Tag Archives: Event

Weekend Marketer Live: How to Host a Live Event

How to Host a Live Event

When you decide that you want to host a live event, your first thought might be “Will anyone come to it?” or “How do I get people there?”

The answer to these questions is, of course, MARKETING!

When I first decided I wanted to learn how to host a live event for my online business, I sought out the help and expertise of those who had been doing it already for years. I had been speaking at other people’s events for several years at that pointed and wanted to have more control over how I would teach the people who attended and follow up with them afterwards.

If you have been in business for any length of time, you are sure to have an in-house mailing list and perhaps even an email address list. If not, it is time to start collecting email addresses so you can market to prospective customers and event attendees more easily.

As soon as you decide to host a live event locally, tell your customers and any close business colleagues such as vendors or suppliers right away. Send them an email or post a flyer or postcard in the mail with a “Save the Date” notice to generate buzz.

At that point, you don’t have to give them a detailed description of what to expect. Simply tell them the name of the event and that it will be happening on X date. Also tell them to look for more information about the event, including a special URL at your website, to learn more. Continue to email them regularly right up to the date of the event.

On your flyer, give the URL and also a QR code so smartphone users can scan the code and be taken to the special page you have created. Then keep that page up to date. Add to it and email your list any time something significant happens.

As you get closer to E-Day (Event Day), change the frequency of your emails from once a week to once a day to generate excitement and drive those who have not yet got a ticket to feel as though they will really be missing out if they do not attend.

Also remember to tell your list members to spread the word and invite anyone else they think might be interested in the event. Word-of-mouth marketing can be incredibly useful, and best of all – it’s free.

Good communication is essential when it comes to hosting successful local events. Use the contact information you have and the handy tools available online and see how effectively you can promote your upcoming event.

I’m Connie Ragen Green, online marketing strategist, bestselling author, and international speaker on the topics of entrepreneurship and inner game mind shifts. Let’s connect to see how I may best serve you in the near future. And please be sure to check out my Internet Marketing Six Pack training course.

If you can come to Los Angeles March 3rd through the 5th 2017, consider attending
Weekend Marketer Live, my popular Workshop.

Market Your Live Event

How to Market Your Live Event

Social media comes to mind immediately when I think about how to market your live event. This is one of the easiest and fastest ways to marketing your event. That is, if you make the most of the tools available. In the photograph on the left I’m a panelist at Ray Edwards’ live event, along with Joel Comm, Robert Plank, and some other popular marketers. Social media was crucial to this event’s success.

Currently, some of the most popular social media sites are:

* Facebook

* YouTube

* Twitter

* LinkedIn

* Instagram

* Pinterest

Each social network is slightly different in terms of the kind of content posted – and more importantly, in the kinds of users that tend to favor these sites

Here are some tips on how to market your live event effectively on each of these sites:

* Facebook is by far the largest. Create a Facebook page for your business if you have not done so already, and also one to market your live event. Link up to these pages from your own personal account. Ask your helpers and customers to do the same. Facebook also has a large number of groups where you can connect for free with those interested in your niche.

* Twitter has a strong user base and best of all, you don’t need to create a lot of free content – 140 characters or less are all that is needed to post a tweet to your followers about exciting news in reference to your local event.

* LinkedIn is the number one social network for professionals. Once you open an account, you can create a detailed profile designed to impress so that others will want to interact with you. You can also post events and write articles which other readers will see if they are in the same niche or industry, positioning you as a thought leader.

LinkedIn also recently acquired SlideShare.net, the number one site for sharing PowerPoint presentations online. This is a great way to also become better known as an expert in your field. We will also discuss this highly visual site in the next email.

YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest are in a class of their own, since they are so visually focused.

* YouTube is considered to be a search engine in its own right, as it is so packed with content. If you want to increase visibility for your local event and company, this is the first place to start.

* Instagram is a popular site for posting images related to your business – in particular, by using their app with your smartphone. Think of it as Twitter for photos, in the same way that Vine is Twitter for videos.

* Pinterest is also heavily graphics based, but has the added advantage of letting people post marketing event info to group boards. Post images and infographics related to the event and get your helpers to re-pin so all their followers will be able to see them. Post pictures after your local event to show what a great time everyone had, and list details of any other upcoming events as you know them.

When posting at any of these sites, try to put keywords into your postings; that is, some of the most common words and phrases that you wish to rank highly in. Content on YouTube, for example, can show up in Google search engine results right on the top page if you take the time to provide detailed descriptions of the content. Don’t forget to add your URL with http:// in front of it so the link will be clickable.

Once you have posted your video on YouTube, copy the link and embed it in any web page. If you have a WordPress blog, paste the URL into a new post or page and save. The video will show in a player on your site with no fancy coding needed. Then all your site visitors have to do click to watch. You can also post the link on your Tumblr account to let your followers view the content without eating up your video content posting per day allowance.

If you are too shy to appear in front of the camera or believe there is no way you could ever create a quality video, think again. Use PowerPoint to create professional-looking presentations to inform, educate and entertain. Use your informational decks not just for local events but also as the basis for your videos. Set times and transitions for your slides, save as a video, and post to your YouTube account.

Make your decks do double duty by posting it on SlideShare as well. You can share your decks on all the major social networks, not just LinkedIn, with just a couple of clicks. I hope you have learned something new about how to market your live event.

If you can come to Los Angeles March 3rd through the 5th, consider attending
Weekend Marketer Live, my popular Workshop.

How to Host a Book Signing Event

Leave a reply

When you think of a book signing, do you picture a bespectacled author sitting at a table in the back of a bookstore, patiently waiting for customers to notice her?

That’s what a lot of us think of when we consider a signing event, and while that used to be the norm, today’s book signings look very different. Your event can be anything you want it to be, because you have complete control (unless your publisher is footing the bill, in which case, follow their lead). Here are some book signing event ideas.

Your event can be:

Casual or formal – you set the tone
Indoors or out – imagine a book about healthy living with a reading in the local park
Structured or not – free form readings and Q&A sessions can be more inviting than a strictly scheduled event

As you can see, your book signing can be whatever you choose to make of it. Bookstores are just one option, but there are many others, depending on where your market likes to hang out and the specific topic of your book.

For example, if you’ve written a book about your life as a pro golfer, book-signing events on a driving range or in the clubhouse are a natural fit. If your subject is how to build an online business and live the laptop lifestyle, consider a beachside signing instead.

Here’s something else to consider: where is your audience? Ideally, you’ll want to host your book signing where it’s convenient and comfortable for them. Some popular options include:

Book stores
Libraries
Boutique markets
Industry conferences
Festivals

You may find that you have better luck booking events in off-the-wall locations. The reason is that big bookstores often have deals with publishers in which they get paid to host events. If you’re not willing to pay – and the cost can be steep – you likely won’t get large booksellers to host you. There are two ways around this:

Opt for smaller venues. Approach independent book stores instead, since they’re less likely to have prior agreements with big publishing houses.
Speak directly to the store manager and make it clear that you want to do an impromptu event, not a formal signing. You won’t get the advanced press you might otherwise get, but you’ll make up for it in walk-in traffic.

Either way, the bookstore must be able to order copies of your book, so be sure you’re working with a publisher that allows that option. Some vanity presses will tell you that book stores can purchase stock, but the truth is the ordering process is so cumbersome and the return policy so bad that bookstore owners and managers will not order from them. In that case, you can offer to bring your own stock if the bookstore will allow it. Self-publishing makes the most sense, where you order directly from the fulfillment house in the number of copies you wish to receive.

Marketing Tips

Connie Ragen Green Shares Internet Marketing Updates