Event Planning Basics
The date is set. The venue is booked. Now, here comes the hard part: getting people to show up. Whether it’s a ribbon cutting, a new small business start-up, or a grand opening, promotional efforts can make or break your event. Here are some simple tips on how to successfully market and promote your event.
Make an Event Website
Your event’s website is an interactive invitation and resource for all event information. The site needs to contain relevant information in an organized and appealing manner. Potential guests and media are going to visit the website for details, such as time and place. As plans are finalized over time, the site should be continuously updated to give the visitors up-to-date details. It is also a great idea to have sponsorship and volunteer forms available so interested people can easily register to sponsor or volunteer. Remember, a website can be used to promote your event even after it is over. Share your event’s success story by posting professional photos or videos at the event. This also gives journalists and the media easy access to information when covering your event.
Create Social Media Pages for Your Event.
Social media is an easy, cost-effective way to broadcast your event. Through social media channels such as Facebook and Instagram, you can directly target your audience in a fun, creative way. Posts can build anticipation for your event, so make them relevant and exciting. Keep your posts visual, including photos of guest speakers, videos or sneak peeks of the event. A series of promotional videos with characters and a plot leading up to your event could be a fun way to get noticed online. Don’t be afraid to be different. Create a hashtag for your event so that you can easily access attendees’ photos or posts about your event even after the streamers are taken down.
Give Out Gift Bags.
Gift bags are not only a great thank you to your guests for attending, but are also a great promotional tool. If the budget allows, water bottles, t-shirts and flash drives with the event name or company logo on it are examples of great ways to keep the event’s legacy going after it’s over. The gift bag goodies should be relevant to the demographic of event guests. Also, quality is better than quantity. It is better to splurge on great promotional products than to purchase items that guests may not use or toss.
Want more tips on pulling off a sold-out event? Contact Cork Tree Creative today and let us put our event expertise to work, helping you create an unforgettable experience for your guests and clients. Give us a call at (618) 656-7333.