How to Plan and Pull off a Memorable Event

September 24, 2015

Are you faced with the challenge of event planning for the first time?

Are you a veteran event coordinator looking for ways to spice things up?

Planning an event can be hard. From booking a venue, catering meals, and organizing memorable activities, it’s tough to know where to start.

This week on the Social Media Social Hour, I am joined by Phil Mershon, Director of Events for Social Media Examiner, discussing planning and pulling off events that will stick with your attendees for years to come.

Let’s do this!

About the show:

The Social Media Social Hour is a podcast for marketers and entrepreneurs looking to get on the social media fast track. The podcast is an interview format, where each week I get up close and personal with top brands and influencers to talk social media, tech and online marketing. Each week I also share tools that I personally use to help me with social media management, sales, marketing, accounts management, and productivity. The Social Media Social Hour is presented by Scoreboard Social.

In this episode, here is what you’ll discover:

About Phil Mershon:

As the Director of Events for Social Media Examiner, he brings over 25 years of experience in leading customized events, mission-driven campaigns and creative communication strategies. He now leads the popular events Social Media Success Summit and Social Media Marketing World.

Phil is also a jazz saxophonist and songwriter.

Mentionable Quotes:

  • “We saw people wanted to meet each other, and we thought we could bring them together in a unique way that could help them.”
  • “There’s something different about learning things in person.”
  • “If you want to connect with your audience in a deep and personal way, you need to see them in person.”
  • “We want to help bring people together.”
  • “Even small events give you the opportunity to present yourself as a thought leader.”
  • “Consider what kind of journey you want to take people on at your event.”
  • “The goal is not to be, “Boss please send me to that event, because they have really fun parties”, but “Boss please send me to that event, because this is what I learned.”

Event Planning Takeaways:

  • Couple your event to the beginning or end of the week, (so families can attend together).
  • Don’t start with the speaker, start with what your audience wants to know about.
  • Price your event for the audience you want to attract.
  • Don’t make last minute decisions. Give yourself time to do the research.
  • Set deadlines early.

Items/people mentioned in the show:

Phil’s “Name That Song”:

I gave Phil an artist and asked him to name the first song that came to mind.

  • Frank Sinatra- It Had to Be You
  • Beach Boys- Barbara Ann
  • Madonna- Like a Virgin
  • Jimmy Buffet- N/A
  • Taylor Swift- N/A
  • Beatles- Yesterday