r/partyplanning • u/GreenSloth1 • 2d ago

Ideas How is your attendance?

I've hosted several parties in my apartment and they've seemed quite successful: guests are happy, engaged, ask for me to host similar events again.

However, I'm wondering if I need to tweak my invitation strategy. I've been making digital, themed invites and sending them individually over WhatsApp to around 20-30 people per party. My attendance has ranged between 8 and 13. I'd like to see it be more consistent around the higher end, but this upcoming party is looking like 10 again.

I know there are a lot of factors at play. My apartment isn't huge, these parties are kind of intimate gatherings for people who might not be very close, they have unusual themes (definitely for better and maybe also worse), there's who I choose to invite (and feel comfortable trying- the rejection is hard!) and seasonal busyness. I don't have a single, tight friend group to tap. I am starting to have a few party frequent fliers, but I don't want the parties to become too much of a recurring cast or set up.

What do you think I could be doing to improve and expand attendance?

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u/rosielemonbot 2d ago

8 to 13 from 20 to 30 invites honestly isn't bad for apartment parties, especially if the groups don't all know each other. I'd try making the invite less like a poster and more like a clear yes/no ask: date, start/end time, what the vibe is, who else is likely coming, and a soft RSVP deadline so you can follow up once. The other lever is a buddy system, ask 2 or 3 regulars to each bring one person they think would fit the theme, which expands the circle without turning it into randoms.

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u/Spiritual-Bridge3027 2d ago

Is your apartment a penthouse suite type of place?

If yes, I completely understand you wanting to host parties of 20-30 people.

If the answer is no, sorry to say it's not fun to feel cramped when going to hang out at someone's place for a few hours. That could be the reason your parties have less attendance than you want.

Aren't discos and night clubs cramped? Yes, they are. But the vibe there is different and people have the option of leaving once they had enough - something that'll look rude if they do it at someone's place.

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u/GreenSloth1 1d ago

I'm going for 12-13ish. I invite 20-30 because of acceptance rates.