8 Fresh Event Ideas to Get More Customers [eBook]
When planning events, creativity, and innovation are crucial for success. Here are a few event ideas to use to bring more clients in and get recognition.
To build awareness for any brand or business, it is critical to attract new customers. Events can be the backbone of any marketing campaign. Events give potential clients a unique, first-hand experience with a company or a business.
Events are here to showcase the brand’s personality, perspective, and goals. They can be added to the sales pipeline to boost product attention, morale, and interest. Here are a couple of event ideas that can help you attract new customers, regardless of your line of work.
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1. Interactive Events
Hands-on events are a great way for customers to interact with a company’s product or employees.
For this type of event, your team should set up stations where clients can get a quick look at products in action.
These events promote spontaneity, engagement, and interest. Some event ideas for interactive events include:
- Interactive food and drink stations
- Customizable accessories, clothes, or other products
- Product demonstrations
During an interactive event, customers should touch, see, and experience the product or service you or your client offers. This hands-on approach is a priceless experience for building momentum and customer satisfaction.
For example, a software company can use an interactive event to create apps for customers on the spot using their latest technology. They can show why they stand out from the competition.
If the business sells pots and plants, they can use interactive events to showcase their mini terrariums created with meticulous care.
2. Social or Entertainment Events
Customers prefer different sources of entertainment. Just-for-fun events can offer exactly that. They are the perfect opportunity for customers to relax and unwind while getting acquainted with the brand.
These events require more creativity and innovation than others. For example, they can be used as team-building events, with options such as collecting clues, solving puzzles, scavenger hunts, etc.
The events can also be family-oriented. Customers may like to rent inflatable bounce houses, snow cone machines, fog machines, and other games and then bring their family for the day.
Events such as these create positivity and relaxation. Instead of being tailored toward a particular business goal, they are more focused on improving the mood of attendees.
3. Learning Events
Learning events can take on different forms. You have workshops, training courses, mentoring, counseling, 1:1 coaching, etc.
These events are pre-planned and designed to accommodate a wide range of customers or organizations. The purpose of the events is to help people gain valuable knowledge while offering them a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere.
Companies responsible for coordinating large-scale events can take care of different tasks that come with the planning. Such as setting up the stage, adding visual elements, arranging audio, and special effects.
For the learning event to attract customers, it is best to include videos, table exercises, and schedule breaks where attendees can take a step back and relax.
4. Tandem Events
Companies can partner up with suppliers or businesses that share the same goal. Tandem events are a great way to involve more people in the field and attract clients.
Businesses that share similar goals can use their experience to create an excellent event. Tandem events work for a wide range of industries. They are versatile events that hold notable marketing potential.
For example, a hair salon can partner up with a beauty supply store to create a “day of beauty event”. Potential clients can flock to the event in an effort to try different products or services.
5. Charity or Fundraising Events
Raising money is a great way to gain positive feedback and emotions for any brand or company. Fundraising events work for a worthy cause and are bound to get unprecedented attention. They bring in more supporters and boost engagement.
To choose the right type of fundraising event, it is important to know the interests of the event attendees. You can use:
- Charity auction: Auctions are a great way to get notable donations while the customers get something in return. These could be any type of merchandise that can stimulate interest in a company’s product.
- Galas: These are usually big events that occur once or twice a year. Attendees donate by buying a ticket to other activities, like mobile bidding or raffles. Events such as these are often formal social gatherings.
- Peer-to-peer fundraising: Activity-based events collect funds for charity by inspiring peers to sponsor specific sports or activities, such as participating in a marathon.
6. Virtual Events
VR technology is constantly growing in popularity. It is widely used in event planning and production.
Virtual events are often online events that can be used to create interactive and immersive experiences for attendees. These events can take many different forms, such as virtual summits, webinars, concerts, virtual photo booths, etc.
To create a memorable experience and attract customers, it’s critical for the event to run smoothly and without interruptions.
7. VIP Events
VIP events are exclusive events and an ideal opportunity to invite powerful executives, influencers, and reporters. These are invite-online marketing events.
To create a VIP event that attracts clients, you can include a VIP lounge in an existing event. This can serve as a practical break from classic conference proceedings. For example, you can give attendees a range of activities or refreshments in the form of entertainment.
Another example is to create a VIP competition. When inviting a range of clients, it is important to have high-value gifts and products to send out that would appeal to the audience. The attendees can compete with one another to earn these high-level gifts.
8. Contests
Contests, challenges, and leaderboards are great ways to attract customers. Events such as these create engagement, and entertainment, and add value.
But, for a contest event to feel unique, it should have an event theme. For example, if the event is based on “Rock & Roll,” then the contest should include a rock music creative theme. Attendees can guess the songs or play music to win a grand prize.
These events should also add an element of surprise. You can use social media advertisement, email marketing, or banner ads to create buzz. With attendees sharing their experiences on various social media platforms, you can get even more attention.
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References
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/5-event-ideas-attract-customers-alina-popescu
https://www.upstreamawards.com/event-ideas-to-attract-customers/
https://meetings.skift.com/fresh-ideas-run-successful-event-contest/