Targeted to two groups: marketers who are interested in how to produce events to better market their products and bloggers/other publishers to help them know the key steps to producing a success conference, getting sponsors, and more.
2. Who is Ramon Editor & Technology Evangelist of Smallbiztechnology.com Writer of thousands of articles and blog posts Tech expert to media (TV, print, radio) Producer of many events Small Business Summit Small Business Influencer Awards Taste of Technology Series and more
4. Why Events: Build Credibility Build Visibility Revenue Generator Enables Other Opportunities for Growth Brings your online content (or product/service) to “real life” Move from “just” online to offline Builds Community
7. Why events for sponsors Increase Sales Extend Brand Meet Customers Media Attention
8. Before The Event Clear Goals Know Your Audience Hire Event Planning Experience / Event Manager Leverage Expertise of event staff Exhibits or Not or Both Powerful and Engaging Moderator and Emcee Food
11. During Event Don't Look Cheap Survey Attendees Talk To Exhibitors Talk To Attendees Know about problems before they happen Have staff (good staff) Have contingency plans
13. After Event Do an event autopsy or analysis Ask attendees and sponsors what could have been done better Leverage Event Video / Photo Hand outs are great for the “day of” but also great for selling event post-event Survey Attendees
16. Getting Sponsor$ Cold calls are very difficult Warm leads are best (know, like, trust) Over deliver (but at least deliver). NEVER under deliver Sponsorship is not a donation Sponsors don’t care about “helping you” (per se) Have great communication Know sponsor team members
18. Event Sponsor Tips to Think About Have clear goals Communicate those goals to the event organizers Know the audience Ensure fit with your brand Work WITH event organizers Leverage all opportunities Be integrated with event
19. Other things to think about Smaller events Big fish in small pond Bigger events Big fish in big bond Creating your own event vs sponsoring another event