BE BETTER THAN YOUR BEST

In this profession, everybody is trying to be the best, but nobody really reaches there. But, you do get to improve at every step of the way and, if nothing else, you can always be a better version of what you are. No matter how big or small an event is, you will be able to find out at least one place where you screwed up and one point where you completely nailed it. The key is to keep learning, whether it is from your mistakes or others’ experiences. Take up challenging events, read blogs and articles, attend events and make a mental note of how they are getting things done and don’t be afraid to try out something new. For all you know, it might end up being your “thing”.

STRIKE THE BALANCE

If you’re an event planner, you are very well aware of what the balance is. You are struggling to meet an immoveable deadline, you are living off planners and coffee, and you have just ceased any possible contact with your personal life – family, friends, or your own self. That’s pretty much every event planner’s life summed up. Though, that’s not how it is supposed to be. Incorporate activities for your physical and mental health into your schedule and this might mean relying on your team members for a little more work, but you have to stop obsessing and trust them. Let go off the unnecessary stress because even though it comes with the job profile, that doesn’t change the fact that it’s unnecessary. If you have to strike the balance, you have to give that perspective of yours a little twist.

CHOOSE YOUR EVENTS WISELY

Events that just come and go like a wind aren’t probably what you should be opting for when you’re trying to build yourself professionally. Sign up for events that let you engage with your audience. You can also try high end events like Live Music Events & Casino Events to switch your niche. Most importantly, though, learn to say NO. It’s an innate quality of an event planner to accommodate everything that comes his way. Even when your schedule is packed and you have a lot on your plate, you would still take up a job you’re not even interested in for a very less fee just because you can’t turn down a client or a colleague. Trust me (you will, because you have experienced this at some point yourself), you’ll only regret this later because not only will you get nothing from this particular event, you might also mess up other important jobs because of extra stress.

GO TECH-SAVVY

Not just because 94% of the event planners are doing it, but because it’ll really lift a great deal of load off your shoulders. Try building an event mobile app because that’s a really effective way to improve connectivity with today’s generation who don’t look ahead of their smartphones (quite literally). Refer to the Event App Bible for getting a deeper-than-the-Marian-trench deep insight into the market.

LEAVE THE RIGHT IMPRESSIONS

This might sound really crazy, but when you’re setting up and event and getting people to register, there are two times when you make “the first impression”. I say so because both these times, the impression that you leave is going to be equally important. First is when you’re getting people on your website and wanting them to register for the event i.e. online registration. Second is when your attendees are queuing up outside the gates of your venue and the situation becomes simply chaotic i.e. onsite registration. Focus on both these aspects equally.

GO AND GET IT!

It’s a fact that can be repeated a million times and it still won’t stop making sense – this is a highly competitive industry. But, that shouldn’t stop you from achieving what you’ve always wanted. If you’ve had your eyes on a client since a long time, work on a hundred ways of landing him. The only way to reach your goals is to go and get them.

SELL OUT

Don’t just aim to break even. For every event you do, make sure you’re working towards selling your event ticket entirely. Every event is different, and there’s no foolproof way to ensure that you end up selling out each one using the same formula, but keep reading and gathering tips that you can try out. At the same time, devise your own ways of working around all these events in order to get to a point where you can say, “Sorry, we’re out of tickets!”

STAND ON YOUR FEET, AND STAND TALL

Though it sounds scary, starting your own company all by yourself can be a life-changing decision for you. It’ll require a lot of thinking and business planning, but starting off something of your own can help you solidify those ideas that have just been floating around in your head while you were living someone else’s dream.

BE THE LEADER YOU’D WANT TO FOLLOW

Because it doesn’t matter whether you’re working for someone else or are your own boss, you’re going to have a team under you who’ll be looking up to you for inspiration. Always motivate your team members – appreciate them when they do something good, and when they don’t, remind them of the times they did.

CONCLUSION

These aren’t definitive goals that you need to stick on your bathroom mirror; these are outlines of the realistic goals that you’re going to bind with timelines and numbers and actually work to achieve them. All the best in your endeavors and a very Happy New Year, y’all!

