Planning the Open House for Max Impact
Aim for a weekend event (Saturday/Sunday afternoon) when families and homeowners are out shopping. Keep it 2–4 hours to avoid burnout.
Core Elements to Pitch/Prepare:
- Theme It Around “Grand Re-Opening: Your Dream Kitchen & Laundry Awaits” — Highlight the new displays, interactive vignettes (test faucets, see appliances in real setups), and tie into current trends like energy-efficient models or smart appliances.
- Free Draws & Giveaways — Enter for a chance to win small prizes (e.g., $50–$100 Home Depot gift card, free installation consult, or branded swag like aprons/tumblers). Collect name/phone/email on entry forms—this builds your lead list instantly.
- Live Demos & Mini-Workshops — Run short 10–15 min sessions: “How to Choose the Perfect Refrigerator for Your Space,” “Laundry Upgrades That Save Time & Money,” or “Matching Washer/Dryer Sets for Any Budget.” You (or rotating associates) lead them—positions you as the expert and sparks conversations/measures.
- Partner with Vendors — Reach out to appliance brands (Whirlpool, Samsung, LG, etc.) for rep support—many send folks for events, bring promo swag, or offer exclusive deals (e.g., bundle discounts, free pedestals). This adds energy and credibility.
- Refreshments & Vibes — Simple snacks/coffee (partner with a local spot or use store budget if approved) to keep people lingering and chatting.
- Photo Ops & Social — Set up a “before/after” display of the remodel or a selfie spot with new appliances. Encourage shares with a hashtag like #LakeForestHDReborn—tag the store for visibility.
Lead-Gen Focus During the Event:
- Station yourself (or a sign-up table) near high-traffic spots: new kitchen displays, appliance aisles.
- Use every interaction to push: “Want a free in-home measure for that built-in oven?” or “Let’s run a quick credit app to see financing options—no hit to your score yet.”
- Follow up post-event: Text/email leads within 24–48 hours (“Great meeting you at the open house—here’s that fridge comparison we talked about!”).
Other Ways to Amp Leads in the Meantime (While Remodel’s Ongoing)
Even during construction, use the “coming soon” excitement:
Teaser Signs & Flyers — Put up signs in appliances: “Big Reveal Coming Soon—New Displays & Exclusive Deals!” Hand out flyers with your name/extension for questions.
Capture Remodel Buzz — When customers ask about the construction noise/updates, turn it into: “We’re getting all-new kitchen setups—want me to note your interest for a sneak peek invite?”
Cross-Department Referrals — Chat with kitchen/countertop/cabinet folks—ask them to send appliance-curious customers your way (and return the favor).
This open house could be your breakout moment—generate a ton of pipeline in one go, then nurture it with follow-ups to close stronger than the full-timers. Since goals are expectations rather than strict commissions, crushing leads and customer happiness will still get noticed (and feel great).
Event Plan for Saturday and Sunday
Duration: 4 hours each day (e.g., 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
- Pre-Event Setup (1 Hour Before Opening)
- Set up entry forms and lead collection station near the entrance and high-traffic areas like kitchen displays and appliance aisles.
- Arrange tables for free draws/giveaways and display the prizes (gift cards, swag, consult vouchers).
- Prepare refreshments and snack stations (coordinate with local partners or use store resources).
- Set up photo/selfie stations with “before/after” remodel displays and signage for the event hashtag (#LakeForestHDReborn).
- Coordinate with vendor reps for their displays, swag distribution, and any exclusive offers.
- Hour 1: Welcome & Kickoff
- Greet attendees, encourage them to enter the free draw and grab refreshments.
- Start the first mini-workshop or demo session (e.g., “How to Choose the Perfect Refrigerator for Your Space”).
- Begin collecting lead info through interactions and at the sign-up table.
- Hour 2: Vendor Engagement & Social Sharing
- Invite vendor reps to speak or demo their latest products; highlight any exclusive deals.
- Encourage attendees to take photos at the selfie spot and share with the event hashtag for extra giveaway entries.
- Continue collecting leads—ask about interest in free in-home measures or quick credit applications for financing.
- Hour 3: Second Demo Session & Networking
- Run another demo or mini-workshop (e.g., “Laundry Upgrades That Save Time & Money” or “Matching Washer/Dryer Sets for Any Budget”).
- Facilitate informal Q&A and conversations to identify and engage hot leads.
- Refresh snacks and beverages to keep guests engaged.
- Hour 4: Final Push & Prize Drawings
- Announce last call for giveaway entries and collect any remaining leads.
- Conduct live prize drawings for gift cards and swag, announce winners, and take photos for social media.
- Thank all attendees, remind them about exclusive offers and next steps (e.g., scheduling consults, signing up for follow-up).
- Post-Event (Within 24–48 Hours)
- Send personalized follow-up texts/emails to leads (“Great meeting you at the open house—here’s that fridge comparison we talked about!”).
- Share event highlights and winner announcements on social media using event photos and hashtags.
Repeat the above schedule for both Saturday and Sunday, adjusting demo topics and vendor activities as needed to keep each day fresh and engaging.