When starting a new business, throwing a launch party can be a great way of building initial buzz and encouraging customer interest. It’s your chance to show that you’re not just another small startup and that you’re hoping to make a splash in the current marketplace. Here are a few ways to throw a successful launch party.
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Choose the right venue
If you’re opening a bar or hotel, you may want to host your launch party within your premises. Other businesses may want to look elsewhere – an office might not be appropriate for a party. Try to think beyond the usual venues and find somewhere that’s likely to be memorable. Look for purpose-built event spaces that have an amazing setting – it could be somewhere central or somewhere with a great view.
Invite the right people
Try to invite key people to your launch party who are likely to be major influencers. Consider owners of other local businesses, local media journalists, local politicians and any VIPs that live nearby. Obviously, these people need to have an interest in your line of business – if you’re launching a modelling company, your guests ought to have some link to fashion or marketing. Launch parties can be open to the public, but it’s still worth inviting select guests to come. These guests who have been invited should be granted some kind of exclusive benefit whether it’s a free drink or reserved seats.
Promote your event the right way
If your event is only open to private guests, you may want to send out private invites via email or post. If it’s open to the public, you may want to look into hiring event promoters to help get news of the event out there. You can also advertise the event on social media, get in touch with local media outlets and create posters to plaster around. Think about your ideal guest and focus on marketing in the places that they’re most likely to be found.
Offer incentives to encourage people to come along
If people haven’t heard of your company before, they may wonder why it’s worth their while coming. Make sure that there’s a reason for people to come along to your launch party. Food, drinks and music are all important ingredients to a successful launch party, but these alone won’t sway people into coming along. Consider unique incentives such as special guests that will be there (i.e. a famous DJ or a local celebrity who you’ve confirmed will be attending the event). You could also consider offering discounts and freebies – this could include a free drink to everyone coming or free food. You could even offer people discounts and freebies related to your business services – not only could this encourage people to come along, it could encourage people to then become customers.
