How to Grow Your Festival Overnight

HOW TO GROW YOUR FESTIVAL

OVERNIGHT

PRESENTERS

Alyssa LancefieldInitLive Event [email protected]

@InitLiveinitlive.com

Lynn FuhlerFestival & Event Management Expert

[email protected]@LynnFuhler

lynnfuhler.com

Which of the following event types are you?

Polling Question

Creating an online presence

Website• Use imagery/video that conveys

the event experience

Which is your most-used social media platform?

Polling Question


Social Media• Update your fans with

event planning milestones• Create hype by sharing

ticket sale statuses• Use unique & clever

#hashtags• Start discussions


• Consistent messaging (all channels)


Wifi On-site• Allows people to share

experiences instantly• Allows you to share updates to

your attendees via social media• Creates a more engaged audience

Do you represent a non-profit or a for-profit?

Polling Question

Is your event Paid or Free?

Polling Question

Targeted Advertising (for small budgets)

Facebook page Instagram account • Always post with images or video.

• A/B test different messaging & imagery.

Start with these platforms

Create highly targeted campaigns (by location, interests, age group, etc.)

Targeted Advertising (continued)

• Look for ad opportunities on niche websites / event listingsExamples:

Everfest.comFestivalmapper.com

• Leverage local community news outlets

• Niche TV programming

Make Registration Easy!

For people who want to attend• The ease of registration sets the tone of your event

• Eliminate barriers to entry: Easy to find sign-up pages Few steps to sign-up

• Simplify payment processing

Make Registration Easy!

For people who want to volunteer• Volunteer page on event website with instructions on how

to participate

• Allow people to select the roles & shifts they would like to sign up for

• Ability to edit/update original sign-up

Event Perspective / Staff Management

Use a tool that allows for ease in…

• Set-up• Assigning admin roles• Year-round use• Moving volunteers to adapt to no-shows• Communicating/messaging en masse to volunteers of

changes (i.e. push notifications, SMS, emails, etc.)

Pre & Post Event Communication

Email Marketing

• To potential guests / pasts guests:• Event invitations with referral perks• Regularly update/remind• Be concise + include sign-up link

• To sponsors, vendors & volunteers:• Call out for support• Creatively (but concisely) convey your cause

Pre & Post Event Communication

Ticketing• Use of ticketing system’s communication tools• Purchase confirmations / Cancellations / Refunds

Volunteers• Use of volunteer management communication tools• Shift updates / Event changes / Thank yous

Surveys• Get feedback from guests, vendors & volunteers

Questions?

CONTACT US!

Alyssa LancefieldInitLive Event [email protected]

@InitLiveinitlive.com

Lynn FuhlerFestival & Event Management Expert

[email protected]@LynnFuhler

lynnfuhler.com