Four ideas for running a promotional event

Running an event can be a brilliant way to promote your business and build your brand. Especially somewhere with heavy foot-traffic where new people can find out about your business.

Events are well-known places where you can always find new customers, boost your brand awareness and increase brand loyalty. This can will be achieved if the event is successfully organized and the attendees are happy.

Food is one of the major factors of any successful event. So, if you want your event to run smoothly, consider food truck catering and stay away from the stress from all of the organizational mess that food ordering can cause. Trusting a professional catering service can also surprise your guests and give them a great experience.

In this article we suggest four promotional ideas to inspire you. Whatever you decide to do, use the opportunity to showcase yourself, and make sure people know who and what you are. 

It’s also important – whatever idea you go for – to make sure you are aware of the health and safety surrounding your event. Run a health and safety assessment and make sure there are no trip hazards, or that alcohol may be served to underage people.

Consider any potential risks and have a plan in place. (You may need to invest in some safety signage – you can find everything you need at mysafetysign.com.)

1) Pop-up art gallery

pop-up art gallery is a fantastic way to attract a lot of people. Plus, you can put set one up in most spaces, which is fantastic if your business is online.

Consider art that is relevant to your business. For example, if you run a digital marketing agency then consider pieces that focus on people’s social media usage. Use it as a way to get a message across. 

2) Themed events

There are always plenty of opportunities to run themed events around significant days of the year, like Christmas or Halloween. Have activities available to attract new people.

Again, find a way to make it relevant. For example, if you own a bookstore then run a Christmas storytelling event. If you run a printing company hold a pumpkin carving event and have some Halloween-themed prints around the room. 

3) Host a giveaway event

If you are promoting a new business or a new item or service, then consider giving something away for free. Everyone loves free things and it could be a good way to get noticed. Offer free hot drinks and cakes to draw in even more people. 

For example, if you are a therapist you could give away five-minute massages for a day. People might come back for more. Or, you can create branded products for your business that people will find useful – and will help them to remember who you are and what you do.

4) Competitive events

Everyone loves competition. You could even apply for permission to run a competition out in the street. You could allow people to enter for free and have a prize available to encourage the public. Ensure you also have business cards on hand to hand out to people. 

Again, try and make it relevant. If you run a cake shop, then you could get people to guess how many cupcakes are in a jar.

Alternatively, you could have the competition on your business cards. You can get them printed with a bit to scratch off. The prize could be your services or a product. For more contest ideas click here

Of you do decide to hold a competition, we recommend reading these seven dos and don’ts before you launch it.

What event would work well for you?

A promotional event can be a great way to promote your business, especially if it’s uniquely tailored to you.

Whatever you decide to do, consider how you will market your promotional event. After all, you don’t want to go to all that effort just for people not to show up!

Photo by Don Agnello