So now your party is approaching, you need to realize that there are many ways to create a unique experience for your employees, customers and potential customers. When you host a business event like a 'Happy Hour', or a networking event. This is a great way to get in front of people and learn more about them at the same time.
By the way, who doesn't love an excuse to have a party? But first, you need to ask yourself, "what are the goals of this event?" Is it to gain more customers, or are you thanking your customers for their loyalty, or is it to show your employees that you appreciate their hard work? Who exactly is the event for, and what's the benefit for you and your attendees. Once you have your goals in mind, and it has been clearly spelt out, you have to plan ahead.
Planning Your Event
1. Set your budget – How much
can you afford to spend for the event? What will you need? Some of the usual
costs associated with events include the venue, food, drinks, decor, marketing
(printing/postage), giveaways and labor.
2. Create a guest list – How many
people (and who) will you invite? How many people do you expect to show up?
These answers will help you with the rest of the items on this list. Start by
looking at your customer base and work from there. Use other networking events
that you attend to pass out info about your event, if appropriate.
3. Select a date – When is the
best time for your event? Select a few dates that work for you your potential
invitees. Most people won’t be able to play hooky from work just for your
event.
4. Scout locations – Should your
event be held at your business, or do you need to check out other locations
that might work? How much room do they have? What does the venue include (i.e.,
food, drinks, staff, audio equipment)?
5. Pick a theme – Having a
theme can help brand your entire event from invitations to decorations, food,
and drink ideas.
Promoting Your Event
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Questions to ask yourself: How are you going
to promote your event? What’s the right way to reach your target attendee,
email, social media, print invitation? What will you offer people to get them
to attend?
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Create a timeline – Once you’ve
selected a date for your business event, work backwards and decide when you’ll
send out your save the date, invitations and reminders, as well as your post
event "thank-yous".
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Send invitations – Try using
different methods (paper, email, social media) to send out your invitations.
You know your audience, what will work best for them? You may want to use
multiple methods.
Additional Tips
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Find a similar or complementary
business to co-host an event with you. You can use their
customer list to gain more attendees for your event and possibly more prospects
for your business.
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Get donations from other business that
might benefit from your event. They can sponsor different aspects of your event
or help with giveaways or swag.
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Have invitations available at
your place of business (if you have one), and on you all all times to
pass out. You never know when you’ll need them.
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Social media is free! Make
sure to use it to your advantage. You can offer invitees a deal for sharing
your event with their friends.
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An unexpected surprise? Send
folks who were not able to attend the event a virtual goodie bag with
a special offer like a discount for your services and merchandise. They’ll
still feel important and recognized.
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Check out these helpful food and drink calculations based on the
number of people attending and what they’ll potentially consume so you don’t
run out.
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Last but not least, play the
host/hostess. Make sure during the event that you work the room and keep
the event, conversation, food and drinks flowing!
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