The date is set. The venue is booked. Now, your event marketing begins. Getting people to show up can be the hardest part of the event planning process, but with the right event marketing strategies, you’ll create an unforgettable experience for your guests and clients.
Beginning your campaign by sending emails and promoting on social media is a good start, but for a successful event, you'll need a more comprehensive plan. We’ve gathered some simple event marketing strategies for a successful campaign on the most effective way to market and promote your event.
The first step in advertising your event is identifying your targeted audience before sending out any campaign messages. If you have had similar events in the past, evaluate if your attendees were the right audience and examine where there are areas for improvement. This can help you better understand who your audience is and what the best ways to reach them are.
If you haven’t already, the next step is to set up your events budget. If you’ve previously hosted events, we’ll help you evaluate previous budgets to help you accurately determine one for your next event. When creating your budget, you should include:
Once we’ve decided on an event budget, keep your budget in mind throughout the campaign to ensure you do not exceed it. It’s wise to keep an additional 5-10% of your budget for any unexpected situations that may arise.
Our experienced event planners can assist in identifying your target audience and implementing the most effective marketing strategies tailored to them.
An event timeline is especially beneficial when you have a list of tasks to complete as the event approaches. We recommend starting at least six months out so you have plenty of time to research and create a strong event marketing campaign. Your timeline should be from start to finish and include your deadlines, budget, tasks, and contacts for suppliers and the venue.
As an experienced event marketing agency with innovative account managers who provide comprehensive marketing timelines and plans, we’ve found that breaking your timeline into three sections will help simplify what needs to be done and at what point.
Where will you direct your audience in your promotions and messaging? Creating a website or landing page is an essential part of the promotion process because it is where your audience will find more information about your event and ultimately sign up to attend. Your page should be simple and easy to navigate. If there is an overload of information, your audience might feel overwhelmed. Include one specific call to action, such as "register now" or "become a sponsor," to guide your audience in the right direction. Our experienced web designers can help create stunning landing pages that build and enhance your event promotion campaign, and boost your event marketing campaign.
A great low-cost event marketing tactic is leveraging social media platforms, such as posting event information and teasers to capture your audience’s attention and drive traffic to your website. Choosing the right social media platforms is crucial for reaching your target audience, so research the social media channels your users are most likely to use. Create content geared toward your target audience and focus on posting to social platforms your target audience uses. Another helpful tool to leverage is the power of a hashtag. Creating an event hashtag allows your followers to find information, share, and follow the event.
If your budget allows, paid digital campaigns are also an effective way to promote your event. Posting paid ads on your targeted platforms is a good start, but you should also consider investing in retargeting, pay-per-click, and display ads. Cork Tree Creative’s social media team is well-versed in all areas of social media advertising and stays up to date with the latest tricks and trends. To maximize the impact of your paid digital advertising, our team will monitor your performance closely and adjust throughout the campaign.
Event press releases are one of the best event marketing strategies. They spread your event details to potential attendees in your local communities. Research journalists, outlets, and bloggers relevant to your event before determining who you will distribute your press releases to. A strong press release will drive attention to your event and must include:
Our team of public relations experts is skilled in strategic messaging and pitching to inform the public of ways to support your upcoming event. Build your event's credibility and trust with current and potential attendees in your area.
Listing your event and linking your site to multiple online directories builds credibility amongst your audience and on Google. Posting to online directories will also help you reach a wider audience and gather positive media attention for your event. Advertising on online directories is another area our public relations team uses to establish your event and help garner attendees for your event in a short amount of time.
The best online directories to post your event to are:
Working with an event marketing agency has many benefits, including their expertise from the years of experience under their belt. Our team of innovative strategists has years of experience in strategic event marketing and management. Cork Tree Creative acts as an extension of your team, helping you identify areas of improvement and understand the nitty-gritty details that go into promoting a memorable event. As an event marketer, you have all the skills to promote your next big function. The only thing you’re missing now is an agency to help guide your audience to the doors of your event. Contact us today, and watch your successful event pan out.
Cork Tree Creative is proud to announce its recent certification as a StoryBrand-certified marketing agency. This prestigious recognition positions Cork Tree Creative at the forefront of marketing agencies dedicated to helping businesses clarify their messaging and connect more effectively with their target audiences.
