Do brand-oriented events actually work? Do they actually get any sort of attention? Well, you need to keep in mind that connecting with consumers goes beyond traditional advertising methods. Hosting engaging events presents a dynamic opportunity for businesses to boost brand recognition and showcase their values, products, and services in an interactive and memorable way.
Whether you’re a budding startup or an established enterprise, organizing impactful events can amplify your brand presence, foster genuine connections, and leave a lasting impression on attendees. Well, usually they can. But when it comes to brand events, they need to be more than renting a small space, having a couple of pizzas, and filling red cups with Coke. Basically, the bare minimum means nothing, and the bare minimum isn’t going to achieve what you want.
While you don’t have to rent a massive space and host a gala to get some brand recognition for your event, if you really want to boost your business and have it known, then again, you really need to work hard at it. So, with that said, here are some unique event ideas for boosting brand recognition.
Charity and Fundraising Events
All right, so this one may be considered low-hanging fruit because many businesses will do this. Some will go simplistic about it, while others will go hard, such as at the Gala level (what you may often see being portrayed on TV). But it’s still good to do this because if you demonstrate your brand’s commitment to social responsibility and community engagement, then this can help make a positive impact on society.
Some examples of this could include that charity gala that was already mentioned, a fundraising auction, or a volunteer day. But in general, aligning your brand with philanthropic endeavors fosters goodwill, strengthens brand loyalty, and enhances your reputation as a socially conscious business. Just think about how you plan on going about this and what sort of network you have for this (so you know what scale this can be on).
Product Launch Parties
These are super millennials (as if that’s a bad thing), and these work. Product launches are fun, but it’s even better when you can get people (other than your team) to attend these. If these are done right, like a well-executed product launch party (it has to be top-notch), then this will not only generate buzz and anticipation but also provide a platform to showcase your latest offerings to a targeted audience of influencers, stakeholders, and potential customers.
The party itself needs to be enjoyable. It is on YouTube and has plenty of shows, and there are fairly nice examples of how you could go about this. You’ll of course, need snacks; it’s even better if you could get catering (it comes off as more polished), you can hand out freebies such as personalized mugs and grab bags (like your branding on it), and maybe a good venue too.
All of this really helps with the brand. But with that said, when it comes to the actual party and how it relates to your product(s), you might want to consider exclusive previews and live demonstrations, or maybe even interactive experiences if it’s relevant. But these can help you create excitement and build anticipation surrounding your brand’s innovation and creativity.
Workshops and Educational Seminars
Why not instead try to position your brand as a thought leader or even go bigger as an industry authority? How amazing would that be? It’s not the easiest road to go on, but by hosting workshops and educational seminars, can provide value-added insights and expertise to your target audience.
Nowadays, there are so many ways to go about this, such as a hands-on DIY workshop, a panel discussion featuring industry experts, or a skills-building seminar. When it comes to all of these, you’re offering valuable knowledge and practical advice to establish your brand as a trusted resource and cultivate a loyal community of followers.
Industry Meetups
You could also call these “networking events” since they are. However, when it comes to your business, it could be valuable if you forged valuable connections and expanded your professional network since these events bring together like-minded individuals and businesses within your niche or industry.
These don’t have to be big and fancy either, nor do they even need to be expensive, for that matter. These could be just a casual happy hour at a local hotel or bar, a themed networking event, or a business matchmaking session. Most venues love hosting these, and the pricing can be cheap or even free.
However, providing opportunities for meaningful connections and even potential collaborations can help you boost your brand recognition position within the industry. Better yet, this could even open doors to new partnerships and opportunities! How incredible would that be?
Experiential Event
If you want to test the waters with your business, such as a bakery with a website, but you want to test something more brick-and-mortar, then a pop-up is the way to go. But this isn’t the only type of “event” either; you can also create an immersive brand experience that captivates and delights your target audience by hosting experiential events.
While yes this could be a pop-up shop like what was mentioned, that’s not the only way to engage the senses and evoke emotions. You could consider a themed brand experience or an interactive installation, but there are other ways to go about it, too (like pairing up with other businesses to showcase what you have). But getting visitors to share their experience on social media will really help you generate some buzz and awareness!
Brand Collaborations
This was mentioned briefly above, but it helps to go a bit deeper into this. If you’re just starting your business, it can be hard to create relationships. But if you can, it will be very beneficial to forge mutually beneficial partnerships with complementary brands.
This way, you’d be able to co-host collaborative events that leverage each other’s strengths and audience demographics. It could go about in different ways, like a themed event or co-branded workshop, or you could get really creative and put both of your minds together. However, partnering with like-minded brands amplifies your reach and introduces your brand to new audiences, and boost brand recognition.