First of all I want to mention that SUCCESS can be defined in many ways.  A successful open house is one that helps to build your business.  Sales are nice, bookings are very nice, recruits are super nice, but the main thing you'll be getting from your open house is an open line of communication about your business to many people you may not have started that communication with!

Make a BIG list of everyone they can think of that has children, buys for children, or works with children.  As with any home show you host, you'll want to invite people at least twice - once with an invitation and at least once by phone.  Look at WHY you're holding an open house.  Are you getting started in your Usborne business and want people to know about it?  Then it's very important to not just send them an invitation but also CALL them or better yet talk with them in person and share your enthusiasm about the books.  Tell them how much their little Susie would love the horse books, how much Calvin would enjoy the puzzle books - use their children's names and interests, if you can.

Some people find that the words "OPEN HOUSE" aren't as effective as calling it something else.  How about calling it an Usborne Books Showing, Usborne Books Extravaganza, Usborne Books Grand Opening, etc... Be creative - make people think about what you're doing.

Inviting People

This is where you want to concentrate your energy and time!  You need to not only send them an invitation but CALL THEM!!!!  Make your reminder calls the day before your big event!  98% of the people you invited put the invitation in their mail pile and more mail went on top - it's not even written down on their calendar!  When they saw the invitation they thought it was interesting and thought maybe they'd go, but it didn't go any further than that!  You need to make that reminder call - that's the most important thing you'll do for the success of your event!  It's more important than having another snack, because if you have no one show up they won't be eating snacks anyway!  

If they can't attend the event, then go see them with your books - the ultimate goal is to build your business, right?  So, let them see the books - they'll want to book a show!  Be sure to let people know that they could do this too.  Most people don't realize that they could do what you're doing - invite them.  If you bake cookies and only rave about how wonderful they are, people would feel bad that you didn't offer them any.  Make sure you offer your cookies (Usborne opportunity) to everyone!

OK, now....let's say that not everyone you invited was able to come and you didn't call all of them.....

On the success of your open house...you're not done! Now you have a great reason to call all the people who didn't attend and say (with pauses):
"I'm so sorry you couldn't make it to my big open house over the weekend - I just wanted to let you know that because of the tremendous success I'm extending it so you can come by during the next few days!!!"

"Usborne Books are just incredible and they may just change the lives of your kids. You really need to see them. If you can't make it over then I could come by with some books to show you!" 

"You know we do home shows also, you can get LOTS of free and deeply discounted books for Susie and Tyler! I'm booking for early November right now. Which night of the week is generally better for you?" 

"HEY...I have Tuesday the 5th open! Would you like for me to grab that day for you? 7pm? Great! I'll run a hostess packet over today so you can get started sharing this exciting news with others!"

Open houses do a lot more than provide you with sales from the night/day of the event, they provide you with communication with all those folks that you invited. You've started the communication and now it's up to you to follow up with each person and make the most of it! Your whole business could blossom from your open house - get on the phone and let folks know.