The StoryBrand framework, created by renowned author and marketing expert Donald Miller, is a proven method for helping businesses craft clear, compelling, and customer-centric messages. By becoming StoryBrand-certified, Cork Tree Creative joins an elite group of agencies that have mastered this transformative approach to communication.
"We are thrilled to bring the StoryBrand framework to the Metro St. Louis region," said Laura Reed, co-owner of Cork Tree Creative. "Our team is passionate about helping businesses succeed, and this certification allows us to offer an even higher level of marketing services to our clients.”
In today’s competitive marketplace, clear and effective communication is more critical than ever. Many businesses struggle to articulate their value propositions in a way that resonates with their audience, leading to missed opportunities and stagnant growth. With the StoryBrand certification, Cork Tree Creative is uniquely equipped to address this challenge.
“We work directly with chief marketing officers to help them elevate their marketing program by serving as an extension of their team,” added Jan Carpenter, co-owner of Cork Tree Creative. "By clarifying their messaging, they can enhance their results, achieve marketing objectives, and leave a lasting impact on leadership.”
Local businesses in the Metro St. Louis region can now leverage Cork Tree Creative's expertise to clarify their messaging, connect with customers, and improve marketing effectiveness. For more information about Cork Tree Creative, visit corktreecreative.com. To speak to a StoryBrand certified guide to learn more about StoryBrand and how it can help your business grow, get in touch with our team.
Influencer marketing tactics utilize a digital creator’s audience, credibility, and ability to persuade their audience. Social media influencer marketing helps brands promote their products, services, or campaigns and is generally used when you have a specific call to action. We understand how stressful placing your brand's campaign message in an influencer's hands is, especially if you choose the wrong one. However, as a marketing agency, we’re here to help you, making influencer marketing a breeze.
Influencer marketing has grown exponentially in the past few years and will continue to grow. According to Matter, 69% of people are more likely to purchase something a friend, family member, or influencer recommends over the actual brand. Influencers are changing the game of social media marketing. At Cork Tree Creative, we stay up to date with all the latest social media trends, so we’re sharing the best tips and tricks for leveraging social media influencers.
Collaborating with an influencer with thousands or millions of followers means you can promote your product or service to a diverse audience that may not already follow you. Your chosen influencer’s followers are likely to read about, click, or, even better, buy your brand's product or service through their videos or images.
Some of the primary benefits of influencer marketing include:
With the digital world constantly evolving, we understand how overwhelming it can be to choose the right influencer to represent your brand. You want your influencer’s content to reach your campaign goal and their followers to resemble your target audience. There are three main types of influencer marketing: Content Creators, Influencers, and UGC Creators.
If you’re not sure which type of influencer is right for your campaign goal, another way to choose an influencer is to determine the platform on which you want to promote your brand. Online platform influencers can help improve your content by creating sponsored posts, affiliate giveaways, brand ambassadors, and product collaborations.
The five leading types of platform influencers are:
The first thing to consider when determining whether to use business-to-consumer (B2C) or business-to-business (B2B) influencer marketing is your target audience. If your goal is to reach other businesses, then B2B influencer marketing is for you. If you want to connect directly with consumers, you should utilize B2C influencers. B2B influencers consist of industry professionals and experts, and their content is more educational to generate leads and spread brand awareness. On the other hand, B2C uses social media influencers who create more entertaining content, such as engaging marketing videos, and help you reach new market audiences and sell your product or services.
Types of B2B Industry Influencers:
Types of B2C Industry Influencers:
There’s influencer marketing available for every industry, so it’s important to find an influencer unique to your brand's industry. As experts in social media marketing, if you’re debating if an influencer is the right one for your business, we recommend imagining your influencer's followers as potential clients. Would they buy your product or keep scrolling because it’s irrelevant to them? Partnering with the right social media influencer will increase your brand awareness and reach more highly engaged niche clients. Social media influencers' ability to sway their follower's opinions and purchasing decisions makes for the ideal collaboration.
Examples of influencer campaigns include:
Influencers have forever reshaped the way social media marketing works. Their authentic connection with their followers has opened the door for brands to connect directly with their consumers and broaden their organic reach. At Cork Tree Creative, we are a team of established individuals who know when to utilize influencer marketing appropriately. We have the connections to help you choose the perfect social media influencer for your specific market needs. If you need influencer outreach services in the St. Louis area, contact us today, and let us help you reach the perfect influencer for your brand!
