IRL Events: Why and How to Host Your Audience In-Person
It’s easier than ever to stay home, but do we really want to?
Following the pandemic and the rise of the online space in our professional and personal lives, two seemingly contradictory truths have become apparent:
We no longer have to meet in person for…pretty much anything.
People really, really want to get together in person.
For brands, small businesses, and solopreneurs, this makes IRL events a fantastic opportunity for growth.
If you haven’t noticed, hosting a live event is one way some of the most savvy brands are quickly gaining popularity.
And it makes sense.
In-person is where you can:
introduce the public to your likable, loveable self
generate new leads and increase awareness of your brand
provide education that builds trust in your expertise
sell your existing products and services
launch a new product or service
learn firsthand from potential clients about what they want and need.
gather helpful feedback for your next strategic event
expand your influence
Plus, they can be a whole lot of fun!
Here’s our look into IRL events – why they’re in demand and how you can host one that meets your goals.
Why There’s A Growing Demand For IRL Events
Even though up to 40% of us identify as introverts, we all crave human connection to varying degrees. But we’re getting less of it than ever before.
More than 90% of people say they’re happy working from home or on a hybrid workplace/home schedule, but we’re not staying home.
The sale of experiences and events increased by 65% from 2019 to 2023.
We don’t want to go into the office, but we want to go out.
Your customers and clients want to leave the house for the right reasons. They crave contact and connection with other humans that share their interests. This is something that you are uniquely equipped to provide them – once you know how.
Picture of creative floral event held at Alight Collab.
Taking It To The Streets: 6 Steps To Kickass Events
While social media is undoubtedly helpful and necessary for your business, when it comes to building that like/know/trust factor, nothing compares to an IRL event.
We believe in following these crucial steps to host an event that isn’t just fun for everyone involved – it also helps you meet your business goals.
1. Begin with your goal.
You want the goal you set for your event to be a needed but realistic one.
Whether you want to generate new leads, increase brand awareness, establish yourself as an expert, or launch a new product or service, take that goal and make it S.M.A.R.T (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound).
2. Select an event suited to your goal and your audience.
“Lean into their interests. Be it food, music, or sports, tap into their passions and trends to grab their attention and make your event a must-attend.”
Events for a revenue-based goal:
Pop-up shop for your product (perfect for the artist, clothing shop, ceramicist, jewelry maker, etc.)
Small business market (where a lot of different product-based small businesses pitch in together)
Hands-on workshop (At Alight Collaborative, we've hosted floral workshops, vision board workshops, candle-making workshops, and more.)
Events for a brand awareness goal:
Community events (like our clothing swap where people can trade their clothing with one another for fresh looks)
Networking events (For instance, we've hosted a single mothers' meetup where they could get to know one another.)
Support groups and connection circles
Happy hour drinks (with potential clients and partners)
Events for industry and networking goals:
Retreat (This could be wellness, business, writing – whatever suits your industry.)
Educational workshops or events, trainings, and tutorials
Resource related events
Events for Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) goals:
Client appreciation party
Picture of guest participating in a creative event at Alight Collab.
3. Tease your audience with your event well ahead – at least a month.
Share posts across your social media channels that emphasize why people should attend well before knowing about the event. This is how you start with the need and then fill it. By the time your event rolls around, your audience will be excited to attend!
FYI: If you host your event at Alight Collaborative, you can share the information with us. We’ll add your event to our website’s Events Page and share it on our social channels for you as well.
4. Make it EASY for people to sign up/pay/reserve tickets.
Once you've confirmed your event's date, plan how people will sign up, pay, and reserve their spots.
If you don't have a website of your own where you can do this, EventBrite is a great resource. It's super easy to set up, and you can use it to limit spots, so you don’t have to monitor ticket sales. They sell the tickets for you and share the info you give them-- and they only take a small portion of sales.
5. Create a checklist for every little detail.
Trust me on this. Before you start doing the legwork, you want to have a plan that includes:
the plan for the event schedule
how you'll have things set-up
what all you'll need to bring
what your guests should bring (if anything)
6. Review, Tweak, and Repeat
Your first time hosting an event is a learning opportunity, so treat it as such. After the event, take time to review how things went.
What went well?
What might have gone better?
What added unneeded stress and can be skipped for next time?
What could you have added to help ease stress or confusion?Marketing is a marathon, not a sprint. Hosting events as part of your marketing plan is an ongoing process where each one takes you further in the race.
If you didn’t feel great about your first, don’t let it get you down. Your next one will likely be better, and the one after that will be, too.
Celebrating another successful event at Alight Collab!
Where: Alight Collaborative in Austin, Texas – the ideal place for your next event?
Our studio, located in North Austin, is the ideal place for many events. It’s a beautifully designed space with tall windows and ceilings, so every event feels open, welcoming, and naturally high-end.
You can also use the space to split your large group into smaller breakout groups. With moveable furniture and adjustable spaces, the options for seating and setup are limited only by your imagination.
Among its other features, Alight Collaborative has:
Front door parking
Private restroom
Wifi
Full kitchen
Pull-down extension cords
Steamer
and so much more!
How To Book Your Event With Alight Studio
1. Check the calendar.
Before reaching out, you can check the availability of your proposed date on our general booking calendar.
2. Get in touch.
Reach out to us to let us know what you'll be doing, when, and with how many people.
3. Ask questions.
We’re here to help and may even have some of the things you need! Ask us anything you’ll need, and we’ll let you know if we have these items available for you. We also have tables and chairs available for rent.
4. Overestimate your time.
When planning and inviting guests to your event, be sure to factor in setup and teardown time in your rental time. You probably don’t want to rent the studio from 1 - 8 and tell your guests that the event is from 1:30 to 7:30. Give yourself plenty of time to set up and tear down. You’ll be so glad you did!