It's Day 4 of my tips...although this one is a couple of days late due to the extreme level of birthday fun and festivities I had on Wednesday. But hey you only turn the big 4-0 once. And it was actually perfect timing because the next sales tip I have is about throwing a party!

Today's Tip - Host an event to get your clients in the spirit and mindset of receiving, giving and buying. Now you may be thinking that it's too late to plan a successful bash for the holidays, but I totally disagree. Believe me, if my husband can pull things together to throw a surprise birthday party for me, you can do something simple at your office or spa for your clients and prospects as well.

Here's a few ideas right from some of my own past events:

• Have an upscale girl's night out with a Champagne Makeover Session. Set a price for each person to attend and then include the most logical services or mini-services that you offer for each guest to look their best. Depending on what you offer, this could include a makeover, manicure, pedicure, polish changes, hair-cut, up-do, brow shaping or even Botox injections. Serve each person a glass of champagne with their services or simply work into some of your services. Doesn't a Pink Champagne Pedicure sound like fun?
• To draw a larger or mixed group of people, you can simplify by doing an Egg Nog Holiday Social. Spread some holiday cheer by inviting your clients to a simple reception with you and your staff. Of course you'll want to have some "event only" specials or features for retail products, gift certificates, booked appointments that are only good during the event. 
• Take your event a step further and invite other complimentary businesses to take part. This could include jewelers, furriers, accessories and clothing shops, dermatologists, chocolatiers, bakeries, caterers and wine stores. Have them cross promote the event to their clients as well and have each business donate a product or gift certificate to be given away in a drawing. People can drop a business card to enter, buy raffle tickets, get a chance for every gift certificate purchased and so on.
• If your event is one that you charge people to attend, offering deeper values or providing them with a thank you gift can make them really feel like they got their money's worth as well. Have plenty of supplies on hand for providing whatever services you are featuring and have plenty of gift bags ready to fill up with purchases made that day.

Be creative about what you decide to do and promote for your event. Take the time to do some basic planning and organizing so everything runs smoothly. Be sure you know everyone on your team knows what the sales goals are for the party and how you will each follow up with the guests afterward. And more important than anything else, make sure you and your employees are there to do whatever it takes for everyone - including all of you - to have a great time.

Looking for a way to communicate economically with your clients about your holiday party and other events? Give Constant Contact a try! It's a great tool for keeping in touch with your clients as well and letting them know about specials, new services, health and wellness tips, and other news. And it now it has a special Event Planning tool in addition to all their other email marketing templates. Click here to learn more and get a FREE 60 day trial for their services. Constant Contact also interfaces with one of my favorite client management systems, MindBodyOnline, another great marketing and management tool for your spa or massage business!