Google processes approximately 8.5 billion searches per day, which translates to about 5.9 million searches every minute or around 99,000 search queries per second. On average, a person conducts between three and four searches daily. At least, that's what Google's very own artificial intelligence (AI) Search Generative Experience (SGE) has to say about the topic.
Knowing what’s going on with Google and other search engines is essential because it affects how your business or product appears to users. Recently, if you’ve used Google, you might have noticed this new AI feature at the top of your search results. Also known as Gemini, Google claims the SGE feature "takes care of the legwork" for researching, planning, and brainstorming.
SGE is a significant innovation for both Google and its users, but what exactly is it? And, like any technological advancement, does it come with any potential drawbacks? As a business owner, it is imperative to understand the changes occurring in search engines, as they may affect how users interact with your website. Learn more about Google's Search Generative Experience (SGE) and explore how it may impact users and brands alike.
Google's SGE is a form of generative AI—an algorithm designed to create content such as text, images, audio, and code. The primary objective of this experimental AI is to provide users with quick, concise overviews and answers to their search queries without necessitating clicks on individual web pages.
The Search Generative Experience is designed to assist with tasks such as:
For instance, if you search for "how to wash your dishes," the feature might present a clear, step-by-step guide right at the top of your search results, as demonstrated by the screenshot below.
Google's Search Generative Experience is set to transform the landscape of online search, redefining how we discover and engage with information. This innovative feature offers a range of significant benefits that enhance user experience and efficiency:
Despite its benefits, SGE also comes with some potential drawbacks. While search engines aim to provide accurate information, AI can sometimes:
Instances of misinformation have been shared on platforms like Reddit, Twitter (now X), and TikTok, where users reported receiving bizarre or incorrect answers from SGE.
For example, one user reported that an AI-generated answer to the question "Cheese not sticking to pizza" suggested adding non-toxic glue to the sauce—a recommendation traced back to a Reddit thread from 11 years ago. Another user shared that the AI suggested eating "at least one small rock a day." One potential reason for this is that in February 2024, Reddit reported a $60 million data deal with Google, granting Google access to Reddit's data and forums. Reddit has extensive expertise and experience.
These examples highlight the potential danger of unregulated AI-generated answers and the risk of spreading misinformation.
The introduction of SGE has raised concerns among search engine optimization experts about a decline in website traffic. With AI summaries providing immediate answers, users might be less inclined to click through to individual websites.
However, Google argues that while AI Overview offers initial information, users will likely continue their research, using web content as a “jumping-off point.”
The long-term impact of the Search Generative Experience on SEO remains to be seen, but as Google continues to update and refine this feature, its effects will become clearer.
Despite changes in Google's search landscape, search engine optimization (SEO) remains crucial for businesses looking to rank well on search engines such as Google. With ever-changing search trends like Search Generative Experience, it is imperative for your content to be in trusted hands. At Cork Tree Creative, we stay at the forefront of SEO trends and translate these insights into the websites and content we create. Contact our SEO experts today to learn how we can improve your website’s optimization to stay ahead in this evolving digital landscape.
Cork Tree Creative made waves at the 2024 Midwest Digital Marketing Conference (MDMC) in St. Louis, Missouri. On May 13, Sue Webb and Jeffery Scott Haley from Cork Tree Creative captivated the audience with their insightful presentation on Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
Taking center stage at MDMC, Cork Tree's Strategist Sue Webb and SEO Manager Scott Haley shared the impressive strategies they implemented to move their client's website to the top of search rankings. Their efforts resulted in a staggering 27,000% increase in organic leads, even within a competitive market. The session was a highlight of the conference, drawing hundreds of attendees eager to learn from leading experts about the latest trends and opportunities in digital marketing.
Sue Webb, Director of Strategy at Cork Tree Creative, expressed her gratitude for the platform provided by MDMC. "We're thankful for the opportunity to speak at the 2024 Midwest Digital Marketing Conference, where we could share SEO strategies to help boost businesses’ online presence and drive high-quality leads. At Cork Tree Creative, we're dedicated to helping St. Louis businesses thrive digitally,” she remarked.
With over 25 years of experience, Webb is a highly sought-after public speaker and a seasoned senior marketing strategist. Her expertise lies in understanding clients' overall business operations and partnering with them to grow their brands through meticulous research, analytics, and practical insights.
