Think Customers: The 1to1 Blog

Most prospective party hosts sign up on the site with the hope of being selected to host a party (I wonder how disappointing it is to not get selected, since House Party encourages people to start inviting guests before their host status is confirmed); I got assigned one: Margaritaville Cargo.

I jumped in, inviting people via the automated House Party tool, blogging on my own party page, as well as the Margaritaville main party page, and posting goofy preparty photos. I was surprised to find that: 1) I was having fun; and 2) I was learning from the other party hosts, getting ideas for recipes, decorations, where to find party goods, and more.

Sponsor provides goodies for the party; the point of the parties is to build affinity for their products. In the case of Margaritaville, the goodies included its Frozen Concoction Maker, carrying case, and assorted accessories—and, of course, leis. Following House Party’s encouragement to play out the party theme, I purchased tropical decorations and served treats like paella, macadamia nuts, fried plantains, etc. Of course, the bar was stocked with fixins for a variety of frozen drinks, including piňa coladas, dacquiris, and mango, strawberry, and regular margaritas.

I recorded and posted to my party site a preparty video, just prior to my guests arriving. That’s were my online participation flagged. Hosting the party kept me too busy to take photos. I should have made it a point to make the rounds with the camera, but I was focused on “guest satisfaction.” However, I did post to both party blogs after the party, participated in the postevent survey, and emailed the guest survey link to most of my guests.

Although my online participation wasn’t as high as some other hosts, I have told lots of people about the party and the Frozen Concoction Maker. So all in all, I’d have to rate myself a 6 out of 10 on “customer as marketer” value scale. Will any of my guests ultimately buy the drink maker? Maybe one or two (one friend emailed last week to say she’s planning to get one). But most likely I’ll be everyone’s new favorite party guest, with my Frozen Concoction Maker in tow. Of course, for Margaritaville, that extra exposure is a good thing, as my friends’ extended networks are potential buyers, after all.

Full disclosure: Yes, I got to keep the Frozen Concoction Maker ($249 retail value), but I spent nearly $600 of my own money to host the party and have an opportunity to write about the experience firsthand. Still, I wrestle daily (really, because I see the drink maker every time I open my pantry) about whether to have everyone back and give away the Frozen Concoction Maker as a prize for a scavenger hunt that ends in one person finding the “lost shaker of salt.”