Open Houses?

[Estella]

Have any of you done an open house for your business? if so, how did it go? what did you do? what would you have done differently?

I'd like to have an open house at my new office, but I'm not sure how to go about it. Any help is appreciated!

Thanks,

Jackie

 

[WouhFluomma]

I've thought about it, but haven't done it yet. The probable reasons I haven't had one are that I work from my home and our client-friendly entertaining area might be a bit small. Plus I'm not sure how comfortable my clients would feel meeting each other, or even the thought of meeting other clients. Plus, we're pretty low-volume, so it's not like we have a couple hundred people to invite, and we're afraid only a fraction of what we do have would show up! LOL

But things you could do if you were considering one, would be to have healthy snacks, give little 5-min chair massage freebies, announce/debut a new product or service you plan to offer (along with demonstrations, if it's feasible and if you want to), hand out new newsletters, give a small presentation on health-related issues that complement (but aren't related to) massage, announce a networking partnership with other healthcare professionals, etc. Kick off a referral race to grow your practice. You could give door prizes too (for most frequent client, most improved case, or the most referrals or whatnot). Whatever. The possibilities are endless. It could be a blast for both you and your clients, and you could also refresh, renew, or jumpstart your business.

Just make sure you have plenty of space for your clients, comfy chairs for them to sit, enough (but not too much) food/drinks if you plan to offer them, and keep it lively. Also, I wouldn't do it all day or anything. Maybe an hour or two. If you have a large clientele, you could run it all day, and have people come and go as they like. However you like to run it

Just my rambling ideas
Hugs,
~Jyoti

 

[TERESA VIOLET]

This thread should interest you. It's about a MassagePlanetL Member's recent successful open house:
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7741

 

[Tiki]

when i moved into my new office, i had an open house. i invited 300 clients and approximately 30 showed up. i had an acoustic guitarist play and sing his own, very mellow elliott smith type songs, while i gave free chair massage. we had vegetarian food and snacks, organic juices and water. i also had a drawing for a year of free massage sessions (one a month for 12 months).

all in all, i'd say it cost about $300 for food and beverage. the guitarist was my bro-in-law, so he offered his service for free. my mother did the catering.

it was a lot of fun, and something i would love to do once a year as a "client appreciation" type deal.

hope this helps!

 

[Karma Singh]

I am concidering an open house after I am settled in the new place. I would sent invites to all my clients, put ads in the local papers, and maybe a few radio spots (I have credit at a local station.)

I would have food (snacky type things), beverages, but the main thing I would be doing would be selling gift certificates for a reduced rate, limit one per person. I would put an expiration date of about 4 to 6 months on them. I would sell a $50 gift certificate for $40. Anyone could buy them, current clients or new clients.

I would have a drawing for door prizes too. I would ask a few local business if they wanted to contribute anything, make up a few pretty baskets, some for $10 off, as well as include a couple certificates for half hours.

 

[muhammad q]

Jyoti, I'm not having an open house (I'm mobile, LOL), but that "referral race" you mentioned is such a great idea, I HAVE to go for it!! I just wanted you to know that I am using your idea, and am very grateful that you shared it!

 

[boston]

I have had several Open Houses at my place of business!! They just didn't pan out well for me and had low turnouts. They are so much work! It was disappointing to say the least. However, I will probably do it again sometime this year. I am thinking of doing a Spring Sprunch! Saturday morning spa treatments and brunch!

 

[hello goodbye]

Jyoti, I'm not having an open house (I'm mobile, LOL), but that "referral race" you mentioned is such a great idea, I HAVE to go for it!! I just wanted you to know that I am using your idea, and am very grateful that you shared it!

Wow, cool! Thanks Glad to be of help... good luck! Plz let us know how it turns out

Hugs!
~Jyoti

 

[R. P]

Jyoti, I'm not having an open house (I'm mobile, LOL), but that "referral race" you mentioned is such a great idea, I HAVE to go for it!! I just wanted you to know that I am using your idea, and am very grateful that you shared it!

Wow, cool! Thanks Glad to be of help... good luck! Plz let us know how it turns out

Hugs!
~Jyoti

I'll let you know! I'm trying to plan out my year, and I think I'll do this early! Again, thank you!