You have been dreaming of this day for as long as you can remember. Your child’s graduation from university, the acquisition of a fresh set of career skills, the launch of a new business – these are some of the many things that can fill your heart with joy. But the big day has arrived, and you are left wondering how you are going to celebrate this monumental occasion in the best way possible.
Graduation is just one of the many milestones that can be celebrated in an unforgettable way with a graduation summit. These are events designed to bring together family and friends to celebrate a person’s Achievements and to network with professionals in the field. No matter what stage you are at in life, there is a summit dedicated to you. The great thing is that you can have the ceremony and the celebration you desire, without having to leave your home. Thanks to online marketing and some brilliant branding, you can make sure that your guests will feel like they’ve traveled miles just to be there and remember the big day forever.
Here is how you can put together a marketing strategy for your graduation summit that will make your friends, family, and colleagues proud of you, and help you to find the right people to celebrate this very special day with you.
Digital Nomadism
If you have been reading the blogosphere for any length of time, you will know that digital nomadism is the new way of life for many. Whether you have decided to pursue your graduate studies or whether you are taking the opportunity to travel the world, there will undoubtedly be plenty to keep you busy in the coming years. But why should you only enjoy your new-found freedom once your studies are done? Why not make the most of your newfound opportunities now?
With digital nomads taking time out of their travels to provide some corporate mentoring to those lucky enough to have gained admittance to a business school, your new found skills will be put to the test. If you are able to rise to the challenge, your future will be that much more bright. This also provides you with the perfect opportunity to establish yourself as a thought leader in your field and to gain valuable, long-term connections. If you want to find mentors to guide you on your way to the top, now is the perfect time to do so.
Summit Branding
Having a brand for your summit is the first step towards creating an unforgettable experience for your guests. The better the brand, the more likely your guests are to have an emotional connection to it. Think of two of the most successful brand integrations that have occurred in recent times – the Moonwalk and the Coachella festivals – both of which fused together sport and music with unforgettable results.
The power of a strong brand extends beyond just its meaning. When people think of Moonwalk and Coachella, they will automatically think of your graduation summit. Allowing your brand to fully engage with your audience on a personal level will have huge dividends in terms of encouraging them to engage with you and your event on a deeper level.
Live Streaming
If you are able to stream your graduation live, you will be able to retain the excitement of the big day for your fans and followers. The opportunities for live streaming a graduation are endless, from a virtual ceremony via webcam to an outdoor, public ceremony. There is no reason why you should not be able to achieve this if you work hard enough to ensure that your sound and image are of a high quality.
Social Media
Live streaming your graduation will make it that little bit more special. But the online world provides even more opportunities for you to create memories that will last a lifetime. If you are comfortable using social media, you could hold a series of events throughout the year, culminating in a huge celebration on the day of your graduation. This will allow you to draw more people in, engage with existing fans, and grow your audience.
The more you engage with your audience on social media, the more likely they will feel that they are a part of something important. That sense of connection, ownership, and pride that comes with being a part of a social media community is invaluable. If you want to make the most out of your graduation, harness this power and bring your followers along for the ride.
Guest List
As we mentioned above, the bigger the better when it comes to garnering the most out of a summit. The more people you can get to come along, the more impact it will have. If you want to create an atmosphere of celebration and joy, you should draw upon all your social networks to see who you can lay down some guest invites for your big day.
The list of invitees should be a reflection of your brand identity, and the people that you choose should respect your vision and be able to articulate it well. Once you have your guest list together, create a plan to ensure that everyone knows what they are doing and when they are doing it. This will make a massive difference in the overall feel and tone of your graduation.
VIP Treatment
Addressing issues of privacy and security should be a priority for any graduate. Your guests will be coming from far away places and family and friends will be sharing details of your special day on social media. Ensure that everyone knows that their privacy and security is of the utmost importance and that they are guaranteed the utmost respect throughout the event.
If you want to put a face on your brand, consider doing so through the use of a virtual assistant. This is a person who will be taking care of all the boring administrative matters so that you can focus on what is important to you. You can interview several candidates before choosing someone who you feel represents your vision and values.
The better the service, the more inclined people will be to want to engage with you, which is vital for establishing a thought leadership position in your industry.