5 Tips for Planning a Successful Event

There is a fine line between a successful event and one that blows up in your face. It goes without saying that you want to be planning a successful event. And you’re in luck! Here are five simple tips of advice to follow that can lead to a more successful event.

1. Define your target audience.

When you know your target audience, it is easier to “sell” your event and increase attendance among those who will get the most value. Having attendees that care about your topic is the best way to ensure engagement and enthusiasm. Focusing on attracting a large audience vs. a defined audience can lead to a lot of wasted time, money, and energy.

2. Create a marketing plan on day one.

Is there anything more important than spreading the word about your event? If nobody knows about it, nobody is going to register. You know your target audience, now decide how to reach them. This might be the most important thing on this list when planning a successful event.

Be specific about what channels to use (and subchannels, like specifically which social networks to target), frequency of communication, costs and collateral and time required.  A solid marketing plan will guide you through the process and keep you on track even when you face challenges.

Remember this: There is nothing wrong with making changes to your marketing plan as you move forward. In fact, this is suggested once you see what is and is not working.

3. Be aware of other industry events.

The strategic timing of your event could be the difference between success and failure. If you schedule your event for the same day as another in your industry, you are going to be fighting tooth and nail for attendees. It seems so simple, but we get tunnel vision and forget this simple task.  Do your homework!

Tip: consider all events, including those that are local, regional, and national. Your goal is to be the only event scheduled (within reason) for a particular day. This allows you to be confident that potential registrants only have one option.

4. Have a right hand man (or woman).

In other words, you need an assistant who is going to be at your side from the planning phase through the end of the event. It is important to have this person by your side from the start, ensuring that they know all vital logistics and the goals of your event.  They can take on many of the finer details, while also stepping in when you are too busy to do everything on your own. Set them up to make a significant contribution.

Tip: check lists rock! Break down tasks into preparation categories and initial each task with the person responsible. Meet and review regularly. * Everwall uses Asana to manage our tasks and keep our team on the same page.

5. Have a contingency plan for every problem imaginable.

It is never fun to consider the fact that something could go wrong. From a power outage to a medical emergency among other issues, just when you think everything is going smoothly you could face a bump in the road.

Inevitably something will go wrong, hopefully it is minor, but with the right contingency plan in place, you and your team will be equipped to handle anything that comes your way.

These five bits of advice may seem simple, but the results of taking them into account and doing them could make your event one of the best your industry has ever seen—or, at least prevent the likelihood that it’s a bust. Good Luck!