You want to host a professional networking event. What are the best online tools to use?

3 Promote your event

The third step is to promote your event and attract potential attendees. You can use various channels to spread the word, such as social media, email marketing, blogs, podcasts, and online communities. You should create a landing page or a registration form for your event, where you can highlight the benefits, the agenda, the speakers, and the testimonials of your event. You should also use a catchy title, a compelling description, and an appealing image for your event. You should also track and measure the performance of your promotion efforts, and optimize them accordingly.

4 Engage your attendees

The fourth step is to engage your attendees before, during, and after your event. You should send them reminders, confirmations, and instructions on how to join your event. You should also create a hashtag, a group, or a chat for your event, where you can share updates, resources, and tips. During your event, you should encourage your attendees to participate, ask questions, share feedback, and network with each other. You can use tools like polls, surveys, quizzes, and gamification to increase engagement and retention. After your event, you should thank your attendees, share a recording or a summary of your event, and ask for testimonials and referrals.

5 Follow up with leads

The fifth step is to follow up with leads and potential clients who attended your event. You should segment your attendees based on their level of interest, their needs, and their goals. You should also personalize your follow-up messages, and offer them value, such as a free consultation, a discount, or a resource. You should also use a CRM tool or a spreadsheet to track and manage your leads, and set up a follow-up schedule and a call to action. You should also nurture your leads with relevant and useful content, such as newsletters, blogs, podcasts, and webinars.

6 Evaluate your event

The final step is to evaluate your event and measure its success. You should collect and analyze data from your platform, your promotion channels, and your feedback tools. You should also compare your results with your goals and expectations, and identify what worked well and what can be improved. You should also celebrate your achievements, and share your learnings and best practices with your team and your network. You should also plan your next event, and apply the lessons you learned from your previous one.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?