Has social media replaced events?
Social media has made it easy for us to connect with our customers, engaging in open dialogue and always being available.
Where does that leave events? Do we still need events to meet customers and talk to them face to face when we’re in easy, regular contact with them over social media?
Our conference manager Stef feels events are even more essential in our digital age:
An event is so much more than simply a conversation with your customers. It’s about getting everyone together, physically being a part of something and feeling involved. When people are invited to attend an event that makes them feel important like they matter to you.
Create a community
Inviting your customers and social media followers to an event further develops the community you’ve created online. It strengthens those relationships you’ve started, giving your customers a chance to get to meet you and get to know you better.
An event allows your customers to meet each other and build relationships based on a common interest, their interest in you. This further strengthens your community and connection with your customers by creating a bond between your customers uniting them through their connection with you.
Know your customers
As marketing manager, an event is an opportunity for me to gather information.
An event is an opportunity to collect information from your customers, after all, they’re a captive audience. Whether you want feedback about a specific element of your business or need more information about them. Getting to know your customers makes it easier to successfully market to them.
Demonstrating your understanding of their needs, listening to customers and responding to their feedback fosters a more personal relationship edging your customers towards an increasing loyalty.
Make a personal connection
Social media is not a substitute for the closeness created by human interaction with your customers face to face. You get a better feel for people when you meet them in person, it’s not the same as talking online.
Our operations manager has been working in events for years, many pre- social media:
There’s no denying social media has opened up the channels of communication making it easier to reach your customers. But nothing beats an event when it comes to making your customers feel special. Meeting people at an event is much more personal than chatting on Twitter or Facebook. You don’t feel like you really know someone until you’ve met them do you?
It’s easier to be misunderstood online than when talking face to face. Facial expressions, body language and physical subtleties communicate so much more than a few words on a screen. You may feel like you know someone through your online chats, but this connection is only strongly reinforced when you meet in the flesh.
An event is an opportunity to connect with prospective customers and make new connections. It’s an opportunity to bring your community closer. It’s an opportunity to thank customers for their loyalty.
If you’re thinking of organising an event, give our conference team a call, we’ll be happy to help.
We Are Open for Meetings, Training and Events
St Austell Conference Centre is now fully open with COVID-secure procedures in place. Do get in touch to book your event.