Any event organizer who is planning to enter the online event game needs to be aware of the different challenges he will face to prevent even the smallest possibility of failure. Managing an online bespoke events may seem identical to managing an offline event but there are key differences you need to consider to prevent your event from becoming a catastrophe. This article will highlight some of the key differences between an online and offline event, it will arm you with knowledge of the different types of challenges you may encounter and will provide you with marketing strategies and other tips that will help you resolve any problems that might occur.
Some challenges that you may encounter and some suggestions on how you can tackle them:
1.Attracting Attendees Online:
Just like to advertise and promote your event offline, you also have to advertise and promote your event online. The only difference is that you have to use online marketing mediums in addition to your offline mediums. To market your event online, you can use any of the following options:
a.Optimize your event website using key search engine phrases to ensure that your website appears on the search engine’s first page. Studies on online search behavior indicate that websites that appear on the first couple of pages receive more attention that those appearing appear the first few pages.
b.Post banners on websites where your target audience is known to visit. For example: If the target audience for your event are modern working women between the age group of 25-40, posting your event banner at fashion websites such as Cosmopolitan, Vogue etc. that the aforementioned target audience visits frequently will ensure that your event receives maximum exposure.
c.Post an event video on YouTube. If a picture speaks a thousand words then a video speaks a million. By posting a video about your event on an online video sharing website, you guarantee the attention of most visitors.
d.Start an online group or forum on social networking sites such as Facebook. Word of mouth was the first form of advertising and it is still an effective method today. You can use social networking sites as a form of ‘word of mouth’ communication that you can use to promote your event.
e. Send out emails and e-invites to inform attendees that your event is taking place. You can also link your banners to your event registration facility to encourage them to register immediately.
In addition to online mediums, you can promote your online event in the in the real world by adding your website url to all your communication from hoardings and press releases to brochures. This will make your target audience aware that they can register for your event online.
Note: An added benefit of using online marketing mediums is that you can add a link directly to your event website where you can provide potential attendees with more information about your event. After all, if your attendees don’t know that they can register for your event online, they will not.
