Event Hangover

Right Angle hosted our first Open House with new roommies Top Dead Center Design and 2D9 yesterday. As always, I have an "event hangover" today - along with a list of the successes and not-so-much successes.

Our Open House firmly fell on the side of successful, but that's not to say we did everything right. This brings me to the subject of today's blog.

While you're still recovering from your big event, it's a great idea to recap all the things you think went right and wrong. We printed out a list of attendees last night and figured out who had shown up and who hadn't. Jennifer and I, being marketing geeks, really enjoy doing analysis on the percentages of no shows, people we invited but didn't respond, and those who responded AND showed up to drink a lot of wine and beer and eat Chef Maura's exceptionally delicious food. Here are some tips we always utilize before and after an event.

1. It's the little things that count. Pay attention to the small details. Sara at 2D9 purchased fresh flowers for each of our areas and picked flowers that matched our individual spaces and personalities. A number of people commented on how the purple tulips she picked matched our corporate identity. A few people told me they loved the candles we had burning outside - it made the entryway to our office warm and inviting. If you've got the budget, a nice take-away is great to give - a client once gave away very nice wine bottle openers at an event.
2. The big things count, too. Don't skimp on food or beverages - it always shows and comes back to bite you in the end. Bringing clients into your space is a great opportunity to show them who you really are. We have a client who is also an accomplished artist. We don't have the budget at the moment to purchase fine art for our walls, so he hung his paintings in our space during the event and it made a huge difference. Don't host an Open House if your space is going to make you look like an idiot, and if you can't afford to provide high quality food and beverages, wait until you can.
3. Measure, measure, measure. As with any marketing initiative, measurement is key. Ask yourself, what are the goals of the event? What kind of follow up will I do? What kinds of information do I need to make available during the event? We asked ourselves these questions. Our goal was to introduce all three companies in the space to each other's client and network contacts. We created a postcard that could be taken away with brief, bullet points about each company. It had a call to action to encourage people to sign up for our blogs and newsletters. That way we can see how many people actually do sign up, and then send them stuff.
4. Before the week is out, compile a list of the things you liked and didn't like - and write them down. They will be beneficial for future events.

And, if all else fails, you can hire us to plan your event. We love it!