Event Planning with Pinterest

If you are in the event planning industry and are not yet using Pinterest, you are missing out on a powerful tool. Pinterest is a valuable resource in helping get your word out on conferences, film festivals, music festivals and other events you may be planning. It is also great resource to exchange ideas.

Pinterest works as a digital pinboard, or bulletin board, that allows you to post photos and ideas and ask for suggestions. It not only can help in marketing your event online, it also adds more fun and creativity into your event planning.

In addition it is a great way to share photos of all your events and build excitement for future events!

With Pinterest, you can direct visitors to your blog, drive users to your website or other social media channels and engage them further. It is a visual social media tool that is based in creativity, but by its very nature allows for some subtle, and perhaps not so subtle, online marketing.

Pinterest allows you the ability to showcase hotels, the venue, vendors, speakers and entertainment that may be a part of your event. Like all social media it is about sharing, and sharing is good when it comes to getting the word out about your event. Don’t forget the networking aspects of Pinterest. You can widen your contacts of like-minded individuals and share contacts and concepts. It is sort of a LinkedIn for creative people.

If you are searching for a superb location for your next event and are considering venues in Miami, contact us at Soho Studios. With a word-class client list that includes Evian, Ford Motor, Absolut, and Puma, we have the experience to assist you in all aspects of your South Florida event. Soho Studios is over 65,000 square feet of event space Miami utilizes for photography, video, conventions, meetings, conferences, art shows and even some of Miami’s famous parties.

Contact us today and let us help you take your ideas from concept to completion. We are Soho Studios, Miami’s premier venue located in the trendy Wynwood District, home of Art Basel Wynwood.

How to put on a music festival

Early bird and advanced tickets for Ultra Music Festival in Miami sold out in minutes. That’s pretty remarkable, considering the event is 10 months away. Advanced ticket sales have already ended for Coachella in California, even though the show isn’t until April of 2014. In Tennessee, The Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival draws hundreds of thousands to a 700 acre farm in the middle of, well…Tennessee.

How do these festivals do it?

The first ingredient is time. Building a successful event is like building a successful business. Be prepared for the long haul. Your first year event might not be a good as your 3^rd year event. But if you build it properly, they will come.

The venue and atmosphere is critical. Where the event is held and how the event is perceived will add to your success. Bonnaroo uses their remote location as an asset, a venue that leaves your troubles behind. Miami music festivals like Ultra Music Festival, held during the same week as Winter Music Conference, tend to take advantage of the city’s vibe. It helps that there are such eclectic venues in Miami.

Many music festivals in Florida and elsewhere will have a charitable tie-in. Among the many charities that Coachella supports is The Painted Turtle, a camp for children with serious medical conditions. Offering support to charitable organizations allows for some additional exposure and potential access to a group of event volunteers.

Successful music festivals offer a variety of fan experiences from general admission to VIP upgrades and artist meet-and-greets. They also start selling their tickets close to a year in advance, and limit the amount of tickets each individual can purchase. This creates a year-round buzz about the event. People plan their year around some of these festivals.

Having a strong artist line-up with loyal fan bases is also important. Many festivals load their line-ups with up-and-coming artists that are rapidly gaining fans. They bring this momentum to these festivals.

If you are considering event space in Miami, Soho Studios is a 65,000 square foot, multi-purpose venue. It is located in the Wynwood District, home of Art Basel Wynwood. From music events to fashion shows, Soho Studios is Miami premier facility. See why worldwide brands like Ford Motor, Evian, Absolut, Puma and more have trusted Soho Studios with their name. We invite you to talk with our team and let's explore the possibilities.

Marketing your event online

When marketing your event online it is important to consider a number of factors like demographics, data, location and the theme of the event itself. Luckily in today's technology laden world promotions are easier than ever using an ever expanding group of tools that are web and mobile based.

There is no shortage of choices to make so you should look to capitalize on the most efficient methods for your promotions at the party venues Miami is home to currently. Do not let other companies or promoters get the edge by taking advantage before yours can put them into action for you first.

The Web is full of opportunities for you to spread your message. There are websites, blogging platforms, social media, email campaigns, advertising networks, sponsorships and the list goes on. By combining a mixture of these elements you can fine tune your directives and capture the spectrum of the Internet audience you need to make you events a success.

Generating content that matters to people and drives traffic back to your primary web presence is critical for your entity as it exists online. Great editorial and pictorial content of your event will be shared by your audience and assist in promoting your events. Cultivate this audience by publishing regularly on your website and through your network. Perhaps contribute guest content to other websites or ask if they will assist in cross promoting your functions. You never know what opportunities will emerge when you ask about the needs others have.

Look for cost effective avenues first, if you are already producing flyers or press releases for your events see what new channels will broadcast the information for you. Make trades with other important players in your community to further your goals and those on the scene in general. It is important to market your event online. Follow these event marketing tips and generate hype for events in Miami.

