Your open house invitation is the "hook" that "lands" your guests.
If your invitation doesn't entice your guests to come to the event, it doesn't matter if you plan the perfect party. So, if you're hosting an open house, whether it's for your new business or your child's high school graduation, you need to start with good invitations. With desktop publishing, creating your own open house invitations is a simple and straightforward process. However, remember to follow the rules of invitation etiquette. Does this Spark an idea?
Party Information
First, consider all the pertinent information about your open house. If the invitation doesn't contain all the facts, then it won't matter how attractive it is. Think "who," "what," "when," and "where." For instance, you're inviting John Smith (who) to your open house party (what), which takes place on August 3 from 4 p.m. until 11 p.m. (when), at 115 Beach Lane (where). To help your guests, include a map of the party's location along with directions.
Layout
The layout is the organization of the information on your invitation. For instance, you can center all of your text and provide all your information in a solid, block paragraph. Alternatively, write a few sentences at the top of the invitation and divide the rest of the information into two columns. The left-hand column contains the who, what, when and where, while the right column provides the answers with the label like the table of contents in a book. You can download a variety of free invitation layouts and templates from Microsoft Office.
Aesthetics and Language
Sometimes how you say something is just as important as what you say. Match the tone of your invitation to the tone that you want your party to have. For instance, if you want a loose and relaxed atmosphere at your open house, don't use formal language. Additionally, make your tone match the appearance of your invitation. Using colored paper and playful fonts is an indication of a more casual atmosphere. Just remember to not overdo it. Neon colors can be glaring, and if the font is hard to read, consider a typeface that more clearly delivers your message.
Paper
The paper your invitations are printed on says something about the event and adds to the overall appearance. Printing on standard computer paper, while it will gets your message across, can make your open house look low-budget. Card stock makes the invitation look more official; if your home printer can't handle it, get the invitations printed professionally. White is always acceptable, although light colors are also acceptable for most open house invitations. If darker or more vibrant colors fit your party's theme -- such as school colors for a graduation party -- don't be afraid to use them.
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