Photo Credit: Kelly Samardak, Just an Online Minute.Planning events can be stressful. They can be a pain in the ass. Exhausting. Trying to find a venue can take up more time than you want. Working with the vendors takes time and patience and attention to detail is a must at all time. You have to keep your cool and manage a to do list that goes on for days.
But they can also be amazing. The feeling you get when the room is packed and you stand in the corner patiently watching everyone come in. Watching people smile, laugh, drink and have a good time because you planned something that was worth an hour of their time to come. The moment when you actually realize you can enjoy yourself and figure out what it is that went so right versus what went so wrong.
Events are successful to people for many reasons. Some people see success as the amount of people that come through the door. Some people see success as the vibe of the room, the response to the presentation or the fact that no one got too drunk to function.
There was a great post by Nancy Lublin featured in Fast Company about not having press attend an event. As a PR person, I totally understand that the main goal at an event like the one Nancy talks about is to get press. She lists some great tips about what to do--check them out.
When I was at Carrot and helped to organize Digital DUMBO, I did always want press to come. It helped get the word out about the event and get people to come. (It was also part of my job) But, while it was always a goal, I was always more concerned about the people at the event having fun. Why? Because I knew that that would help bring the press. At the end of the day, while I want a great recap in Kelly's Just an Online Minute post, I also wanted to see tweets with the #digitaldumbo tag and replies to @digitaldumbo from the attendees talking about how fun it was.
For those looking to start an event and get coverage, don't worry about the media first. Worry about your guests and throwing a great event. If it's a good time (and worth their time), they'll show. They'll want to come and attend the talked about events and get reactions from those enjoying the event. In one way, I think that's a better environment to bring the media into. Rather than planning an event for media, plan an event for your guests, throw a good party and make sure everyone has a good time.
You'll have a great review of the event written up the next day :)
