Whether you’d like to build brand awareness, expand your customer base, or create an opportunity for media stakeholders to directly interact with your business, PR events can be an excellent solution to a number of different objectives. However, these events have to be planned well and in great detail if you want to achieve your main goals and maximize the marketing opportunities that arise. With that in mind, here are some simple ways you can plan a media event successfully:
Set your main goals
Before planning a media event, it’s important to define its purpose, whether that’s launching a new product or raising brand awareness. Then, you should use these intentions as a benchmark for setting measurable goals. Perhaps you’d like to increase outreach through event hashtags, hit a specific sales target, or even encourage user-generated content from influencers. No matter their nature, setting clear and specific goals will allow you to create the right type of event to achieve them.
Consider the date
The date is another important aspect of PR events, which should be planned with your goals in mind. When launching a product or service, for example, holding media events a few days before the official launch will be best for generating awareness and excitement. On the other hand, you also want to select a date when the largest number of influential people and media can attend, so make sure your PR event doesn’t coincide with other major happenings. Once the date is set and the guest list is confirmed, it will be easier to book the right venue, too.
Focus on the decor
Regardless of the type of media event you are hosting, setting the right theme is always important. A good theme can help to support and solidify your event goals, such as decorations showcasing new products, but the decor you choose can increase the overall success of your event as well. For instance, you can invest in effective event backdrops that are branded or designed with a promotion in mind. A great backdrop will encourage attendees to take pictures and share them on social media or other platforms. This can spread the word about your event and main goals while increasing brand visibility and outreach in the process.
Build some appeal
To generate more interest for your event and gain some publicity, it’s crucial to create a newsworthy story or another engaging component that makes it enticing for the media to attend. In case you have an unveiling of a new product, a live demonstration, a keynote speaker, or even a famous guest attending, make sure to convey this information to the media. Not only can this increase excitement and interest in your PR event, but it can build some curiosity around your brand as well.
Get on social media
The accessibility and popularity of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter make them ideal places for spreading the word about your media event. Create a catchy and relevant event hashtag to encourage online conversations and motivate guests to share posts with their followers. Posts from influencers and media personnel can do wonders for boosting brand awareness. During the event, you could also utilize your company’s social media images to share images, videos, and other types of content with your audience to increase success.
Create a press kit
After your PR event, it’s important to send off your guests with a brand-relevant, high-quality press kit that contains any information and resources that might be useful to publishers and reporters. Think about including some high-res photos, your press release, and a small branded takeaway product. This can be something as simple as a product sample or a trinket with your company logo, but you could also go a step further by providing coupons and goodie bags along with marketing goods. In any case, a good kit will make it simpler for journalists to learn more about your business and access useful marketing materials for their stories.
Planning media events can often be a stressful and challenging task, especially if you have a lot riding on their triumph. Use the guide above to streamline this process and ensure your PR event is as successful as possible.