Event Blogging

Blogs are not just reserved for people who want to rant about their favorite sports team or give their two cents on the latest political scandal. A blog can also be a useful tool for promoting your event. It is the perfect way to engage people and make them feel like they are part of the action.

An event blog is because is the perfect way to build relationships with people who are attending your event. Writing blog posts lets you share important information and create a strong buzz for your event. If you are at one of the best party venues Miami has to offer, for example, you want people to be aware of why your event is there and what is going on at your event.

When you start creating content for your event blog, an important guideline to remember is to keep it personal and conversational. Engage your followers with content that will matter to them. One way to promote conversation is to open up a comments section for blog visitors. It can serve as a message board where you can answer questions and respond to feedback from your followers.

Incorporate visual and audio elements into your posts. Include video or podcast interviews with any notable guests in attendance. Post lots of photos of the event to your blog and the activities leading up to it. This will make the event come alive and it will generate interest from blog visitors. People are drawn to big events with lots of hype. Throwing everything but the kitchen sink into the event blog will make it feel like a big deal to them when they check out the latest post.

Internet access is important in event blogging. Make sure your chosen venue is equipped with high speed Internet to handle what you will need to make your blog run smoothly. Your event blog will add another dimension to the event and make it an unforgettable experience.

Managing online reviews

Online reviews are frequently used by consumers considering making purchases, including event tickets. In fact, online reviews from strangers have replaced family and friend recommendations in a buying decision. If you choose to ignore your online reputation management, you may be choosing to ignore a tool very helpful for the future of your event promotion ability.

Positive online reviews, of course, can go a long way in helping your market your brand. Negative reviews can significantly handicap you. Both need to be managed.

How can you improve online reviews that appear in Yelp, CitySearch, Google Places and others?

You can subscribe to Google Alerts to help monitor these review websites. It is free and can help make you aware of what is being posted. You must then read and consider the validity of even the negative reviews. They can potentially help you improve the event experience you are providing.

Ask your satisfied customers to post reviews. Sadly, many satisfied event goers will not post a review unless prompted. You'll need to request positive reviews because negative ones will come without invitation. If you can generate more positive reviews, it will minimize the effects of any negative ones.

Respond to negative reviews promptly. This doesn't mean debating their experience online, but contact reviewers through an email or instant message. Ask for more details of their negative experience and see if there is a way to make it right. Remember, you are managing a negative review, not proving who is right or wrong.

When planning any event, the reputation of the venue will go a long way is how the event is perceived. You’ll want to work with a facility with an established reputation for quality, satisfying experiences.

If you are considering event space Miami has to offer, we invite you to review our 65,000 square foot facility at Soho Studios. Soho Studios is located in Miami’s trendy Wynwood District, and is home to the famous Art Basel Wynwood. We have built our reputation by making sure every detail is handled in the production of events from planning to event promotion.

How to plan a fund raising event

If you are planning a charity event, there are some overlooked and underused ways to make money for your non-profit. At Soho Studios, we are proud to host many such premier fund raising events in Miami and offer these event planning suggestions.

Sell Sponsorships.

Different level of sponsorships can mean differing levels of visibility for your sponsors. Event signage, website and Facebook visibility, program ads, and even table tent visibility are event production assets that you have that you can offer sponsors. Get creative.

VIP Experiences.

Larger donors will be willing to pay extra to attend your event if you can provide an experience not available to regular ticket holders. VIP experiences may include valet parking, better seating, opportunities for meet and greets, upgraded food and beverage options and perhaps an exclusive post event party.

Market Guest Gift Bags.

Who doesn't love a little swag? Talk to businesses who want the visibility and association that your event can provide and offer to give attendees coupons or samples of their products for a donation. Your guests get gifts, and you make some extra money for your charity. You also involve more organizations with your event.

Our experienced team at Soho Studios can not only help you stage an event that will be well remembered, we are equipped to assist you with a variety of ideas to help create financially successful non-profit events.

Soho Studios can help you with world class events for a variety of reasons including trade shows, concerts, photo video shoots, and non-profit fund-raising events. We have worked with Puma, Ford Motor, Evian, Absolut, Telemundo and many other significant companies who have placed their trust in our team of professionals. Located in the Wynwood District in Miami Florida, we are in the midst of Miami's exciting art and entertainment area including Art Basel Wynwood. For your next event, remember the value your venue adds to make it a success. Make an impression that will last. If you are looking for event space Miami is gaining fame for, contact us at Soho Studios.

Tips on picking an event promoter

Working with event promoters should be an exciting, energetic experience. Sadly, in the event planning process, all too often an event promoter can over-promise and under-produce. However if you are looking at event space in Miami there are some great promoters.

Here are some tips on picking the good ones.

Passion

Look for promoters who are passionate about their work. Event promotion is not an easy job, so those who are successful love it, and that passion should show. Enthusiasm is contagious.

Network

Great promoters have large networks of contacts, friends, and associates who can help get the word out about the event. Find out about their media relationships with local TV, radio and print. A diverse network can also help out in the event of a problem.

