Shout Connect’s Post

I'm back! Are you ready for our third tip to help you take control of marketing and customer acquisition. I know this is going to help you succeed in bringing more customers to your business. So far we've covered build an online presence and leverage social media. Today's tip is to Network and Collaborate Attend Local Events: Go to local business meetups, trade shows, and community events. It's a great way to meet potential partners and customers face-to-face. Join Online Groups: Find and join online communities related to your industry. Participate in discussions and share your expertise. Collaborate with Other Businesses: Partner with complementary businesses for joint promotions. For example, a bakery and a coffee shop could offer a combined discount. See you tomorrow for my penultimate tip.

We started Insights Chats because we felt that many industry events were too sales-oriented, had generic content, or were not free. Sometimes, I would attend large events with big names, and at the end of the day, I felt like I hadn't learned anything new. These events were full of case studies, which in theory sound great, but they're almost always at a surface level, making it hard to gain any real insight. And of course, there were sales pitches everywhere. It was difficult to walk around without being approached. All of this came at a significant ticket fee, which could easily add up. So, our goal was to create an event which has: - Live podcast-style conversations with the crowd, where we can delve deeper into the topic - No presentations and no sales pitches - Free entrance - Networking opportunities before and after the event, with drinks and snacks - A more intimate and casual atmosphere where people feel welcome So far, we have hosted eight events, and it seems people love them as they keep coming back! 150 insights professionals have signed up so far for Insights Chats, and our goal is to reach 1000 in the upcoming years. If you want to see what it's like firsthand, we are hosting our ninth event next Thursday at 6pm in Soho, London. You can sign up via the link in the comments. 🚶🏼

Dear community, we need your help! While our ticket sales for this year’s event are going better than ever before, securing sponsorship has become significantly more challenging. This trend, driven by broader market shifts, has impacted many event organizers, even forcing some to cancel their events. Don’t worry: Our 2024 event is secure, thanks to the continued support of a few loyal sponsors ✅. However, sponsorships are a crucial part of our finances. To keep ticket prices stable and ensure a high-quality conference by paying speakers and contributors, we need to address this challenge. We’re not giving up. Instead, we’re innovating while staying true to our values and maintaining a top-notch event experience. Here’s where we need your help: ✨ Introducing: Pre-event Networking Listings ✨ We’ve created a partners page for companies with job openings or relevant products and services to connect with attendees. If your company fits this, direct your HR and Marketing colleagues 🤝 to our sponsorship page to explore this opportunity. Your support is vital in helping us continue to deliver the Product at Heart experience we all love. Thank you for being part of our community! ❤️ This is the link you can share with your colleagues: https://lnkd.in/eDHDkDDd

New blog post: 7 Benefits of Attending Industry Expos Uncover the advantages of participating in industry expos and how they can drive business success. Enhance your networking and industry insights. https://vist.ly/3an44

An observation from events that I've attended over the past few months... Nothing is more infuriating at a trade show than seeing company reps sitting at their stands glued to their phones or laptops, ignoring potential customers passing by. I see it everywhere. You’d think they'd be eager to engage, but instead, they look disinterested, completely absorbed in their screens. It's a wasted opportunity and reflects poorly on the business, making customers feel unwelcome or unimportant. Not to mention the huge investment required by the company just to be there! At a recent event, I actually stood at a display cabinet and helped myself to some product materials. I stood there for around 3 minutes waiting to engage with someone. I attempted to make eye contact. Several people looked up, and very quickly went back to whatever they were doing on their devices. I walked away. Some thoughts: 1) No digital devices at the stand. No exceptions. If you have a pressing email to send, message to reply to, or call to take, then do it away from the stand. Anyone stood on the stand should be there and ready to engage. 2) Engage with everyone. You don't need to be up in people's faces. Sometimes just some eye contact and a smile is enough. Acknowledge them. Let them know you're there and they will find you when they have a question. 3) Always be mindful of Return on Investment. Companies pay a huge amount of money to attend events and lead generation is the name of the game. 4) Network! If you've got time to scroll aimlessly on social platforms then you're missing a huge opportunity to engage with other businesses. You'd be amazed how much I've learnt, and how many doors have opened, from just having a conversation with others working in the industry.

New Blog: The Importance of Event Follow-Up Unlock the full potential of your events with effective post-event engagement strategies. Dive into our latest blog for actionable insights and strategies on post-event engagement. Transform your follow-ups into opportunities for growth and connection. Key Blog Contents: - Why is Event Follow-Up Important - Strategies for Post-Event Engagement - The Power of Social Media in Post-Event Engagement - Utilising Feedback for Future Event Success Dive into the full guide now. Read now: https://bit.ly/3VIxoNA Need help finding a venue? Submit your event brief and let us help you. https://bit.ly/3xJpQCd

New blog post: 7 Benefits of Attending Industry Expos Uncover the advantages of participating in industry expos and how they can drive business success. Enhance your networking and industry insights. https://vist.ly/3an4d

New blog post: 7 Benefits of Attending Industry Expos Uncover the advantages of participating in industry expos and how they can drive business success. Enhance your networking and industry insights. https://vist.ly/3an45

How to: Promotions with Elise Detloff Q: With your years of experience, for a small business where events seem daunting, how would you recommend one start promoting their company or business at an event? A: First, you need to pick something that makes sense for you. It is not worth your time, lets say, if you are a Senior living center showing up at a Kids Block party. Maybe a better thing for you would be the Snohomish Senior Expo that just happened at the waterfront hosted by The Herald. All you need is a tablecloth, information about your business, and maybe handouts. All you need is 1 or 2 people who are excited to interact with the community and share what makes your company special and relevant. Q: How do you find potential events that are happening? A: Get involved with different community groups like chambers. Definitely try and get involved with that. The whole point of these chambers is to bring businesses together and to create stronger cities through the commerce that they bring to people and each other. Another thing is to be on social media, you see so much getting promoted on Facebook and Instagram. Most of the time it is roughly $300 to have a booth at these things. And I think it is worth it to spend a couple hundred bucks to get your name and face out there to thousands of people. You will get the value back.

Implementing a well-thought-out communication strategy and methodologies is essential before, during, and after the event. Focus on quality lead generation to build lasting connections. Consistently provide valuable insights to captivate your audience. Follow up with contacts made during the event promptly. #aitech #startupfounders #b2bfieldmarketing