Have you ever been to an event where you questioned the reason it was even being held? Now consider an event that was enjoyable and felt productive. There is a palpable difference to planning an event that aligns with you and your business vs. simply planning an event for the sake of planning. 

What makes the biggest difference? How can a business throw an event that is not only fun, but can bring in more business and brand awareness?

As always, starting with YOUR values. Your business is the embodiment of your efforts, values, thoughts, and dreams. To attempt to fit any mold previously set up will not deliver results. You are unique, and so is your business!

First, write down things that matter to YOU. Are you passionate about art, human rights, the environment, ranching, children, or dogs? If you’re having trouble thinking of what to list, try thinking of causes or issues today that either make you cry or get you angry. Get it all out on paper. 

Second, prioritize your list. What are the top three things that you are passionate about? List ways you can make an impact, no matter how small, for each of those issues. Next, come up with an actionable way that you can incorporate others to this cause.

For example, something I’m passionate about is caring for the environment. I don’t have the budget or capacity to tackle large scale problems, but I do however, have the resources to clean up trash in my neighborhood. This year, I’m hosting my first Earth Day Neighborhood Cleanup. It’s starting out very small, with simply a flyer and social media posts about how I’m planning on cleaning up the neighborhood the Saturday after earth day and inviting my neighborhood to come. I included my social media link to be tagged as people pick up trash on a leisure walk themselves. There is no meeting point, no lunch or t-shirts, nothing. Simply a call for community. 

This event is in my budget, aligns with something I’m passionate about, contributes to my neighborhood, and is simple and easy to do. 

Will this rake in ten clients the first year? Likely, no. I doubt I’ll even get tagged on Instagram! I WILL however, have a strong social media campaign, and have a very positive and uplifting reason to get my business name into my neighborhood. My plan is for next year to have a BBQ at the neighborhood park at the end of the event, with giveaways and other fun games and prizes. 

Events work. They can generate a significant amount of revenue. But it isn’t an overnight success. Especially for businesses without thousands of dollars to spend on a single event, events are a long game. Coming up with four events that are manageable to you and that you would enjoy (or already do!) is a great place to start. 

Again, this event is just an example. It could be fishing. It could be designing wreaths for front doors. It could be soccer or dancing. It c

ould be a book club or a Bachelor watch night. Find one thing you enjoy doing or are passionate about and use that to connect with people. Do it consistently, and you might just have an anchor event that draws in new business each year, and easily allows for current relationships to flourish.

Follow along on socials (@magpiemarketingllc) to see how the event goes this year!