At a recent conference consultation with a client, a millennial made me think that I wasn’t keeping up with the times. We were discussing their marketing and communication strategies for their event. I voiced my strong opinion that conference organizers should embrace inbound marketing (pull) over traditional outbound marketing (push). I explained that a blog platform is worth considering as the home base or hub for the inbound strategy. Then she could use links in emails, newsletters and … [Read more...]
More Marketing Isn’t the Answer
A strategic look at your marketing spend, as well as what you spend on your attendee experience, can be telling. According to Convene’s most recent Meetings Market Survey, on average 6 percent of a meeting’s direct expenses fall in the marketing/promotion category. After studying 100 or so meetings’ profit and loss (P&L) statements in great detail, I can confirm that this expense line item varies greatly. Some organizations spend as little as 2 percent and have a very healthy conference … [Read more...]
Use Social Proof to Increase Conference Registrations
Most of us don’t read emails from people we don’t recognize. We may skim the contents, but most of the time we just do the quick delete. Unless there’s something that makes us look twice. So imagine you’re catching up on email, you see one from an unknown conference trying to convince you to purchase. The organizer states, ABC Conference is a must attend for industry professionals. We’re providing 70 education sessions and networking experiences. Does this make you want to attend? Do … [Read more...]
Three Marketing Flubs That Cause Conference YES Decision Skids
Your email marketing blast generated plenty of clicks. But the registration needle hardly moved. What's up with that? Conference Registration Frustrations For every smooth registration journey, there are many other frustrating moments that cause people to bail. You worked hard to earn that maybe click. Now they're skidding and losing interest. Three Marketing Roadblocks Here are three messaging roadblocks that prevent you from converting them to YES: 1. One Size Fits All! You crafted a … [Read more...]
Your Conference Logo Needs Policing
Ok, you get it – Your Conference is a Brand. You’ve moved beyond the “annual meeting” into something more meaningful to your attendees. You’ve got your conference mission. You know how your conference will advance the profession and what’s in it for your participants. Now it is time to put your hard work into action. Design your conference logo. Adopt a repeatable look and feel (visuals) for communicating the benefits of attending. Creating A Conference Logo Why take the time to create … [Read more...]
Do You Have Inbred Conference Marketing?
Sure, it is much easier to use association-owned media from your magazines, newsletters, website, blogs and discussion lists to promote your conference. But using only your own lists creates inbred conference marketing. So who are you missing with that marketing? Four Steps To Move Beyond Inbred Marketing How do you find the 20 something that just entered your industry and has no idea you exist? What about the 55 year old that recently switched careers and has never been involved in an … [Read more...]
Seriously, Your Conference Marketing Is Not About You!
It’s not about you! Seriously, I really mean it; it’s not about you! There is not a more accurate line about marketing your conference than that! No One Cares About You It’s not about you. It’s not about your organization. It’s not about your speakers and your sponsors. It’s not about what unique partnerships you’ve created. It’s not about how your conference is different from your competitors’ event. It’s not about your brand. Frankly, no one cares! Effective conference … [Read more...]
Your Conference Needs To Go On An Education Session Diet
Your conference attendees and prospects are less satisfied with an extensive list of education offerings than a narrow one. Too much information overwhelms them. And they walk away without any action. Ultimately, confused customers don’t buy anything. The Paradox Of Choice Yes, it’s true that when given a choice between a small and large assortment, customers state that they prefer a large variety. (Chernev,2003; Iyengar & Lepper, 2000). Ironically, when they chose something from … [Read more...]
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