Turning Events into Unforgettable Stories

Event Outlook Report Snapshot

We all know that events are crucial to any savvy company's marketing plan, regardless of your locale.

We're diving into our recent survey data for the latest top challenges, metrics, trends, tools, and formats marketers use to stay ahead of the game. So, grab a cup of coffee and join us as we explore the wild and wonderful world of event marketing through a global lens!

Creating Diff. Types of Events

Overcoming Challenges

Defining Success

Getting Things Done

Conclusion

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Stories hold power.

We use them to communicate, connect, and understand the world around us.

As marketers, it’s our job to create experiences that become stories for our audience.

Here are five steps to transform your event experiences into compelling stories for attendees.

Define Your Storyteller

If your events are stories, your attendees are storytellers.

Start simple: who is your attendee?

Create an avatar or persona with as many specifics as possible.

What’s their job title? What are their challenges, goals, and fears? What do they care about?

Don’t sweat it if you don’t have all the answers.
Hold customer interviews, send out surveys, and dig into social media and online research to help paint a full picture.

Create a Story Worth Sharing

With 55% of consumers relying on word-of-mouth marketing, the stories your attendees share about your event are crucial.

How can you create an experience so meaningful they can’t resist talking about it in the office, at a dinner, or on social media?

Think about what would make them proud or excited to share. Did they undergo a transformation, create a connection, or learn something new?

The experiences your attendees share with their colleagues, peers, and online network have the power to directly impact your brand awareness and attendance for future events.

Bonus

Ask attendees to share their experiences with you after the event. What do they focus on?

Make the Message Emotional

Around 90% of decisions are made based on emotions.

Translation? Guests will decide to attend based on how your event will make them feel.

Are attendees saying they feel like they're on a deserted island?

Connect them with 50+ fellow marketers navigating budget cuts.

Are they stressed about an attendance rut?

Put them at ease by helping them triple their turnout.

Do they need more inspiration?

Show them 10 of the most innovative events for your industry to get ideas flowing.

Create a powerful and memorable event message by tapping directly into the emotions of your audience.

Think back to step one - your storyteller.

What do you want them to feel at the end of your event?

Build the Foundation

To create a story with your audience, it's essential to establish a foundation of trust and collaboration.

This requires actively listening to their input, incorporating their feedback, and empowering them to be part of the process.

Tune into the storyteller, the story, and the emotion to map out your ideal event format.

If attendees want to make connections, host an intimate VIP dinner or build in networking opportunities throughout your event.

If they want to learn, include time for interactive workshops where they can get some hands-on practice.

Use the format of your event to guide your audience through the experience from start to finish.

Connect Your Storytellers