Planning Special Events

by Joan Stewart, The Publicity Hound


One of the biggest mistakes event organizers make is forgetting about publicity until after almost all the planning is complete.

Do that, and you'll blow your chances of getting the best coverage possible. Smart Publicity Hounds are aware of any and all media opportunities and keep them top of mind when planning. Here are two questions to ask yourself during the early days of your planning:

1. Pre-event coverage

Do we need pre-event coverage in national magazines in order for the event to be a success? If so, what are the editorial deadlines for getting into those publications? You particularly need to know about deadlines for routine things like calendar listings. If publicity in national magazines is absolutely essential, you may have to pitch six months before the event because many magazines have long lead times. And if you're pitching stories that far ahead, it means your planning will need to be even earlier.

2. Airline hub

Is the event taking place in or near a city that's a hub for one or more of the major airlines? If so, coverage in the airlines' in-flight magazines could really boost attendance, particularly if the event can be considered a tourist attraction.

"How to Plan & Promote Sizzle Special Events" walks you step-by-step through everything you need to know about how to draw the biggest crowds, including media, to your special event. The six audio cassette tapes come with a CD that lists 15 critical checklists, from things you must know if serving alcohol to how to create a media plan for your event.

Read more about what this package includes here.

 

Joan Stewart publishes "The Publicity Hound's Tips of the Week," a free ezine on how to generate thousands of dollars in free publicity. Subscribe at her website and receive free the handy checklist "89 Reasons to Send a News Release."