The post New Year Resolutions For Event Organizers appeared first on Yapsody.

And what does Christmas bring apart from joy and prosperity and mistletoes? Loads and loads of shopping and spending and partying, of course. Which is why you, as someone with a business to run, could use this festive season to your advantage and while you attempt to do so, these promotional tips could come really handy.

1. 50% DISCOUNT

Even posing as a sub-title in a blog post, those words act like eyeball magnets. Though it’s a very old promotional tactic, you could give it a savvy edge while luring customers. Pick out the biggest spenders to offer a discount, or run a competition. Time your discounts so that they stay in demand. For example, Yapsody continues to offer a 50% rebate on Reserved Seating owing to the overbearing response from our presenters. (Now, that’s a promotional tactic, if you see what I did there. *wink*)

2. GIFT CARDS

You need some stock calculation with this tactic to make sure what you’re offering always seems fresh and new. Rotate your stock and keep gift cards limited to a specific range of stock, mostly incorporating your bestsellers. Keep in mind what your customers really need and want while drawing up the gift cards and ensure a fresh stock on December 26.

3. 12 DAYS OF GIVEAWAYS

If you watch The Ellen Show, you can act smug and have the “I know what this is about” face on. This is a classic Christmas theme and you can definitely use it as a promotional strategy by offering discounts on twelve products, a different one every day in the twelve days leading up to Christmas. You’ll be able to expose a wide range of your products to your customers and push them to actually try them out.

4. IN-STORE AUCTIONS

For all customers with a big amount on their receipts, you could ask them to carry their receipts to an in-store auction where they can bid for products, starting at a minimum $5 maybe. Your sales are bound to skyrocket if you try this out.

5. OFFERS FOR THEM, BY THEM

Customers often have favorite products when they consider stores and brands. You can offer them a choice to get any product they like at a flat 20% discount. Don’t automatically restock the products that have been bought, because new and fresh products will spark more interest. On the other hand, if you’re a premium brand, give your customers complementary goods on regular purchases instead of offering flat discounts as this will add more value to your image.

6. REWARD YOUR SPECIAL CUSTOMERS

If you’re a store, don’t wait for your best and values customers to walk in to get them introduced to your special offers. Print out fliers or pamphlets and have them delivered to them. Give them privileged or personalized discounts on products they like. If you’re an online brand, you could mail them their coupon codes and offers. Making them feel special in this season would easily lead up to them opening their wallets.

But, don’t make this a one-time thing. If you really like a girl and are going to ask her out for Christmas Eve, you’ll keep her engaged and interested months before that. It works the same way with your customers, too.

7. HOST A CHRISTMAS EVENT

An invite-only event will speed up your promotions and add a real spark to your Christmas offers. Handpick special customers and send them free plus-one invites to your Christmas event where you can offer 50% discounts on your best products. Use Yapsody for selling your event tickets online to make your event look professional and top-notch. Add good food, some music, and your event will be the talk of the town. Not only will your customers feel valued, people will try to get on the invite list by becoming loyal to your brand or store.

8. TREAT YOUR CUSTOMERS

And treat them right. This not only refers to the kind of service you’re providing, this means you ought to give them stuff that they really want and would appreciate. Know your customers and treat them to the kind of things they’d like – an exquisite dinner, a sports event, a musical at the Broadway etc. Whatever you offer, make sure it reflects the image of your brand.

9. GIFT HAMPERS

This is a domain where you can go absolutely crazy with the promotions. You can have tailor-made hampers for individual customers, and you can include new products that you want to introduce your customers to. Hampers can be big or small and don’t necessarily have to be expensive.

10. TEAM UP

Partner with other businesses that are relevant to your own or belong to the same industry and offer joint packages. You could also tie up with a charity and do some good to the world. This will not only help you in building a good brand image, but also play your part in this world during the auspicious Christmas season.

A Merry Christmas, y’all!

The post 10 Tips for Last Minute Christmas Promotions appeared first on Yapsody.