Creating a Killer Event
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Creating A Killer Event Presented by Stefa Normantas, Principal Green Tree Event Consultants January 27, 2012
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Event management expert, Stefa Normantas of Green Tree Event Consultants, will share best practices for creating a killer event using social media tools. She’ll cover the elements of a killer event, teach you how to build a plan, manage the pieces and avoid event disaster. Presented at Social Media Breakfast Maine by Stefa Normantas
Transcript of Creating a Killer Event
Creating A Killer Event
Presented by Stefa Normantas, Principal
Green Tree Event ConsultantsJanuary 27, 2012
(or at least avoid disaster)
To Start…And You Would Be Who? [favorite elements of my big fat life]
@StefaNormantas
What We’ll Cover
Introduction
The Questions You Must Answer
How To Build A Successful Plan
Managing The Pieces
Integrating Social Media
Q & A
About Our Companies
Produce conferences, trade shows, galas,
special events typically in business to
business arena
Full service from
concept/sales/logistics/execution/post
Events we do…
Specialize in business-to-business events…
@neproducts
Biggest shows you’ve never heard of…
And other fun things…
Biggest. Bow. Ever.
Producers of the 2013
LPGA Futures
Portland, Maine
…Now: What You Must Know
First, You Must Ask The Question
“Who and Why” of your event
What is the soul of your event?
Who & Why …you say?
Need a laser-sharp, informed answer.
Holy Grail Question
Answers will drive all
planning & social media
efforts.
Big Picture For Killer Events
It’s about knowing your peeps, cultivating relationships to provide
an experience of value and speaking with an authentic voice.
Where to begin?
Events are like individual businesses…budgets, sales,
accounting, marketing, operations
Miss elements at your peril.
Planning = Success
Killer Events
•Inspire
•Connect with a need
•Bring the attendee to a valued experience
•Thoughtful details
•Unexpected twists, touches
Keep asking…”what’s the soul of the event and stay close….”
Plan Elements
• Purpose (hint: not money)• Budget• Metrics for success• Timeline• Task List (Sales, Marketing, Ops)
• Evaluation
Killer Events
How To Manage The Pieces
What are the tools?
Tools To Consider
Project Planning•Basecamp
•Tomsplanner
•oneplacehome
•Todoist
•[Filemaker pro]
Tools To Consider
Registration/Tickets•Regonline
•Cvent
•Eventbrite
•EventFarm
•Constant Contact
•Wordpress
Tools To Consider
Others worth a look…•Socialtables-planning for large, seated events
•Surveymonkey
•Storify-social storytelling
•Paper.li – online newsletter
Underutilized Tip #1
Partner, Partner, Partner
Great events have great partners.
Find yours.
Why Partner?
Leverage.
Where/Who?
• Association alliances• Media (radio, print….)• Outreach groups• ‘Endorsing’ Sponsors• Non-profits/Charity
Killer Tips
•Know what your channels deliver for attendance-don’t over-rely on social media
•Offer exclusive experience-behind the scenes for vips
•Early bird pricing works
•Bonus early signups –first 25 get swag; better than drawing
•Scarcity helps – only xx tickets left
•Offer incentives if they post on their walls
Moving To Social Media…
Underutilized Tip #2
Sad Fact
Your event is not likely to
“go viral.”
Work will need to commence.
my worst event fear….
How To Succeed?
Don’t Rely On Social Media For Driving AttendanceFocus on how to create value and
use social media to amplify the results.
Test Time
Awareness Test
Create Event Personas
Focus on your top 3 personas
•Who are they?
•Demographics (age, $, education)
•What’s important to them?
•Where do they live in the social media world?
Play to your social strengths
Know which platform works for you…find help for the rest.
YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Linked In, Tumblr, Pinterest….
Social Media – Miracle Grow
Understand why you’re using social media….apply accordingly….
•Generate traffic?
•Revenue?
•PR/Awareness?
Use An SM Editorial Grid
Date Exhibitor
Sponsor
Attendee
Event Feature
Industry
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Need Ideas on Content?
Sponsor callouts
Crowdsource
Behind the scenes
Flash events
Flickr pages
Scavenger hunts
Training
Attendee profiles
Subtlety not helpful.
Be crystal clear in your call to action.
What exactly do you want them to do?
Don’t Forget
•Get your hashtags early (check out for unintended crossovers)
•Have your blurb kit ready for pass alongs…badges, buttons, banner ads, calendar listing, press release….use your partner’s marketing channels as well…
Finally…
Events are killer when there’s a shared purpose and a spirit of collaboration and connection.
Leverage social media to help build your killer event one
relationship at a time.
Need a good book?
