Whether you are promoting an event or a product, coming up with a marketing plan is a huge step in the right direction. Start with defining what a successful event would look like to you.

Would a successful event result in repeat customers, increased sales, or brand awareness?

Once you know what your goals are, you must try to understand what types of customers you are trying to attract to your event. Ask yourself: Who is my ideal customer, what are my customer’s wants, needs, or desires regarding my event?

Create an Experience That Customers Will Want to Share on Social Media

Next, target a certain segment of your target audience that will be willing to attend your event for a very unique experience. Make your event an “experience” the customer will want to talk about on social media. Marketing an experience will tremendously help attract customers into the store. Come up with a theme that your ideal customer would enjoy. For example, if your event is targeting career professionals who work nearby, create the experience around their industry. Think of ways to offer a truly unique experience for a small segment of your customers.

How to Market Your Event Experience

One of the biggest concerns in event marketing is getting people to attend. Start by leveraging your existing customer list. Inform everyone on your email list and those that follow your personal and company social media pages. Create a Facebook Event and invite all those on your existing lists. Don’t worry about RSVPs, nowadays, schedules are so flexible that people tend not to RSVP until the last minute. It is an event planner’s nightmare to have less than what was projected. One way to off-set that is to offer some type of incentive for people to pre-register/pre-pay for the event.

Get the word out about your event using local publications and websites like Guidelive.com, Observer, and Eventbrite.com. A press release is a great way to create buzz about your event. They can also lead to future articles about your event when you invite a journalist or blogger to attend. Don’t forget about flyer distribution. Pass out event flyers to office and apartment complexes near your event location. Event marketing is a great way to launch your brand without spending the big bucks.

Small Business Marketing Advice

If you need help developing your small business marketing strategy you can book a call with me directly to discuss your needs. You can also subscribe to my email newsletter. It’s filled with helpful hints, tips, and lessons.

Tarsha Polk, The Marketing Lady, is a Dallas-based Small Business Consultant, International Speaker, Marketing Strategist and Author. You can connect with Tarsha on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter,  Email or at her office Mon-Fri from 10am-5pm at 972-987-0565.