Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/430862
Create your free business website! www.ascpskincare.com 19 We created an email invitation (evite) and a print invitation. For print invitations, I like to use postcards—they are cheaper to print and send than letters or folded cards. You want the email and print invitations to match. They should have the same message and it should be obvious they're about the same event. When choosing images, I have found that real photographs of your business or the products you sell work better than stock photos. If you use photos that show someone getting a spa treatment, make sure it shows a quick service that will be offered during your event—not a woman lying down getting hot stone therapy or a similar lengthy treatment. You want customers coming in and shopping, or trying out a quick demo treatment and then booking a service for later. A picture is worth a thousand words, so make sure your pictures are relevant to the event. Timing your invitations is important. If you send them too close to the date, people may already have plans. If you send them too early, people may forget. I like to send the postcard two weeks before the event and the evite a week before. Don't forget to post about your upcoming event on social media. We promote ours on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter. Social media posts should go out a week before the event and on the day itself. You can even invite your local TV stations and community newspapers to the event, and maybe get some free publicity. Make sure you organize your calendar so you don't have appointments scheduled during the event. This is your time to shine in another way. Everyone Loves a Deal Who doesn't love something free? Always mention some sort of deal or giveaway on your evite and postcard: a coupon to use at the event, a gift, or a free sample that clients can only get if they attend. If you do this, I know you will have an even more successful event. Ask vendors to partner with you and get free samples from them. Better yet, ask if they could donate a gift basket for a giveaway at your event. Or, assemble a grand prize gift basket including donated items from many different vendors. Food and Drinks Create a special area with a color-filled tablescape to set the mood. Red, pink, and white work perfectly for Valentine's Day. Candles are a nice touch, but food and scented candles do not mix. The best choice is battery- operated flameless candles. Your menu will depend on what time of day your event is going to be held. For a daytime event, set up a refreshing punch bowl, disposable glasses, and napkins. On another table, arrange finger foods like cheese, cupcakes, fruit, muffins, or pie slices. At my events, sometimes I trade services with a client who makes cake pops—she gets products or services in exchange. Here is a sample shopping list for an afternoon or evening event: Pink champagne (it's sparkling and festive) and/or red wine A nonalcoholic beverage like sparkling water with fruit slices Brie cheese Crackers Red or green grapes Honey Pistachios Serve the drinks in disposable glasses. Put out a wheel of Brie cheese, pour a dash of honey over it, and sprinkle some shelled, crushed pistachios on top. It looks inviting and tastes so good. Serve with crackers and fresh grapes. Even easier—or if you have a very small space and can't set up a table—buy a few boxes of quality chocolates and serve them on a silver tray. Lip smackin' fun! If you can't set up a table, buy a few boxes of quality chocolates and serve them on a silver tray.