Christmas Parties

It is that time again. Marketing Christmas Parties. I have three so far, trying to fill that calendar. Sending out postcards again this year.

Thinking about targeting smaller companies this year. I found last year that the big companies have a lot of red tape you have to go through.

When targeting companies, are there certain companies that you market torwards?

Although I have done parties for Sony, BMW, Volvo, Sharp, and other better known companies in my area ( Northeastern Bergen County, NJ), I too am starting to target smaller companies. Within a 15 mile radius I have industrial parks in Norwood, Northvale, Rockleigh, Westwood, and Closter. I feel confident that this nase will be enough to fill my calendar. However, I think that we will find that the bookings will come in later than ever this year as holiday party decisions will be based on a very unwieldy local economy...

I've got 1 weekend still open for December, but it will go anytime now & a couple of regulars haven't called yet. Bizznezz is good :sqwink: ...thx

Well I haven't got a gig in December yet, but that's the way Hawaii is.

Last Thanksgiving, I rember talking to my wife about the 3 gigs I had in Dec... I ended up with 11....

We are more laid back here.

I like the mid week small company parties, the ones where they have something in the office in the afternoon, I would go in, play some music, do some interactive stuff,, 3 hours,make whatever ,,, $400 or so dollars,,, that was fun...

I need to get off my but here on Maui.... LOL

What you might do is check with your local chamber of Commerce, I would even join, as I have done, simply to get the mailing list. You then use your affiliation as a new Chamber Member to let them know about this special discount you have for your fellow members as a way to "meet & greet".

The Chambers are always having the "meet & greets". What you would like to do is be a part of their "Holiday" celebration. I have found you are better off to use "Holiday", rather than "Christmas", this can be seen as too specific.
Emphasize Games, Trivia, as I have told you before from my personal experiences as a Corporate Owner, their is some concern about dancing, music where spouses are not invited. I had no desire to invite spouses........for many reasons....most fairly obvious.....

I made a lot of good contacts through The Chambers Of Commerce, Toastmasters, Rotary, Kiwanis...etc I Still Use these contacts as sources when I want to add a gig or two....

The idea being, as James Malinchak so eloquently said at Mobilebeat '07...."Increase Your Total Number of contacts"........As The Way To Increased Revenue.......

Afraid much like with Chuck, I book up late, perhaps because I never promoted. This year I have the Face Off! game, so I feel that I should promote and use that to get a little better rates than in the past.

I've really never had a lot of luck with mail, including a brief stint as a part-time rural carrier (please call me before you take that job!), so I'm on the lookout for ideas, especially in this thread! :listen:

Rick

Thanks Jim, you always have great advice.

Just out of curiousity could everyone list the types of companies or gatherings that we have all done holiday parties for? Not the specific names of the companies, just types. From most common to least common.

Here's my list:

1. Bars

2. Health care

3. Flooring

4. Grocery stores

5. Electric

6. Florist

7. friends and family gathering

hummm...

since moving to Maui that list would be

1- Resturants

2- Golf Club

3- Insurance firm

I will start my calling first thing on Monday morning. I have a few contacts in my area. I hope to have a solid December.

I will not be marketing chrismas parties this year, I have a full wedding schedule on Sat in December. I'm sure I will book a few friday parties but I don't market anthing other than my normal web ads.

I will change my special on my website and wedj to something xmas. It will bring in more than enough. I'll probally do Friday Night Xmas Party Special 4 Hours DJ and Karaoke for your Party $400 or something.

I'd add manufacturing plants. They might not be the highest paying gigs but it'll fill your date book. :)

I will start my calling first thing on Monday morning. I have a few contacts in my area. I hope to have a solid December.

John,

Do you cold call or are these previous bookings?


Dan,
I have tried a couple manufacturing plants nothing yet.


I asked the last question because I was curious if maybe we can see some kind of trend. We usually have atleast 2 health care, of some type, party every year. Two bar parties every year. Construction type companies usually 2 and so on.

Friends & Family Gatherings
Grocery Store
Farm Products Company
Local Hospital O.R. Teams (healthcare, I guess?)

1. Manufacturing Plant
2. Power Plant
3. Office (Legal Document service)
4. Martial Arts School


We're already commited to doing the parties for 2 & 3, which will be our second year for both.

We've done #1 & #4 for 2 years in a row and don't believe we'll be doing their parties this year.

We don't actively pursue these bookings. They find us. Maybe in a year or two we'll get serious about marketing for holiday parties, but right now we're content to rest a little during the winter.

John,

Do you cold call or are these previous bookings?


Dan,
I have tried a couple manufacturing plants nothing yet.


I asked the last question because I was curious if maybe we can see some kind of trend. We usually have atleast 2 health care, of some type, party every year. Two bar parties every year. Construction type companies usually 2 and so on.

Hi Carolyn..

Most of it will be cold calling and walking in. I have one or two companies from prior years that call me back each year. For now I am using the web and targeting local business in my area. I hope it works..

In no particular order

Accounting firms
Law Firms
Insurance companies
EHS
Manfacturing plants
Banks
Sports Leagues

In the old days I had excellent holiday party luck with the smaller companies. Local Roto-Rooter franchise, Curves For Women, day care center etc. These folks would do big powows at Christmas and rent the ballroom at a local hotel.

Nothing's too good. The best grub, liquor and accommodations money can buy. They were open to spouses and pups as well. Not a lot of dancing but the folks had fun.

And there are always the fraternals ~ VFW, Legion, Eagles and Moose. These folks are the best to do dance parties for, any time of the year. :)

1) Bars

2) Service / Sales companies ( Branch offices of large overseas firms )

3) Manufacturing ( Anything from label priners to electronics, to textiles, etc...)

4) Construction ( GREAT partyers, and High pay with HUGE tips at the end )


5) Private midweek for shiftworkers ( Nurses, cops, etc.. any day or time of week can be the "weekend" for these people )

The smaller Professional Firms,

ie Accounting, Legal, Architecture, Engineering

type firms will normally have some sort of event at the end of the year. The smaller ones don't have a problem with the cost of a dinner and an evening of dancing, and they will usually include spouses.

As firms get larger the cost becomes disproportionate to the value the company perceives it gets in "good will" from throwing a party.

For those that do corporate parties more often...

What is the average length booked ie 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 hours?

How often do they go into OT?

Do you play games?

If so what kind of games?

How do you contract your corporate clients, do you require, a retainer fee with balance due in advance, advance payment in full prior to the party or payment at the event?

Sorry bout all the freshman questions as you may have read in another thread I started... I've just gotten my first corp. inquiry for a holiday party so I don't want to head into things blind.

From my experience....



What is the average length booked ie 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 hours?
4 Hrs

How often do they go into OT?

Rarley if ever. More end early rather than late

Do you play games?

If so what kind of games?

Assuming you are talking about Holiday parties no. Mabye a spot dance or snowball dance if the floor is slow. Unless it is specifically asked for I don't do teambuilding at a Holiday party just throw a party

How do you contract your corporate clients, do you require, a retainer fee with balance due in advance, advance payment in full prior to the party or payment at the event?

As with all clients I take a deposit upon contract signing and they have the option to pay at any time up to the end of the function