Tips for Creating a PR Strategy for Events

No matter how big or small an event is, an effective PR strategy is always needed while planning it. A PR strategy helps an event to achieve the desired exposure in the media and allows it to reach the target audience. Even if the pressure is felt while organizing such an event, it has to be engaging, presentable, and professional. Given below are tips that can help to plan an effective PR event.

Set a goal for the event

Why is the event being organized? This may seem to be a simple question but the answer to it has to be accurate and precise. ‘Promoting a product’ cannot be a complete answer. Goals require more depth. If the main aim of an event is to promote a product, then some other important questions should be ,’ What is the minimum number of products that have to be sold?’ ‘How many participants should be there in the event?’

Start early

Every effort should be made so that the visibility of an event is maximized. Press coverage should be achieved way ahead of an event. To draw attention to an upcoming event, features and articles and interviews should be planned in advance. Deadlines for the press and editorial calendar should be noted so that the PR campaign for the event can be planned effectively. There should definitely be a pre-event PR. An appealing press pitch should be written which should demonstrate the relevance of the event. The press pitch should also have key information such as the name, the date and the time.

Keep track of the attendees

On the day of the event, many attendees fail to keep track of the attendees. Journalists might confirm their presence but many might not turn up at the last minute. It is better to leave an attendee list with the host or personally welcome each guest. It is a good way to keep record of not only everyone who attends but also to know which person to contact for press coverage. Bloggers should also be invited to such events as they can be very influential. They will also spend more time at events and because of their impactful social media presence they can be requested to write a blog about the event.

Be timely

If an event is being held days before a product release then there should be a social media strategy in place to generate interest for the release. The event should ideally be held on a day when a lot of other things are not happening. If there is a major game or any other event, it is better not to plan the event for that day. The reason is the press might attend those events instead of the particular event that has been planned.

Be careful about choosing a venue

A PR event should also result in a good impression. This means choosing a venue that is memorable. It should be lavish and practical and not a generic room or a city hall. There should also be designated spaces for the press and the other attendees.

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