Top Event Engagement Strategies From An Event Agency (That Work!)
Attending events has numerous advantages for people, but there are also many opportunities for attendees to not be as engaged as they could be. In this blog post, we'll look at what it takes to create an attendee-focused event, reveal some of our top event engagement strategies and look at the ways in which you can use technology to increase engagement.
Why is Attendee Engagement Important?
If you're planning an event, it's essential to make sure that your attendees are engaged. There are a few key reasons for this:
First, if people are engaged, they're more likely to remember your event and the messages that you're trying to communicate. This is especially important if you're hosting a conference or other type of educational event.
Second, engaged attendees are more likely to take action on what they've learned. If your goal is to get people to sign up for your product or service or take some other kind of action, then engagement is key.
Finally, engaged attendees are simply more enjoyable to be around! If you want your event to be a success, making sure that people are engaged should be one of your top priorities.
In the end, generating successful business outcomes requires engaging your audience. Events are a fantastic way to connect with clients, both existing and new, and leave a lasting impression. You may cultivate a sense of trust and create connections with participants by getting to know them personally. These connections can lead to long-term success. It's crucial to spend time interacting with event attendees. They will feel valued in this way and are more inclined to visit again in the future. Additionally, involvement generates leads and revenue through events, assisting you in more effectively and efficiently achieving your business objectives. So go out there and engage your audience! It'll pay off big time!
Increase Event Engagement Before The Event Even Starts!
It's no secret that engaging attendees is one of the most important aspects of putting on a successful event. After all, what's the point of hosting an event if no one shows up or pays attention once they're there?
There are a number of strategies you can use to improve engagement at your next event even before the event starts! Here are a few of our favourites:
1. Make sure your event has a clear purpose or theme.
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's worth repeating: people are more likely to engage with an event that has a clear purpose or theme. If your event feels like it's all over the place, attendees will be less likely to know what to focus on and you'll have a harder time getting them engaged.
2. Start promoting your event early and often.
The sooner you start promoting your event, the better. This will give potential attendees time to put it in their calendars and start getting excited about it. And, the more you promote your event, the more likely people are to see it and remember it when the time comes.
3. Get creative with your marketing.
Don't just rely on traditional methods like print ads and email, get creative with content marketing, promo videos and social media to promote your event. Are you having influential speakers? Don't be afraid to ask them to promote the event on their social media, after all, there is a reason you're having them present on the day.
What Attendee Event Engagement Strategies Can Be Used On The Day?
Are you looking for ways to increase attendee engagement at your next event? If so, you're not alone. Many event planners are searching for ways to take their events to the next level and create an unforgettable experience for attendees.
One way to increase engagement is to get attendees involved in the planning process. When registering for the event, ask them for their input on what topics they would like covered or what entertainment they would like to see. This will make them feel more invested in the event and more likely to attend.
Strategically breaking up the day with different sessions is an essential strategy. Introduce breakout sessions to allow for smaller groups of attendees to join together to discuss specific topics between larger speaker-style sessions. Be sure to include time for attendees to network. For a lot of people, it is an important reason for attending - to interact and meet people with similar interests.
Another way to increase engagement is to offer interactive activities at the event. This could include games, trivia, or even scavenger hunts. Anything that gets attendees up and moving around will help to keep them engaged.
Finally, make sure to follow up with attendees after the event. Thank them for coming and ask for their feedback on what they thought of the event. Was there a certain session or speaker that was the highlight of the event? What can you do to improve next time? This will show that you value their opinion and want to make future events even better.
How Can Technology Be Used to Improve Attendee Engagement?
Events are becoming more and more high-tech, and there are a number of ways that technology can be used to improve attendees’ experience and engagement. At Sleek, we have taken the learnings from virtual and are now often using similar strategies, just in person!
One way to use technology to improve engagement is through the use of apps. Apps can be used for a variety of purposes such as managing schedules, live Q&As for event sessions, providing maps of the event area, and offering social media integration. They can also be used to gamify the event experience by incorporating features such as leaderboards and badges.
Another way is by using digital signage. This can be used to direct attendees to specific areas or events, provide information about the event or even run contests or quizzes. Digital signage can also be used to create a more interactive experience by allowing attendees to control the content that is displayed.
Don't be afraid to use polling as an event engagement strategy! By polling your attendees, you can get feedback and insights that will help you make better decisions for the future. Polling provides streamlined audience interactions with your speakers in real time, whether it’s giving feedback before or after a presentation. Polling also allows the audience to guide panel discussions with their favourite topics. Polls can be as simple as giving a star rating or asking single or multiple-choice questions. Consider running a poll with a short time frame, encouraging users to give their feedback before the poll expires. Moreover, social media posts and SMS messaging services can be used to keep everyone up-to-date with the event schedules. Additionally, event technology products can be used to collect valuable data that will help you improve your engagement levels in the future.
Finally, radio frequency identification technology can be used to provide a more seamless event experience. For example, RFID tags can be used to automatically check in attendees as they arrive, track their movement throughout the event, and even provide them with targeted content based on their interests.
By incorporating some or all of these technologies into your next event, you’re sure to see an improvement in attendee engagement!
#SpeaktoSleek
Engaging your attendees is essential to the success of your event. By using these strategies, you can ensure that your attendees are engaged and involved in the event from start to finish. With a little planning and effort, you can create an event that everyone will remember long after it's over.