Social Networking Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/692500870 It seems like a new social media outlet is popping up every day, but let’s be clear: social media and social networking are not the same thing! Social media is an outlet for you to reach customers, but the network you create through … Continue reading “Join Our Webinar “Social Networking””
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Last fall, we partnered with our friends at the International Association of Fairs & Expos (IAFE) to launch a new kind of event calendar called Fairs Everywhere. It’s hard to believe 2012 is going by so fast and it’s already May. Many of you are putting the finishing touches on this year’s event while others … Continue reading “Saffire 101: Update Your Fairs Everywhere Listing”
Last fall, we partnered with our friends at the International Association of Fairs & Expos (IAFE) to launch a new kind of event calendar called Fairs Everywhere.
It’s hard to believe 2012 is going by so fast and it’s already May. Many of you are putting the finishing touches on this year’s event while others have already started working on 2013! While you’re in planning mode, we wanted to offer a quick video tutorial to remind you just how easy it is to update your event’s listing.
And remember, if you upload at least one photo we will feature your event on our homepage as your event approaches! You can’t beat free advertising, right?
The creation of your event’s brand has been a process that has taken years, if not decades! As with any new brand, there was a period of trial and error to fine-tune what it means to be associated with your event as you found your identity. For some of you it means supporting youth livestock … Continue reading “5 Tips to Building Your Event’s Brand Online”
The creation of your event’s brand has been a process that has taken years, if not decades! As with any new brand, there was a period of trial and error to fine-tune what it means to be associated with your event as you found your identity.
For some of you it means supporting youth livestock scholarships. For others it means staying on the cutting edge of the fried-food craze, while others are focused on creating the ultimate concert lineup. Whatever it may be, there is an immediate thought that comes to mind when someone hears your event’s name.
Over the years, we have found that many events are sure of who they are, but just aren’t quite sure how to translate their brand to the web. Check out these 5 tips to help you enhance your online marketing to truly reflect who you are as an organization.
1. Make your website the online front gate to your event.
The moment people arrive at your website, they should feel like they have stepped onto your event grounds. If there is a specific theme or color associated with your event, make sure that plays a part in the look and feel of your site. People may only visit your grounds once a year, but visiting your website is an experience they can have daily, so make sure you make it memorable! Honestly, I can’t be on the Rodeo Austin website for very long before I can “taste of the dirt” of the rodeo.
2. Strut your stuff!
Your event is unique and has a personality all its own, so don’t be afraid to show it. The Tulsa State Fair has fun to spare on their website! Their mascot, Dizzy the goat, pops in and out showing off different aspects of the fair. From food to livestock, they highlight different aspects of their event with a twist. They also incorporate their colors in a great way by creating a bright, eye-catching design.
3. Don’t lose sight of what you’re all about.
Make sure you feature the mission of your organization. For example, the American Royal Association highlights right on their homepage that they give over $1 million annually to support youth and education. While lots of people visit their site to learn about events like the rodeo or World Series of Barbecue, they want to make sure that you know right from the start the heart of who they are and the difference that want to make in Kansas City.
4. Create a community of fans and supporters.
You hear us harp all the time on the importance of social media, but an event that seems to really “get it” is the Florida Strawberry Festival. They have over 36,000 Facebook fans and over 5,000 Twitter followers. The often run contests and post pictures to spark conversation among their followers, which are great ways to create a sense of community.
5. Don’t be afraid to try new things.
I think we can all agree that fairs, festivals and rodeos aren’t always the first to jump on board with new online trends. For example Pinterest is the fastest growing website in history, but only a few fairs, like the Kansas State Fair, have actually created accounts! If you’re late to trends, you are missing out on free, primetime marketing! We encourage you to pay attention to the “buzz” you might hear about new online marketing tools, and don’t be afraid to take the plunge. What have you got to lose?
Increase Event Revenue with Better Online Marketing Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/873038142 If you attended the IAFE, WFA or TAF&E conferences, you likely saw our bright blue jackets and heard people talking about Saffire. Now is your chance to find out what the buzz is all about. From this Free … Continue reading “Join Our Webinar “Increase Event Revenue with Better Online Marketing””
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The Saffire movement continues to spread to events around the United States, and today we announce our second event in the great state of Kansas. So folks, please join us in welcoming the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo! “The Greatest Event on Dirt” will take place August 3-7, so we’ve already started getting their new online … Continue reading “Welcome Dodge City Roundup Rodeo!”
