Getting the opportunity to cover an event can be the first big break for a blogger. While you are certain to be overwhelmed with excitement about the prospect of covering the event, it is also a lot of pressure. Putting out a polished review can reflect well on the event as well as give your blog valuable press-time; but it can be a complicated endeavor. Included here are a few things to incorporate and cover when you complete your first event review blog.
Be Punctual
Make sure you are on-time, or early, to the event so you can photograph guests coming and going at the venue as well as any featured items the event may be peddling. After the event, it is critical you write your review while the experience is fresh in your mind. This often means writing within the first 48 hours following the soiree, although some coordinators may want the article up even sooner.
Include Important Statistics
This means you will have to be well-informed and able to go around shaking some hands. Find out who supported the event, who attended and for what cause. Include statistics like money raised, students supported, and how many celebrities were in attendance. Consider infographics, if applicable, as they are a surefire way to bring more traffic to your site.
Recognize the Sponsors
For some occasions, it can be wise to list all sponsors of the event but in most instances that much detail is unnecessary. If there are one or two sponsors, naming them and linking to their site would be advisable. However, with a large event, simply including a line that says “thank you to our sponsors,” should cover it. This is especially important if your employer is one of the sponsors!
Take Vital Notes
Don’t rely on your memory to communicate every valid point made at the event, take notes! This could mean bringing a tape and recording any important speeches, conversations or remarks made by noteworthy people; or you could simply takes notes on paper. Be sure that if you want to take any quotes they are in context and as accurate as possible.
Attach Pictures
Nothing speaks to people like beautiful photographs. Be sure to take a lot of images during the event so you can sort through and find the most applicable ones for your story. Take pictures of prominent community figures and important interactions as well as general photos of the main event. Break up the text on your blog with these images to keep readers interested.
Promote
After getting your article written you are going to want it to be as visible as possible. This means you should promote yourself on the event site and your blog. If you utilize social media you should be able to publish links to your article and become accessible to hundreds, if not thousands, of applicable viewers.
Originally posted on August 9, 2015 @ 5:45 am