Hosting a Launch Party
By: Coach Mackenzie Pearce

Want to get yourself noticed in your community? Want to let people know that
you have started coaching? Why not have a launch party!

What to think about when considering hosting a launch party:

Items to consider when hosting a launch party

Where to hold your launch party

This depends on how much you have to spend.

How can you plan a cost effective launch party?

Host it in your living room or backyard. If this sounds questionable, take a
moment to visualize it first. Picture a table in the backyard covered with
barbeque fixings, the BBQ ablaze, your family and friends laughing and
relaxing. This is a very informal launch party that will likely yield the same
results as a more formal party. You spend your time socializing and answering
questions about coaching and what area of coaching you specialize in and so
on.

Your own living room could offer a more formal setting if you like. You
could offer hors d’oeuvres, set out on a coffee or side table. While people are
dining and drinking, you are using your superb gift of gab to answer questions
as to why you decided to get into coaching, and who your clientele will be.

For a more upscale function, consider reserving a room in a restaurant or hall.
I recommend holding an "open house" event, so that people may stop by
anytime between the hours of (for example) 2-4pm on a weekend, and that
way your attention is not divided between so many people at once. You may
also want to consider having a small gift to give all of your guests.

What to give your guests

You could offer a small grab bag for everyone as they are leaving. Depending
on the formality of your launch party, what is in the bags may differ slightly.
These bags can include a small customized gift, some business cards, some
gift coupons (“$10 off any of my sessions packages”), a book mark with your
company information and slogan on it and so on. Iis always good to have your
guests leave with something!

What to serve

If short on money, having people bring dishes to your BBQ is a good idea.
You could go with a pot luck theme, where everyone brings a dish to share at
the gathering. Let it be seen as an opportunity given to share culinary talents
and bring the community together.

For a smaller, more personal affair (such as an open house in your living
room), I would recommend the usual introduction party food: veggies and dip, crackers and an assortment of cheese, shrimp and sauce, basically finger foods and
anything that can be hand held and dipped. I went with a "tea and crumpets"
theme, although I had other drinks and desserts there besides tea and
crumpets!

Buffet style serving is important as you need to have your hands and time free to socialize with your guests.

Who to invite

When writing your guest list, here are some ideas of who to invite:
Your family
Your friends
**These people should come because they care about you and want to see you
succeed.**
Your accountant
Your real-estate agent
Your lawyer
**These three will come because they are somewhat in business with you and
should show their support.**
Other coaches in your area
**They will help you establish a support network. We all need support!**
Your doctor
People from your gym or other special interest groups
People from other small businesses in your area- you can help support each
other!
Your neighbors- invite the whole block! If for no other reason, they will
come because they are curious and people love to be included. By inviting
them, that is just what you have done.
**If you are inviting the community, perhaps entice them with the promise of
a free gift (included in the gift bags at the door).**

Your invitations

You can depend on word of mouth to get the word out about your launch
party, or you could invest in some elegant, yet inexpensive, invitations.

One thing you may want to keep in mind when customizing your invitations is
whether or not you are having an open house, or is there a selected time you
would like people to attend. Make a list of all important details you need the
invitation to provide before you work out a design.

Questions you should be prepared to answer

"Why did you choose coaching?" This answer to this question lies with you.
You know why, just share the reasons.

"What is coaching?" There are quite a few ways to phrase your answer. I
prefer "Coaching is a form of motivation, it helps people, like yourself, find
out what they are missing in their lives and works with them to change that."

"What type of people do you help?" "I help people like yourself get more out
of life, achieve more and live a fuller more satisfying life."

"Do you think I would benefit from coaching?"

"Do you have a coach?"

Why you should have a launch party

Because you deserve one! You deserve to celebrate your new venture! The
publicity will provide you with a great way to let people in your community
know about your services. Who wouldn’t love to tell someone that they were
at a launch party?

Items to consider when hosting a launch party

Other than simple business cards, it is always nice to consider giving out gift
bags that include some of your company memorabilia, as mentioned
previously. Gift bags could include, business cards, brochures, a small gift,
some candy, a thank you card for attending, a customized pen, and gift
coupons for their friends or associates.