I know I talk a lot about staging. But my REAL passion is advertising and marketing. I LOVE to find new ways to break through the typical "advertising noise" and connect with people. (Staging just happens to be an amazing marketing tool that does this too... that is why I am so adamant about it.)
Anyway, a few years back we decide to divert some of our advertising dollars away from print and find a ways to connect to our clients and potential clients in more creative and effectiveways. So what did we do? We throw a party!
Well, actually we always had a personal holiday party... we just decided to give it over to our company.
We named the party "Tween the Holidays" so that ALL know they are welcome. (We don't specify exactly which holidays it is ‘tween. If you think about it... we could be talking about Yom Kippur and Arbor Day.) THEN we gave it a twist... we made it a Champagne Party!
The date is typically the night BEFORE the last work day before the New Year's holiday break. Why on this day? Because no one plans a party for that night so we knew there would be no conflicts. Since no one REALLY wants to work the next day and PARTY is on everyone's mind... this party is well attended! Last year we had over 125 people.
Providing Champagne for this many people COULD be costly... but we ask those we invite to bring one bottle of (QUALITY) bubbly. We of course provide more... and we provide the food. Typically we can cover the night's food and drink for under $800... which is cheap when you look at the cost of ONE ad in a local newspaper.
A few other "tricks" of the party night. Well, we also ask that people bring and donate one champagne flute or glass. To date we have nearly 100 different glasses in the party's collection. THIS proves to be a great ice breaker... and a conversation starter.
Finally, we invite EVERYONE: friends, family, neighbors, clients, colleagues, network contacts, potential clients... you name it they are welcome! AND who ever we invite is welcome to invite whoever they like. NO limits.
So this year... the party is starting to ride on its own "BUZZ!" So what are we going to do to make it even better? Well, we are "giving" the party over to a local not-for-profit. Of course our name is "on" it... but someone else now can benefit too. I share this with you all because it doesn't take much time, its fun and it is effective,,, you are welcome to take and spin my idea in your own way.
Me
PS: Consider this your FORMAL invite. You ALL are welcome to attend. If you would like to attend... all we ask is that you RSVP. (Please, check out the invite to the left for details.)
POST SCRIPT & UPDATE:
Here at Real Estaging, were thrilled and delighted when Chicago's premier news & trade publication covering the city's real estate industry, Chicago Agent Magazine, choose to cover our party. I have to admit that Chicago Agent Magazine has consistently been a champion our success... needless to say, we can not thank them enough. But I will find a way...
Anyway, posted below is a reprint image of the page featuring the photo spread of our event published in the February 12th issue of Chicago Agent Magazine.
So... THANK YOU very much Jennifer Morrell, Editor. In these times where ONLY the "biggest players" seem to get all the attention, Jennifer decided to cover us and our event... a small player in Chicago's real estate industry here.
Also, we would like to extend a VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU to Jodi Schallman, Events Photographer for the magazine. Next year, Jodi, you need to come as our GUEST and let some one else shoot us... you are way TOO much fun.
Me (Again)
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