A few weeks ago I posted the 12 days of autumn on my facebook page, some top tips for event organising, social media nand marketing. Top tips, insights to help, and a competition. Here are the 12 complete days in one easy to read blog post. Connect with me on facebook, twitter, google+ I’d love to find out what you think…
First day of autumn, was apparently on Friday 23 September .
It’s kindof felt like autumn for 4 weeks in the UK until the week it actually turns autumn and it feels a lot more like summer again! It still amazes me how the seasons fascinate, like the tide, and a crackling fire, ever-changing and enchanting. Autumn is a new season, it’s hard work, it’s back to school and everyone is fo…cused. It all feels a new, even though some of us have been doing this for many years.
Autumn Marketing & Events, is hardwork, it’s focused and it still feels new. What follows this post is 12 days of autumn.
Day 2: top tip for e-newsletters
The visual impact of your newsletter will speak far more than the words of your newsletter.
Use strong interesting images that draw the reader in to find out more. Keep it simple.
Don’t bombard people with e-communication, assume they signed up because they want to be updated, but they don’t want to know what you had for breakfast…
Make sure you include a call to action – what is the purpose of your newsletter and what would you like the reader to do. Check back for more tips tomorrow!
Top tip number 3: networking
I went to a fab little networking event this lunchtime at Hard Days Night Hotel, it was organised by Kirwan’s solicitors and it was focused on Mums who are in business. Goodness me there’s always something to talk about. I made a couple of good connections, but how to remember people?
Repeat their name back to them and keep dropping it into the conversation – they will correct you if you are wrong and it will help you to remember them after you’ve walked away to pick up another drink. It’s always handy if their name is the company name – just like Amy! From Amy’s Cupcake Design!
Top tip number 4: managing speakers
Remember you are glad they are speaking at your event- you did book them after all..however they need some gentle managing. As well as chasing, reminding and generally badgering for info, profiles, pics and presentations.
Set deadlines well in advance of your conference for this kind of information, if they’re any good (and we’re presuming they are or you wouldn’t have booked them) they will be insanely busy. Always get presentations in advance and always run-through them to check they work, links are correct and so on…I’ve learnt this one the hard way
Top Tip number 5 : managing caterers
Always go with someone who’s been recommended to you (if possible) and always get three quotes. It’s an invaluable relationship to have a great caterer who you can rely on and you know is always going to deliver. Make sure you check “hidden costs: linen, glassware and staffing. This is one of the best bits about hiring CATERERS: the tasting – even if it’s just canapés – there will be dishes that sound nice, but don’t work as well in reality. Make sure you cut through the frivolity of the menu, slow roasted haricot beans with fresh tomato compote is really just baked beans!
Top Tip number 6: facebook marketing
There’s lots of resource available for this online Social Media Branding with Kim Garst has got loads of resources and is super helpful, so rather than repeat her wisdom – just go have a look.
However my personal top tip is: be lovely. If people can take their precious time to go onto your Facebook page, like you and then type their thoughts on your page, please have the politeness to respond to them and be lovely! Cost to you: zero! Value to customer: MASSIVE
Top Tip number 7: how to get fantastic press coverage for your event – project or launch: simple:
get a pr company – there are lots of good ones out there: Agent Marketing Active Profile, Think PR, PRs are the gatekeepers, they know exactly the right person to talk to, they do it all the time, it’s all about relationship, which they are experienced at cultivating and they have time (it is their job after all ) to talk to the journos.
Top tip number 8 : twitter
Everyone has got a lot to say about twitter and the best way to use twitter and I do not proclaim to be an expert, but I do know when someone knows what they are talking about and I think @renee_warren has written 27 great points on how to engage with twitter. You can read the whole list here, my personal favourite is: promote others – value people, value relationships and show other people you care about them, their story and their brand by promoting the things you think are great about them. Promoting others builds relationship. Go on give it a go.
Top Tip number 9 : impressing and maintaining clients
Be thoughtful: ask them about their latest venture/family/football team
Listen: people love to talk about themselves..this is why we have so many blogs in the world..but listening is a very powerful tool
Be Memorable: bake a tasty treat, 
buy a small gift your client may have commented on
Be personable – people want to work with people they like so be likeable!
Top tip number 10: organising tip
We all have to organise an event at some point in our life. A birthday celebration, stag or hen doo. wedding, anniversary, the list is pretty endless. Some people are good at it and some people stress over it. The major difference between these two groups of people is the planning. Planning takes most of the stress out of events.
If you get a strategy and you know where you are going, what your goal is how you want the event to be, it’ll help you to focus on what’s important. The plan needs to have consistent deadlines over a period of time that are ‘just about’ achievable. It needs to be fluid and will adapt over time. A great plan = a great event. Take time over your plan it will always pay off.
Top tip number 11: Get passionate about a cause
What is it that motivates you, makes you feel alive? Moves you to tears because it strikes a chord? resonates with who you are?
This is just what JoinFITE does for me, I’m unable to watch the JoinFITE clip on youtube without shedding a tear or two.Helping other people, do business, provide for themselves, helping women, who in turn help… communities and their children. It’s so simple. Yet so powerful.
Jessica Jackley, at her Ted.com talk last year is totally inspiring as the co-founder of Kiva talks about her relationship with poverty, money and love.
Get your customers, friends, followers and circles to engage with the things you’re passionate about. It will change the way they think about you. Get a cause. Get a higher goal. It’s contagious.
Top Tip number 12:Run a competition, giveaway or free offer.
It builds your brand, it opens dialogue and builds relationship with your customers, and shows your customers you’re prepared to invest in them. The competition I created for one of my fab clients www.jerseybeautycompany.co.uk closed last month. So checkout Dermalogica, who who in conjunction with The Help Movie are offering the chance to win a trip to new york
Which top tip could you put into practice right now?