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Event marketing continues to be a key focus for Lessing-Flynn as many of our clients are engaged in tradeshow strategy, customer, media and open house events. There are many free tools available that make event planning easier, from planning through post event follow up. Below are a few that I find to be great tools. Check them out and let us know if you have other suggestions!
Twtvite.com is an easy to use tool that allows you organize Tweetups and make connections through Twitter. Very simple to set up an event and allows people to see who is attending, RSVP and spread the word through their Twitter network.
Google Maps. If your event is in a city that is far from home for your attendees, Google maps will allow you to creat a custom Google map as a guide to useful places and addresses. Makes it very simple to find the closest hotels, airports and more.
Slideshare is a must for sharing your event presentations. Slideshare allows you to create an account for your event and gather all the presenters’ presentations in one place. Slideshare.net offers additional promotion for your event. You may upload Word docs, PDF’s and even add audio to make a webinar. You choose to share your event publically or privately. Here’s an example of a recent Lessing-Flynn presentation on Slideshare.
Facebook Events offers an invite feature that is one of the easiest share opportunities online. Great tool for organizing events with your friends, groups and fans.
Ustream for livestreaming of events is becoming more common….plus it’s free! Ustream is also more than a livestreaming service. You can use it to interview speakers or promote your event before hand.
Eventbrite.com is the most popular full-featured event planning tool. The web site is intuitive and lists all the resources you need on the main management page. EventBrite also allows you to manage multiple events with multiple invite lists. This is a tool that can serve as your complete event home page if you choose.
Author – Jess Held
www.lessingflynn.com
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Jess: How do you feel about using Foursquare for event marketing? I could see its use at a huge trade show with multiple event halls.
I’m still on the fence with 4 square. It’s fun to watch my co-maverick, Josh, become the Mayor of Ted’s Coney Island, only to be officially greeted by staff when we walk in. “Look, it’s the Mayor & the girl who hangs out with the Mayor!” Good stuff. I think it has the potential to be a good event marketing tool, but it has a ways to go. Twitter is a great way to reach media from a tradeshow or event. “Stop by booth #901 and see the such & such product demo”. “1st person to our booth receives an AdMavericks t-shirt”. Facebook is also a great way to push out your event info to your fans & followers. Plus, you can post photos of the event! Thanks for the comments!
Haven’t heared of twtvite and ustream before, but I’ll check them out.
Especially ustream sounds pretty interesting.
What about amiando? They are big in Europe and their online event planning tools are really great. http://www.amiando.com/
I can really recommend their online tools.