
Not everyone can hire a professional event marketing director. When you can’t afford the payroll for one, the next best thing is to hire a consultant. When the budget doesn’t accommodate a consultant, you follow the advice of this post.
1. Why Build One When You Can Build Two?
Every event has a theme. Boring events just label the theme by the industry. Interesting events create a tagline that includes the industry, which also allows for additional niche marketing (see number 1). The best events will use the theme to create an experience. Take Cirque du Soleil’s holiday pop-up event marketing idea. Setting up a giant gift box with a note inviting passersby to open the box, they surprised all when a host of characters popped out into a mini performance.
Then they went one further. When the show was over and the box was moved, a costumed character came out to sweep up confetti and interact further with the enthused audience. It’s that touch of detail that makes an event pop; just when you thought it was over, the show continued with an insignificant “behind the scenes” member chiming in for that last little sprinkle of magic.
3. Redefine Digital
In 3D projection mapping, and entire building is projected upon and its structure digitally manipulated to showcase a presentation. It’s creative and gets talked about, thereby ensuring viral social shares. Samsung in this case made a 3 day interactive event out of it and offered prizes for correct answers derived from the show.
4. Rewards and Reminders Never Fail
Then there are the reminders. People need reminders, ideally one week before an event and a day or two in advance as well. Why not throw one in there the day of? Repeat (but not burdensome) reminders nudge reluctant invitees to attend and make sure those who are planning to don’t let it slip their mind amidst a flood of other commitments.