The Basics of Promoting

Properly marketing your event is the most important step to filling those seats, and getting your event off the ground. Let these tips help you get started with your promotional tactics:

• Create a Contest: Offer your attendees a chance to win something by attending your event. You can easily start this competition online, and announce the winners with a ceremony at your event.

• Cross-Market: The more audiences you can reach, the better. Find someone that has an event or business that is related to yours, but not in direct competition, and cross-promote between the two organizations. This is a relationship you can both benefit from.

• Use Email and Social Marketing: Most people in America have an email address and belong to at least one social networking site. Set up a presence for your event on popular social networking sites (such as facebook, twitter, and google plus), so that people can friend you and find updates on your site. You can even promote special offers through email and social networking to get more people involved.

• Offer Specials to Early Comers: Offering contest, discounts, prizes, or other rewards to people getting to your event early will encourage attendees to get there as soon as possible. Be sure to announce these rewards on your website or other media outlets.

• Involve the Community: A lot of times people go to events specifically to network with people who have the same interests. Allow people access to your promotional material (fliers, posters, web widgets, weblinks), and let them know they can help promote the event so that they can meet these contacts quicker and easier.

Once you've mastered the basics of promoting, you'll have a solid base for getting your event out there and filling your venue. Happy Promoting!