Managing online reviews

Online reviews are frequently used by consumers considering making purchases, including event tickets. In fact, online reviews from strangers have replaced family and friend recommendations in a buying decision. If you choose to ignore your online reputation management, you may be choosing to ignore a tool very helpful for the future of your event promotion ability.

Positive online reviews, of course, can go a long way in helping your market your brand. Negative reviews can significantly handicap you. Both need to be managed.

How can you improve online reviews that appear in Yelp, CitySearch, Google Places and others?

You can subscribe to Google Alerts to help monitor these review websites. It is free and can help make you aware of what is being posted. You must then read and consider the validity of even the negative reviews. They can potentially help you improve the event experience you are providing.

Ask your satisfied customers to post reviews. Sadly, many satisfied event goers will not post a review unless prompted. You'll need to request positive reviews because negative ones will come without invitation. If you can generate more positive reviews, it will minimize the effects of any negative ones.

Respond to negative reviews promptly. This doesn't mean debating their experience online, but contact reviewers through an email or instant message. Ask for more details of their negative experience and see if there is a way to make it right. Remember, you are managing a negative review, not proving who is right or wrong.

When planning any event, the reputation of the venue will go a long way is how the event is perceived. You’ll want to work with a facility with an established reputation for quality, satisfying experiences.

If you are considering event space Miami has to offer, we invite you to review our 65,000 square foot facility at Soho Studios. Soho Studios is located in Miami’s trendy Wynwood District, and is home to the famous Art Basel Wynwood. We have built our reputation by making sure every detail is handled in the production of events from planning to event promotion.

Crowdfunding your event

If your event budget doesn't seem to quite be enough to pull off the type of event you visualize in your mind, there is a relatively new source of funds for event planning. Crowdfunding uses the internet to appeal to like-minded individuals who each provide small amounts of money to help get projects funded.

These individuals use websites like KickStarter.com to search for projects that interest them, and help them contribute to the bigger picture. For event planning, this can lead to some exciting options for funding, especially when dealing with events related to the arts or that benefit non-profit organizations. Crowdfunding in general and Kickstarter in particular are changing the way a lot of projects are getting funded.

Since their start just 4 years ago Kickstarter has had over 4 million people pledge over $618 million that has funded an amazing 41,000 creative projects. Anyone can get a project funded via Kickstarter as long as their guidelines are followed..

At the Wynwood District's Soho Studios, we have 65,000 square feet of space that can be used for concerts, an art gallery, and fundraisers. Our space can be used in variety of ways to showcase talent that may otherwise be missed by the mainstream media. If you are an event planner seeking a venue in Miami or Southern Florida, contact us as Soho Studios. We have a history of putting on events that range from the intimate to those that are global in nature. We can even help you in the development of your creative event, and help provide you with the information you may need to get Kickstarter funding.

Our team of experienced, creative people can be a tremendous asset when planning an event that involves the arts. Tap into that creativity. When searching for event space Miami, remember the importance the venue makes in the success of your event. Consider the versatile, creative atmosphere of Soho Studios.

How to plan a fund raising event

If you are planning a charity event, there are some overlooked and underused ways to make money for your non-profit. At Soho Studios, we are proud to host many such premier fund raising events in Miami and offer these event planning suggestions.

Sell Sponsorships.

Different level of sponsorships can mean differing levels of visibility for your sponsors. Event signage, website and Facebook visibility, program ads, and even table tent visibility are event production assets that you have that you can offer sponsors. Get creative.

VIP Experiences.

Larger donors will be willing to pay extra to attend your event if you can provide an experience not available to regular ticket holders. VIP experiences may include valet parking, better seating, opportunities for meet and greets, upgraded food and beverage options and perhaps an exclusive post event party.

Market Guest Gift Bags.

Who doesn't love a little swag? Talk to businesses who want the visibility and association that your event can provide and offer to give attendees coupons or samples of their products for a donation. Your guests get gifts, and you make some extra money for your charity. You also involve more organizations with your event.

Our experienced team at Soho Studios can not only help you stage an event that will be well remembered, we are equipped to assist you with a variety of ideas to help create financially successful non-profit events.

Soho Studios can help you with world class events for a variety of reasons including trade shows, concerts, photo video shoots, and non-profit fund-raising events. We have worked with Puma, Ford Motor, Evian, Absolut, Telemundo and many other significant companies who have placed their trust in our team of professionals. Located in the Wynwood District in Miami Florida, we are in the midst of Miami's exciting art and entertainment area including Art Basel Wynwood. For your next event, remember the value your venue adds to make it a success. Make an impression that will last. If you are looking for event space Miami is gaining fame for, contact us at Soho Studios.

