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Getting attendees to go WOW
Associations, law firms and consulting firms host events that continue to sell out. That’s the dream, right?
Imagine never sending an extended early bird email or posting on social media last-minute to try to pick up some extra registrations. Ever given out a discount for latecomers? We didn’t think so.
It may seem boring and tedious, but you have to follow the tried-and-true methods to promote your networking, client thank you events and webinars. Why fix it if it’s not broken, right? Sometimes we just need a little reminder of what works!
Let’s start with your goals. Are you marketing a first-time networking event that you’re hoping to turn into an annual celebration? That’s a goal. Or are you, every year, rushing to do the ops, the marketing, the budgeting and all of the above because you’re wearing many hats and the show must go on? Try to double your attendance from last year through more delegating. That’s a goal.
Now, how do you make everyone at the event feel special? Like they’re heard, they’re getting what they want (Bottomless coffee? Real-life application? Leads?). There’s a goal right there.
Goal: Make it a successful first event
Goal: Double attendance from last year
Goal: Make your clients and prospects feel special
Successful First Event – quick tip
My tip for a successful first event is to partner up with a firm, a brand or influencer who shouts louder than you, has a larger audience, also happens to serve your niche and might do a trade with you. That’s the sweet spot. Develop a partner strategy with them and let them do half the work of spreading the word.
This increases your digital marketing brand awareness tenfold! (This especially works well for webinars.)
You’ll grab some numbers from them and hopefully convert those attendees into members (if you’re an association) or they might even become loyal clients someday.
Doubling Attendance – quick tip
101 in digital marketing brand awareness for events is to promote as early as possible.
If this is an annual, recurring event, add a slide at the end of the presentation or place postcards on tables at this year’s event so they have something to look forward to next year.
Your attendees are in the thick of it and honestly, they probably don’t want to leave the event yet so make sure you leave them a Save the Date or something simple to keep them happy.
Add this tip to your branding messaging strategies toolkit!
Making Your Clients & Prospects Feel Special – quick tip
Attendees love contests, they love interaction, they want to feel like they’re involved somehow, that they’re seen and heard… Surveys are fine, you can send those out at the end of the event to help improve next year, but let’s get them buzzing DURING the event.
Add a leaderboard for most engaged attendees (give them points for posting on social media, participating in the Q&A or arranging a meetup during the event). You can also use this board to share their photos and social posts – live – so they can post something then bam! See it right there on the board. How fun is that? (You can easily update a PowerPoint and leave it up on screen during a webinar or even a small networking event.)
That enthusiasm will spill out into the internet and get everyone in their network talking – and jealous – because they missed out!
We do have more ideas for hosting events, but if you are planning on attending or sponsoring one instead, check out Dawn’s video: Tradeshow Techniques for Leads
