Although the live event industry may have taken a hit in the past 2 years due to this pandemic, this year this industry is making a comeback. The pandemic has been a trying time for business owners, with many having to pivot their operations to stay afloat. Now that restrictions are beginning to lift, it is time to start thinking about how to return to in-person events. As a business owner, you have been spending the last year marketing your business from home. However, now that events are opening again, it is a good point to bring your business out of the shadows and begin attending live events.
Whether you are putting on a large conference or hosting a small networking mixer, preparation is key to any successful event. This guide will provide you with tips on how to get ready for your upcoming live gathering. So let us make 2023 the year of the successful live event!
Why attending the event is important for any business.
How to prepare for the live event.
Set goals to achieve from the event.
How to promote business at the event.
Interacting with potential customers at the event.
Announce the upcoming event early.
Why attending the event is important for any business.
Just as there are many diverse types of businesses, there are also many diverse types of events. From trade shows to conferences, each event provides an opportunity to connect with potential customers and partners. However, with so many trade shows and conferences taking place each year, it can be difficult to decide which ones are worth attending. Here are five reasons why attending live events can be beneficial for your business:
- Events provide an opportunity to meet potential customers and partners face-to-face and forge relationships that can lead to sales. In today’s digital world, it is easy to forget the importance of personal connections. Attending business events gives you a chance to build relationships in person, which can lead to new business opportunities down the road.
- Events can be a terrific way to learn about the latest trends in your industry. Hearing from experts and networking with other professionals can help you stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends and developments.
- Events provide an opportunity to promote your brand. Whether you are exhibiting at a trade show or sponsoring a conference, business events offer a prime opportunity to raise awareness about your company and its products or services.
- Events also offer a chance to gather feedback and learn more about what potential customers are looking for.
How to prepare for the live event
The preparation for an upcoming event can be challenging, but there are ways that you could start.
The anxiety starts to build as soon as you realize your company has an important event coming up. It is not just any old meet-and-greet; this is the big show. The preparation can be daunting at times, but there are some straightforward steps that will help get everything started smoothly.
Here are a few tips to hit the ground running for your live event debut.
Set goals to achieve from the event
Most business owners know that events are a fantastic way to market their business. But before you start planning your next business event, it is imparitive to have a clear understanding of what you hope to achieve.
The most common goals are:
- Increase brand awareness
- To generate leads
- Sell products and/or services
- Network with potential customers or partners
Once you know the goal, you can start developing a plan to achieve it. For example,
- If your goal of attending an event is to generate leads, then you need to invest in high-quality branding and promotional materials, as well as a system for collecting contact information from attendees – potential leads. So that you can follow up with them after the event and continue building those valuable business relationships.
- On the other hand, if your goal is simply to sell products or services, you will need to prioritize having enough staff on hand to handle sales and setting at competitive pricing. Plus, you will need to bring some product samples with you to the event to put on a successful demonstration.
- However, if your ultimate objective is to build a brand and establish yourself as an authority in your industry, you will also need to focus on developing strong marketing strategies that target the right audience and highlight the unique value of your offerings.
How to promote business at the event
After determining the goal, you need to decide how will you promote your business at the event.
Will you hand out flyers or business cards?
Will you have a booth set up with branding materials?
If you are looking for brand awareness, you will want to have a booth set up with creative eye-catching printed displays that are sure to catch the attention of passersby at the event. This is an excellent way to get your company’s name and information out there. You can hand out flyers, business cards, and other branded materials.
If you are hoping to make sales, you will need also to have a booth set up with branding materials and a professional-looking catalog that highlights your products and services. Not only does it allow potential customers and business partners to quickly see the range of products or services that you offer, but it also helps to highlight your business’s strengths and capabilities.
If lead generating is your goal, consider giving away branded items like custom printed magnets, coasters, stickers, or notebooks.
Whether you are trying to land new sponsors or simply build your business’s reputation, it is always useful to have all your marketing materials on hand in a convenient presentation folder.
Interacting with potential customers at the event
How you will interact with potential customers at the event.
What kind of information do they need?
How can you make sure that they remember your business long after the event is over?
As an entrepreneur looking to promote your business at a local event, it is important to think about how you will interact with potential customers. You will want to make sure that you provide them with the information they need in a fun, engaging way that really sizzles!
Instead of bombarding potential customers with sales pitches, try to create a positive and memorable experience for them. Make sure that you have plenty of business cards, brochures, and other materials that they can take with them. But also consider giving away promotional items like gift bags, stickers, or magnets. These small touches will help to create a positive image of your business that will long outlast the event itself.
Whether you choose unique snacks like printed logo cookies or example swag items or stickers, having high-quality and exciting offerings will get people interested in what you have to offer.
And if you really want to make an impression, consider running a contest with a grand prize that will attract attention and generate excitement.
Announce the upcoming event early
Promoting your attending event on social media is a surefire way to increase engagement and get more people interested in what you have to offer. Use a catchy hashtag that captures the essence of your event, and include it in all your posts leading up to the big day. Do not forget to share photos and videos from the event itself as this will give your followers a glimpse of all the exciting things they have missed.
Reach out to your existing customer base with save-the-date emails.
Offer attendees an incentive for coming, like a discount on products or services, freebies, or entry into a raffle drawing.
What to bring to the event
In today’s hyper-connected world, printed marketing materials can be even more powerful than ever before. That is why, when you are attending business events, it is important to be armed with printed marketing collateral.
Here is a list of powerful marketing prints to bring to the event:
- Business cards are necessary but do not be afraid to get creative with their shape or thickness to make them more visible in a crowd.
- Brochures and flyers about your business, product, or service can also be helpful, especially if they are equipped with a QR code for more information.
- Attractive banner with logo and business info to stand out in the sea of other vendors.
- Printed logo cookies, gift bags, and magnets are perfect swag.
- The custom coaster set is a wonderful corporate gift idea.
- A printed t-shirt with a logo and company info will ensure visibility far away in the crowd of any gathering.
- Professional presentation folders that are filled with all the necessary marketing materials highlight your business.
And thanks to online printing services, it is easy, quick, and affordable to get high-quality prints made. So if you are looking for a way to make your next event a success, do not forget about the power of print! Present your brand in the best possible light at any event.
Are you going to attend any events next year?