractor friends say around to answer any questions my clients had about their services.

Maybe I'll do something similar, but at a smaller scale in 5 more years!

 

[kss0098]

Anniversary Open House?

Sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing what you did and how it went. Lots of ideas for future events....

 

[Cara]

Anniversary Open House?

Sounds great! Thanks for posting in detail.

Which soap "scent" do you use in your bathroom? I have the Mrs. Myers Basil scented candle which is wonderful!

 

[Caveat Lector]

Anniversary Open House?

Thanks!

I use the Lavendar scent. It is very nice and not too strong. The new Orange Clove (seasonal) scent is so nice too!