Are you ready to turn your events into unforgettable experiences that not only captivate your audience but also boost your bottom line? Whether you want to host in person events or a virtual events, there are strategies you can implement to enhance the whole experience for your attendees. In this post, we’re dishing out five tried-and-true tips for creating branded events that are both engaging and profitable.
First things first, you’ve got to really know who you’re planning this for! Understanding your audience is crucial for crafting an event that resonates with attendees. Take the time to research their demographic, interests, and preferences. What do they like? What topics interest them? What are their goals?
In episode 232 of Cubicle to CEO, Amanda Shuman shares that the reason she themed one of her events around travel is because she serves wedding professionals and knows how much that demographic values traveling and unique experiences.
Armed with this knowledge, you can tailor every aspect of your event to cater to the needs and interests of your audience, ensuring that they’ll be eager to grab their ticket and participate.
The appeal of your event goes beyond the content that you’re sharing. Once you’ve got an understanding of who your audience is, it’s time to commit to a killer theme that will make your branded event one that they won’t want to miss.
Your theme should be cohesive, consistent, and, most importantly, engaging to the attendees. Make sure every detail—from website visuals, to stage design, to event assets, and activities—fits the theme like a glove.
Referring back to the audience research from tip #1, choosing a theme that aligns with your audience’s desires or values will really help you draw in and form a connection with that ideal client.
Engagement is the heart and soul of any successful event. You want your attendees to be active participants, not just passive observers. Incorporate interactive elements like games, prizes, breakout groups, and live demos to keep them engaged and entertained.
Encourage networking to foster connections between attendees and make them feel like they’re part of a community. The more engaged they are, the more likely they’ll be to spread the word about your event and return in the future.
While ticket sales, add-ons, merchandise, and order bumps are great cash injections, the real behind the scenes money-makers are the upsells! Branded events are a great way to get in front of a high volume of people, help them get to know you as an expert, and showcase additional value through a higher ticket product or service.
Not every attendee will have the desire or means to follow through with your offer – but the truth is, you don’t need tons of upsells to make a massive financial impact. Providing upsell opportunities gives attendees the chance to continue with the progress they made during your event while boosting your revenue.
After the dust has settled, it’s time to evaluate the success of your event and use that feedback to make improvements for next time. Track metrics like attendance, engagement, conversion rates, and revenue generated to gauge what worked well and what could be better.
Did attendees rave about a particular activity or theme? Double down on it in future events. Did you notice a drop-off in engagement at a certain point? Adjust your strategy accordingly. By continuously iterating and refining your approach, you’ll ensure that each branded event is better than the last.
And there you have it—five tips for creating engaging and profitable branded events. Now, it’s time to turn your ideas into reality and wow your attendees with an event experience they won’t forget.
Want to hear how Amanda Shuman used branded events to generate $180K in revenue for her business? Listen to episode 232 of Cubicle to CEO – available everywhere you listen to podcasts!
Connect with Amanda: