| What if you threw a party and no one came? | | | | or sell something, good event attendance can |
| Event planners want to get the best possible | | | | make the difference between failure and success. |
| event attendance for their investment. Even the | | | | You'll want to let people know a little more about |
| most elaborate event will fail to meet its goals if | | | | what you expect of the event. You can send |
| event attendance is not good. Careful, thorough | | | | short e-mail updates as the time draws near, |
| event planning is essential for success, and that | | | | explaining how to get there or telling them about |
| includes the guest list and invitations. | | | | special activities or entertainment. If you have a |
| The first step in getting good event attendance is | | | | big enough budget, you might hire a telemarketing |
| giving plenty of notice so that your guests can | | | | firm to make follow-up calls asking if people still |
| plan to attend. For large events, sending out your | | | | plan to attend or giving them a bit of information |
| invitations a month before the event is | | | | about what to expect. |
| appropriate. Smaller, less formal events do not | | | | 4. Keep People Talking about your Event |
| require as much lead time, but you still want to | | | | Talk up your event for maximum event |
| give your guests plenty of time to arrange for | | | | attendance. Whenever you get the opportunity, |
| baby sitters, coordinate their own schedules, and | | | | talk about what a great time people are going to |
| plan their transportation. | | | | have. Drop a few names or hints about |
| Here are eight things you can do to maximize | | | | entertainment or special announcements. Let |
| event attendance at your next event: | | | | people know if there'll be a band or other types |
| 1. Get Their Attention from the Get-Go | | | | of entertainment. The more you talk about your |
| Spend the time and money to create attractive, | | | | event, the better event attendance is likely to be. |
| interesting invitations. You want your guests to | | | | 5. Use Word-of-Mouth Advertising for Great |
| open the invitation when they receive it. And you | | | | Event Attendance |
| want them to want to come to your event. | | | | Ask your co-workers, family, and friends to tell |
| Printing an attractive invitation, including a | | | | their friends about the event. Make sure they |
| distinctive envelope, will go a long way toward | | | | know if celebrities (local and national) are on board. |
| raising interest and boosting event attendance. | | | | Tell them about the menu and beverage service. |
| Using thematic colors or familiar logos will help | | | | Tell them why you're hosting the event and what |
| them identify your organization before they open | | | | people will gain from attending. Of course, you'll |
| the invitation. Simple but attractive artwork and | | | | want to be sure they are on the invitation list. Get |
| design will create the impression of a | | | | them excited about it, and encourage them to |
| well-grounded, capable organization and build | | | | share that excitement with others and build event |
| expectations for a fun experience they won't | | | | attendance. |
| want to miss. | | | | 6. Use the Community to Build Up Interest |
| 2. Back Up the Invitation with Publicity | | | | Make sure you post fliers and posters at local |
| Your invitation is a personal way to let your | | | | churches, libraries, stores, and schools. Prepare a |
| guests know you desire their presence. Follow-up | | | | simple, eye-catching flier with the important |
| advertising will remind them the event's coming up | | | | information (time, date, location) and at least one |
| and maintain their interest, assuring maximum | | | | reason people should attend. When your invited |
| event attendance. Depending on the size and | | | | guests hear others talking about your event, |
| budget of your event, you should make sure the | | | | they'll be more likely to come. |
| date, time, and location are well-known. For local | | | | 7. Make a Splash |
| and community events, use flyers and posters in | | | | If you can afford it, do something outrageous to |
| local retail centers. Develop a few short public | | | | get their attention. Hire a sky-writer or hot air |
| service announcements and send them to radio | | | | balloon to carry a message to the community. |
| and television stations. For big elaborate events, | | | | Use your local Fast Signs store to create banners |
| buy advertising space in the local paper or run | | | | to hang around the community. If it's appropriate, |
| 30-second ads on radio and TV to keep your | | | | dress people up in thematic costumes and have |
| event in the front of people's minds to get | | | | them carry signs at intersections. Use lots of color |
| maximum event attendance. | | | | and great big letters that grab the attention and |
| 3. Reinforce the Invitation with Follow-up | | | | won't let go. The more people are thinking and |
| Communications | | | | talking about your event, the better your event |
| Especially if you're having the event to raise funds | | | | attendance will be. |