An open house provides a perfect opportunity to establish credibility in your services and elevate the profile of your shop. It allows you to inform the interested visitors in more detail about the advantages of a new product, the services you offer or to perform hearing tests and arrange appointments for hearing aid fittings. 

You can use public relations to increase awareness for your event and get coverage in your local newspaper. Take some time to prepare and send out invitations to existing and potential users, and remind them to bring their family members. You can also send invites to local organizations or ENT-doctors. 

Make use of other marketing material, such as ads, shop displays and mailings and remember to follow-up on your activities after the event. You might want to use a tracking chart to record all the visitors you had during the day, so that you can contact them again after the event is over.

How to host a successful event
Preparation is a key word when hosting an event! It includes 'spreading the news', preparing the shop, and educating the staff as well as following-up after the event. 

Who to invite
Develop a comprehensive checklist to ensure that the information regarding your event reaches the appropriate people, i.e. your existing users, potential users, ENT-doctors, journalists, etc. 

Invitation method
Existing users can be invited personally through letters and mailings. Potential users are best reached by advertising in your local newspapers. Local newspapers, radio and television stations can be informed by a press release. You can distribute flyers that announce your event in senior centres, homes, hospitals or libraries. Also consider inviting your ENT-doctors by letter or personally over the phone. 

Prepare your shop
Make sure you have an adequate supply of information brochures on stock. Display posters, banners and other reading materials should also be arranged. Think about providing refreshments during the day.

Brief your staff
Prior to advertising the event, brief your staff so that they are prepared to handle calls and schedule appointments. Prepare brochures to send out to interested callers requesting information only. Arrange for follow-up calls later. Use the tracking chart to log calls and appointments.

Follow-up
Use the information you have gathered on your tracking sheet to send out thank-you notes to the visitors. Call those who were interested but did not attend, to arrange another appointment.