Maximize Attendance at Your Business Functions

Kate Supino

June 29, 2015

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When you've worked hard to promote your small business function, it's disappointing to face a room packed with empty chairs.

Here are some surefire ways to make sure your next small business function is standing room only….

Bribe Them

Bribery works – No, it doesn't have to be the under the table, dirty kind of bribe. These days, “bribes” come in many forms. In your invitations, let people know they will get something at the end of your function in exchange for their attendance. These are some tasteful bribe ideas that are sure to fill seats:

Swag bags - You can fill swag bags with almost anything and people will feel like they're getting something valuable. Fill them with logo pens and t-shirts, coupons for a free drink at the hotel bar, discount tickets for local attractions and more.

Book copy - Offer attendees a free signed copy of your latest book as long as they stay until the end of your presentation. You'll have attendees lining up for your John Hancock, and you'll get plenty of photo ops for your website demonstrating your popularity.

Discounts on your product - Attendees will be delighted if they can get a private discount on your product just for attending your function. As long as you limit it to attendees, you can control the nominal cost to you.

Keep it Brief

People are willing to learn about new information that may help them as long as you don't take up their whole afternoon.

Keep your small business functions as short as possible so that it's easy for invitees to carve out a portion of their day to attend.

You're more likely to fill a room for an hour and a half presentation than you are for a two hour function. That extra half hour makes an enormous difference in the minds of busy people.

Invite a Celebrity Guest Speaker

People will flock to see someone whom they've heard of on television or radio.

It's thrilling to see celebrities up close and personal, and it gives you more credibility if it looks like you are personal friends with that person.

You don't have to get someone like Justin Bieber.

A local politician, local entertainment personality or popular local news host will be all you need to draw a crowd. If you can convince them to endorse your product or do a Q and A session after the presentation, all the better.

Show Video of Past Functions

If you're particularly good at engaging your audience, and you have some video to prove it, post it on your website along with the business function announcement.

It never hurts to show how well you've done in the past, and how much fun your attendees can expect if they show up to your next function.

As the following article looks at, use all 4 ways to maximize attendance at your next event.

Remember, the success of your future events depends on the success of your current events.

Just be ready to post your "sold out" sign!