It doesn't take a lot more money to substantially increase your conference attendance--just a little extra effort and some proven promotional ideas. Add some fire to your campaign with these suggestions.
1.
Sell next year's event on-site this year
Give your best prospects the opportunity to sign up early. Prepare a
motivational brochure to distribute on-site--with an offer to register
early and lock into this year's rate.
2. Invite past attendees to join you again this year
Start your promotion with an inexpensive letter to each past attendee.
Highlight new events and speakers, and encourage bringing a colleague.
Include two early registration forms to encourage multiple registrations.
3. Include an inexpensive flyer with your invoices
Every piece of mail leaving
your offices should include a small brochure promoting your conference.
It's an easy way to spread the word without incurring postage fees.
4. Mail your first piece earlier
A simple "mark your calendar" piece will build interest long before
details are finalized. Focus on whymembers should attend, and
urge them to watch for updates.
5. Decrease the size of your preliminary program
Don't make members wade through a sea of session listings. Distill and
condense information for them. If you usually mail your program twice,
try mailing it just once. Use the money you save to send smaller motivational
mailers.
6. Increase the number of promotional mailings
Repetition works! A series of attractive, informative mailers will routinely
produce more registrations than a single mailing.
7. Add a last-chance mailing
For every registrant, there are two who say "I'll decide later." A last
minute brochure can drive on-site registrations up.
8. Put conference materials on the Internet
And let members know where to find your website. Many of them may prefer
to retrieve information about the conference via their computer, or
register by e-mail, at their convenience any time day or night.
|
To learn about how O'Connell Meier can generate bright ideas and boost sales for your orgainzation, give Rich Meier a call at 703.739.2266 or send us an e-mail. For a preview of the sales-boosting techniques we use, visit the association section of our bright idea generator. And for an overview of our company, our experience, and our creative and marketing services visit the About OM section. |
