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Section
1 | Section
2 | Section
3 | Section
4
Section
1: Audience Building and Publicity
An
event will only be successful if it reaches the desired audience.
You should plan to spend a significant amount of time in the
early stages of planning determining exactly who it is you want to
attend your program.
The
prime tip
here is to develop a thoughtful and targeted plan to reach your
desired audience, rather than a mass publicity effort.
Ask
yourself: Who will be interested in this topic? What organizations
are already doing work in this area? What is my budget? Do I need
help from other organizations with publicity? Are there others who
will endorse this event?
1.a.
Marketing the Event
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Adopt
a logo to be used on all event materials
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Design
a flyer to be sent out to the invite list (Conference
description, site information, agenda, etc.)
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Develop
a website
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Create
a program (Agenda, speaker bios, etc.)
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Create
nametags for speakers and attendees including the logo
1.b.
Working with the Media
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Create
a media contact list
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Draft
press releases
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Develop
a contact with each publication/station
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Begin
pitch calls to newspapers and television stations
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Send
out a media advisory as a final effort to inform the media about
the event
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Develop
press kits (agenda, press releases, list of speakers, etc.) to
distribute to media representatives who attend
1.c.
Involving your Community
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Develop
a list of companies and local organizations that might be
interested in the conference.
Contact them regularly with event updates (agenda
changes, newly added speakers), and encourage them to spread the
word
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Talk
to the local Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureau
and other organizations to determine whether any other events
are being held on the same day
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Ask
local organizations to include the event in their calendars and
newsletters
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Recruit
6-8 individuals to volunteer their time at the event
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Request
community organizations to provide literature for attendees
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HELPFUL
HINTS
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Email
is a great resource for low-cost publicity
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Mail
an invitation letter or flyer
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Enlist
the help of local community organizations to help
publicize the event (mail flyers, blast fax or email,
post flyers in offices)
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Post
flyers in places of worship, local businesses, post
offices, etc.
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List
event on community calendars
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Set
up a phone bank to call people who may be interested
in attending
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Contact
local colleges and universities (faculty & student
associations)
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Forum
Reports
eFORUM
Results
Community
Guide
Highlighted Report
Citizen Engagement & the 108th Congress
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