In the Kevin Costner movie, Field of Dreams, the famous line was “If you build it they will come.” This is not always the case when you are planning an event, carnival or fund raiser. The following Fun Source Rentals blog will address four necessities that are essential to promote your event and ensure an excellent attendance.
1. Cause Related Affiliations – In order to draw a crowd you must give them a purpose to be there. It’s not enough to just set-up some rides or attractions and expect people to come out in force; you must have a cause. The cause you choose could be as simple as helping the high school band pay for instruments, or raising money for breast cancer research or too increase funds for a youth mission trip, but you need to think charity first. People need a reason to spend their money at your event, and a good cause helps everyone’s conscious.
2. Choose a Good Location – The location you choose to hold your event must be visible. If you are a municipality then block off a main street or use a prominent city parking lot, a local school may use the football field, or a city park to be seen, but whoever is coordinating the fund raiser has to choose a location that is very visible. If the people can’t see your event they may not come to your event.
3. Marketing Your Event – How do you get the word out? This is where your marketing plan comes in, and YES you must make a marketing plan. First, decide who is your target audience that may attend your event? Because you have chosen a charity or cause to support, you should use this in your marketing efforts. For example, if you are having a food drive for the United Way, then use the local media including TV and radio to push the food drive. Most local media will give you free airtime when you are supporting a charity through your event. Incorporate flyer handouts at the local schools and neighboring city schools to get the children excited about the rides and attractions that will be available. Incorporate local churches, businesses, civic organizations and politicians to take part in and promote the event to their followers by way of social media outlets such as Twitter and Facebook. Make your event more than a small outing; turn it into a community event.
4. You Must Have a Hook — The final piece of the puzzle is in the way of a hook or an additional draw that will keep the people engaged in your event. This will serve to keep the attendance high throughout your carnival, fair or fund raiser. A hook consists of several elements such as vendor participation (also, an excellent way to raise funds through entry fees), local bands or youth group performances, road running/bike race, cheerleading competition, ugliest dog competition or learning experiences such as the police and fire departments. It’s also a good hook if you can choose a date that is close in proximity to a holiday such as Easter (egg hunt), St. Patrick’s Day or 4th of July. You can use these holidays as an added draw. A silent auction is another proven method for raising monies for your charity. Many local businesses, professional sports teams, local radio and TV personalities are eager to donate items to your cause. This not only helps your event, but it also promotes them as well. Think out of the box when looking for hooks and when the people arrive, you will have an added incentive to keep them engaged.
While these methods are not guaranteed to create the largest event you’ve ever drawn, they are proven methods to take your event to the next level. Fun Source has been in business for many years and we have seen events done successfully and events done poorly that were extreme failures. Brainstorm with your fellow event coordinators, and come up with unusual ideas to draw a crowd and keep them focused on the fun they are having. Many people in this economy are staying home for their vacations and your event may be just the family time they need.
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