(Number 10 might be the biggest game-changer of them all!)
Event planners in 2024 know that keeping up with trends and taking a fresh approach is imperative to boosting sales and securing new clients. Event professionals are always trying to expand and evolve to grow their business. Everything from the use of social media outlets, capitalizing on various marketing strategies, seeking opportunities to network with industry professionals and potential collaborators, and more. There are numerous ways to achieve significant success in 2024 and beyond. We explore some innovative insights and techniques NYC event planners can start implementing right now to increase sales and close out this year on top!
1. Authentically Connect on Social Media
Communicating authentically with clients is so important. No one wants to be “sold” with an ad, and they’re more likely to engage if they’re moved by your experiences. Social media marketing is the holy grail platform for highlighting who you are as an event planner, what it’s like to work with you, and how you curate memorable event experiences. Be strategic about posting and connecting. And always use social proof to build trust in your services and demonstrate your expertise.
2. Sales in Motion Video Marketing
Take social media a step further and incorporate video marketing into your business plan with platforms such as YouTube and TikTok. This strategy is engaging and cost-effective while giving viewers a glimpse into your party planning approach. Keep a video library so you’re able to stack clips together for short videos or publish longer ones that show your event concept. Share personalized videos like client testimonials and staff insights that will really resonate with your target audience.
3. Connecting with Content: Blogs & Podcasts
Event clients will choose to work with you if they believe you’re the best at what you do. That level of trust, authority, and expertise can be elevated with brilliant use of content - namely, blogs and podcasts. Both require more strategic planning. But when you can share high-value insights about your event planning niche, it subtly tells your audience of clients that you know your stuff. And remember that with a library of blog content and podcast episodes, you can build an endless supply of industry knowledge that you can share across all your marketing channels for months to come.
4. Grow Your Dream Team with LinkedIn Marketing
Your ability to pull off wildly successful events is directly connected to the team of vendors, partners, and collaborators in your corner. You can attract the best event clients all day long, but if your partner roster and bench strength aren’t as strong as you are in event planning, you won’t be hitting those monumental experience milestones. LinkedIn marketing is how today’s business pros connect with other pros. And it’s your key to building a dream team of partners to help you elevate every aspect of your event’s attendee experience. Find collaborators. Showcase sponsorship opportunities. Book exhibitors. And when you tap into LinkedIn to promote what you’re planning and who’s working with you, you’ll start to attract the best of the best as partners.
5. Don’t Overlook the Value of Legacy Marketing Strategies
It’s 2024, and keeping up with new trends is important and valuable. But sometimes, those “tried and true” strategies are worth circling back to. They’re successful for a reason, and combining them with the marketing strategies of today will give your business a multifaceted way to appeal to the different content consumption preferences. Whether you’re aiming to connect with potential clients, boost sales, or generate leads, consider some “old school” business approaches. Create press releases to spread brand awareness, use telemarketing for engaging phone conversations, invest in business postcards to send in the mail, and offer incentives to established customers to help with referral marketing.
6. Never Stop Networking
Establishing partnerships and taking advantage of networking opportunities are crucial to the success of any event planning business. Prioritize attending networking events and conferences to capitalize on future partnerships with vendors and collaborate with fellow professionals in the industry. Active participation in networking events establishes you as a leader in your professional community and undoubtedly leads to more opportunities. Get in the room with decision makers, local businesses, and potential referral sources and form those strategic relationships.
7. Keep Improving with Feedback Marketing
Feedback marketing helps business owners gain a better understanding of what their customers are looking for and how to improve moving forward. Data-driven decision-making will give you a competitive advantage in understanding market trends while building trust and loyalty with your customers. Always keep your finger on the pulse of what event guests really want with surveys, quizzes, polls, social media feedback, post-event discussions, and Q&A sessions. Use those analytics to improve your event experiences ongoing.
8. The Digital Frontier: SEO & PPC Marketing
Keep your event planning website at the top of every local search with great SEO. Using keywords throughout your content and web pages that uniquely tie your event services to your local community is paramount. Be the “wedding planner in St. Louis” or the “product launch event planner in Spokane.” When you tie in PPC campaigns, with Google Ads or other paid ad campaigns, you can drive even more clicks, traffic, and visibility. Remember, the more people visit your site, the more prospects and leads you can move through your funnel. And if you’re not SEO-optimized, they won’t find you - instead, they’ll find your competitors.
9. Email Marketing, the Inbox Magic Wand
Email marketing continues to be cost-effective and a direct way to engage with event clients and partners alike. You’re able to segment your different audiences and send personalized messages to specific groups in a targeted manner. Nurture cold leads, entice warm leads, and develop a community of potential referral resources with customized messaging in the inbox. Build relationships while promoting your brand, and always include valuable insights, a detailed call-to-action, and direct links to your event services.
10. Don’t Miss The Event Planner Expo in 2024!
Event planners who really want to grow, and we mean 2X their business, know the best place to learn is The Event Planner Expo 2024. This premier NYC conference invites thousands of the industry’s most successful professionals. It’s here you’ll experience high-energy networking, meet incredible new partners, and learn insights you just won’t find anywhere else. Over three full days, get in on the parties, the panel discussions, and the ever-popular Speaker Series. These are the people and businesses you WANT to work with in growing. And be prepared to form more strategic connections and generate more leads in one conference than you can all year.
Don’t wait! Get your Expo tickets now and invite your friends and colleagues to join you. Explore all the ways to get involved and then get ready for the ultimate in sales, marketing, and event planning business growth!
