With all the various moving parts, event planning can easily become a nightmare if you’re not organized. Follow a few simple tips to avoid some common pitfalls and ensure your events are a success.

Check for Other Events Before You Set the Date

No matter how fun, interesting or well marketed your event is, if you’re competing with other events on the same day, you run the risk of low attendance. Be aware of national holidays and other local events to avoid competing for people’s attention. Too many options and attendance to your event can really suffer.

Utilize Your Network 

The more points of interest there are at your event, the broader the audience you will attract. Collaborating with other local businesses or nonprofits that resonate with your business is a great way to extend your network. More people will show up because there is more to do, see or learn about. Collaboration benefits your community, your audience reach and the quality of your event.

Leave Enough Time for Marketing

It’s not worth rushing an event if you’re not properly prepared. If it’s December 15th – DON’T try to pull off a holiday event. There simply isn’t enough time to be successful. A good rule to follow is to allow at least THREE WEEKS of promotion. This means details are confirmed and marketing materials are ready to distribute. Of course, you’ll still be confirming some of the nitty gritties as the event develops, but THREE FULL WEEKS OF PROMOTION is critical. This gives you time to send notice to your email list, pass out promotional materials to partners and  existing customers and promote on social media.

Recap Your Event

After any event, its important to ask yourself what worked and what didn’t. And WRITE IT DOWN. What was the goal of the event? And was it met? What made the event a success? What could be improved next time? If it was a ticketed event, how many were sold?  Are guests interested in attending a similar event? Don’t miss out on capturing these details. Write them down within one week of your event so you can learned from what worked and what didn’t and apply it to your next one!

Create Consistency

Riding the momentum of a successful event is critical. Keep the interest and enthusiasm flowing by hosting regular events. This doesn’t mean you have to plan something weekly. Just make sure you have a sign-up sheet for your newsletter list prominently displayed at your event and that you and your staff are communicating other upcoming events to attendees.

Keep the excitement going by letting your customers know to stay on the look out for regular events.

Event planning can be overwhelming for some. It’s the nature of the beast to have last minute details that linger until the very end. But if you following these simple tips we guarantee your event planning will become less stressful. Who knows you may even learn to love it!

Jessie Phillips –Marketing Director