Announcing Your Online Party

Here are a few tips to get people to your online party. Yes, you can go to the InternetBasedMoms.com message boards (or some other message board or group) and announce your party, but if you don't know anybody who visits the boards and they don't know you ~ do you expect to receive much of a response?

If your going to make announcements like these, be sure to be an active participant in the boards or the groups where you are posting. Also, try attend other people's parties that are making party announcements. If you see a party you might be interested in, email that person and request an "attendance swap". There's no harm in saying if I come to your party and make a purchase, will you come to mine and make a purchase as well. It may seem bold, but it benefits the both of you in the end.
 
Of course, you can't rely on making announcements on message boards and groups. Send out personal ~ not bcc ~ invitations to the guests you'd like to come. Try a program like PostMaster (they have a free trial) that allows you to personalize email, even when you send it out in bulk.

Offer an incentive for people to come. If you have a little something you can give away from your business (even if it's not related to the party), then do so. But be sure that you only give these incentives to purchasing guests. Try giving extras to those who bring a friend who makes a purchase. It doesn't have to be anything big, just a little token of appreciation. If it is something that can be sent in electronic format all the better - it will keep your costs down. For example, you can offer free advertising on your site. If you are a graphic artist, you can offer banner or logo design. If you are a writer, you can offer to do some writing for someone.

As another incentive, tell the person that if they attend your party and make a purchase that you are willing to return the favor when they host a party too but be sure that you do return the favor!

Follow up on all your invitations. If you don't hear from them at all, send them a quick and friendly reminder a few days before. For the ones who say they will come, remind them a few days before and then send out a quick reminder the day of the party to remind them of the link for the chat room.

You can also promote your next online party on the InternetBasedMoms.com Forum.