Event marketing is still marketing. Plan, hire, and budget accordingly

Just because it's not a wedding, doesn't mean you wont have to deal with a princess.

This week, one of my friends shared a post from Peter Shankman entitled How to respond when people ask you to tweet for them. Shankman is a popular keynote speaker for conferences lately as he has had many successes and his online influence is arguably one of the strongest.

I wasn't prepared to see what I saw. In his post, Peter was outing an event organizer for asking him to share their event with his online fans followers and friends.

You can read his post to see his stance on the topic, while I don't agree with him outing the organizer of an event that is probably paying him to appear, I completely understand his position of wanting to in his own voice (and time) tweet and post about his appearance.

This case underscores the importance of event organizers utilizing speaker contracts/agreements when hiring speakers.

Here is my comment:

I’m sure the conference organizers were aware of how much influence you have and how that might impact their registrations. :)

Hiring a particular speaker is and should be a part of any event/conference marketing strategy.

This example shows the importance of the speaker agreement. Organizers should be clear in their agreements what is expected. At the time of signing each party has an opportunity to agree, object, or (hopefully) compromise on what each will do for the other in terms of promotion.

At any rate, every conference organizer should provide speakers with the tools to share their event’s story (hashtags, links, talking points, etc). then, allow them to “in their own voice” and time to share with their friends, followers and fans.

If you want your speakers to help with promotion, state that in your agreements, and provide them with the information to do so. Don’t want to be all ‘contracty’,find speakers who are willing partners.

Event marketing is still marketing. Plan, hire, and budget accordingly.

@PartyAficionado

Remember way back in 2009 when I made the comment, If you have a speaker/presenter who is not comfortable connecting with or taking questions from your audience, it’s time to find a new speaker.

This applies to connecting online as well. If you have decided to spend part or all of your event marketing budget towards hiring a speaker, don't be afraid to ask for what you want, be clear about your expectations (and put it in writing).

The pink Cadillac is the original 100,000 followers

I often find blog posts as a result of comments I've made to other blog posts. This time is no different. As I opened the latest version of the Tulsa Daily from Paper.li, I saw a tweet from @billhandy that led me to Gladwell Is Right. The Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted post by @JasonFalls Whew!


I was aware of The New Yorker article by Gladwell, but unlike many of my tweeps, since I had not read the entire article, I refrained from commenting. I know that Gladwell is the master of the message, so this girl was not going to be tricked into jumping on a band wagon one way or the other (at least not this time).

But after reading Jason's post, and a few of the comments I decided to take the dog out, sit back, have a cup of coffee, read the Gladwell post, then add my own comment, (not necessarily in that order)

While Gladwell's article is more specifically about activism and whether or not social networks should be getting such high praise and touted as a revolution, many social media enthusiasts focused on the lowest common denominator, online vs. face to face.

This is the comment I wrote:

Event specialist says what?! Social marketing is NOT NEW! Social networks are just a new way of connecting people with common interest. See: auto shows, conferences, employee meetings, trade shows, heck.. Mary Kay and Avon if you really want to go back. Doing business with people you share a social experience with is the oldest profession (i meant practice) in the world.

Face to face or online, we want to "Like" the people we give our money to.

My point? The revolution happened years ago. Social networks are simply waking people up to it. Don't believe me? The pink Cadillac is the original 100,000 followers. (Google it kids).

Yes, marketing using social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, Fousqure, and Linkedin represent a "fundamental shift", but social marketing is NOT NEW. (did I say that already?).












Image credit: www.lauraslivewires.com
Image credit: OC Registry

Announcing: Social Media Marketing Workshops with Cheryl Lawson aka @PartyAficionado

Announcing: Social Media Marketing Workshops with Cheryl Lawson aka @PartyAficionado

Social Media Saturdays with Cheryl Lawson

Event and social marketing specialist, Cheryl Lawson introduces a unique social media marketing workshop: Social Media Saturdays. Learn how to use social media marketing for your business, nonprofit, or personal brand.




Social Media Saturdays with Cheryl Lawson