Dealer Resources

Hosting a Stationery Party

Having a party to sell your stationery is a delightful way to accomplish more than one goal for your business. By having a party, you create the opportunity to increase your customer base, resulting in more sales. Also, it is a way to develop a relationship with your customers. Party events can be utilized by both retail store and home studio dealers.

The beauty of a party is that it allows your customers the freedom to come and shop for stationery in your home at their convenience. You may want to have several party events in a year that last anywhere from one to three days, with hours of 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

If you are only going to have one party, a Holiday Party is a great way to kick off the season in September or October. The days and times are flexible–you will have an idea of the best times for you and your clients. Whatever hours you select, keep in mind that you are wanting to provide convenience for your customers.

Below are a few suggestions that we have received from some of our experienced dealers. We hope that these will give you inspiration to plan your own successful Stationery Party.

Planning your Party

Compose an invitation list of all your family, friends, neighbors and acquaintances that you think would appreciate the opportunity to shop at their convenience for any of their stationery needs. We will provide you with special invitation pricing, if your invitation mentions PrintsWell. Send out the invitation about three weeks before your event, so that they have plenty of time to plan for it on their calendar.

You will want to make sure that you have adequate space to display your catalogs for your customers to look through and space to write up their orders. You could do this in the living room and dining room since there will be seating in those rooms for your guests. If you would like to construct display boards, you can order samples through our Customer Service department.

Simple Refreshments
Offering simple refreshments is a reflection of your thoughtfulness and hospitality. The kitchen is a great place to set up refreshments. Lemonade, iced tea, soft drinks or bottled waters are always appreciated. A very simple pick up treat is a nice touch.

Collect Information
You may want to provide a clip board for each guest as they arrive with an information card on top for them to fill out so that you have their name, address, phone number and email address. This will be very important for future contacts. Under the information card, also have an order form on the clipboard so that they can jot down their selection when they choose a purchase. Make sure that all the information on the order form is completely and correctly filled out prior to your guest leaving.

Optional Prize Drawing
You may want to conduct a drawing at the end of the party from the information cards that were completed and returned to you. You can give the winner a gift certificate for notes, enclosure cards, stickers or whatever you choose. As years go by, your guests will anticipate the possibility of winning some wonderful stationery, and they will not want to miss your party!

Share Your Contact Information
Be sure to give each of your guests one of your business cards so that they may contact you by phone or email whenever they have a need for a personalized gift, personal stationery, birth announcements, invitations or holiday photo cards.

What to Say?

Below is an example of what you might say to introduce your products to your guests:

“Thank you for taking the time to come to my home and see the products that I have to offer. My company provides a complete stationery ‘wardrobe’ of products that include gift enclosure cards, stickers, id and luggage tags, bookmarks, notes, invitations, baby announcements and holiday photo cards. I not only have delightful designs, but I also have excellent customer service!”

“My desire is to let you know that I am more than happy to help you plan for any special event or special occasion that you have in your life today or in the future. Please let me know if you have any questions as you look through the books. If I don’t know the answer, I can easily find out the answer.”

“I can place small or large orders for you in a timely, personal manner. There are many choices of fonts, colors and motifs that can customize any product that you choose!”

“So today I would like you to feel free to look through the catalogs and enjoy the refreshments that I have for you in the kitchen.”