LinkedIn: 5 tips for event promotion

LinkedIn has created a number of features to help event organizers, marketers and professionals promote their events. With the LinkedIn Events Tool (under the Applications menu), members can sign up to attend local or industry-related events, network with other participants and promote their events through profiles and networks.

Here are five tips for creating your LinkedIn event:

1. Upload an event logo. Almost none of the events promoted on LinkedIn include logos, and this causes them to all blend together. It's important to stand out, especially in search results. To stand out, upload an event logo to differentiate yourself.
2. Choose a creative event title. What would excite your potential attendees? How would your event serve them? Choose a creative event title. Again, think about how you would stand out in the search results. What is teasing or attractive enough for them to want to know more about your event? Why would potential attendees choose to attend yours over your competitors'?
3. Create a clear, concise event description with an explicit call to action. Some events have an exhaustive description, making it difficult and time consuming to read. Focus on a clear, concise event description and include only the essential details (such as date, time, location, price and labels). If they want more, link them to your (event) website. Before sending them to the next online destination, however, make sure they encounter an "I am attending" button. That way their networks can be informed of your event as well.
4. Redirect to your (event) website. When you go to set up your event, you can enter a URL where attendees can sign up. Using a dedicated event site or even an event registration tool, such as Eventbrite or Go to Meeting, will allow you to better manage your attendees' information and enable you to communicate with them via email. Did they sign up for your newsletter when registering? Make sure you suggest that they do so when they RSVP for your event.
5. Regular updates. Regular updates on your event show that you are dedicated. So every once in a while, update your event with extra details, such as the number of expected participants. Not only will you be reminding your own network of your event, but participants will be kept in the loop as well. You can also use status updates to keep your network current with any changes to the event.

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Jan Vermeiren is the founder of Networking Coach, author of the best-sellers "Let's Connect!" and "How to REALLY use LinkedIn" and a well-known international networking and referrals speaker. For more information, go to his blog at http://www.janvermeiren.com/.