OK, so it’s not rocket science – like most effective tactics, they are mostly plain common sense and attention to detail.

We all know how challenging it is to get people to come to events, and then even more challenging to turn them into leads.

I often get asked how we do it, so thought it might be useful to share a list of tips to help get you to a 10% drop out rate (same as ours).

Every event organiser's worst nightmare

1. Keep it relevant – OK, sounds obvious doesn’t it? Focus – don’t try to be everything to everyone – focus on a group, pick something that’s really keeping them up at night, it might not always be something that you do, but hey, it will get your key prospects all in a room.
2. Don’t sell – if they want to find out more about you they will, focus instead on getting them in with great content and showing how they will benefit from giving up some of their time. Sell later, marketing is for creating connections (leads), get them talking to sales in the room, don’t make it the focus of the content.
3. Make it easy – make it easy to register, make it easy to get there, make it easy to park, make it easy to find, make it easy to find the room, make it easy….to do ANYTHING related to the event. It’s easy to have blinkers on and miss really obvious things that will lead delegates to say “can’t be bothered”
4. Risk assess – honestly, what would you do if the power failed? If there was a car accident outside the venue (happened to us once!), if there is a transport strike, if your speaker is ill? Go to town on your run through and think about what you would do.
5. Be regular - the more events you run the more you will build up a following. Simple. Publicise through all channels, don’t be lazy and just rely on email. Talk about your events ALL THE TIME, get sales involved.
6. Keep in touch – don’t forget about your delegates the minute they register. It takes quite a few touch-points to remind them they are coming, what they will miss if they don’t and how they will benefit. Don’t overload them, use different channels to mix it up.

Have any to add?

Charlotte Graham-Cumming

B2B · event drop out rates · event management · Events · Marketing · venues

Our first B2B Marketing Symposium for corporate B2B Marketers, has officially launched! Our first event is July 15th 2010, and you can access an invite from the link below. You can hear senior marketers from Google, Salesforce.com, Sterling Commerce and the Carbon Trust discuss their experiences, best practices and case studies around B2B marketing.

If you are a client side B2B Marketer, then this event will be invaluable (although of course I may be a little biased!). the symposium is designed to provide valuable resources such as Case Studies, Best Practice and guidance on how to run effective B2B marketing programmes.

Invite copy located here….

The microsite is under construction as we speak – so watch this space!

B2B Marketing · Events · Google · Ice Blue Sky · marketers · Salesforce.com; Carbon trust · Sterling Commerce