In the fast-paced world of conference and event management, it’s easier than ever to reach your customers with the help of the digital world. Everyone has a smartphone these days, and many customers or potential customers are connected to brands through social media. Hospitality event marketing has access to new technological tools to get the message across, and that’s a step in the right direction. Another important step to event marketing success is being able to engage with your customers in a meaningful way. Here are 3 hospitality event marketing strategies that really work:

 

Engage and interact with your customers

Gone are the days when event marketing was all about a sales pitch – a cheesy TV advert, a 30-second rant on the radio, just a whole lot of sales going on. These days, event marketing is about forming a relationship between your customer and your brand. When customer’s make a connection with a brand, not only do they buy a ticket to your event / make a purchase, they also tell their friends about it and stay loyal to your brand. When you engage with your customers by talking to them, asking for their opinions, getting them to vote or engage in your marketing and using emotion to convey your message, you’ll definitely get buy in.

Use a phone app to create a buzz

If you look at your phone right now, you’ve probably got loads of apps on it to help keep you organised (banking, planners, note takers and so). Why then shouldn’t you make use of an app for your event? You can include all event information on the app that’s useful for the customer (location, timing, ticket prices, invitation, ticket sales etc.) and then allow them access to VIP only areas through Snapchat and Periscope. These two social channels are changing the landscape of behind-the-scenes access, offering unfiltered views of what was, until very recently, offered only to the elite. Spredfast explains what happened recently at the VMA’s with one of these two platforms: “For the 2015 VMAs in September, MTV partnered with Snapchat for an exclusive Live Story (for which users submit Snaps to create a “community perspective” of an event). Users had access to the red carpet, restricted backstage areas, and other event highlights not shown on cable”. So essentially what we’re saying is that if you have this type of mobile event app on offer, your customers can enjoy a more engaging experience at your event.

Get your social and get blogging

Before, during and after an event, make sure you’re letting customers know what’s happening. Blog about pre-event interviews with guest speakers, musicians etc. During the event, live tweet, use Snapchat or other social platforms to engage those customers both at the event, and those who are following outside of the event. Get professional videographers (or if budgets don’t allow, ask friends and colleagues to help) to video important parts of the event, and post them on YouTube, Vimeo, on your blog and any social platform that you have. Ask the public to offer opinions, suggestions or ask questions – keep them engaged before, during and after your event.

Want to be an event planner?

Event planners have one of the most stressful jobs in the industry. Not only do they have to deal with clients and their briefs, they also have to deal with suppliers who supply the décor, sound, lighting, flowers and so. Then, they have to co-ordinate the whole process without losing sight of the legal and financial aspects of the event, whilst ensuring that everyone is happy from the kitchen staff to the servers and ultimately to the client. It takes great leadership skills, excellent planning and communication ability and nerves of steel to do this job.

International Hotel School offers courses for those who wish to pursue a career in event planning or event marketing. If you would like to know more, call us today on 0861 44 33 00 to speak to one of our consultants, or alternatively, email us: info@dev.brokenpony.club

(Content and image sources: http://www.convinceandconvert.com/social-media-strategy/how-to-connect-with-your-audience-emotionally-to-drive-more-engagement/; https://www.spredfast.com/social-marketing-blog/how-periscope-and-snapchat-change-live-events; http://www.eventmanagerblog.com/10-event-marketing-tips/; http://www.brafton.com/news/event-planners-hospitality-industry-big-on-social-media-marketing/ and http://www.eventmanagerblog.com/5-event-marketing-trends; www.missionguru.com); www.dragonsearch.com; www.mainstreethost.com)