It would help if you had a steady stream of inquiries that you could convert into paid events to be successful in the event industry.
Sign up with PartyWizz to get more gigs.
Sadly, just being good at what you do is not enough. You must be proactive, generate leads, have a solid sales process to convert them into paying clients and understand basic marketing methods.
We’ve got your back. We will tell you everything you need in this article to get started.
Let’s get started.
Who is your target audience
First, you need to know who your target audience is. Who are your ideal clients?
Simple: If you want to work at weddings, your marketing will be different than if you wish to work for children’s birthday parties.
Only those people to whom you offer your services should be targeted. This will be more cost-effective and cheaper.
In the event industry, it is relatively easy to understand who you are trying to reach:
Decide which events you would like to work on (for example, birthday parties).
You will need to know who booked the event (for example, the parents of your children).
Match your brand/messaging with this audience. (Example: The show is perfect for children aged 6-10).
You need to tailor your message to each audience if you are going to reach multiple groups (for instance, corporate events and private events).
Have a sales process
After deciding who you will target, you will need to create a sales funnel. You’ll end up trying everything but not getting any results.
Many people who have not worked in sales before are surprised at the amount of research on this subject and the published content.
Keep it simple and follow the steps below:
Get the phone to ring
Qualifying the leads (i.e., are they suitable for your service)
Converting the lead into a client/customer (i.e., making the sale).
You must be able to track the status of a lead or contact in your sales process. Is it a qualified lead? Are they qualified leads? So on.
On the PartyWizz Platform, for example. The “inquiries” tab is where potential customers will arrive. Bookings are automatically added to “Bookings.” It is easy to manage the sales process.
Note: You may be able to complete Steps 2 and 3 in just one customer interaction…or not. It all depends on the type of service you provide.
Online Marketing
You’ve established a sales process. It’s now time to promote yourself online.
Website
It’s much easier than ever to create a website. You will likely do it yourself.
WordPress hosts our blog. There are countless online tutorials available for both platforms.
Some key points to consider when building a site are:
Ensure it is mobile-friendly. I.e., is easy to use on mobile phones
Install SSL certificates to secure your website
Define your services clearly
Your contact information (phone number and email) should be easily accessible.
You can, for example, visit Yvan Zim’s site (the author). He is a Dublin-based magician.
Social media
Social media is another low-hanging fruit.
It takes time to build a large following on the internet. You’ll get some results just by being active.
Your target audience and your services will determine which platforms you choose.
Pro tip: Do not forget to explain clearly what you do and what is available for hire. It’s great to create content, but the goal is to get bookings.
Party Wizz
Consider registering with PartyWizz if you are based in Ireland. Booking platform designed specifically for event and entertainment service providers.
This is a platform that does everything.
Lead generation
Taking deposits
Payment processing
There’s so much more.
Registering is free.
Create your profile within minutes, set your prices, and accept bookings once approved.
Platforms only take a small commission from gigs booked. No monthly fees are charged. You won’t be charged anything if you don’t receive any bookings.
CTA
Digital Advertising
Digital advertising is an industry that’s always changing. Digital ads are broadly divided into three types:
Display ads are popups and banners that appear on websites.
Search ads are advertisements that appear on search results, mainly Google.
Social ads are ads that appear on social media.
This article does not go into detail about each category of ads. Here are some suggestions to help you get started:
Avoid display ads. Search & social ads are more likely to produce positive results.
Start with the “big” players (Google, Facebook, and Instagram …).).
Be sure to keep an eye on the cost per lead. You might spend more than you earn.
Make sure that the information/research you do about advertising is current. The advertising industry is always changing.
We feel it is a strategy that is worth trying. Don’t just jump in blindly. Research is key.
In-Person
Digital marketing is the rage at the moment. However, don’t overlook in-person marketing. Although it can be time-consuming, the rewards are great.
Print Material
There are many different sizes and shapes of printed promotional martial. We recommend that you stick to the basics, even though it isn’t as valuable as before:
Business Cards
Leaflets
Popup Banner
It’s impossible to predict when you might need them. The day you need them, it will be too late. Start today.
Graphic design has become more accessible, just like web design. We always recommend Canva. Free graphic design tool.
Gimp is a good option if you want something more functional. It’s an alternative to Photoshop that is free.
Pro tip: Do not print too many cards. Print shops will always encourage people to order large patches. The design/copy will remain in your head for a while. You can refresh your design by printing small quantities.
Fairs
Fairs are a good option depending on what type of event you want to promote. They are particularly popular for weddings.
Attending large fairs is expensive. In Ireland, for example, expect to pay over EUR1000 for a booth.
If you get enough bookings, this initial cost could be worth it. Budget carefully before you sign up.
On the other hand, the smaller events are extremely cheap (some even for free!) to attend. They’re less popular, so you can expect fewer bookings.
Overall, it is a game of balance. It’s worth checking out both small and large fairs.
