Events!As important as it is to get social on social media, it’s more important to plan and schedule an in-person business launch within a month of joining as a Market Partner.Yes, social media IS a huge factor in business success, and I’ll preach this to my dying days. But more importantly is genuine connection. Creating, cultivating, and maintaining quality face-to-face team building, trouble shooting, community and support. Events. There are probably a million and one ways to schedule and execute events. For lack of time and energy, I’m going to refer you back to the Hustle & Heart group to search “events” in the search tab to see hundreds of ways men and women on our team have done launch and team events. For this document, I’m just going to give you a few of my favorite ideas! Take bits and pieces, give each event your own flair and authenticity, but do it. Get out there. Schedule that event and make connections. Network. NETWORK for crying out loud! Ha! Ya know—it’s the job. Let’s not get so weird because social media is safe that we can’t smile at a person in real life and spend an hour or two getting to know them, mmkay?Event ideas:1.   Standing invitation eventsThe first Wednesday of every month I go to a local coffee shop in town, and any MP from any team is welcome to join. We chat life and business and trouble shooting and content and hair and spend a few hours drinking coffee, encouraging each other, and laughing a lot. This has been the single most successful event I’ve ever put on. It’s an open door policy and builds community so well. I encourage all MPs to offer this in their area.2.   Small business support eventsCheck out small businesses in your area that allow private shopping or events. They honestly don’t even have to be private if that’s not in your budget at this point. But think about this for a minute—what do you want someone’s FIRST impression of Monat to be? I want it to be a group of rad men and women who love gathering together to have fun while supporting another small business in the area. If you haven’t scheduled a launch event, I encourage everyone to start by checking out the local businesses in you area that you can support while you’re asking friends and family to come support you and your small business!3.   At home hangs!Open door at your casa, friends! Reach out on social media or in person and invite friends, family, moms, other business owners, whoever you want to enjoy some good food, good drinks, and community. Bring the kids! Don’t bring the kids! It’s simply a way to get out from behind the computer and the phone and actually connect with people like in the olden days, ya know? It can be casual! Pajamas! Order pizza! No pressure! Just hangs. 4.   Virtual partiesMaybe not the most successful because it’s the easiest to opt out of for potential MPs or customers, but if you’re dipping your toe into events and just cannot physically stomach hosting an in person event just yet, this is better than doing nothing. Create an event or a page on FB and invite friends, family, acquaintances, and make it quick and easy.  Post “build up” content (product spotlights, fun facts about you and/or the company, hair tutorials, makeup tutorials, etc) in the week prior to your event and then on the actual night of the event, go live! Share your why. Share your reasons for building this business. Tell those in attendance “this company, this personal choice is so very important to me, and you are so very important to me, so I wanted to share this exciting career path with those I love. Your live video can be as short as 10 minutes! Then, offer to create a mix and match for those wanting to sign up, offer a dinner date to anyone who joins as a market partner to link arms and business launch together, etc. 5.   1:1 “out of love” date night. I call this the “itty bitty launch.” Prior to this event, you have to have a purpose, a plan, and a list. Let’s say you don’t want to do a “come one, come all” event, but you have a few friends/family members in mind that you would absolutely LOVE to do this business with. You’re going to think about that person, their talents, their gifts, their motive, their reasons for possibly wanting to join you in this business venture—to, in essence, partner with you. And then you’re going to reach out to them and ask them to dinner. On you. You’re dating your friend, sharing with them (completely out of love and not pressure or obligation), that you love this company, and you would love even more if you guys could work together. Lead with their strengths, not yours. Their reasons maybe why this would be a good fit, not how it would benefit you. This is a partnership, and you want to be careful with who you woo. Do it for the right reasons, and pour love and support into this person. And maybe, just maybe, the two of you can take on the world together, baby!6.   Stylist Wash PartayyyyyIf you’re a hair stylist, this is your game. Your platform. You own this space! More than any of us! Do free blow outs in your salon! Have food, coffee, wine, tunes, share what you love about Monat while you’re washing and blowing out—you can even sign them as VIPs right there while they’re in your chair! This business is SO GOOD for you and your clients. You should be doing events all the time! Share that Monat love!         More Event Ideas!Coffee house meet upWine down WednesdayIG live or FB liveCreate a FB group for your eventGiveaways!FB or IG postDinner partyCrock pot nightStylists? Do a free blow out event at your salon!Link up with other MPs in your area and host an event together.VIP appreciation night!Rent a space for a DIY night and add Monat to the mixHair tutorial on IG, Facebook, YoutubeMimosa BrunchDream board makingRandom acts of kindnessSample night!Porch partyThe magic to events? It’s simply creating a safe, fun place where people can feel included and a part of a community. You don’t have to do a business “pitch” per se, it’s more about creating community in your area.