PR Sponsorship Tips for Impactful, Low-Cost Events
Producing a successful media event on a budget is not as hard as you think. The number one skill you need (aside from being a stellar bargain shopper) is organization. If you’re a PR sponsorship pro, you most likely have this skill down pat. Once you figure out the What and Why of your event, the Where, When and How will easily follow. Here are some tips to creating an awesome soiree on a shoestring.
Find the right venue
The location for your event is your first hurdle. This will most likely be the biggest expense unless it makes sense to hold it at your company’s PR office or your client’s workspace. Think about where most of your guests will be coming from and keep the location central. A cute, trendy restaurant, boutique hotel or bar with a separate party room or patio can work well, and reduced the need to decorate from scratch. Don’t be afraid to negotiate on the price with the manager. The worst they can tell you is NO. Ask about their less busy days and times and try to make that work to your advantage. Since most people have day jobs, scheduling your event in the morning before work or in the evening once people leave for the day will insure you more RSVPS.
Host multiple clients at once
A great way to keep the budget down with a PR event is by having more than one client participate. Last April, I held a spring beauty media event that included 6 clients. While that sounds like a nightmare, it actually worked out brilliantly. By doing so, I not only allowed all of my clients to show off their latest product launches to the same group of media members, I was able to book a 5-star hotel’s pool area and split all of the expenses by 6.
Keep décor costs down
The theme and location of your event will determine its look and feel. Most locations already have a set décor so you can easily play off existing elements to keep decorations to a minimum. Succulents, plants and loose cut flowers from Trader Joes paired with simple glass vases from The Dollar Store can look much more expensive than they are. For a beauty client, focus on the product ingredients for décor inspiration. For instance, a rose facemask can be accessorized with rose petals, a skin cream with coconut and aloe. Pick up a few coconuts at the supermarket and an aloe plant and voila! You’re fancy.
Enhance the event with sponsor participation
Sometimes it makes sense to partner up with another PR firm or service-oriented company to offer a more memorable experience for your guests. Mini massages, manicures, astrology readings, even a braid bar will make the event more interactive and interesting, which will often boost attendance. To negotiate these services for free, offer the companies gratis PR by promoting their logos and social media handles via your invitations and social media.
Lean on your client for event assistance
With events on a small budget, everyone needs to pitch in. You’ll need assistance managing RSVPs, connecting with guests, photography, and generally making sure everyone is having a good time and learning about your client’s products. Bringing on outside help is going to cost you, but if your client is willing to help manage the event, or bring in their own employees to help, it’s one less expense.
Keep Swag Simple
A gift bag is usually expected at media events, but this doesn’t mean every guest needs to walk out the door with $500 in free product. Talk to your client(s) before hand and see what they’re comfortable offering. If it’s a new beauty launch, one item from the launch along with a press kit is a good idea to gift each media member. Ask the manager of the venue if they have anything they could throw in like a gift certificate, or a wrapped up baked good from their kitchen. If you have a co-sponsor at your event have them throw in a gift card or small item. Resist the idea to fill up your gift bag with a bunch of collateral (discount coupons, promotional materials) that is just going to get tossed, and focus on 1 or 2 useful items in a good looking package.
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