Business events are no longer the same as a few years ago. The pandemic was the game-changer, making online events a norm. Even as traditional events resumed in the new normal, technology became an integral part of the industry. However, attendance continues to be a concern for organizers and business owners. Not all events get the desired traffic even after enough registrations and engagement. The good thing is that you can leverage technology to pull the crowds and achieve your attendance and engagement goals. But planners often fail on this front because they have no clue about the challenges and solutions. Here are the best tech strategies to maximize event attendance.
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1. Understand audience intent
Event attendance often boils down to audience intent, but marketers and business owners miss out on it. Understand why people want to be there, whether to learn something about your brand, explore new networking opportunities, gain insight into your business ideas, or only because the location is appealing. Figuring out what people expect can help you deliver to their expectations. For example, you may bring in an educational speaker or run a presentation to educate the audience. Likewise, scheduling breakout sessions gives them the opportunity to mingle. Follow your target audience online to know them better and understand their intent.
2. Run a promotional campaign on social media
You cannot expect attendees at your event unless they know about it. Running a promotional campaign on social media is a great way to create a buzz. Choose the platforms your target audience frequents, and share compelling posts and images regularly. It enables you to capture people’s attention and generate interest in the event. They may even spread the word by sharing your posts if they find them compelling enough. Try using hashtags to maximize the reach of your posts. Running polls on your website and social media can help you pick the most popular topics for the event. All you need to do is use digital promotion platforms well to get more people in.
3. Ease the registration process
An easy registration process is another step to maximize attendance for your event. After all, everyone runs short of time, and following a complex registration process is the last thing people want to do. They may rather prefer skipping participation, no matter how critical a conference or session is. Using online signup forms for the registration process can facilitate the process as attendees can register with only a few clicks. Look for a provider that offers customizable forms so that you can provide minimum fields to make sharing information a breeze. Also, ensure that the forms are mobile-friendly so that people can fill them out on the go. Check the provider’s responsiveness as well because you may need support at some point.
4. Build hype with reminders
Getting people to register for your event is only half the work because many may skip it only because they forget about it. You can avoid the situation by building hype with constant reminders to ensure that potential participants do not miss out on it. However, remember not to overdo things because too many reminders can get on the nerves. Space them out and provide valuable information such as venue details, the progress of preparation, keynote speakers, and planned activities. You can send separate emails covering all these points at regular intervals to keep the audience hooked without irritating them. Also, pay attention to the content to build excitement for the event.
5. Unleash the power of video content
Video content can do wonders for attracting attendees, so you must definitely unleash its potential. You may use slideshows or PowerPoint presentations, but live streaming is far better because it is more immersive. Moreover, you can extend your reach by adding an online element to your physical event. A much broader audience can attend the program through live streaming. The best part is that it makes the event more shareable on social media. You can create videos showing a sneak peek of the venue, volunteer interviews, announcements, Q&A sessions with speakers, and updates on progress.
6. Leverage event technology
Another surefire tip to maximize attendance, engagement, and reach is to leverage event technology. In fact, it can help you pull the attendees year after year. Using membership software can help you attract and retain your members. You can hook them with members-only content, such as forums, notices, and networking opportunities. Fun image technology, such as augmented reality experiences, photo booths, and selfie mirrors can engage members at the venue. You can capture attendee attention with Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality installations and projections at your booth.
7. Connect speakers and attendees
Bridging the gaps between speakers and attendees is another way to get more people to your event. Your speaker lineup is perhaps the most enticing part of the event because it sets the tone and adds value to your presence. Choosing niche leaders and industry influencers gives you a head start as people want to listen to them. You can go the extra mile by facilitating direct connections between your attendees and speakers. For example, you can organize Q&A sessions, implement group chats, and empower speakers to run live polls between sessions.
8. Keep attendees excited
Keeping attendees on their toes is another way to bring them to the current event and more you organize in the future. Give them something to be excited about, such as valuable and relevant information, bonus training sessions, and a promotional lunch with a speaker. Announcing a mystery speaker in the runup is another way to create excitement around the event. Likewise, you may plan a surprise member activity, enter attendees into an exclusive competition, and recognize loyal members with anniversary announcements.
Maximizing event attendance is easier than you imagine, provided you are ready to take a creative approach. Begin with the basics like understanding your audience and facilitating the registration process because these are essential to bring them in. Once they are a part of the plan, implement measures to hook them for the long haul. Fortunately, you can rely on technology to cover both fronts. Follow these tech strategies to make the most of your business event attendance.
I am a passionate, adventurous, and insatiate learner who loves to write about the latest technology trends. My experience working in an MNC has motivated me to understand that there are certain niche requirements for writing strategically about brands’ messages towards people’s interests which I’ve mastered over time through trial and error of many projects under various clients across diverse industries. It is my honest effort to put my experiences and knowledge of industry towards readers.
