Planning a launch party- Anyone have any advice?

[Jas-5OAK]

So, I am in the process of planning a launch party for my business. I am aiming to make it really fun but when it comes down to the 'business' side I keep feeling I am forgetting something. Anyone have any suggestions or advice for building an executing an effective launch party? 

My biggest hurdle atm has been who to invite, I have listed local news/ radio stations etc but for a fashion brand I am a little lost about who qualifies as neccessary and who doesn't.

Thanks guys. 

[JacobKnowles1]

The best thing to do is have peoplke taking about your business outside of the party so on Twitter, inpublications etc, so give people something to talk about, images to tweet and an experience they do not want to forget.

That's just a quick tip but there is loads of fun stuff out there you can get people doing and talking about. Sometimes it is good to be less corporate, you are getting people to come to a celebration of your launch so try to make sure the event reflects that, maybe keep a light theme running throughout to avoid it being mismatched.

[Pip]

A lot can come down to where you're hosting it as well. If you're able to do it in a local club with some kind of catwalk or stage setup, and you can do a fashion show alongside your launch, that should be great! And the venue should also be able to help getting it out to people. Make sure you have a photographer on hand too - again the club will usually have one.

Pip

[acnovo]

Hi Jasmine! Sounds exciting, congratulations for launching your business. I have some suggestions based on my experience.

Send the agenda within the invitations. Sometimes people have tight agendas and they avoid events if they think it’s going to be a long event. If you keep it tight, then it’s easier for people to attend. Example: 1 hour: 15’ Welcome- 5’ Corporate video- 5’ Words from the host/owner- 5’ Words from a special guest/ someone renown, 15’ Networking, 15’ raffle or give everyone a gift.

Welcome people. It’s very remarkable when you feel unique in massive events. Having a personalized welcome from a host can make a difference, have +10 hosts and make them stay and talk with your key guests for ~10 min. This also makes that people that go alone stay longer. I like that someone from the business/company is interested to know me/ the guests. Connections.

The venue is important, but in my opinion, the details are more important. I have been in expensive venues that look cheap and vice versa. People tend to judge the whole event in “how the wine was”, “the flowers were ugly”, “not enough food”, “speech too long”, “I can make a better corporate video”, “not enough seats”, “no parking place”, “I didn’t recall the name of the company”, etc…

Try to have two events; the formal launch cocktail (for everyone), and a party at a club at night (for your target audience). It can be in the same venue, just wait until dark, get a good DJ, and the people will stay longer, enough time to make more connections and talk more about your business in a more personal/informal way.

Good luck with your event! Let us know how it went!

[PlanningHouse]

@Jas-5OAKWho's your key customer?  Is there anyone famous which is your target market?  I'd recommend inviting customers, as press yes they will get the message out - however having customers endrose your products, particularly celebrities could really boost yur launch.  What about free samples for people?  Good luck