Running your first “Geeky” or Tech Event

Mecca Ibrahim

Head of Social Media

Great British Chefs

Presentation at EncampmentUK - Mecca Ibrahim

RUNNING YOUR FIRST GEEKY EVENT

• Who to invite & how?– Convince your boss – with a “spreadsheet of pain” – Traffic, followers, FB page,

what they blog about etc etc – in a nutshell – are they cool & are they likely to talk about it!

– Easiest way was through Twitter & follow up by email!

RUNNING YOUR FIRST GEEKY EVENT

• Finding sponsors – Choose ones that “get” social

media & geeks

– Helps if you don’t have to explain Twitter to them

RUNNING YOUR FIRST GEEKY EVENT

• Finding sponsors – Tell them what exposure they could potentially get – blog posts, tweets, mentions,

awareness, exposure to overseas markets etc

RUNNING YOUR FIRST GEEKY EVENT

• Finding sponsors – Really tailor your approach – find

out what tech spaces they are already in, what they are tweeting about, who they are following, what they do on Facebook – you need to understand what things will be a good ROI – “return on investment” – what’s in it for them.

– Numbers are important - what exposure can you give them

– Engagement is important – how will the event make people “feel” about the brand – eg why should Converse sponsor a tech event

– Photos are important – show examples of how the brand will be blogged about & pictured – take good pictures in advance of the event

RUNNING YOUR FIRST GEEKY EVENT

• Finding sponsors – Try to visit them in person, your

concept may be hard to explain, but may be much easier to show

RUNNING YOUR FIRST GEEKY EVENT

• Before the event– Build expectation & curiosity –

create a buzz– Remind attendees of the event

once, then again, and then some more – build up anticipation with Tweets, blog posts, establish hashtag as soon as you can ideally weeks in advance.

– Make others wonder what they would be missing by not being there.

RUNNING YOUR FIRST GEEKY EVENT

• How to get your event talked about – Do “sweat the small stuff”– Importance of “social objects”– objects that people talk about and make them feel a

special way about the person that gives them– Importance of making your event memorable– Attention to detail is key – make people surprised that you thought about “the small

stuff”.

RUNNING YOUR FIRST GEEKY EVENT

Getting your event talked about - Use MOO print – ultimate in social objects

RUNNING YOUR FIRST GEEKY EVENT

Getting your event talked about Make friends with your local pound shop – contens for goodie bags, raffle prizes, presents for volunteers etc - needn’t be expensive, but must be thoughtful

RUNNING YOUR FIRST GEEKY EVENT

Getting your event talked aboutMake friends with your pound shop – the goodie bags, invites, note paper etc - needn’t be expensive

RUNNING YOUR FIRST GEEKY EVENT

Getting your event talked aboutNot all Lanyards are equal

RUNNING YOUR FIRST GEEKY EVENT

Getting your event talked aboutNot all Lanyards are equalGet ones with memory sticks, attach ribbons to badges, get ones with stretchy things on them for swiping key cards at work

RUNNING YOUR FIRST GEEKY EVENT

Getting your event talked aboutBuy promotional items that look more expensive than they cost because of shape, quality of paper, be thoughtful

RUNNING YOUR FIRST GEEKY EVENT

After the event

•Thank everyone who attended – sponsors & attendees•Try to thank sponsors in person•Try to upload all official photos ASAP after the event – ideally yours should be the first people see•Show them tweets, photos, brochures , hashtags

Want more info, contact me at:

mecca@greatbritishchefs.com@gbchefs

@anniemole

Presentation at EncampmentUK - Mecca Ibrahim