Scott Haley also brought his wealth of knowledge to the presentation. Specializing in team management, keyword research, content strategy, and SEO, Haley has a knack for turning client challenges into opportunities for growth. His skills in management and organization play a pivotal role in Cork Tree Creative's success in boosting its clients' online visibility.
If you're ready to take your brand's digital presence to the next level, Cork Tree Creative is here to help. Discover our innovative SEO strategies and see how they can boost your business online.
At Cork Tree Creative, we believe in the power of compelling visuals and storytelling to elevate brands and captivate audiences. So, we are proud to announce that we have received two prestigious 2024 Communicator Awards for our outstanding graphic design and videography work.
Our team’s talent and commitment have shone through, earning us accolades in two highly competitive categories on an international stage. Our white paper design for the API Innovation Center has won the Excellence 2024 award for Brochure or Pamphlet, and our branding video for Metro East Industries, Inc. has received the Distinction 2024 award for General Business-to-Business. These awards are a testament to our team's creativity, innovation, and expertise.
Creating a white paper that stands out involves more than just compelling content; it requires a visually engaging design that guides the reader through complex information with ease. Our award-winning white paper for the API Innovation Center embodies this balance perfectly. Winning the Excellence 2024 award for Brochure or Pamphlet, this project exemplifies our ability to merge clear, concise graphic design with innovative aesthetics.
Videography is a powerful tool for storytelling, and our branding video for Metro East Industries, Inc. is a prime example of how visuals can convey a brand’s message. Receiving the Distinction 2024 award for General Business-to-Business, this video captures the essence of Metro East Industries, Inc., a railcar repair contractor, highlighting their expertise, values, and commitment to excellence.
Winning these prestigious 2024 Communicator Awards underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional work and pushing the boundaries of creativity. Our success is driven by a talented team that collaborates seamlessly, bringing together diverse skills and perspectives to create work that stands out.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the API Innovation Center and Metro East Industries, Inc. for trusting us with their projects and providing us the opportunity to showcase our capabilities. These awards are as much a celebration of our clients as they are of our team.
With social media being one of the biggest marketing platforms for businesses, commercial photography has become an integral part of online marketing. Your company’s imagery should establish an authentic, personal sense of your business through stock and custom photos. Stock photos have become extremely common, and it no longer takes a trained eye to differentiate between staged photos and original photography. In moderation, stock photos can work wonders, but nothing can replace the quality of original photos from a professional photographer. If you don’t like what you see when you look in the marketing mirror, we’re here to help! We’ve gathered everything you need to know about digital marketing and photography, such as when to use images and how to benefit from them, so you can start loving what you see.
Stock photography is professional photographs sold online to be used and reused for commercial design purposes. Stock photography services are convenient because you can search a stock photo site for any image immediately. It’s important to pay close attention to the rules or conditions that often come with stock images. Hiring a professional photographer for every marketing campaign can be expensive, making stock photography the cheapest way to switch up your social media content. While it may seem more convenient than custom photography, it may not be the best solution if you post regularly.
Custom photography involves working with a photographer to capture images that reflect your business or brand. Custom photography sessions are personalized to your brand's image and goals. It can be more expensive than stock photography, but custom photos will help you establish a stronger and more memorable connection with your audience. According to MDG Advertising, 67% of consumers rated high-quality photos as a major part of selecting and purchasing a product. Custom photography shows your audience your authentic work environment, employees, services, and products, drawing in customers.
First impressions are everything and custom photography draws in your potential customers before they ever interact with your company. Photos showcase your product's quality and instill trust in your audience. Stock photos are versatile, but only custom photos can show your genuine authenticity. Custom stock photography is also a great option if you are looking for original photos you can switch up, add filters to, or manipulate to fit your campaign.
Industries benefiting from custom photography marketing include:
Industries benefiting from stock photography marketing include:
Choosing when to use stock images or custom photography for your company's social media content can be tricky, but Cork Tree Creative is here to help. As one of the top St. Louis photography marketing agencies, we offer marketing photography and product photography services, along with social media and web design services. You can’t buy organic engagement, but you can build it, and we have all the tools you need! Learn more about the creative services we offer. It’s time for a photography refresh, and with our in-house professional photography services, you can show your audience your authentic self. Let’s change the way your brand is seen because your brand is more than just a logo; it's a story waiting to be told.
