Lesson 3: Create Community by Inviting Partners

Lesson 3. Be a Partner and add Value. (Day 3 Recap)

I think this is one of the most important things to do in the Pre-Game Stage of Event Success.

Yesterday's training covered some questions I ask when Choosing the Right Event. If you missed it, go back and give it a read. Let me know if it gives you any clarity on choosing the right event for your brand.

Now that I’ve narrowed down the events that really fit my brand, have the audience I’m trying to make a good impression with, and make sense financially, I focus on generating buzz and bringing in my community so we can all win together.

My next step is to bring my community together to add as much value to the event as possible…. I want to be the Link to a better experience for everyone involved.

You see, if I can add value, then I don’t need to sell myself or my product, my community does this for me. And that’s more powerful than me trying to stand on a tower with a microphone yelling for people to come visit my booth.

So ask yourself. How can I bring Community together at this event in a way that everyone has a better experience together?

How do I create a “Link” between the event goers/ attendees (potential customers), my brand, and partners, in order to make the event more successful and enjoyable for everyone?

Here’s a question for you….

Who can you involve from your network that could add value to the event you're setting up for? 

This could look different depending on:

• Your company/brand

• Your community

• The event

• Your Goal at the Event

• And many other factors. 

That’s why understanding your brand, your customer, and your community are so important. If you’re unsure about any of those, go check out this free course in the Merch Marketing Community I put together. 

When I figured out how to become that link with my community, everything at events started to change……. 

When I owned InkAddict, I traveled all over the country, setting up booths at music festivals, auto shows, fashion shows, tattoo conventions, art fairs, and other events. There was always a way to involve my community in the action. And when I did, the event was always more successful. Plus, it felt really good lifting others and growing together.

It’s like that old adage, “ A rising tide rises all boats”.

As a brand, it was the catapult that took us from a transactional company to a movement of loyal brand advocates who promoted for us.

What would happen to your bottom line if customers started to tell their friends about you?  

So who can you involve? 

How can you lift your community and bring everyone together at the events you are set up to vend at?

The photo below is an example of how I created that “Link” and something I did often at events. 

The Leave Your Mark wall might just look like a painting with signatures on it. But once you understand what I mean by the “Link”, you’ll get that it was my rising tide. The piece that brought my community together.

So how did the “Leave Your Mark” wall become my “Link” with event attendees and my community?

• The artwork was done by a local artist/ shop in relation to the event location.

• The artist was promoted by my team. We handed out promotional material or did a collaboration so people walking by the booth (their potential customers) became aware of who they were (We promoted them). 

• The other part of the wall was used so attendees could “Leave their Mark” on the wall which was a play on words that fit my brand.

• Attendees signed their name/ created art (left their mark) on the wall, then took photos and shared it on social media. They loved it!!!

• The Promoter got to keep the art for future events which added value to his event aesthetic.

• This happened to be a music festival. So I also found a way to incorporate some of the bands (affiliates) that were on stage to do something fun for the attendees at my booth.

*The part you don’t see in the photo of the wall above…..my booth with all of my merch and product was right next to it. I didn’t have to yell for people to stop by. I created an experience where they sought us out.

I hope you got some good ideas flowing today and are starting to think about how you can raise that tide on the experience level for your community at your next event. Be sure to sign up for the upcoming Masterclass here. 

Tomorrow I’m going to spend some time discussing PRODUCT which is the third of six Pre-Game checklist items we will be covering in these training sessions. We will go over 6 plus what to do during the event and after the event in the masterclass, but are limited here. 

Let’s make sure every event you attend is a game-changer!