| When hosting a business networking event, it is | | | | 2. Should E-Mail All Attendees |
| important that you keep an accurate record of | | | | When people sign up for your event, your branding |
| several things. You should know exactly who will be | | | | should be all over the sign-up page. Furthermore, the |
| attending and have a way to openly and directly | | | | software that you use should allow you to e-mail all |
| communicate with your RSVPs. | | | | of your RSVPs/sign-ups directly from the software |
| In the past, this was a lot of work but thanks to our | | | | with your branding and event information |
| modern technological age, software saves the day. | | | | predominately exposed. |
| There's a lot of online software to choose from but | | | | 3. Should Accept Several Forms of Payment |
| when you start with the end in mind and already | | | | It is very important that people are able to use |
| know what is necessary, you will make the right | | | | multiple forms of payment, especially if your event |
| choice. Since we are using a business networking | | | | will charge admission. PayPal is a very popular form of |
| event for this example, many of your software | | | | online payment but if individuals only have credit |
| needs should be apparent. | | | | cards, it should accept all major brands. |
| For example, you know that this is an event | | | | 4. Should Print Name Tags |
| designed to capture attendees information so that | | | | Business networking events typically include |
| you can follow up and promote to them at a later | | | | attendees wearing name tags displaying their name |
| time. Also, you want to be able to brand your | | | | and company. You can always purchase sticky name |
| company on all of the promotional correspondence. | | | | tags and fill them out manually as people arrive but it |
| With that in mind, consider these 5 important | | | | is a lot easier to print out name tags for people that |
| features to look for in online event planning | | | | have signed up and hand them out as they arrive. |
| software; | | | | 5. Should Allow the Creation of Fancy HTML E-Mails |
| 1. Should Print out All Sign Ups | | | | This is last but certainly not least. Your software |
| People who plan on attending your event should be | | | | should allow you to create fancy HTML e-mail with all |
| able to sign up online and once that happens, you | | | | of your event information. If you hire a graphic |
| should have the option of printing all of the sign ups | | | | designer to make them, your software should accept |
| to bring with you to the event. This will eliminate any | | | | the code and send your invitations or any other |
| confusion as to who has signed up and who has not. | | | | messages to your new list of attendees. You can |
| This is especially important if you are allowing people | | | | always send text e-mails but where is the branding? |
| to pay at the door. | | | | |