Events Make Sense

With people becoming increasingly jaded with mass marketing and more skeptical than ever before of advertising, it’s time to start being authentic and like the Old Dirty Bastard so eloquently phrased it – Keep it real!

How, you may ask, does one “Keep It Real”? Stopping short of going out and getting yourself a diamond encrusted grill and an entourage, one of the better ways to be real is through event marketing, trade shows and enhanced retail environments. In each of these areas you create an immersive experience that allows you to interact in an authentic way with your audience. It also gives your audience an opportunity to be completely submersed in your brand, allowing them to touch, smell, see, taste and feel your brand.

When you participate in a live marketing event, there is almost an instant AUTHENTICITY!

Unfortunately events and trade shows are complicated beasts to handle, often leaving managers, coordinators and staff confused and wondering if their marketing dollars are being well spent.

To help focus your event marketing initiatives I have compiled 10 of the more important questions to ask when entering into the live experience and event marketing model.

• What are your specific objectives and are they realistic?
• Are you selecting the right shows & events?
• Are you creating a custom exhibit, modular exhibit, display or banners?
• Will your exhibit/display tell your story in the best possible way?
• What kind of lead time do you need to produce our exhibit?
• Are you introducing a new product or service?
• Why are you at this specific event or trade show? To get new leads, talk to existing clients, build a mailing list, introduce yourself to the industry, etc, etc, etc.
• How have/will you generate interest?
• How do you attract qualified leads?
• How will you measure the ROI?

Bonus

• What is your budget for the event?

By answering these questions, you have a solid base to work from and a good starting point for all your live marketing initiatives. Remember that authenticity is the key to connecting with your prospects. Everyone loves a company that can “Keep it real!”

If you have any questions or would like to discuss how experiential marketing works for you, drop me a line.