Event Planning Tips for Businesses

Planning an event for your business is a big task, but the benefits of a successful event is well worth the work.

A business event can raise awareness about the company and even generate new business leads. All it takes is a bit of planning to pull off the event of the year.

Choosing an Events Space

Event Planning: Getting Started

1. Know your audience.
Think about your business and the type of client attention that you are hoping to attract. Are you hoping to attract a high end client that enjoys fancy parties and expensive galas or is your business oriented toward the everyday family that thinks hard about its more extravagant purchases? You will want your event to attract the right people. Wealthy clients might enjoy a black tie dinner party, but a family is going to be more likely to attend something that is kid-friendly and doesn’t cost a lot to attend.

2. Understand your purpose.
What are you trying to accomplish by holding a business event? If you simply wish to generate interest in the company, it might suffice to have a casual event that simply shows up your product or service. If you are hoping to generate a larger client base or to create partnerships with other successful companies, you will need to do more than simply showcase your product or service. You will want to have business numbers, mission statements, and plans easily at hand in case someone asks. Keep in mind that business clients will likely be more interested in a professional atmosphere, such as a conference, than they would be in a family-friendly event where kids might be a distraction.

3. Pay attention to the calendar.
You want your event to be successful and choosing any old date on the calendar isn’t likely to work. Think about your event and what you hope to accomplish of it. A kid-friendly event will likely bring more people on weekend than it would on a weeknight when parents have to worry about bedtimes and homework. A black tie event is more suited for a Friday or Saturday evening after the workweek is done and young children are in bed and under the care of a babysitter. If you intend to hold a longer event, like a conference, be sure to plan far in advance so out-of-towners can make travel plans. It is also important to avoid weekends before or after major holidays. Most people will have spent their extra income on the holiday.

Budgeting

1. Keep a budget.
How do you intend to fund your event? Do you already have money budgeted and set aside or are you expecting ticket sales to take care of some of the costs? If you are relying on ticket sales, it is very important not to overspend, as there is no solid way to be sure how many people will purchase tickets to your event. In your budget, be sure to include pricing estimates on everything from the venue to the food. Don’t forget that staff and any speakers will expect monetary compensation as well.

2. Find sponsors.
If you are an established business or have a particularly good business model, businesses that compliment your own might be willing to sponsor the event in hopes of sharing any profits.

Advertising

1. Once again, know your audience.
Advertise where you are sure your targeted audience will see it. Social media is a must. Create a Twitter account for your business and advertise there. Create one on Facebook and advertise. Using hashtags on both platforms can greatly help your efforts. If you can afford to do so, purchase targeted advertising on social media or other websites.

2. Offer an early bird option.
The biggest way to get people to your event is to make them feel like they are getting a deal. Offer a discount to people that buy tickets to your event prior to a certain date, such as two weeks or one month before the event. Even a 10% discount can mean the difference in early buyers. Planning your event is very important, but don’t forget how to act the day of. Look the park, smile, and be positive. Greet your attendees, ask how they are doing, and make every effort to address any complaints or issues. A bit of positive energy will go a long way when planning a business event.

Event Venues

We showcase some of the most established London events venues, alongside new and upcoming location spaces that we are fortunate to be in a position to discover each week.

If your event calls for a classic London feel in a desirable postcode, then we have some great options in our portfolio. But you’ll need to be well organised – these location venues are often booked up way in advance. If you have a really specific brief then let us know what you require and we will use our insider powers to make it happen for you.

 

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