![unsuccessful-people-characteristics](http://web.archive.org./web/20150318225051im_/http://www.adzuna.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/unsuccessful-people-characteristics.jpg)
Everyone has bad habits; it’s part of being human. If you’ve been working in the events industry for a while then you’ve probably developed some bad habits you find yourself repeating at every event you run.
If you are looking to make 2015 your best year yet then why not consider cutting some of the bad habits out of your work life?
It can help to make you more efficient at work and your events more successful. Here are 4 common habits of unsuccessful event managers to kick out for the New Year:
1. Forgetting about first impressions
There are so many components that go into running a successful event that it is too easy to get caught up in the small granular details of the event, in the meantime forgetting to make sure people are totally sold on buying tickets to your event.
Whether you are organising a music festival, gala dinner or charity fundraiser – selling enough tickets is the no. 1 show stopper (pun intended) in measuring success for your event.
Enhance the look and reputation of your event by using online event management software. A professional online ticketing solution will deliver you an attractive event webpage (which you can use in your social media & marketing) that will support your brand, and make it super easy for your customers to buy their tickets 24/7 from their phone or computer.
It will also save you time (e.g. no more rushing around to be at the kiosk/desk to sell tickets at the allotted time) and also money (e.g. no more base ticket stocks to have to have printed up). While always knowing exactly how many tickets you have sold will not only help you sleep at night in the knowledge people are coming, but it will empower you to be able focus you marketing messages in the lead up to your event.
2. Not taking the time to create an emergency communication plan
You’re hosting a music festival, people are travelling for hours to experience the event you’ve spent most of this year planning and then you find out your worst nightmare has come true – one of the main acts has been delayed and isn’t going to make it in time.
Sometimes things go wrong, acts cancel at the last minute, there are delays to opening the doors, or you find out you have to change the event venue at the last minute.
As an event manager how often do you take the time out to put together a clear emergency communication plan?
Sure, it’s another thing to add to your to do list and it’s extra paperwork (that fingers crossed you won’t need to look at again) but don’t take a short cut on this task – it’s important.
Take the time to work out how you would get in touch with everyone who is attending your event as quickly and efficiently as possible. Here are some things to consider:
- If you have sold your tickets online, do you have easy access to the list of attendees and their contact details?
- What key information would you need to include in an email when notifying people of event changes?
- What social media channels would you use to communicate the changes?
If something does go wrong and you are working under pressure it can be helpful to refer to a pre-written checklist.
3. Not embracing event technology
Technology has evolved at a rapid pace. With the rise of smartphones and tablets, social media and wearable technology the relationship between technology and events is becoming ever more important. Technology provides event managers with the opportunity to connect with their customers and make their events more efficient.
- Are you embracing online ticket sales or do you still find yourself ordering expensive base tickets stubs to sell in person?
- Are you still checking in guests by hand or have you switched to using online ticketing software that streamlines the process of checking guests in?
- Is Wi-Fi a mandatory component at all of the events you run or just something that is nice to have if you can get it?
Dependent on how you answer these questions – is it time for you to update your approach to event technology?
4. Not using social media to your full advantage
Social media has been a game changer for event managers. If you think social media is just about creating a Facebook event page or sending out a couple of tweets to promote your event, then think again. Social media has changed the way event managers engage with event attendees.
Social media for your event should be frequently updated and regularly monitored. When used correctly it can be a useful customer service tool. Put your social media channels to work at every event and use them to:
- Create buzz before the event with teasers
- Engage directly with your attendees,
- Gather all important event feedback (during and after the event).
If you are interested in learning more about how an online event booking system can help you to work more efficiently and help with the success of your next event, then get in touch with the team at Ticketebo today.