The Saffire movement continues to spread to events around the United States, and today we announce our second event in the great state of Kansas. So folks, please join us in welcoming the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo!
“The Greatest Event on Dirt” will take place August 3-7, so we’ve already started getting their new online presence ready.
We first met the team from Dodge City last summer at the Association of Rodeo Committee’s Conference in Nebraska, and we can honestly say that partnering with them was worth the wait.
After all, we do love a rodeo!
We are excited to partner with our third event in California, so please join us as we welcome the Napa County Fair to the Saffire community! It’s hard to believe we first met Carlene way back at the IAFE Convention in Las Vegas last November! We’ve had the chance to get to know her and … Continue reading “Welcome Napa County Fair!”
We are excited to partner with our third event in California, so please join us as we welcome the Napa County Fair to the Saffire community!
It’s hard to believe we first met Carlene way back at the IAFE Convention in Las Vegas last November! We’ve had the chance to get to know her and couldn’t be more excited to partner with them to bring a new look to the Napa County Fair’s online presence.
Their event is June 29 through July 4, so we better get a move on so their new site will be ready to go!
Clients tell us time and again that one of their very favorite things about Saffire is the ability to control the content and photos on their homepage! This allows you to keep your homepage up to date at all times with the latest information taking place at your event. Today on Saffire 101, Aaron, our … Continue reading “Saffire 101: Homepage Features”
Clients tell us time and again that one of their very favorite things about Saffire is the ability to control the content and photos on their homepage! This allows you to keep your homepage up to date at all times with the latest information taking place at your event.
Today on Saffire 101, Aaron, our Technical Director, will teach you how to control and schedule updates to your homepage features.
As the marketing mix continues to evolve, businesses are looking for new ways to reach their customers, which means they are more likely to spend money on sponsorships than ever before. In fact, it is estimated that this year companies in the US will spend close to $18.9 billion dollars in sponsorships on events like … Continue reading “The Anatomy of a Sponsorship”
As the marketing mix continues to evolve, businesses are looking for new ways to reach their customers, which means they are more likely to spend money on sponsorships than ever before.
In fact, it is estimated that this year companies in the US will spend close to $18.9 billion dollars in sponsorships on events like sports, philanthropy, community events, arts and entertainment. Lucky for the fair, festival and rodeo industry: You are just what they’re looking for!
As a community event that gives back, you encompass several of the criteria businesses are looking for in a sponsorship opportunity.
I know that events depend heavily on the support of local businesses for their event to continue to thrive in the current economy. With funding disappearing left and right, sponsors are the ticket to the future of your event.
In order to keep the sponsors you have and find more, you need to know the benefits they are looking for. Sponsorship is a two way street, so make sure you’re giving them what they want in return.
Don’t be afraid to try something new and update your sponsor package with online opportunities. On-site signage is great, but make sure to include prime real estate on your website, too! Linking to their site from yours will also improve their Google ranking.
The audience who comes to a fair, rodeo or festival is a unique combination of individuals from all walks of life. An event like yours crosses all demographics to give the sponsor a new and diverse audience to reach. Make sure to mention that you will include their company in your social media posts during the event.
And the best part about these ideas? They are free for you! Nothing like not having to spend money to make money.
We are excited to bring you Saffire 1.7! We’ve improved a few of your existing tools and added a new way to contact us for help. Our continued goal is to make it as easy as possible for you to have complete control over your website. New Features With this release, Saffire has integrated the … Continue reading “Saffire Updates: Version 1.7”
We are excited to bring you Saffire 1.7! We’ve improved a few of your existing tools and added a new way to contact us for help. Our continued goal is to make it as easy as possible for you to have complete control over your website.
New Features
General Enhancements
Forms Enhancements
Selling tickets online is the first step to increasing revenue, but how do you get the tickets and products to your customers? In the past, events have had to create labels by hand and manually keep track of when orders have been shipped. But Saffire makes the shipping process easier by allowing you to print … Continue reading “Saffire 101: Mailing Labels”
Selling tickets online is the first step to increasing revenue, but how do you get the tickets and products to your customers?
In the past, events have had to create labels by hand and manually keep track of when orders have been shipped. But Saffire makes the shipping process easier by allowing you to print mailing labels for orders directly from your admin site, which will help you streamline the delivery process.
On today’s episode of Saffire 101, Rebekah will show you how to print labels for your shipping online orders.
