Conferences are the new way to network and connect with individuals, but they are often so poorly marketed that they miss the point. If you have a conference in the works, working on your promotional strategies can help get people through the door. Here are five helpful tips to help you market your big venture without spending a fortune.
Create a dedicated website
Websites are usually the first point of contact for any event or business, so you should focus on developing one to kick off your marketing campaign. Think of your website as a one-stop solution for all potential attendees’ queries; the more functional you make it, the better it will be.
Steer clear of having a website that’s hard to use and operate; opt for a sleek design and minimal aesthetic, as it appeals to most people. From there onwards, make it a hub for all the conference-related information, and section each critical piece of information into tabs to support ease of accessibility.
Ensure all relevant information about the event is available on the website, such as the conference agenda, the list of speakers, how to purchase the tickets, topics to be discussed, etc.
Paid advertising
Many people avoid paying for ads because of the cost involved, but paid advertising can be a game changer for many when promoting online. While they may have money, paid ads can help generate an ROI worth more than the initial investment, so there is no need to skimp on it.
To directly access your desired target audience, consider using Google Ads to take things to the next level and crank up your marketing efforts. Don’t forget to add CTAs to your ads by throwing in a few early bird discounts for the conference tickets.
Additionally, you can even use snippets from video interviews of your speakers in your ads and create video ads to pique the interest of the masses. Remember that running paid ads is insufficient; you’ll also need to analyze the metrics consistently and make changes to ensure efficient performance.
Promote through sponsorships
Sponsorships are not just for collecting money to host a successful conference; they can also help you with marketing. From joint ventures to combined efforts, sponsorships can change the entire landscape of your marketing game when done right. Get your sponsors to limited-time deals and discounts with you, which can be used for marketing.
With the help of your sponsors, you can even offer a unique experience to your attendees by developing and delivering workshops or demonstrations, hoping to add to the possibility that your event will be a roaring success. While sponsors may fill up your accounts before the big day, even their names can suffice.
Highlighting sponsor names in all of your advertising campaigns can help bring focus to your credibility and the authenticity of the conference, both of which can bolster your visibility. For maximum exposure, you can even plaster their names on your event posters across town.
However, ensure that the posters match the conference aesthetic and your sponsor’s business image and keep the design minimalistic and appealing. Countless online business conference poster templates are available, so pick one that inspires you the most.
Make your conference fun
Tweak your marketing efforts to promote fun and endless networking at your upcoming conference. Networking events that are fun and offer greater chances of connecting with industry professionals tend to resonate well with professional attendees. Plus, these informal gatherings provide excellent branding opportunities for sponsors while helping attendees form valuable connections in a relaxed setting.
Offer maximum room for networking and intellectual discussions by holding various roundtable discussions to help everyone tap into their dream professional environment and connect and create new professional relationships.
Offer engaging and exciting talks and keep the morale soaring by having your speakers present at these networking events to discuss various industry and economy-related issues. To add a punch to these pre-conference events, consider throwing in free drinks and food to all those attending to offer them an incentive.
Opt for influencer marketing
Irrespective of the type of conference you’re planning, your event will fail to succeed if you don’t have industry-specific influencers attending. Regardless of their niches, influencers are the unrivaled kings/queens of present-day marketing, so there isn’t any reason to skip them when developing a marketing plan for your conference.
Reach out to influencers who are celebrated in your industry and have a good following. Offer them exclusive access to the conference preparation stage, and even offer to incorporate their input and give them official credit for the conference.
Unlike mainstream influencers, industry influencers like praise and monetary benefits, which can help you. Other than that, offer discount codes for the influencers to share with their audiences and a commission cut for them.
Planning and hosting conferences can be tricky, and marketing is a different experience altogether. Hopefully, the abovementioned strategies will simplify your marketing process and help you attract the audience you desire for your big event. Happy promotions!
