Public events are a great way to raise awareness, mobilize support, and connect with your community. But how do you get people to show up and participate? Here are some strategies you can use to engage people in public events.
Before you plan your event, you need to know who you want to reach and what they care about. Do some research on your target audience, such as their demographics, interests, values, and challenges. This will help you tailor your event to their needs and preferences. For example, if you want to engage young people, you might choose a venue that is accessible, fun, and interactive.
Dive deeper than the surface of the company. Determine not only to typical demographics, interests and needs assessments. Look at the corporate structure, statements, prior event/organization/charity information. Google search the key employees. find what makes them tick, what turns them off and their visions.
Next, you need to define what you want to achieve with your event. What is the purpose of your event? What are the specific outcomes you hope to see? How will you measure your success? Having clear and realistic goals will help you focus your efforts and communicate your message. For example, if your goal is to recruit volunteers, you might want to have a sign-up sheet, a call to action, and a follow-up plan.
Define the Expected Outcome and work backwards. Set realistic expectations and discuss them openly and honestly. Under promise and over deliver everytime. Pay special attention to details. Listen to what is NOT being said, just as intently as what is being shared. Find the holes. This is where you find the "missing link" on which you build an extraordinary event. Have back up plans A-Z, expect the unexpected and be prepared to solve it. Be flexible, creative and calm.
Define the purpose of engagement. What happens when you engage? How does this help the organization's bottom line? How can we ensure we get to come back again? Answer those questions and you'll get more clarity on priorities to engage with.
The format of your event should match your goals and your audience. There are many types of public events, such as workshops, rallies, panels, screenings, or festivals. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on the size, scope, and tone of your event. Think about what kind of experience you want to create for your attendees and what kind of resources you have. For example, if you want to educate and inform, you might choose a workshop or a panel. If you want to inspire and entertain, you might choose a rally or a screening.
Going back to knowing your customer and planning an event built on asking the correct questions is pertinent. Providing alternative options to attend, donate, interact is imperative in this time of change. Creating a follow up call to action will provide your client base and your clients additional added value.
Once you have your event planned, you need to spread the word and attract people to attend. There are many ways to promote your event, such as flyers, posters, social media, email, or word of mouth. Use a combination of channels that suit your audience and your budget. Make sure your promotion is clear, concise, and catchy. Highlight the benefits of attending, such as learning, networking, or having fun. Include the essential details, such as the date, time, location, and registration link.
During your event, you want to keep your attendees engaged and interested. You can do this by using various techniques, such as icebreakers, games, quizzes, polls, or discussions. These can help you break the ice, build rapport, stimulate interaction, and collect feedback. You can also use visual aids, such as slides, videos, or images, to support your content and make it more appealing. Don't forget to leave some time for questions and answers at the end of your event.
Depending on your event, engage the audience with texting polls. Do not just talk at them. For a charity walk for example, there can be text to give and a live screen showing donations on the stage Pick engaging speakers too - not just your sponsors. Why are you there? Do you have a client who exemplifies why you have your mission? They should be speaking, not you.
After your event, you want to maintain the connection with your attendees and encourage them to take action. You can do this by sending them a thank-you email, a survey, or a newsletter. You can also invite them to join your mailing list, your social media, or your next event. You can also share the highlights, photos, or videos of your event on your website or your social media. This can help you showcase your impact, celebrate your achievements, and build your community.
Post-event engagement is often neglected, but it is just as crucial as engagement during the event. Attendees may not be able to absorb everything during the event, which is why providing additional content and insights afterward can help remind, educate, and re-inspire them.