Last updated: September 25, 2024
Do you have a big party coming up soon? You can do these three things to make any party better for you and for your guests:
I’ll review each of these things and tell you exactly how to do them. When you use them, your party will have more new connections, more conversations, and your guests will see you as an excellent host.
Warning: If your party is only a few days away, be careful about adding too much structure and surprises. Come back to my party planning handbook later. For now, just use these simple edits to upgrade your event.
A Note from The Author (Nick Gray)
You’re doing it! This will be fun.
My big goal in writing this book and these articles is to get 500 people to host their own party and tell me about it.
You can see my current list and count at www.party.pro/hosts/
Send me an email or text me with your party date.
Email to [email protected] or text me at +1-917-635-9967
I reply to every message, usually quick. And I’ll give you a few bonus tips and tricks or answer any questions.
Send me a note now. Email to [email protected] or text me at +1-917-635-9967
Name tags
Using name tags is the single best piece of advice to upgrade your party. Guests will talk to more people, feel more comfortable, and you’ll be seen as a more organized host when you use name tags.
Review this article or Chapter 5 in my book about the How and Why and Best Practices for using name tags:
How to properly use name tags
Buy a package of 50 name tags and at least 2 thick markers (such as the popular Sharpie brand). Write the first names of your guests when they arrive, and ensure that everyone wears a name tag.
- Buy these name tags on Amazon, or see my supplies checklist.
- Icebreakers on Name Tags: How to do it RIGHT
Reminder messages
There’s a lot to say here about Reminders, but I’ll start with this:
Err on the side of sending more, not fewer, reminder messages about your upcoming party.
In my many years of hosting parties, for hundreds if not thousands of people, I’ve never once received a complaint about sending too many reminder messages.
I’ve written an entire article about reminder messages, and a whole chapter in my book:
- Send your 1st reminder message 1 week before your party.
- Send your 2nd reminder message 3-4 days before your party.
- Send your 3rd and final reminder message on the morning of your party.
Guest Bios
Include a brief shoutout to several of the guests attending your party in your 2nd and 3rd reminder message. Guest Bios are like my secret weapon. They’ll encourage more people to show up, give confidence to introverts, and get people excited for your party.
Conclusion
Using name tags, guest bios, and sending reminder messages will make your party better. Guests will have more new conversations – and that’s the whole point of a party. People like to meet new people. And everyone can use to make a new friend.
See the advice that I gave Cathy, here, about how to improve her upcoming party.
