One of the main reasons I became a Color Street stylist was because of how much fun I had. Now, over a year later, I still have so much fun in parties. Parties are our opportunity to meet new customers, but also (and more importantly) new friends!

If you’re a new Color Street stylist, or maybe you’re looking for a way to change up your current online parties, I wanted to share how I run an online party. There are a few important things to remember, though.

• Start by completing the training in your Color Street app! There is a whole section on nail bars with step by step instructions, tips on all different types of nail bars (both Facebook and in person) and even games you can play!
• Check for your upline’s resources. Any suggestions I make here are just how I choose to do mine, but there’s not a single “right” way to do it.
• Do what works for you! As you try new things, you should always adjust and make them your own!
• Start sloppy. You might not be ready to start with every one of the seven steps I have listed. That’s ok! Start with what you can, and make it a goal to add new steps with each party!

Step 1: Invite & confirm your host.

This will probably evolve into a whole series of blog posts alone, but for now, I want to touch on a few important things that can begin to set you up for success.

Do:

• Get excited! When you have fun, your host will too!
• Let them know that their involvement is a lot like hosting an in-person party! Invite their guests, remind them about the party, greet them when they arrive, interact with them, and thank them for coming!
• Confirm the timing of the party to be sure they can participate. I usually run my parties Monday through Friday, with the one hour game night on Friday night at 7:30 pm central. (That’s what works best for ME.) But, if my host can’t participate during those times, I’ll change it! We want your host to be able to participate as much as possible!
• Help your host choose a theme. Some stylists use a theme throughout their party, while others use a personalized party with their own graphics and have a themed game night or girl’s night in. But having a theme early will help spark interest as your host invites guests, and it will help you name your nail bar.
• Communicate with your host before, during and after the party! We are there to help them be successful!
• Encourage them to invite people as they naturally talk to them. They can just keep a list of people who accept so once it’s time to invite them to the group, it’s just a follow up. “Hey, Susan! Here’s the link to my nail bar that I told you about! I’m so excited you’re coming!”

Don’t:

• Tell them they don’t have to do anything. Spoiler alert: if they don’t do anything, then neither will their party.
• Be negative. It’s great to give them tips (and even challenges) to be successful, but we should always stay positive!

Step 2: Create the host’s party link in the Virtual Office.

As soon as a host says “yes” to a party, I set up their party link and let them know they can use it immediately! They can order from it, or if someone’s unable to come to their party, they can give them the link and still get orders! To set up their link, you’ll need their:

• Name
• Email Address
• Mailing Address
• Phone Number

Step 3: Send your host a welcome packet.

This is a step that I didn’t start with my first party. I added it as I became more comfortable. And even now, I don’t always have time to do this in advance of the party. One to two weeks before the party, I like to send a welcome/thank you packet to the host. It includes:

• A thank you card.
• Any gifts that I promised the host (unless they are dependent on a qualifying party.) Remember, we cannot do or discuss any giveaways in a public forum.
• A host checklist (there is one in the Virtual Office under “Resources.”)
• Three catalogs: one to keep and two to share.
• Five two-finger tester cards or bundles (however you hand out two-finger testers.)
• An opportunity brochure.

Step 4: Create the host’s Facebook group.

Some people prefer to create events, but I struggle with adding people to events, so I host most of my parties in a private Facebook group.

For step by step instructions, check out: Creating a Facebook Group. It includes written instructions as well as a video.

A few tips to remember:

1. Create the group as a private group. Remember, we cannot offer any specials, deals, or prizes in a public forum per policies and procedures.
2. Create a banner that includes your host’s picture, your picture, and their shopping link (or your Linktree if you prefer.)
3. Add a description and customize the web address to something that’s easy to remember and tell people. Instead of http://www.facebook.com/groups/9287593028573930 (or whatever random number is assigned) you can make it http://www.facebook.com/groups/amysnailbar.

Step 5: Schedule your posts.

If there’s one step you shouldn’t skip, it’s this one. I always schedule my posts in advance. Life sometimes happens, and there’s nothing worse than having people in a party with nothing going on! If you don’t have time to schedule the full party, at least schedule 1-2 days in advance so you can stay ahead of it.

Since I use a 5-6 day format, here’s what I normally do:

Sunday (invitation day)

• Welcome/Introduction: I often make this a prize post. I introduce myself and share a picture of my family. I offer points or a prize to guests to do the same. (And of course, encourage my host to do it as well!)
• Offer two-finger testers.

