I work for my University's event planning business, and my boss had given my coworker and I a new project. Due to recent drops in attendance from our usual conference groups, it is up to us to figure out cheap new marketing strategies to entice more people to use our services to host their conference. Since the state has cut of a funding for a lot of things, we really don't have a lot to work with in terms of marketing. Here is a list of possible ideas that might work. If you have any that are not on the list, please leave a comment with your idea. I could use all the ideas I can get.
- Get comments and suggestions from previous/former clients
- Write and circulate a conference office newsletter, describing events taking place, pictures, and description
- Make a virtual tour on major locations and services used by most conference groups
- Pens, pencils with info printed on it
- Leave business cards in prospective locations
- actively participate in professional groups. Attend meetings and network the office through these groups
- Ask current/former clients, casual acquaintances and prospects for referrals
- Put out a suggestion box
- List number in the local phone directory
- Place business cards around campus
- Network with local hotels and work together in working with groups. Have hotels refer any prospective clients to business
- Network, network, network!
- Make a blog
