5-Step Guide: How to Get More Attendees for Your Marketing Event

• May 14, 2024
• sb2b
• no comments

In today’s environment fueled by AI, it’s easy for digital marketers & agencies to assume that faceless online interactions are the future of marketing. But, in-person and online/virtual marketing events remain a powerful tool for building relationships, boosting brand awareness, and generating leads.

So much so that, statistics show that event-based interactions leave a lasting impression. According to the Experiential Marketing Content Benchmarking Report, 84% of people say they have a “more positive” view of a brand or service after attending their event. In that blog, we will focus on why SimplifiedB2B should not underestimate the impact of marketing events.

Why are Marketing Events so Important for Agencies & Marketers?

If your events don’t smell like anything other than a meal, then you’re missing a huge opportunity to create positive, memorable experiences for your guests.

Social media platforms, online ads, and all kinds of programmatic marketing are powerful, no doubt. However, some statistics tell a different story – event attendees have a more positive view of a brand or service (as mentioned above.) Think about it: How many times have you scrolled past an ad without a second thought? Both digital events and offline, create real-world experiences that resonate with audiences on a deeper level.

Events are “podiums” for digital marketers to shine, whether it’s a live keynote or a pre-recorded webinar. So, showcase your expertise, share valuable insights, and position yourself as the go-to agency in your niche. And yes, this kind of brand authority translates to serious client cred.

Events – either in a physical event space or a virtual chatroom – are lead-generation goldmines. It offers an opportunity to target a wide audience in one place. In other words, marketing events facilitate valuable connections that traditional digital marketing methods might struggle to achieve.

Marketing events go beyond that; they provide marketers with cost-effective networking options. The best part is that the networks made at events can lead to valuable partnerships and collaborations that can benefit businesses for years.

How to Get People to Come to Your Event

An amazing marketing event has been planned – a webinar packed with industry insights, a service launch party brimming with excitement, or a digital marketing conference overflowing with networking opportunities. But, the main question is how do you get people to show up?

Let’s discover how to get SimplifiedB2B’s audience & prospects to come to their event.

#1 Get Listed on SimplifiedB2B

As you may know, Digital Agency Network serves as a digital agency hub and creates a community of clients looking for their agency fit. By listing SimplifiedB2B’s marketing events on our platform (no matter what the main topic is) you tap into a targeted audience already primed to engage with what you offer. It’s like attending an event where everyone is there specifically to learn about your services.

Beyond simple listings, DAN actively promotes SimplifiedB2B’s marketing events – the targeted promotion efforts ensure their events reach the right eye, allowing them to showcase their expertise directly to potential clients. And yes, this targeted approach allows SimplifiedB2B to convert attendees into paying customers with a higher success rate.

What’s more? When you once get listed on the DAN event page, SimplifiedB2B’s event is showcased alongside relevant events and tools. Also, the platform integrates seamlessly with DAN’s high-follower official social media accounts, ensuring their events get the maximum exposure.

#2 Offer Motivators

A classic for a reason!

Like in all organizations, motivators, or incentives, are a powerful tool to attract attendees to SimplifiedB2B’s marketing events (online or offline).

According to the EMI/Mosaic EventTrack, offering some motivators in events is a great way to build a community:

The main motivators to participate are free samples or other giveaways, discounts or special offers, to learn, and if the consumer already likes the brand or company sponsoring the event. Four years of data are provided in the table.

Does SimplifiedB2B need some advice on motivators? Here is a piece of advice which are perfect hype for marketing events:

Create attractive discounts for those who register early. Offer limited-edition perks for early registrants, like signed copies of a speaker’s book, access to a VIP session, or a selective downloadable resource. Offer freebies – an e-book, a cheat sheet, or a free trial of your product or service. Host live raffles or giveaways during the event, offering exciting prizes. Reward SimplifiedB2B’s attendees with exclusive discounts on future events or their products or services at the end of their marketing event.

#3 Generate Max Interest

How do you ignite attendee interest and turn FOMO (fear of missing out) into a stampede to your registration page?

While the content and execution of the event itself are undeniably important, generating maximum interest beforehand is the critical first step. In other words, igniting curiosity and fostering a sense of anticipation are good calls to attract potential attendees to SimplifiedB2B’s event.

The first step in generating maximum interest for their organization is creating a captivating event theme and titles, of course. Then craft compelling content across their official channels – mostly social media platforms. Remember that it not only outlines the event’s main purpose but teases the valuable solutions offered. SimplifiedB2B may want to consider utilizing infographics and interactive quizzes (and other gamification options) to pique audience interest.

Using social media at maximum is another good call to ignite interest. Post thought-provoking questions related to the event theme, share cryptic clues about speakers or content, and utilize features like countdowns to build anticipation.

#4 Inject Fun

Attracting attendees requires more than just informative content and big-name speakers. People crave experiences that are not only valuable but also enjoyable, no doubt!

To spark anticipation about SimplifiedB2B’s marketing event in the most enjoyable way, they can create a fun and engaging registration process through online quizzes, interactive polls, or even a points system for early sign-ups. In the pre-event era, sharing interactive social media contests including challenges with exciting prizes is another great idea.

During the event, SimplifiedB2B may want to consider incorporating workshops, live demonstrations, or even product challenges where attendees can test their skills and win prizes. We recommend offering fun activities like photo booths with event-themed props, interactive games, or even networking challenges that encourage attendees to connect with new people, in case you have a source for it.

#5 Partner with People & Organizations

When it comes to amplifying your reach and attracting a wider pool of related people, SimplifiedB2B needs to consider teaming up with influencers and organizations.

As you already know, influencer marketing is a great way to build a community around your brand. Finding and working with an influencer (macro, mid, or micro), who aligns with SimplifiedB2B’s brand values, resonates with your target audience, and possesses works really well for their marketing event.

On the other hand, partnering with industry associations, professional societies, or even complementary businesses, is another good way to reach a wider audience. The best part of that kind of collaboration is allowing cross-promotion.

Not quite convinced?

Also, SimplifiedB2B can showcase their partnership by featuring logos/photos of collaborating companies or influencers on their marketing materials and highlighting their participation to build credibility.