Having flashy meetings by showing off the latest and greatest technology doesn’t always equate to a better experience for your audience. Not only can this be costly, but it can also take away from the personal aspect that your audience is craving. Instead, consider some non-tech options and focus on only a few trending innovations such as live streaming and mobile apps.
Ronnie Higgins from Eventbrite has a few other strategies to try incorporating into your next meeting:
- Keep your audience first.
Being motivated to provide a personalized experience will help make your audience feel valued and that they matter. “Put this in action by using an event-registration platform that can integrate with your CRM and other marketing tools. This way, you can send messages to an eventgoer using his or her name and maybe employer, too. Personalizing your outreach might not elicit the exact same emotions as face-to-face contact, but you’ll create the building blocks for a great experience next year.” - Targeted advertising.
When you have a large conference, it’s harder to have a message that everyone can relate to. Higgins advises to “segment your audience to create targeted advertising. It’s similar to creating a kid’s table for attendees under 16 and then offering them hot chocolate instead of mulled wine. You’re segmenting your attendees based on specific traits, then targeting them according to those traits.” - Keep the paperwork simple.
Figure out what paperwork and forms are necessary and keep them as simple as possible. Streamlining the process will keep your audience engaged and will help them provide information that sponsors may need. “For example, provide RFID wristbands or badges that allow sponsors to retrieve data without hefty spreadsheets. You’ll have the opportunity to collect that same information and use it to learn more about your eventgoers and build more personal experiences in the future.” - Use mobile apps to your advantage.
Mobile apps are an amazing way to engage people, but can also be the source of a big distraction for attendees. “When looking for a mobile app, search for features such as push notifications, live polls and the ability to map your conference. This way, attendees can interact with the event community without feeling disconnected from the outside world.” - Giveaway event swag that is innovative and useful.
Everyone loves free swag, but no one needs another ballpoint pen or keychain. “Make swag part of your overall planning process and turn it into a piece of the conversation. Rather than making swag some unwanted event add-on, produce items that help eventgoers accomplish their intended goals for the event.”
Keeping strategies focused on building lasting relationships with your attendees helps build trust and also adds tremendous value to the meeting.