Tips on picking an event promoter

Working with event promoters should be an exciting, energetic experience. Sadly, in the event planning process, all too often an event promoter can over-promise and under-produce. However if you are looking at event space in Miami there are some great promoters.

Here are some tips on picking the good ones.

Passion

Look for promoters who are passionate about their work. Event promotion is not an easy job, so those who are successful love it, and that passion should show. Enthusiasm is contagious.

Network

Great promoters have large networks of contacts, friends, and associates who can help get the word out about the event. Find out about their media relationships with local TV, radio and print. A diverse network can also help out in the event of a problem.

References

You’ll want to talk with bands and venues about an event promoter. You’ll get feedback that can quickly help you find the right person.

Experience

Promoting a music festival in Miami is different than promoting an industry trade show. It’s important to find an event promoter with a proven success rate promoting your particular type of event.

People Skills

Look for an event promoter that can work well with everyone involved in your event. People who have and use good people skills build longer lasting, trusting relationships.

Organization

Everyone gets busy, but you don’t want an important piece of paperwork overlooked or a meeting missed when planning your event. Organization is a key quality of a good event promoter.

Social Media Skills

Especially in music promotions, finding an event promoter who is skilled in social media is critical. Social media can start a fire about your event and you want a promoter who has the matches.

Everyone wins when an event is promoted successfully, whether it is a fashion show, a launch party or a car show. Be sure you keep these event promotion tips in mind to ensure that your next event is a great success!

Should I have a QR Code for my event?

Promoting an event to today's audiences’ means taking advantage of web and mobile technologies to reach the masses. These days, event planning takes more than booking a venue in Miami and passing out a few flyers. In order to reach your intended audience it’s important to connect to people through iPhones, iPads and other mobile devices. It is vital to take advantage of these methods to reach out and capture their attention and ultimately get them in the door of your event at the venues in Miami.

Whether you are planning a concert, trade show, launch party, or any other live production that you want people to show up for, means getting the word out to the public. Casting a wide net means using every mechanism at your disposal to get your message onto the mind of the general population. Make sure you are using the best practices available to effectively and efficiently maximize the results.

How can your event planning efforts capitalize on the crowd in the moment?

One great solution is having an event app that includes QR Code scanner. People are constantly on their phones and by using these tools you can provide your audience with a real time interactive experience. QR Codes are scanable UPC-like tags that allow smart phone users to go directly to content that is customized specifically for your event as well as any relevant urls. Developing a mobile app might also be the correct route for your production crew or promotion company to embark on as well. That way your audience and follower can quickly tap into a streak of content you decide to send out through the channel long after the event is over.

If you are planning an event put these tactics to work for you and gather the ears of the people that want to hear your message. Bolster the number through the gates of your next event.

Choosing the right day for your event

One of the most difficult aspects of event planning is finding the day that works for everyone. As the event planner, you must coordinate the schedules of multiple people, including speakers, entertainment and caterers, with the available dates of your preferred venue.

Event planning in big cities like Miami can be especially difficult. Event space Miami and party venues in Miami are often booked up months in advance so you will need to reserve your dates as soon as possible. However, you should never pick a date in haste. It is important to do your due diligence to make sure that there aren't other events in the area that could conflict with yours. For example, having your event in the same time frame and in the same area as a marathon or a parade could mean that your guests will have to navigate through blocked-off roads and nightmare traffic to reach your event. So take the time to research what other events might be planned for your local area.

Also, check to see if any competitors or businesses that are in a similar industry are putting on events on the same day or weekend as yours. Two similar events planned for the same time frame could be a financial disaster for everyone involved, especially if you are trying to divvy up the same small pool of likely participants.

Successful event planning often means thinking outside of the box. What if, for instance, you have everyone on board for a certain date, but all the typical party venues in Miami, such as the convention center or hotel conference rooms, are booked up. Don't change the date. Instead, search out interesting venues such as Soho Studios, which is a huge, 70,000-square-foot structure with avant garde industrial detailing that is located in Miami's Wynwood Art District. Not only will you be able to have your event on your desired date, having it in a non-conventional venue will give it a more interesting feel and look.

Date selection is one of the most important duties of an event planner. Choosing the right one can mean a successful event with high attendance, while selecting the wrong one could have disastrous consequences.