References

You’ll want to talk with bands and venues about an event promoter. You’ll get feedback that can quickly help you find the right person.

Experience

Promoting a music festival in Miami is different than promoting an industry trade show. It’s important to find an event promoter with a proven success rate promoting your particular type of event.

People Skills

Look for an event promoter that can work well with everyone involved in your event. People who have and use good people skills build longer lasting, trusting relationships.

Organization

Everyone gets busy, but you don’t want an important piece of paperwork overlooked or a meeting missed when planning your event. Organization is a key quality of a good event promoter.

Social Media Skills

Especially in music promotions, finding an event promoter who is skilled in social media is critical. Social media can start a fire about your event and you want a promoter who has the matches.

Everyone wins when an event is promoted successfully, whether it is a fashion show, a launch party or a car show. Be sure you keep these event promotion tips in mind to ensure that your next event is a great success!

Should I have a QR Code for my event?

Promoting an event to today's audiences’ means taking advantage of web and mobile technologies to reach the masses. These days, event planning takes more than booking a venue in Miami and passing out a few flyers. In order to reach your intended audience it’s important to connect to people through iPhones, iPads and other mobile devices. It is vital to take advantage of these methods to reach out and capture their attention and ultimately get them in the door of your event at the venues in Miami.

Whether you are planning a concert, trade show, launch party, or any other live production that you want people to show up for, means getting the word out to the public. Casting a wide net means using every mechanism at your disposal to get your message onto the mind of the general population. Make sure you are using the best practices available to effectively and efficiently maximize the results.

How can your event planning efforts capitalize on the crowd in the moment?

One great solution is having an event app that includes QR Code scanner. People are constantly on their phones and by using these tools you can provide your audience with a real time interactive experience. QR Codes are scanable UPC-like tags that allow smart phone users to go directly to content that is customized specifically for your event as well as any relevant urls. Developing a mobile app might also be the correct route for your production crew or promotion company to embark on as well. That way your audience and follower can quickly tap into a streak of content you decide to send out through the channel long after the event is over.

If you are planning an event put these tactics to work for you and gather the ears of the people that want to hear your message. Bolster the number through the gates of your next event.

What is your event strategy?

Planning an event is only half the battle. You also need clever event marketing techniques that will convince people they cannot afford to miss your event. Marketing your event is made much easier when you turn to the Internet as a resource and craft a digital event strategy. It lets you engage more people while removing time and geographical constraints found in other forms of marketing.

You should consider these important elements in crafting a digital strategy for your next event:

Create Social Media Conversations

Initiating conversations through social media channels is an effective tool for getting people to talk about your event. For your Twitter account, for example, you should decide on all event hashtags in advance. Then start promoting those hashtags on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and other popular social media sites. Encourage people to follow the event hashtags for news and information related to your event. Create a pre-event network and allow attendees to submit proposals and offer feedback on your upcoming event. Giving them a voice will make your event more appealing.

Blog about It

You can't surf anywhere on the Internet without splashing into a blog. Still, there is no reason why you shouldn't blog about your event. You can consider a couple of options with blogging. The first is to live blog during the event. You can post photos and offer real-time updates on what is happening. This approach works well with annual events.

A second option is to blog about the event afterward. You can create a post that summarizes the event and link to any other relevant posts covering the event. Incorporate SEO keywords tied to your event so people can easily find blog posts in search engines and share them with their friends.

Engage with Mobile Apps

Create a mobile app for your event. It can offer attendees access to the event calendar or schedule. They can browse through scheduled speakers and entertainers, venue information, ticket prices and everything else related to the event. Mobile event apps will help keep your audience continuously engaged before and during the event so that you can accomplish your goals.

Using Smart Phones to engage your audience

The mobile revolution is not a marketing scheme or a desperate ploy of journalists to fill column inches. It is a real and concrete thing. More and more people don't have a computer at home or use it mostly as a database and a media dump. People have in their hands a device capable of doing almost everything that your average person used their home computer for. By far the biggest aspect of this is the internet.

This makes it imperative that you are using smart phone to promote your event. People are no longer heads in the doors. They are advertisers and partners. They draw people to your event and spread the word for you. It is absolutely necessary that you create an event, and an image for your event, that makes people want to invite their friends. It should make them want to share your event with everyone they know.

This means that you must harness the moment. People no longer go home, check out a web page, absorb information and then choose to share it or whatever else they might do. Now, with mobile apps for your event, you can have people scan a bar code, download your app and instantly access the world of your event. They are immediately engaged and participating.

This is what you want. Advertising and spreading the word is no longer a passive endeavor. It is no longer a matter of getting eyes on your message. It is about creating a message and an event that gets people involved in sharing it with their friends. You are creating a street team with mobile apps for your event. You are creating an army of partners who are interested in making your event a success because they will be there. They want the event to be amazing.

Technology has turned word of mouth into the ONLY event promotion technique that matters. Word of mouth has always been a side item. It is time for it to take center stage.