If you’re getting ready to plan your first small business event, congratulations. Having events is a great way to promote your business, engage your employees, and connect with the public. But it involves more than just setting a date and sending out invitations. Today, Melbourne Florida Catering offers six tips on how to make your event a success.
Clearly define your purpose and goals.
As a business owner, you impact your community in more ways than you might think. Not only do you help give your community its identity, but your business also lends to product diversity. The events you hold can also have an impact, but you must define the purpose before you begin to plan. Is your goal to bring awareness of your business, to raise money for a local charity, or to reward your employees? Know your purpose and the planning will go much more smoothly.
Promote your event.
If your event is an internal one, you may not have to do much promotion beyond a few emails and company announcements. However, if you plan to involve the public, it’s never too early to get the word out. A few ways to do this include writing a press release, offering discounted tickets to early event-goers, and creating a Facebook group for those interested.
Another part of the promotional process may involve generating interest with printed materials. A brochure is a great example. There are plenty of online brochure designs that you can use to create a captivating talk piece. Here’s a possible solution if you’re looking for templates that you can customize with your own copy and images.
Set a budget.
Your budget will determine how extravagant or low-key your event will be. Decide on a budget early on, but give yourself a little wiggle room in case your preferred venue is unavailable. Keep in mind that even a “small” event with around 200 people can set you back $15,000 or more, according to EventMobi.
Choose the right venue.
Your venue is in the top two expenses (food is #1), so choose wisely. If your event will only last for a few hours, you might be best paying for a hotel ballroom or event space, which PeerSpace notes averages around $175 per hour. However, if your event is a multi-day endeavor, you may want to look at more affordable options. Whatever venue you choose, make sure that it is conveniently located and has enough parking, bathrooms, and space for everyone you plan on attending.
Choose a theme.
Your event’s theme will set the tone for the day/evening. Choose something fun, such as a Hawaiian luau, if you want to be a casual event where people feel free to come and go as they please. If you want a more black-tie-worthy gathering, choose a more refined motif, such as a masquerade ball.
Partner with a reliable caterer.
Given that most events center around food, which is usually your biggest expense, you should take the most time choosing your caterer. Looking at options early, and don’t be shy about asking for a sample menu based on your budget. Some local restaurants and catering companies may also be willing to host a tasting. Once you make your selection, confirm that they deliver and designate an employee to coordinate food and drinks.
Planning an event takes work, but considering the average party planner will charge you up to 20% of the total cost of your event, you’ll save by doing it yourself. Remember, you can use the money saved to promote your event (printing brochures costs money!), offer a wider selection of food, and offset the cost of discounted tickets.