Monday (Day 1)

• What is Color Street?
• Tokyo Lights (nailfies and intro)
• Solids (nailfies w/ question or call to action)
• Roll Call (usually another prize post): How do you know the host?

Tuesday (Day 2)

• Application Video
• Price (question or guessing game about the cost of a salon mani/pedi)
• Glitters (nailfies w/ question or CTA)

Wednesday (Day 3)

• Early Bird Special (if you offer one)
• Pinned shopping post: I have a “shopping link” graphic that I set as an announcement that includes the host’s shopping link or my Linktree link.
• New stylist welcome kit: I talk a little bit about why I’m a stylist and what a great product our welcome kit is.
• Any holiday or seasonal sets that are available (nailfies w/ question or CTA)
• Game: scrabble, guess how many nails, find the hidden nails, scavenger hunt, etc.

Thursday (Day 4)

• Nail Art Designs (nailfies w/ question or CTA)
• Pedicures (nailfies w/ question or CTA)
• Party Reminder

Friday (Day 5)

• Party Day
• One Hour Reminder
• How to remove Color Street
• Game Night or Girl’s Night In (one hour, posts scheduled 5 minutes apart)
  • Party Intro/Points
  • A longer game like the ABC game, pillow fight, Gif UNO, etc.
  • This or That (usually six different posts)
  • Short game (predictive text, funny name, hidden nails, guess how many nails, trivia, etc.)
  • Another short game
  • Party booking game
  • Ask a question about being a stylist
  • Party host
  • Join my VIP
  • Thank you/Party extended

Saturday (Wrap Up)

• Announce all winners

Step 6: Coaching your host

We are here to help our hosts be successful. And to me, success is made up of two components: the host having a qualifying party and earning rewards AND the host and their guests having fun! In the days leading up to the party, I’m sure to talk to them about several different things to help make them successful.

• Personal invitations. Do not “mass invite” and just add people to the group! We want friends who WANT to be there and play along!
• Help your hosts think outside the box and invite a diverse group of guests. You can use the “FRANKS” method to help them!
• Timeline – reconfirm the dates and the date/time of your game night to be sure your host can participate.
• Posting to their personal wall. (This is after they say they’ve invited everyone they plan to.)
• Encourage your host to post a nailfie – preferrably one of them that includes their face and their amazing nails, but if not, you can send them one of their favorite sets!
• Hostess bingo – again, this will be a whole unique post on it’s own, but this is just a fun way to encourage your host to do all the different things that can make their party successful.
• Follow up – encourage your host to thank everyone for coming and see if they have any questions at the end of the party.
• Party close out – make sure your host knows how to redeem their rewards (and also that they do so before they expire!)

Step 7: Follow Up

Follow up is the key to any successful party. Here are the most important things to do you as you follow up.

• Send a friend request to every guest. (I prefer to do this as soon as the guests join; that makes them more likely to see my posts!) I also try to send a welcome PM (private message) for the same reason. But if you missed someone, friend them at the end of the party! Better late than never!
• Thank them for coming and supporting the host. If they booked a party or placed an order, be sure to thank them for that.
• If they participated and seemed to have fun, invite them to learn more about the business opportunity!
  • If they accept, invite them to your team’s considering group if they have one. If they don’t have one, offer to set up a time to chat with them and answer any questions they have.
  • If they decline, invite them to host their own party.
• If they haven’t ordered, offer any assistance in placing an order. I usually keep this simple: “Thank you so much for coming to Amy’s nail bar this week. We really appreciate it! I’ll be tallying up all the points and doing the prize drawings today. Can I help you with an order before we wrap up?”
• If they didn’t join during game night, invite them to join your VIP group. Again, keep it simple! “I’d love to stay in touch. Can I send you an invite to my VIP group?”

The first time you look at these steps on paper, it LOOKS like a lot. But like anything, the more you do something, the easier it gets. I started by writing down the post topics on a piece of paper. Then I moved to a spreadsheet. Then I had done so many I didn’t really need to have anything written down. Now I’m transitioning to using Cinchshare that schedules your posts all at once. So just keep doing it, and it gets easier, and faster, and you’ll find ways to make it your own. And if you are including these seven steps, they will help you (and your host) have a successful party!

I’ve created a free Trello template that you can copy and use that includes a checklist for planning the party, coaching your host, and scheduling your posts!

Check it out here:

If you have any questions, please drop them in the comments! I’d also love to hear what YOU do to make your Facebook parties successful, so let us know!