Putting on an event is a complicated business.

The right facilities, in the right area and at the right cost is a challenge on it’s own but selling the tickets and getting a large enough attendance is essential for it all to be worth it. So where do you begin to start and how do you publicise your event?

A nationwide advertising campaign, saturating the airways and national magazines may be one way to go for the large corporations but local and smaller events don’t have that kind of budget to generate their publicity.

Here are 7 tips you can easily do to advertise your event without breaking the bank…

1. Create flyers –

(designed by a professional designer) double sided, to promote the event –

The event’s name, description, cost, contact details, what’s available and a plan of the day/event. Include all the details that either a visitor or exhibitor may need, including a map or directions. Make sure the date and time and where it is, are clear – you would be amazed at how many people get carried away and those details are not immediately clear.

Have enough printed (professionally) (not on the home printer)

These can either be delivered door to door or handed out in the local area. Leave them in libraries, information centres, and relevant places where your would-be attendants are likely to find them.

2. Network –

Visit local networking groups, many will happily invite you along as a visitor and allow you to hand out your literature, you will get an opportunity to talk about what you do in most cases so you have 60 seconds (usually) to get people interested in attending.

There are many groups you can visit for free and others that will allow you to attend for free for the first time but if you have to pay a fee make sure you are prepared and know what you are going to say and get the most out of it without being pushy or scary!

3. Email –

Create an email marketing campaign, (mailchimp is great for this). Using info from your flyer you can set up a series of emails that can be sent out at intervals in the preceding weeks. DON’T over do it!

NOTE – Only send one a week otherwise you will find most people will unsubscribe straightaway if their inbox is full to the brim with your event! Time the distribution so the last one goes out the day before the cut off date or the event date itself.

4. Eventbrite –

Use Eventbrite for promoting the event and for ticket sales, even if the event is free you can still create an event and people often search Eventbrite for what’s on. (Eventbrite saves all registering visitors contact details for future contact).

5. Social Media –

It’s FREE! Set up events in Facebook and Google+, invite people to the event, share it on your own timeline and on your business page. Make sure you include the link to the Eventbrite event! Create a Facebook page just for the event….

Get people to comment by starting a discussion on the event page. It is no good just setting up an event and thinking it will be seen – there are far too many events created and it will get missed. Just before the event re-share it again and draw attention to it by announcing it is happening the following day etc.

Linkedin, ideally in any groups that are relevant to your audience. Most groups allow promotions, and revisit it so you can add comments or add new details as they become available. On all these social media platforms you can add your flyer in jpg or png format to appear with the information.

6. Blog about it –

On your own site and send out links and post on social media or on social media platforms themselves like Linkedin Pulse. Get any guest speakers to add their profiles and information, tasters of what the visitors can expect. Information about the products you are showcasing or the services you are hoping to promote. Include the links for the tickets and other blogs or send the readers to the event pages for more information.

7. Personal Invitations –

Yes, send your flyer with a compliment slip and a free ticket to the people who you really want to be there, add two tickets so they bring a colleague! Add a note that more tickets can be requested or direct them to register.

Finally take advantage of any free advertising and make sure you leave enough time to publicise the event, make a plan!

Using one of the above is better than nothing but using all 7 suggestions will create a comprehensive campaign.

Sending out flyers two days before the event will not fill your halls or seats! Sending information out 6 weeks before and doing nothing else will have the same effect, no one will remember it is on!

For Exhibition Packages, flyers, pull-up-roller banners, advertising and social media contact Angie.

Written by Angie Phillips, Design Consultant - Helping you create business by creating IMPACT! Fabulous effective design that makes you say WOW! Using my expertise to promote yours. Fiercely committed to my clients and getting my hands on your assets! Always happy to offer help and advice. Promoting and helping you to grow through networking & introductions even after our work is done. #CreatingBusinessByDesign  #CreatingIMPACT  #LOVEwhatIdo

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