From the launch of a new venue or space, to promoting a new brand, throwing an event is a fantastic way to garner media attention. Not only are we looking for attention, we want attendance. Regarding RSVP's, our team has a few tricks up our sleeves to turn "maybe" into "yes" and reduce the number of "no's." Below are five of our favorite tips!
- Lead Time. Scheduling tends to be the largest road block when hosting an event. Without enough lead time, reporters and influencers simply won't be able to attend. Keep in mind that schedules book up fast and far out. Sending a "Save The Date" with at least one month's notice helps build attendance. Event Manager Blog suggests even longer lead times for events requiring more details, such as booking a flight and/or hotel.
- Short 'N Sweet. Reporters are notorious for reading the first few lines of a pitch before deleting the email if the copy isn't attention-grabbing. Come in hot with a little razzle dazzle and punch of information within the first two sentences. Hook them with fun details in the intro, then weave in other tidbits about your client, space or venue. Spell out what makes your event awesome right away.
- Food 'N Bev. Media are people. People like to eat and drink. If a hosted bar and bites are part of the event, let the message read loud and clear. Offering details about specialty libations or delectable hors d'oeuvres will add bonus points to your pitch. Capitalize on the fun factor and let your audience know about the good stuff.
- Clean. Keep things visually appealing and easy on the eyes. Media are easily bothered by small annoyances like having to open an attachment, or busy graphics taking over the pitch. Copy and paste the invite or design into the body of the email. Make sure the five W's (who, what, when, where, why) pop, and highlight how to RSVP. Simplicity is key.
- Get Personal. Personalize invites to address each potential guest—this will result in a higher level of responses. When an invite is formatted for a specific person, they're more likely to take that invite seriously.
Taking time to acknowledge intricate details and properly planning out an event goes a long way. Remember—it's an event! Have fun with it.