As a public relations professional in the digital age, it’s never too late to add some skills to your resume. To succeed in the current job market, you need to offer potential employers a wide range of skills. Whether you’re looking at breaking into the world of public relations or a seasoned professional wanting to spruce up your public relations skills, here are some of the top attributes all public relations professionals should have.
One of the most important public relations skills a PR professional can have is effective communication. Communication is an essential part of having and maintaining a strong client relationship. To avoid any confusion and ensure everyone is on the same page, you must communicate clearly and effectively with your clients and teammates. In this field, you will often find yourself communicating with individuals from different cultures, backgrounds, and geographic locations. It’s important to be socially aware while you’re communicating so you can pick up even the slightest shift in the conversation.
Tips for expanding your communication skills:
Unfortunately, not every project will go according to plan. You must be prepared to tackle any unexpected events that take place. PR professionals must stay calm, have quick thinking, and be able to adapt to ever-changing circumstances. Being flexible in any situation will allow you to become a valuable member of a strong PR team. Failure to adapt will negatively impact your performance and work, which is why flexibility is one of the most important public relations skills one can have. It’s important to make quick decisions and expect the unexpected.
Tips for improving your problem-solving and flexibility skills:
In the PR industry, creativity is your ticket to success. Being able to think outside the box and come up with innovative ideas will enhance your performance as a PR professional. Public relations professionals need to be creative at all times. Whether they’re coming up with a new approach to attract customers or creating content, being creative will capture your audience and elevate your brand.
Tips for enhancing your creativity:
In the world of public relations, you will find yourself writing almost daily. Being familiar with the AP Style of writing and communication, along with having a strong understanding of your brand, will help you convey your writing clearly and concisely. Tight deadlines, changing audiences, and decreased attention spans require accurate writing across a variety of mediums. From press releases, editorials, promotional flyers, blogs, and more, a skilled public relations professional should be able to write compelling copy to engage their audience.
Tips for strengthening your research and writing skills:
As technology advances, social media has forever changed the path of communication between PR professionals and their audiences. Social media has allowed PR professionals to track their campaign’s reach and effectiveness and adjust as needed. Not only can you track your site traffic and analytics, but you can also utilize social media to communicate with clients and media buyers easier than ever before. Being able to understand each platform and its features is an essential public relations skill you need to succeed in the industry.
Tips to become social media savvy:
As an award-winning creative agency, Cork Tree Creative relies on the public relations skills of our talented writers, designers, and developers. Along with those core public relations skills, our staff has a multitude of backgrounds and expertise that allows us to serve a wide range of clientele. If you are looking to build your brand awareness, in need of unique and innovative marketing opinions, or want to increase sales and improve customer engagement, contact us today!
Cork Tree Creative, co-owned by Laura Reed and Jan Carpenter, was recently featured on St. Louis Lambert International Airport’s website as a success story. The airport features organizations in its Business Diversity Development Program to showcase their successes in doing business in St. Louis and with Lambert St. Louis International Airport as a way to raise awareness of upcoming bid opportunities with the airport and its consolidated terminal project.
“We are grateful for the opportunities provided to us by Lambert St. Louis International Airport and look forward to all of the positive changes happening at the airport. Their dedication to helping diverse vendors helps move St. Louis along as a thriving community,” said Reed.
Read the full article about Cork Tree Creative’s business diversity efforts on the St. Louis Lambert International Airport website or download the story here.
On Valentine's Day, we wanted to do something special for those who might be spending the day alone or away from loved ones. So, we decided to pay a visit to Stillwater Senior Living, an assisted living and memory care community in Edwardsville, Illinois.
To make the residents’ day a little brighter, the Cork Tree Creative team put together handmade Valentine's Day cards and bouquets of flowers, as well as prepared goodie baskets filled with puzzles, books, and other Valentine's Day treats.
During our time at Stillwater Senior Living, we spent time with the residents of the memory care unit, listening and chatting with them. We also had the pleasure of spending time with the members of the assisted living community, singing, dancing, and spreading love. It was a wonderful experience to share our time with them and bring a little joy into their day. They definitely brought joy to our team’s day.
For more information on Stillwater Senior Living and its memory care and assisted living services, visit: stillwaterseniorliving.com. Our team recently had the opportunity to develop their new website.
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