Technology is so advanced these days that consultants can now bring their product to the customer via the internet. You can now browse catalogues online and even place orders, all from your own computer. NOW you too can have e-Parties as well.
An e-Party is simply a party that is held online. It can be held in MSN or a dedicated chat room such as the one Party Plan Portal offers it's Gold Members. There is even a website that is dedicated to holding e-Parties for consultants. For a small fee you get the room hire, with advertising done for you and invitations sent out to potential customers and attendees in the form of newsletters.
For an e-Party to work you must have guests. Invite your customers, friends and colleagues, anyone you know. You set a time for the e-Party keeping in mind the different times in each state. Night parties work well, when mothers have their children in bed and are relaxed.This is an ideal situation for the customer. They don't need to get dressed, be worried about hosting a party, worry about food or anything like that. They simply switch on their computer and participate.
For an e-Party to work best, you must have games. Guests can not touch or feel product you are showing so incorporate these into your games. eParties are fun and the games are a hit. Decide on some prizes for your winners and let people know what these are so that they get excited. Be sure to let them know they will receive their prize when they place their order. That way they will be more inclined to place an order so as to receive their game prize.
Also have a Mystery Hostess. Everyone who places an order goes into the draw to get what the hostess would usually get. This will definitely attract a lot of people and again there will be more persuasion to place orders. Ensure there is a cut off date for orders and advise postage costs. Try and make this as small as you can as postage costs are what turn people away.
Knowing what you are going to say and to have the e-Party flow is so important to keep people interested. Complete a script a couple of weeks before your eParty and add to it as you think of things. This is so much easier as when the eparty is in progression, you can simply copy and paste which makes life a lot easier for you and the attendees.
An example of an e-Party structure
Introduction - Introduce yourself and your company.
Explanation - A simple explanation of what will happen today; a couple of games, explain the prizes, explain the postage costs and cut off date.
Game 1
Product of the Month - Choose something that is not expensive, appeals to a lot of people - maybe put an extra special on this product.
Company - You could briefly talk about your company and the joining offers, be sure not to make it too long or people will lose interest.
Game 2
Announce - Announce the winners and their prizes - this makes the attendees feel special and gives other people in the e-Party an opportunity to congratulate the winners.
Question and Answer - Allow people to ask questions and advise your contact details so that if they have any other questions they can contact you.
Thankyou - Thank everyone for their attendance, remind them of the cut off date and your contact details and finish.
Party Games
Games are what make or break an e-Party. They allow guests the opportunity to win prizes and also gets them to browse your product by the questions you may ask them.
Alphabet Game
This is a really simple game. Choose 8-10 letters ensuring that you have products that begin with the letters you have chosen. Simple write (call out) the letter and the first person to name a product (correctly) beginning with that letter receives a point. Be sure to keep a tally of the point winners. *Tip: Write down all the products you have with the letters you use so that you know straight away if someone is right or wrong.
Catalogue Treasure Hunt
This game is great as it gets the attendees really involved, excited and they get to know your products quickly. Use either your website or a catalogue that has been sent to the attendees prior to the e-Party commencing. Come up with 10 questions to ask your attendees, ensure they are spread across your catalogue or website so that as much as possible is viewed. Cut and paste the questions one at a time into your e-Party. The first correct answer receives a point. If it is too close to call award points to the 2 first correct answers and 1/2 points for those you feel are close but not close enough. Examples of questions:
How much is <name product> on page <page number or website area>?
Name the 3 products on the home page?
What page is <product> on?
How much is postage on all orders? (Ensure this is something you have mentioned)
When someone does answer correctly, let them know they are correct and congratulate them. Also paste your answer which includes slightly more detail than the answer given. For example if it was a product that the attendee had to name, also put how much it is and if it comes with any special offer as well. Again, this advises attendees of the price, product and specials and keeps it in their mind for when placing an order.
If you have a tie between two or three attendees, ask them to answer a bonus question. This could be something about your Product of the Month.
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