The Gala Guide

Organizing a gala is an excellent way to raise funds for a good cause. You can draw on the movers and shakers of your local community to get behind a charity you support. They will enjoy a night of fine music, fine dining and fine entertainment while you get positive exposure for your cause.

It takes plenty of preparation to put together a gala that will be the talk of the town. Here are a few things you can do to make your gala go off without a hitch:

Promote it

The best way to get as many people involved as possible is to spare no effort in promoting a gala. Send press releases to the local media announcing the gala. Line up interviews with local TV stations to get stories done on it. The more people know about your gala, the better your chances are at having a high turnout.

Recruit Reliable Volunteers

Event planning is much easier when you have an army of volunteers who can get even the smallest details right. You need people who can do everything from marketing the event to planning entertainment to securing the right gala venues. This will keep important details from being ignored or forgotten until the last minute.

Book Good Entertainment

The right music creates a fun atmosphere for your gala. Hire a live band to provide songs that will set a festive mood for the entire night. Many bands will love the chance to be connected with a good cause while promoting their music. And your guests will have a enjoyable experience if there is plenty of good music to dance to all night long.

Use Social Media

Generate buzz for your gala by advertising it through social media channels. You can set up a Facebook page for the event and have attendees RSVP to the gala page. You can also create custom hashtags for the event on Twitter to let everyone talk about it before and after the gala.

Serve Good Food

The best way to a person's wallet is through their stomach. Serving a high quality meal is a sure ticket to creating a venue filled with happy and generous guests.

Finding the best trade show venue

A trade show is only as good as the venue you choose for hosting it. Choosing the right trade show venue involves doing your homework so you can make an informed selection. An event planner needs to find a venue that will fit the needs of their event. It's not a stretch to say your choice of venue can make or break your event.

Considering these factors will help your find the right space for your event:

Venue Location

Location matters in event planning. Exhibitors and attendees want to go to a place that is easy to find, easy to reach and easy to leave. An event that makes it a chore to get to and from the venue will leave a bad taste in the mouths of all parties involved. The ideal venue is centrally located, has plenty of parking and offers plenty of transportation options. If you are planning corporate events in Miami, for example, the best event space Miami has to offer will likely be attached to a hotel at a convention center or near an airport.

Venue Space

The size of your event dictates your space needs. You should find a venue that can serve corporate events of all sizes, adding or closing off space as needed. It doesn't look good if you have too many trade show booths crammed into a small venue or a handful of exhibitors spread out over a cavernous convention center.

Venue Services

It's always a good idea to compare and contrast trade show venues and see what type of events they are accustomed to handling. Inquire about what additional services they offer for conference planning or trade show planning. Find a staff that is experienced in handling these types of events and can set up everything from small meeting areas to large conference rooms for your event.

Venue Equipment

Selecting a venue with audio/visual equipment in proper working order is mandatory for ensuring a smooth event. Don't hesitate to meet with the venue staff and request to try it out before reserving the venue. Audio and video problems during your trade show can cause unnecessary embarrassment.

Miami Events

Miami is the number one place in America for events and parties of all kind. Depending on the time of year different events will take place. There's the Miami International Boat Show, Miami Book Fair, Art Basel, Miami Fashion Week, Coconut Grove Arts Festival, Ultra, Winter Music Conference and many more. These type of Miami events bring in huge crowds and have a huge economic impact. For example one of Miami events named Ultra (one weekend of electronic music) brings South Florida $79 million.

Other notable periods like Art Basel Miami in December have a much wider impact on Miami events. During Art Basel Miami many satellite Art Fairs setup in Miami Beach, Wynwood and Midtown. International brands look to jump on the exposure of Art Basel and align their brand with an Art theme. For example Heineken created the Heineken Mural Map.

Sony Ericsson Open

Where: Crandon Park Tennis Center, 7300 Crandon Boulevard, Key Biscayne When: Mar-Apr Tel & website: 1-888 383 1515/305 379 7978/http://www.sonyopentennis.com/ Fifth-largest international tennis tournament in terms of players, prize money and attendance.

