1) Begin with a goal

Before going any further, it’s important to start with your goal and purpose. Some worthwhile objectives include promoting a new product, increasing your sales, or boosting your brand awareness.

Determining what activities to do, who to invite, and when to do the event will come much easier after you’ve decided what exactly it is you want to achieve.

2) Plan the details

Once the goal is already in place, it’s time to start working on all the finer details. What date would be most appropriate for the event? How many hours will it run? What activities would help you accomplish your goal? Would you need to invite speakers and other talent? How much are you willing to spend on the event? Do you have sponsors who are willing to help you cover the expenses?

Ask for your team members’ suggestions and you’ll see filling in all these factors shouldn’t be too difficult. Event preparations will also be hassle-free if you create committees and delegate different tasks to each member. Check with them frequently to see if they’ve fulfilled their responsibilities or need any help.

3) Determine the event format

Another crucial consideration to keep in mind is the event’s format. These days, events can be hosted in-person, via virtual, or maybe a combination of both.

If you’re taking the real-world route, you will need to select an event venue that can accommodate your crowd. An online event may be more realistic if you’re targeting broader, more international markets. On the other hand, a hybrid event allows you to target both in-person and virtual audiences.

4) Tell people about the event

Create an event poster and start spreading the word on your social media channels. This could be an excellent way to attract some attention online. You can even go the extra mile by advertising on social networking services or working with relevant influencers to reach more people.

5) Schedule a dry run

Having an event dry run gives you the chance to visualize everything before the big day. If you’re holding an in-person event, check out the venue in advance and decide which areas will be used for which activities. Make sure that all the equipment, such as the audio-visual systems, are ready and working.

The same thing can be said when you’re hosting a virtual or hybrid event. Test the software, hardware, and the internet connection you will use ahead of time to prevent technical difficulties during the event.

6) Hire additional support, if needed

A face-to-face event may require additional help so feel free to hire people who can handle the tasks. For example, you may want to assign some as the event security team while others may handle attendee registration at the location.

7) Be ready with your backup plan

Last-minute inconveniences can occur. Your resource person may have to attend to an emergency. Unexpected rain may mess up your outdoor event.

As the organizer, you will want to anticipate such inconveniences. You have to prepare a backup plan in case things do not go as expected.

8) Don’t forget to follow up

The follow up is possibly as important as the event itself. Soon after the event, send out email messages to the attendees. Thank them for their time and ask them for feedback. With their permission, you can later share some of the positive reviews on your social media pages.

As American aphorist Mason Cooley once said, “An event is not over until everyone is tired of talking about it.”

Final Thoughts

When done right, conducting events can definitely be a great way to market your product or service. You can improve your brand reputation and even increase your sales as you engage with your target market. 

Good luck on your upcoming business events!