Thanks so much for sharing your enthusiasm for 
open houses. Here’s where I first talked about how to host an open house. And, here’s a few more things you need to consider when hosting an open house for your private practice . . . .
Who to Invite – With the exception of clients (past and present), invite everyone! And, by that I mean invite everyone you know in your professional capacity as a mental health professional – referral sources, potential referral sources, colleagues, etc.. And, don’t stop there! Make sure your invitation encourages your invited guests to bring a guest or two. The more . . . the merrier! After all, you want to meet new people and spread the news about your amazing work! If there are community leaders or other individuals that you don’t know but would like to know, send them invitations, too! This is not the time to be shy. Your open house has the potential to position you and your practice as a valuable resource in your community.
Purpose – The purpose of hosting an open house is to introduce or re-introduce your practice to the community. That means that it’s important to have information about your practice available for your guests – business cards, information sheets / brochures, etc. Make sure that everyone has easy access to these materials by either placing them on a highly visible table or counter or, better yet, send everyone home with a goodie bag that has all of your info included!
Your the Host – That’s your job – to be the host. That means you aren’t supposed to be bothering with housekeeping, replenishing food, or answering the phone. Instead, you are supposed to be greeting your guests, mingling (Don’t get hung up talking with your best friend), and helping your guests feel comfortable. Plan ahead of time on introducing your guests to each other and making sure no one is left feeling like a left out.
Enlist Your Friends – Friends are often willing to help you out by being on assignment to put out fires, re-fill food trays (unless you are having it catered), answer phones (or, better yet, have the phones forwarded to an answering service), and passing out goodie bags. And, if your friends aren’t available to cover all of these tasks, hire a few high school kids to do them.
Flowers – OK, so I’ll admit it . . . I forgot to include this in my previous post on hosting an open house. But, in my opinion, it’s important enough that I wanted to include it here. You are, in essence, hosting a party and celebration of sorts. This is the time to “put on the dawg” as my mother would say. Go to the trouble and expense to buy a few posies to set around your office. It freshens things up and puts people on notice that this is a really big deal!
Guest Book – Consider setting out a guest book and nice pen at the entry of your office. Encourage guests to sign in and leave comments. It’s a great way to commemorate your big day and to collect unsolicited testimonials and compliments (to later use in your marketing efforts or boost you ego on really difficult days).
Door Prizes – Allow guests to drop a business card into a fishbowl in exchange for a chance to win a door prize during your open house. It allows you to be a generous and gracious host. It also allows you to expand your address book and resources by providing you with immediate contact info for individuals that attended your fete.
OK, I think that’s it! I hope this helps you throw a fabulous open house! (And, don’t forget to send me an invitation . . . please.)
Hello! Thanks for the wonderful article.
As far as invites are concerned, how do you send these out?
I made flyers to leave with businesses, but I did not want the add the expense of physically mailing them.
Would faxes be acceptable for other medical offices that I wish to establish contact with?
Thanks in advance!