You Are Invited

Business card size works well for invitations to special events.

What do you visualize when you think about invitations? More than likely you are thinking about a wedding or a party. You may even think about a verbal invitation that is extended to you for a business event. Invitations come in all sizes and shapes and for almost every event. So how can you get your invitation to your business event noticed? Here are three easy steps that may help increase the attendance at your events.

First, network with those that you would like to attend your event, ask them personally about their calendar. If they have some time free, and then if you can set an appointment with them at the date and time of your event. This will generally yield a yes. Let them know that you will phone and remind them a couple of days ahead of time, just to confirm their attendance. You may then give them a business card invitation at that point so they have a printed reference.

Second, phone everyone you personally know (everyone that is relevant to you gaining more business) and ask them if they would be available on the date and time specified for the event. If they respond yes, tell them why you would like to see them at that specific time. If they still agree, follow up with mailing one of your business card invitations.

Lastly, you will need to ask previous clients to attend. Ask if they can attend at the date and time you have selected, if not, ask if they know anyone else in their organization that can take their place. If they do, simply book them in and tell them you will send a reminder.

It is actually quite easy to get the invitations noticed, the most difficult thing is to make sure those agreeing to attend actually make it to the event. You will probably find there is a 20 to 30% fall-out. If you plan for this fall-out, you can determine how many people to invite in order to fill the room.

Bette Daoust, Ph.D. has been networking with others since leaving high school years ago. Realizing that no one really cared about what she did in life unless she had someone to tell and excite. She decided to find the best ways to get people's attention, be creative in how she presented herself and products, getting people to know who she was, and being visible all the time. Her friends and colleagues have often dubbed her the "Networking Queen". Blueprint for Networking Success: 150 ways to promote yourself is the first in this series. Blueprint for Branding Yourself: Another 150 ways to promote yourself is planned for release in 2005. For more information visit http://www.BlueprintBooks.com

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