How to Leverage Events - Before and After
How to Leverage Events - Before and After
So you've put in a lot of effort and created a big event. Maybe it was great. Maybe not. But now it's over and you're back where you started wondering what do next.
Running 12 separate events per year would require a tremendous amount of effort.
Remember our events diagram. There is a before and after for every event.
With each step forward, we gain additional assets (experience, contacts, resources, public profile), which we should leverage to our benefit.
Documenting RSVPs and apologies, tracking feedback, and creating a photo collection will make upcoming events easier and more effective.
When you choose and organise events, think about how the event could be designed to have other benefits. For example:
Can a stall at a market or fair also be a networking event?
Could an event at a nursery also be a chance to make a relationship with the nursery especially if it introduces new customers to them?
Can a joint event with another local organisation be a win/win for you both and strengthen your network?
Make sure you promote your coming event well
Check your media assets and system so you promote them in the most efficient way.
Find a photo from your library - perhaps from one from your previous events. I have a few favourite plant photos I use when there’s nothing else, and even the screenshot of the calendar.
KISS - Keep it simple applies to everything. Assume your audience is impatient and has poor vision. Simple text is best with perhaps one image or logo as an illustration using the method of whatever platform you are on.
Type the details into your Substack post. Post a Facebook event on Facebook. Or share your Substack post by pasting the address into the box on Facebook or Instagram. Resist fancy fonts that make reading hard - you already know what it says, they don’t. Lay the details out clearly. People don’t care about your fancy design; they care about finding the information they want. Try to look at it as if you don’t already know what it says.Whenever you put a link in, always click on the link afterwards to check that it goes where you expect. The same applies to newsletters. Send yourself a draft and click on every link.
If you are taking RSVPs on one platform, set that one up first so all the others can have a link there for the RSVP.
Share posts about your event on your own social media assets (eg facebook page or group). If you are member of related facebook groups, share it there too, but be careful that you don’t become one of those people who only posts their own events without being an active group member. Group admins will delete your posts and ban you.
Tell the Story Afterwards
You might only have had a few people at your event, but your posts and photos when you talk about it afterwards will make many more people aware that it happened. It reminds them that you are there, that they missed an event and might want to come to the next one.
I’m really bad at remembering to take photos at events. If you have someone who will take on the job of photographer (or even do videos) for the event, that helps.
At this morning’s Casual Coffee event, I was in the car to come home before I remembered so went back and took a photo to post on Facebook and Substack (I just pasted the Substack link below)
Reflect on the Event and Outcomes
Think about the event afterwards, discuss it with your group members.
Did it work? Were there unexpected outcomes? Disappointments or pleasant surprises? Was there anything in the discussions that you should follow up or take on board? Would you do it again and, if so, would you make any adjustments?
This sets you up ready for your next event. It might even give you ideas for different types of events.
Remember: the number of people at your event is not a good indicator. Did the event take you closer to your end goals? Can you see it as at least a small win? Did the outcomes justify the resources and effort?
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