Congratulations on a terrific event. Now what? Before you jump onto the next thing, what can you do to make that event continue to work for you?
Let’s brainstorm some ideas that will work just as well for tourism events as for promotional events from a small business.
- Post your photos from the event to Flickr and Facebook. Tag them with key words about your event, your place, and all the people pictured.
- Search for event photos from other attendees. Comment, compliment and ask permission to use them to promote the event in the future.
- Get some press. In a small town, you can probably write up your own report and submit it.
- Report on the event online. Post it to your blog, Facebook, and any local forums that welcome event reports.
- Drop a note (email?) to your legislators, especially if you received any state funding for your event.
What online promotion ideas would you add for after the event?
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Side note: You know that Tourism Currents, the learning project for social media from Sheila Scarborough and me, is launching soon, September 9. While Sheila and I are busy (seriously busy) finishing up all the details, Sarah Page kindly wrote an overview of it at her blog, Tourism Tech. Thanks, Sarah!
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Becky started Small Biz Survival in 2006 to share rural business and community building stories and ideas with other small town business people. She and her husband have a small cattle ranch and are lifelong entrepreneurs. Becky is an international speaker on small business and rural topics.
Great reminders, Becky. I would add that for one of the groups I work with (non-profit medical association) we do short announcements about our new officers (their university or practice newsletters frequently use these little blurbs). We also like to use quotes about the meeting from our attendees…testimonials, if you will, and put them on our Web site. I hadn’t thought about a note to our legislators (we don’t get state funding) but it would have been a good idea this year, as we reported on our legislative successes with changing the donor registry in Texas.
Thanks, Laurie. Great idea to collect testimonials and quotes.
I was also thinking it would be smart to go through the list of attendees and look for the ones who are active online, the influencers and Trust Agents, if you will. They would be good folks to reach out to.
Becky,
Don’t forget to send the press release about the outcome of the event to all the papers within a 100 mile radius (same list you sent the announcement of the event too). Be sure to use the proper press release format. Mention you’d be open to having a conversation with other communities and teach them how to host their own event.
We also follow up with a phone call to each contact to make sure they got the email press release – and to be available for questions. Reporters love sources that do this!
@debworks
Deb, you’re right. There are many more opportunities than just your local paper. It’s also a chance to practice your customization. Make note of which papers like an email, which ones want you to write the whole thing, when each one’s deadline is, etc. Meet the press on their terms. (Hey, wait, don’t forget radio stations who read local news, and local blogs, and…)
How about editing and posting a video to You Tube? If the event is an annual one – and the date for the following year is established be sure to include that information. If possible encourage a call to action if early bird registration for the event or sponsorships are at stake.
Becky, thanks for the reminders. I forwarded your post to all Ohio Main Street directors.
“Get some press. In a small town, you can probably write up your own report and submit it.”
Also, if you opt for a press release, keep it short and to the point. I am amazed at the length of some of the press releases that land in my inbox.
People do not have the time to spend reading a huge email or document nowadays.
Meilee, video is terrific! You get bonus points for bringing in several ways of promoting next year’s event.
Darrin W., thanks for sharing. Be sure to tell them the good stuff is always in the comments.
Darren C., you’re right. Brief is best. Now there are just a few exceptions, when you know the media you are submitting to wants and encourages extra length. Even then, don’t over do it. More pictures would be better than more words!
Becky, your post is terrific as usual. Here’s my 2-cent worth based on my experience as an event attendee:
The amount of information at these events can be overwhelming, especially if there’s some kind of Q&A session or open comments from and discussion by attendees. So it’s nice when an organizer includes resources, tips, answers to some of the questions, etc. in the event report.
Some organizers record the entire event on audio, but frankly I don’t want to spend hours listening just to catch a URL or a book title. Having a dedicated Event Resources report (as a blog post, article or e-mail) would be really great!
Yelena, great idea! Perfect for all those educational events where the speakers throw out more info than we can process at the time.
Thank you for this reminder… sometimes we get back from events and jump into the next thing on the agenda… you make great points!