If you manage the event marketing for your business or organization, you are likely spending significant time planning and promoting. It’s essential that you have a good turn-out, or all your hard work could be for nothing. I’ve spent years figuring out the best way to promote and sell out events. I’ve collected all my tips, checklists and recommended schedule marketing events and put it into a free guide book (see below). Here are just 6 of the proven ways to get people to attend.
1. Get the word out early
Everyone is busy these days, so you need to give people plenty of heads-up if you want them to find room in their calendar for your event. On the other hand, if you announce it too early, your attendees may think they have plenty of time and won’t feel any urgency to book ahead. The first announcement you send should be your “save the date” or “mark your calendar” announcement to get it on your audience’s calendar early. It’s important to create a strong first impression with your “save the date”.
2. Make it interesting
Why will your target audience love your event? Offer your audience a unique and desirable experience that they will remember. Create an event they would be crazy to miss. Try a fun or unique venue like a brewery, a great restaurant, or a jazz club. Include interesting activities like amazing speakers, tastings, music, speed networking, or even have a mixologist.
3. Answer your market’s problems
What is your audience most interested in? What are their biggest challenges? How will your event help them overcome them? Answering these questions will help you speak to what they care about the most. Cover hot topics that your attendees care most about, but stay clear of overdone trends.
4. Cross promote with another organization
Teaming up with other groups or organizations is a great way to help more people, expand your reach, split expenses, and get more contacts. In addition, many organizations even donate part of their proceeds from the event or events are created specifically to raise funds for a charity. Letting your ticket buyers know some of the money is going to a charity they care about makes it easier for them to make the purchase and gives them a positive feeling about the event and expense.
5. Schedule around competition
Where else could they go? Life can be very busy and calendars fill up quick with competing events. Before you schedule your event, review the dates of competing events, so you don’t force your target audience to make a choice. For corporate and networking events, consider scheduling your event on a Tuesday or Wednesday – as there is a lot more competition for your attendees’ calendar on Thursday through Sunday. Many venues are closed on Mondays, so make sure you research your venue before scheduling on a Monday.
6. Send out timely reminders
Even the best invitation can be put aside and forgotten. Maybe someone is interested in your event, but they are waiting to see if their calendar is free. So a reminder – via email, postcard, and/or social media – can give them a helpful nudge at the right time. I recommend sending two to three reminders: at a month, two weeks, and one week before your event. More than this and you could come off as nagging or spam.
Let’s make your job a little easier, save you time, and help you sell out your events. Download my free e-book, Sell Out Your Events, Proven Marketing Tips, Schedule & Checklist here http://www.paulkiesche.com/eventsguide/
I’m happy to help you make the marketing for your event a roaring success. If you’d like to talk about your plans and see how my team can help, you are welcome to contact me at paul@paulkiesche.com or 973-452-5072
Have a great event, cheers!
