5 tips for hosting an event with a limited budget
Treena Clarke
Founder of The Big Marketing Meet Up. Marketing Strategist. Experience Planner, Community Builder
Most events have limited budgets, but when finances are really really stretched, here's a few things you can consider.
1) Choose a venue which offers AV included in the venue hire
Some venues have AV facilities which come included when you hire the space. This might be limited to a few microphones, speakers and a screen of some sort, others have full spec AV and include technicians as well. For the smaller venues, you might be able to upgrade if you need anything more than they offer too.
2) Think Food and Drink
What guest eat and drink at events becomes a crucial part of the experience. Everyone loves to be fed well but it can literally eat up a huge part of your budget. Think about the timing of your event and what your guests will expect. Often, breakfast can be the least expensive of the 3 main meals but also consider outside of main meal times and how you can save. Mid morning, offer coffee and scones, mid afternoon, mini afternoon tea, early evening, non alcoholic drinks and canapes work well.
3) Tighten the Guest List
Who do you really want there? Could you make a list, then check it twice? Your 1st list will usually include everyone you want there. Then take another look. Who really NEEDS to be there, who meets the objective of your event. You might find a smaller group, with a more targeted invite approach works better. Ask why are you inviting them and what you want from inviting them
4) Work Relationships
Do you know anyone who can provide any services you need at your event? Would they be prepared to trade time with you so you can both mutually benefit? Maybe you know a graphic designer who will come up some social graphics, could you add their logo to the event info and give them a shout out on the day? Think about what you need and who could help
5) Focus on the Guest Experience
Making sure guests expectations are met is key to a successful event. If they know what to expect and you deliver that, you keep your guests happy and content. Focus on the things that will be of real value to them, such as the learnings on the day and they'll be more likely to come to another event and tell others they should come too.
Executive Personal Branding Specialist Focusing On Using LinkedIn Strategically To Build Your Authority Online | Let's Create A Social Media Presence To Be Proud Of & Connect You With The Right People! Community Builder
1yGreat tips Treena! 👌 I always encourage people to have a hashtag for their event and a TweetBeam screen to encourage more people to use it The data you gather after it eg positvie feedback can be used for future events. I also use Brand24 to track the reach of the hashtag on the day.
HARI™ - Human-AI Relational Intelligence and Practical Neuroscience to Solve the Adaptive Challenges of AI Adoption and Make Change Smarter, Not Harder.
1yThe AV point is so important. Farset Labs has AV equipment, and even better from a guest perspective, free parking, and brilliant public transport links!
Speaker | Online Safety | Technology Risk | Safeguarding | Event Facilitator
1yHelpful article, Treena Clarke One thing I would add about point one from my own experience in delivering years training sessions and speaking engagements is that many venues have very poor AV equipment or lack in-house expertise when something goes up the left. For this reason, I almost always bring my own AV setup or hire a professional who provides the service. The last thing you want is to run an event with subpar equipment and audio—I’ve experienced it many times.
Helping corporate sales teams smash sales targets and overcome every objection. LinkedIn Top Voice in Sales. Trusted by Terex, Salesforce, Exertis, Barclays, NBM Group and Cirata. Over 500 companies trained worldwide.
1yPeople talk about the venue, the food and drink and the experience more than anything else. So your points 1 and 2 are my favourite Treena Clarke