Private functions can be a solid income generator, if planned out correctly. You have the chance to design and manage every single aspect, receive a guaranteed income for the event and give your customers an unforgettable experience.
The benefits in establishing your venue as the ‘ideal place’ for functions are numerous. You know exactly how many guests to expect, the catering that’s required, drink preferences and staffing levels.
In comparison it’s much easier to manage than say a Friday evening, where you don’t know how many customers will visit your venue, what type of drinks they’ll order or even how long they’ll stay.
Basically, taking private bookings removes all the guess work and allows you to plan with a huge amount of accuracy.
There are some basic services that you’ll need to have in place in order to impress your audience and, build a good reputation as the venue to use.
You’ll need a space that can be separated from the public and should have a private bar or service area. The space should be well-maintained with plenty of staff on hand, so that customers feel taken care of.
Invest in a PA system and AV equipment/setup or, source a supplier that hires out exactly what you need.
If you have the resource, employ an events co-ordinator whose focus is promoting, booking and managing every event. If you’re not a large enough venue to justify this, make a member of staff responsible and provide them with all the training and internal support that they’ll need.
Keep on top of the admin involved and create an enquiry form, so that the member of staff responsible can gather all the information required, without the worry of forgetting to ask something critical. The customer must be made to feel valued and that their requests are important to you.
Offer food and drinks packages so that you can plan down to the finest detail and reduce serving times.
If you offer cocktails as part of a drinks package, you can take care of the small and important, yet time consuming activities in advance, such as preparing garnishes or pre-make as much of the cocktail as you can. Remember that the art of cocktail making isn’t just the flavour, it’s the performance, so keep some theatrics for your audience.
Every person who attends a private function at your venue, could potentially book their own private event with you. Make sure that you set out to impress and the bookings, your reputation and your revenue will grow.
Key Brand Associates can work with you to develop your venue, improve your profits and make you stand out from your competitors. Get in touch for more information.