Is your venue marketing strategy resulting in more bookings at your venue? If your current marketing plan isn’t bringing you the leads you’re looking for, it’s time to reevaluate where you’re spending your hard-earned advertising dollars. 

Here’s how to create a venue marketing strategy that works: 

Figure out your target audience

First thing’s first, determine your target audience. Your target audience is the people and groups that are most likely to book your venue for their event needs. 

Figuring out the common traits and characteristics of your target audience can help you create a marketing strategy that reaches the right people. Determine demographic data passed on your past bookings including your audience’s age, income level, location and interests. No matter how much you’re investing into advertising, if that advertising isn’t reaching your target audience, it’s not going to result in new bookings and leads. 

Advertise where your target audience spends time

Once you determine who your target audience is, you can create ads that appear where they’re searching online. 

For example, on Google you can target your ads based on demographics, interests, keywords and more. Or, you can create SEO content using your audience’s most-searched keywords to improve your website’s organic visibility. No matter what marketing technique your using, a solid understanding of your target audience is what separates good advertising from great. 

Have a show-stopping website

By now you’ve figured out your target audience, come up with advertising campaigns to reach that audience, and are ready to start advertising. But before you pass go, you have to think about your event venue website.

An outdated, unresponsive or poorly designed website doesn’t just look bad — it can cost you leads. Your website is often the first impression of your event venue for potential leads, so it’s important to make sure it gives off a good one!

A conversion-friendly event venue website has the following characteristics: 

• A responsive design: In the first quarter of 2021, mobile devices (excluding tablets) generated 54.8 percent of global website traffic. If your website isn’t mobile-friendly and responsive, it’s not catering to those mobile browsers. A mobile website design, like one created with Websites 360®, can help improve your website’s usability and give your users a better browsing experience. 
• Stunning imagery: Up-to-date, professional photos of your venue can help potential clients envision their event at your venue, and give them a glimpse into what your space looks like.  
• Reviews and testimonials: Events can be stressful to plan and execute. Past reviews that show off your venue’s experience and professionalism can put potential clients’ minds at ease and show them that your venue is one they can trust with their important events. 
• Strong calls to actions (CTAs): When someone lands on your website, make it clear what action they should take next to get in touch with your staff. For example, a “Schedule your event today”, or a “Book Now” cta, along with contact forms, makes it easy for interested people to contact your venue. Make sure to also include a phone number, email and address for people to locate you quickly. 
• Key venue information: Last but not least, make sure key venue information is easy to find. This includes your different service and space offerings, how many your venue can hold for different types of events, space specs, and links to businesses you partner with, such as caterers, florists and event planners. 

Trust your venue marketing strategy with Marketing 360®

Marketing 360 has the tools and talent you need to grow and manage your event venue. From our skilled website designers to our easy-to-use marketing tools, get everything you need to market and manage your business in one place. See how our business and marketing tools help event venues grow, and view our plans and pricing today.