Create a Better Event with Patron Feedback

Patron feedback can be an advantageous tool for improving your event. If you have an event on a regular basis and aren't collecting feedback, you are missing a huge opportunity. With the Internet it has never been easier to collect patron feedback on your event. The feedback you collect can be used for generating more revenue or saving or creating more effective marketing.

What Can You Learn From Event Patrons?
Feedback is critical for any marketing success. Ask yourself, "What can I learn from my patrons?" Even if you event is doing well on a regular basis, there is always room for improvement. By collecting feedback you might be able to learn information that will allow you generate additional revenue and save money.

Some questions to ponder:

• Was your ticket cost in line with your patron's expectations?
• Did something happen at the event that you weren't aware of?
• What can you do better for your next event?

Think about formulating additional questions that will allow you to learn as much as possible. 

Start with Your List
Having a high quality list is critical for getting feedback on your event. One important note is to make sure that you have obtained patron consent to send them information. Don't solicit feedback requests to people who haven't granted you permission. Ask for the opinion of people who have shown a genuine interest in what you have to offer.

Feedback After the Event

“The aim of marketing is to know and understand the customer so well the product or service fits him and sells itself.” - Peter F. Drucker

The easiest way to get feedback on your event is to ask your event patrons for feedback after your event. It can be as simple as an email asking "What did you think of our event?"  Another route is to make use of an online survey.  Services like Survey Monkey make creating a survey a very straight forward process. I prefer surveys because they allow you to built trends with numerous people. If 90% of your respondents indicated that they liked/disliked something, you should do something about it.

Take Your Ego Out of the Equation
If you genuinely ask people what they think, you can get some pretty good information.  Most people enjoy giving their opinion, unfortunately in the business world egos tend to get in the way. Everyone has an ego.  At times it can be a virtue or a vice. One of the most difficult things to do is to allow someone else to give you honest feedback. The most useful information is derived when you can separate your ego from the feedback people are giving you.

Next time you have an event take the time to consider gathering feedback from patrons.  The information you obtain can only help to make your event better and will probably lead to additional savings and revenue.

Additional Resources:

• Start Building Your List Early
• Leveraging Advance Event Sale Tickets
• Event Marketing After Your Event