IDENTIFY THE EVENT

You first need to identify the type of event to be planned, whether it is going to be a product launch or a conference or a wedding or some other event. Then sit and draft a rough script of the budget, target audience, promotional campaigns, publicity, other miscellaneous arrangements.

Ask yourself the five basic questions:

First give a thought to who will be present at the event.

… is the target audience?
First you have to find out who are the people who will be coming for the event. This is very important because the whole event rests on the kind of people who are going to be invited.

What?

Next turn your attention to the type of event you are going to set up
. …type of event are you organizing? You then decide what kind of an event it is?

• Wedding
• Party
• Conference.
• Product launch
• Concert
• Others

When?

…do you wish to stage the event?

Here you have to decide on the dates. But before that you have to finalise the venue. Then the date can be fixed as to whether you wish to stage it next month or after a few months or one year or even more than that. Before settling on the duration you need to think over the time and other things.

Where?

When you are planning the event then obviously an important factor would be the venue. Therefore the following question would help you in this aspect:

…do you wish to host the event? If it is a wedding/party it has got to be a hall, a conference room for a conference/ product launch. Depending on the nature of the event you decide on the venue.

How?

If you decide to press ahead, ask yourself several 'how' questions to complete your framework of objectives.

…long should the event last? Think about the duration.
…does the event fit into your overall marketing programme?
Be clear whether it is going as a stand-alone or a one-off event that is separate and distinct from the other activities. Alternatively it could be a part of a wider campaign- just one aspect of other ongoing advertising and marketing work.