Jewelry parties can be an absolute blast, and successful ones are very rewarding. Having a successful party and getting referrals builds self-confidence and really reassures the artist that he is doing a wonderful job of making jewelry and building trust with customers. So how do you host a party that is both memorable and successful? Remembering those elementary school manners, being unique and making sure there is no stress for the hostess. So how do you do that?
1. No stress equals referrals. People avoid hosting jewelry parties for an artist because they don’t want to do any extra work that might cause them more stress than they think the party should be. I agree. Some friends have approached me about throwing a party for them, and it always seems like I’m working really hard to put it together. Keep it simple for your hostess. Many times I even provide the refreshments. All I tell the hostess is that I need an area that she can work with, and they are more than happy to oblige. Just let her know the snacks are more than enough, no need for extra food, and you don’t want food prints on your jewelry anyway!) Make your display easy to set up and break down that way the hostess won’t feel you have exceeded your welcome. The guest will arrive and see you relaxing, she will see how simple it is, and she will see you having a great time and she will want to win free jewelry by organizing one for you.
2. Customer service goes a long way. I’ve been to parties where the artist seemed like all she cared about was making money, and seeing her pressure sell her made me want to leave without her realizing she was booking for the door. Most of the time those artists are not friendly and have an “ego” about them. That’s not the way to introduce yourself, it’s a turn off in many ways. Throwing a party should be about, yes, making money, but also about building trust, building relationships, and showing how you are different from all the other jewelry artists on the market. You need to make them feel that they are being cared for, as well as being cared for. No one is going to want to buy a green bracelet if it doesn’t complement them in some way. I love presenting jewelry to clients and noticing a trait in them that will make the jewelry stand out to them. For example, “Turquoise is a great stone to wear, it really complements your blue eyes.” Have fun, make friends and it’s really about helping someone find the perfect piece to wear.
3. Nothing is more important than being unique. I’ve always liked going to parties that are different, like MaryKay parties. Marykay parties are really about having fun, finding a product that suits you, and having a good time with the people you care about. What’s more fun than shopping with your closest friends? This is how a jewelry party should be, having fun with your friends and enjoying shopping with each other. So how can you make yourself unique? Here are several ideas. Shoot and try some. See what works for you. Not everything will. I know from experience.
1.Offer jewelry to customer. Bring your best beads and sort them by color. Ask guests to find beads they like and make them a custom piece. It’s important to calculate your costs in advance (such as price per cord, materials, labor, and fixed fees) so you don’t lose money. Give them a realistic time frame on when to expect their part, and always make sure you get paid up front.
2. Offer gifts or punch cards for frequent buyers. Find out what won’t lose you a ton of money.
3. Have a door prize for the most money spent, a raffle for everyone who books a party, or even a free pair of earrings for everyone who brings a friend. Play around with your margins and find out what will work for you.