With every marketplace becoming increasingly crowded, especially in the online space, having a launch party provides the opportunity to make some real-world contacts and put faces to the names of the people you hope to be dealing with.
Hosting a great launch party can be an expensive undertaking, but following a few simple guidelines will make sure you get the maximum return on your investment.
Stay focused
Although you want to ensure you event is fun for all those that attend, it’s important to have clear goals in mind. It might be tempting to invite some of the biggest names in your field, but only do so if they can be of benefit to your business. Members of the media, key influencers and sales prospects should be top of your list.
If you do decide to invite some celebrities, try to find ones who are likely to be users of the services or products your business provides. Even then, they will still need a reason to attend so make sure the launch party includes free drinks and some form of entertainment.
Learn from others
Be sure to attend the launches of other companies in your field to see how then do things and work out ways to make your own launch better. You can also find inspiration from companies such as Apple which has carved out a reputation for hugely successful product launches, despite the fact they generally involve little more than a person talking on a stage.
By keeping such events extremely simple, with almost bare backdrops and a minimum of razzmatazz, Apple ensures it’s launches not only keep the focus on the product but also reflect the uncluttered, functional ethos of the company itself. It’s a strategy that is unlikely to work for your very first launch, but one that you can easily aim towards for the future.
Leave a lasting impression
The event itself should be memorable enough to stick in the minds of your guests for many weeks to come, but if you want to add an extra touch of refinement to the networking processing, be sure to have some business cards to hand. Younger entrepreneurs may view business cards as being old fashioned, but they are still an absolute necessity, especially in the early days of your enterprise.
Having business cards will make your look appear fully professional. They are also a fantastic way of showing off your personal brand and, even in these days of smartphones and tablets, remain the quickest and easiest way of exchanging contact information. Even if you don’t rate your own design skills, using an online business card creator is quick, easy and free and will guide you through the process
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
If you want to ensure the launch event goes without a hitch but don’t want to take too much time away from your core activity of actually getting the business up and running in the first place, it might be an idea to call in a third party to take the reins.
If you hire someone who has already worked in the same business sector, they will have all the necessary contacts to ensure the people you most need to attend actually turn up. Having someone else find the perfect venue, negotiate prices and handle sending out the invites can go a long way towards reducing you stress levels at such a crucial time.
