EXPERIENCES

What are your guests going to say in the RSVP?

Is the event entertaining or educational? Is the location appropriate for the topic?  Is the arrival and exit easy to understand, and is the venue simple to find?  What type of attire is expected - will your guests feel comfortable?  What is the agenda, and how are you staying in touch with attendees?

How do your guests feel?

Provide a relaxing environment, or one that is comfortable and fitting for the expected setting.  Quiet and reserved experiences are not going to be too bright, stoic, and open.  Loud and involved experiences tend to be low-lit with several break away places.  Should you have filler plants, or use small high tops?

What will your guests remember?

Sometimes, the most important part of an experience is the first forgotten.  Typically, you will need some sort of take-away at your event to keep the attendees attention and have them follow-up for more.  Think immersive artwork (servers in cosplay), disposable cameras at tables, an elaborate guestbook entryway, coffee served in mugs to keep...that sort of thing. 

How do you know who your target audience is?

A lot of the time, we do not have an address list but instead, a list of usernames and connection lists in social media.  Even email is hard to keep track of, and get people to open it.  Where do your attendees hang out?  Should you send secret shoppers into a club or show to meet them?  Do you canvas a festival with like-minded friends?  Are you a networker to corporate schmoozing?

How will you get them to come?

Print media is usually an afterthought, but when it comes to in-person events, you want to make sure the message pops.  How will they find out about your project?  Are the invites unique and involved?