Here’s how today’s best event mobile apps boost not only attendance, but also attendee engagement, enthusiasm, and event experiences.
Events are based largely on buzz from potential or past attendees — and this buzz can either make or break your event. To add to this pressure, today’s marketing professional has an average of 18% of their annual budget devoted to events.
Another truth: 80% of event promoters extensively use social media to chase likes and followers. They do this to build cognizance and engagement, and then to convert followers into paying event attendees.
Traditional and digital advertising still have their place in capturing your target audience’s interest and zest. But now, there’s another approach to distributing your information and increasing your event attendance: Event mobile apps.
Some of today’s largest events maximize apps for attendees to download and interact with — frequently with amazing results. Even if your event might not be large, you can compete with the big names on a global scale through digital marketing and event mobile apps. So how can a mobile app for event organization benefit your next event?
1. Build bigger buzz
Do you know that even before your event even starts, your app can do a little heavy lifting by getting your audience enthusiastic about it? If they’re excited about sharing what you’re sharing, they will certainly and willingly inform everyone in their network. Already, you’re building an army of advocates who are spreading the word about your events.
Content is crucial for building buzz about your event. Many popular event activities provide exceptional extras within their event mobile app, such as:
Interviews with speakers or performers,
Exceptional backstage videos or mini performances,
Exclusive updates on key highlights, and
Insight into the build-up to the event.
2. Offer attendees mobile planning
To encourage potential attendees to register for your event, you can encourage them to easily plan their visit. For example, the best event apps can help attendees easily book a hotel and tours.
You can also provide listings and details of your venue to help them plan their visit and avoid contingencies. Such attendee planning information is highly useful for events that take place over several venues or days — such as music festivals.
Finally, information on who is speaking and exhibiting helps your attendees get more out of their experience. If they have a wonderful time, they’re more likely to tell that to others and attend your future events.
3. Create a personalized experience
According to recent statistics, 70% of consumers assume a customized experience and expect it to be fun-filled. Also, event attendees like to personalize their experience and choose what they see and do. A mobile event app is an extraordinary way to allow people to select and shop their favorites and as well as research the opportunities inherent in such events.
The capacity for an event app to provide interactive maps, as an instance, allows attendees to make plans and alternatives about what they can and can’t get to. Interactive maps also enable them to link up with pals.
4. Improve event networking
Do you know that if your event lends itself to social or expert networking, a great event mobile app can be helpful in fostering networking? If your attendees want to network but discover that’s hard to do, then you definitely aren’t delivering the full experience they want. And dissatisfied attendees are unlikely to come back for future events, or tell others how amazing your event is.
To that end, a really great event mobile app offers a directory of attendees and also a social community for the event itself. Through the app, attendees can pick out others they would love to meet up with and approach them before the event begins. They can even start a verbal exchange before the event commences.
And a great event mobile app comes with networking tools that will remain ‘sticky’ even after the event has ended. Your attendees can still use your event mobile app after the event to preserve contacts they saved for subsequent meet-ups.
5. Get ahead of the curve
Mobile is a booming business, so becoming a mobile early adopter will definitely differentiate you from your competition. Waiting until everyone else is doing it will be a lost opportunity — no one will discover you as a leader in your area if you’re just following the pack.
First mover advantage isn’t something to be sniffed at — especially if your target audience are early adopters and like to attempt something new, or if your logo or product lends itself to a new era. Consider your brand values when deciding whether or not an app is an outstanding match for you and your target audience.
There are many kinds of events that would benefit from interactive event mobile apps, such as:
Local fairs – There are a range of local arts festivals, which can also include: food, music, literature, art, fashion, and movie.
Conferences – Industry events are frequently held in local venues. They can be centered at experts (IT protection convention or Facilities Management conference) or at customers (crafts or wedding events are huge enterprise).
Trade associations – Frequently, trade associations will create an event for his or her contributor to gain information and network.
The icing on your event cake
Now you see why event mobile apps can be a critical part in growing your attendee count, but also engaging your attendees. The best event apps can enhance each attendee’s experience before, during and after your event.
Savvy event managers know that event mobile apps are considered the icing on their conference cake. That’s because they supply unique content and enhance your engagement with your attendee base. Just like you’d never skip the icing on a cake, this icing for your event is too fantastic to overlook.
