Before you dive in and start exploring the various marketing channels, feel free to use the event marketing campaign template we've created in order to help you have a more structured approach to marketing your event.
The IET website
The first place to promote your community should be online. Make sure you set up your community page and add any events you’re planning to the IET Events hub.
You can add events to the IET Events hub through the events dashboard, to request access email communities@theiet.org with your details including your Local Network and we will create your account and provide support.
Emails
All Local Networks can send one marketing email a month via the staff marketing channel. First, speak to your Local Network Manager or Community Manager about getting a spot on the regular newsletter and make sure all the information on your community or event is up to date on the website so they can pull in all the relevant details. Then read all the tips on how to make your marketing sing.
You can also send out a direct email communication through Adestra. Here’s an overview of how it works and information on how to get access.
Need inspiration? Take a look at some examples of successful marketing campaigns that our volunteers have created.
Posters and flyers
You can use the IET Marketing Toolkit to create your own materials and order promotional items and literature to use at your events. Ask your Community Manager for access to the toolkit, and have a read of the briefing and user guide before you get started.
If you’re not so concerned with creative freedom and need to produce something quickly, you can use our editable PDF templates. Just bear in mind that you won’t be able to use any partner logos, images or QR codes.
If you’re marketing a Present Around The World (PATW) event (not running in 2022), we’ve already got specific marketing materials set up. Take a look.
Programme booklets
You may want to use one to advertise your events for the upcoming year. View our Programme booklets briefing for the need-to-know information and support available.
Social media
We’ve put together an infographic template that you can use to share information that’s specific to your Local Network. Download the template.
Leon Ha of the Western Australia YP has created some practical guidance to using social media. He’s produced three infographics plus a concise document that looks at content development.
Find them attached to his blog post.
The media
If you want to go the extra mile, particularly if you have a high profile event with a strong human interest angle, press and broadcast media coverage can be a powerful tool. We’ve developed a media pack to help you get media coverage, along with advice on how to build effective working relationships with media in your area.
Learn from other volunteers
The IET Berkshire Local Network (LN) has seen some great attendance figures for recent events including its Great Debate. Read about how they achieved it.
Our best-attended events have been those where speakers and volunteers have leveraged their own professional networks and social media. See one example here.