Business events are a great opportunity for networking and promoting your small business, but planning such an event is a very challenging and daunting task. Before you get down to work, it’s important to establish the goal and purpose of this event, as well as what you expect from it. Ask yourself these questions and use the answers as the foundation of your plan. Here are a couple of ideas about how to plan your event effortlessly and seamlessly.
Who’s your target audience?
Knowing who will be on your guest list is the first step in planning your event. Almost any other decision, including location, prices, content, and other details depend on the number of people you intend to invite. Don’t forget to add an RSVP in your invitation so that you can be sure how many guests will actually appear. When you have all the information you need, you can see how it all fits into your budget and see where you can splash out and where you’ll have to cut corners.
Pick a venue
Never underestimate the importance of an attractive venue when you’re organizing a small business event. It’s essential for setting the tone and if you want your guests to feel comfortable, make sure that the venue you choose isn’t too big or too small. It’s a good idea to think about hosting your event in some of the finest North Shore Golf Clubs and give your guests an opportunity to enjoy breathtaking sceneries.
Pick a date
One of the most important factors when it comes to setting a date is checking whether another event from your industry has already been scheduled for that particular date. You don’t want to put your guests in a position to choose between the two events. Another thing to bear in mind is that you should avoid popular holiday or vacation times because your attendance would be poor.
Plan a budget
Most small businesses have a tight budget for corporate events and similar marketing purposes, which is why alternative financing options might come in handy. What’s for sure is that you’ll have to use your internal marketing budget to a certain extent. The rest of the money can be raised with the help of sponsorships, ticket sales, or even crowdfunding. This last option is great if you’re hosting an event for the first time, as crowdfunding platforms allow you to announce your event and potential attendees have to reserve their ticket in advance so that you can call the whole thing off in case that not enough people sign up.
Promote your event
If you want to spread the word about your event, it’s crucial to launch a marketing campaign. Leverage the power of social media and reach out to your target audience by means of paid ads and social media posts. But, you shouldn’t rely on the organic reach as it’s pretty much dead, and in order for your campaign to be effective, you have to invest in buying advertising space on Facebook and other channels your target audience uses. To attract the attention of your potential attendees, create a short video which will emphasize the benefits of showing up at your event – things they can learn and people they can meet.
Follow these simple tips as they will facilitate your planning process and help you focus on some elementary and yet frequently overseen steps along the way.
