Event planning can be stressful. From designing marketing materials and graphics, to creating social media campaigns to email outreach, getting the word out about your event can be a crucial first step to success. From there, managing vendors, sponsorships, staff and visitors becomes a very chaotic juggling act. At the end of it all, hoping that all attendees had a memorable time and that you did enough to stand out is the next most common concern. Whether you are a professional event planner with years of experience under your belt, or just getting started on your event planning journey, here are some unique marketing tools that will help you stay organized and standout.
- Consider Event Management Software
Using event management software can help you stay organized and on top of everything when it comes to event marketing strategies. They include customer management, guest list management, ticketing, social media promotion, sponsorship management, mobile apps, RSVPs, registration, surveys and feedback, and many other unique marketing materials that are easy to use. Some platforms, such as Bizzabo even allow you to create a custom website to help promote your event.
Here are some great event management software platforms:
- Create a Website or Landing Page
Advertising is a great way to get the word out about your event. Having somewhere online to send users is an important step to any event marketing strategy. Before you dive in and start advertising, it is important to consider where you will send prospects who are interested in learning more. Social media, email, radio, and television are great ways to send users to the event landing page. Landing pages are single pages that can be created with platforms such as Unbounce and Click Funnels. If you prefer to have your own domain, and would like multiple pages and menu navigation, website builders such as Wix or Squarespace are the best route. Fortunately, there are so many options when it comes to creating a website or landing page without the need for expensive web developers. Many platforms have made it easy to create beautiful websites and landing pages with simple drag and drop options.
Here are some easy to use website and landing page builders:
- Create an Email Marketing Campaign
Help get the word out and remind prospects who are interested in your event by using an email marketing campaign. This can take a lot of planning because you need users to sign up and opt in to receive emails from you first. Make sure your email campaigns are optimized for mobile, provide enticing headlines, and include a call to action, such as “buy your tickets now.” Make it easy and provide incentives for users along the way. Send multiple reminders prior to the event, and use email to inform attendees about things like parking, addresses and more.
Here are some easy to use email marketing platforms:
- Create a Facebook Event Page
Facebook can help suggest your event to prospects who are already interested in what you have to offer. Setting up a Facebook event is simple, and there are many ways to share events with others quickly. Click here for a great guide to promoting your event on Facebook.
- Stand Out with Unique Marketing Materials
Choose something far from typical with your branded materials, swag and giveaways. In addition to the usual stickers and pens, use something that can be customized with your event information that speaks to the audience. These are great ideas whether you are a business or event planner involved in the event.
Here are some great ideas:
- For tech- savvy crowds: custom logo USB drives
- For trendy crowds: custom logo phone power sticks
- For outdoor crowds: custom logo sunglasses
- For fun, nostalgia or game driven events: Custom Retroviewer with Logo
Now that you are armed with your top-knotch event marketing strategies, get started creating your unique promotional products and watch your hard work pay off!