Hosting an event can be a great way to build brand awareness and draw in new customers.  With Small Business Saturday and the holiday season on the horizon, an event may be just what your business needs to close out the year strong.  When hosting an event there are several things to consider.

Timing

“Timing is crucial to the success of your event. Consider key dates, such as holidays or annual events in the community, that might compete with yours, or choose a theme to highlight. Also consider how much time attendees will need in order to plan ahead to attend, and how much time you'll need to prepare for the event.” – American Express

Planning

“Planning a party involves using resources and staff -- even if it's a one-man operation -- so drawing up a formal plan and budget might get the ball rolling before the bills and hours start piling up. Thinking about the original idea of why you want to host an event and who you had in mind to invite can shape the where.” – How Stuff Works

Budgeting

“Know how you are going to pay for the event. Most events are funded by sponsorships, ticket sales, internal marketing budgets — or a combination of all three. When you create your budget for the event, you’ll need to estimate how much money you can realistically raise from each area. Before you book your venue or sign any contracts, it’s a good idea to start signing sponsors first, or selling advance tickets to make sure there is enough interest in your idea to fund it.” – Small Business Trends

Promoting

“It's going to take money to get the word out about your event. Some options for doing so include: signage at your place of business, newspaper advertisements and local media websites, local bloggers, your own blog, social media, billboards, television and radio ads, and your email newsletter. Your reach in these (or other) various channels should play a direct role in the marketing mix you choose.” – Nevada Small Business

Hosting

“Every event organizer needs to be actively involved in everything going on during the event.  Help to hand out food, be at the front desk, or engage visitors in other ways just to get the event going. As long as people see you getting things done, they will most definitely help out or even stay longer than they probably would have.” – Startup Guys

Hosting an event may require a significant upfront cost but the benefits can be well worth the investment.  Bringing awareness to your company, drawing in new customers and endearing yourself to your community are just a few ways an event can help your small business grow.  A merchant cash advance is a fast and easy way to acquire the funds necessary to host such an event.