How Big Should Your Business Event Be?
One of the major requirements for a business to grow is getting new customers through the door, and many businesses are using event hosting as a way to increase their exposure and show customers what their business offers. These types of events can range from large-scale charity galas to small-scale targeted events like open mic night or customer appreciation night.
Whatever type of event you choose to throw, one of the major planning concerns is figuring out how many people you will invite. The following are some questions you should ask yourself when deciding how big your business event should be.
How much exposure do you need?
Hosting an event is a perfect opportunity for your business to gain exposure, but you should always try to balance how much exposure you actually need with how many people you can afford to have at your party. For example, if you need a lot of exposure then it may be worthwhile using up most of your budget on an event, but if you just need a little bit then you can still put some of your budget towards other things.
Why are you throwing the event?
Having a clear purpose for the event is a good way to determine how big it should be. For instance, if your business just opened or moved to a new location and you want to have a grand opening, you should make the event as big as possible. If you’re throwing an event with the purpose of talking more personally with some of your bigger customers, you’ll want to keep it small so that you will have a chance to connect with them.
How much event space do you have?
Depending on the space you have for throwing the event, you may not even be able to choose how many people you invite. For example, if your space is very limited, then keep the number of attendees to a minimum simply to avoid overcrowding. Of course, if you can get creative, such as by erecting an event marquee in your outdoor spaces, you can effectively make more space for a greater number of guests.
What is your event budget?
The size of your budget will be the primary factor that determines the size of your event. How many people can you afford to invite? If you want a lot of people, then you’ll have to consider the size of venue that you hire, the cost of catering equipment, gifts, food, entertainment and so forth. If your budget is small, then you may have to keep your guest list to a minimum, especially if you want quality for your event.
How much interaction do you want?
When you throw an event, you will suddenly find yourself face-to-face with potential customers, and you need to make a good impression on each and every one of them before the event is finished. If you want to be able to mingle with customers on a more intimate level, inviting fewer people will make your job easier. You can still get a message across to all of your attendees using a stage and PA system, but if you want quality interactions, then smaller is better.