Art Basel Miami Beach

Where: Wynwood, Midtown and Miami Beach Convention Center When: December 4 - 8 2013 (usually first week of December) Tel & website: 305 674 292/www.artbasel.com

Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival

Where: South Beach When: late Feb to early March Tel & website: 305 627 1275/http://corporate.sobefest.com/ The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE is a national, star-studded, four-day destination Miami event showcasing the talents of the world's most renowned wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities

Miami International Boat Show & Strictly Sail

Where: Miamarina at Bayside, 401 Biscayne Boulevard, Downtown & other locations When: 3rd wk Feb Tel & website: 954 441 3220/www.miamiboatshow.com This popular Miami Event showcases the latest in yachts, powerboats, sailboats, engines, electronics and accessories.

Spring

Miami International Film Festival

Where: Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, 174 E Flagler Street, at SE 1st Avenue, Downtown, & other locations When: early Mar Tel & website: 305 237 3456/www.miamifilmfestival.com By bringing the best of world cinema to Miami, MIFF presents the city and the film industry with a singular platform that fosters creative and technical talent.

WGC-CA Championship

Where: Doral Golf Resort & Spa, 4400 NW 87th Avenue, at NW 41st Street, North-west Miami When: mid Mar Tel & website: 305 447 4653/www.worldgolfchampionships.com

Carnaval Miami/Calle Ocho

Where: throughout Miami-Dade County When: early Mar Tel & website: 305 644 8888/www.carnavalmiami.com The Miami Event began as a club that started in 1975 by a small group of high school friends, to grow and become a major service non-profit organization.

Miami International Orchid Show

Where: Coconut Grove Convention Center, 2700 S Bayshore Drive, at SW 27th Avenue, Coconut Grove When: late Feb Tel and Website: 305 255 3656 / http://www.sforchid.com/

Winter Party Week

Where: on the beach at Ocean Drive, at 14th Street, South Beach When: late Feb Tel & website: 305 571 1924/www.winterparty.com Over 10,000 guests from around the world attend this Miami Event. A annual six-day extravaganza featuring the most spectacular venues, the most unforgettable parties and receptions and the best international DJ talent.

Dade Heritage Days

Where: throughout Miami-Dade County When: Mar-Apr Tel & website: 305 258 9572/www.dadeheritagetrust.org Dade Heritage Trust (DHT) was founded in 1972 as a nonprofit membership organization to preserve Dade County’s architectural, cultural and environmental heritage through advocacy, education and restoration. This Miami-Dade County event celebrates with open houses, lectures, and guided walking and canoe tours of sights like the Deering Estate and the Barnacle site.

Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition

Where: Tamiami Park, Coral Way/SW 24th Street & SW 112th Avenue, West Dade When: Mar-Apr Tel & website: 305 223 7060/www.fairexpo.com A private, not-for-profit organization will continue its dedication to enriching our community by promoting education and South Florida agriculture while showcasing and rewarding youth achievement.

Summer

Miami/Bahamas Goombay Festival

Where: throughout Coconut Grove When: 1st weekend June Tel & website: 305 448 9501/www.goombayfestivalcoconutgrove.com Who needs to go to the Bahamas. This Miami event brings the Bahamas to Miami over a three day event including music and food.

International Mango Festival

Where:Fairchild Tropical Garden 10901 Old Cutler Road, at SW 101st Street, South Miami When: 2nd weekend July Tel & website: 305 667 1651/www.fairchildgarden.org

Miami Spice Restaurant Month

Where: throughout Miami When: Aug-Sept Website: http://www.ilovemiamispice.com/

During August and September, Miami Spice bring a Miami event that features top restaurants, offering three-course meals (Lunches $19 or $23, Dinners $33 or $39) featuring signature dishes created by world-renowned chefs.

Autumn

Festival Miami

Where: University of Miami, Gusman Concert Hall, 1314 Miller Drive, at San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables When: 4-6wks from mid Sept Tel & website: 305 284 4940/www.festivalmiami.com This Miami event brings a Premier Live Music Festival—provides world-class musical programming in diverse styles to all of South Florida.

Junior Orange Bowl Festival

Where: throughout Miami-Dade County When: Oct-Jan Tel & website: 305 662 1210/www.jrorangebowl.com Known as "The Largest International Youth Sports and Arts Festival," the Junior Orange Bowl Youth Festival blossomed in 1948 when the first Junior Orange Bowl Parade traveled through beautiful downtown Coral Gables and become and important Miami events.

Columbus Day Regatta

Where: Biscayne Bay When: mid Oct Tel & website: 305 858 3320/www.columbusdayregatta.net

Miami Book Fair

Where: Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus, 300 NE 2nd Avenue, at NE 3rd Street, Downtown

When: mid Nov

Tel & website: 305 237 3258/www.miamibookfair.com This Miami event features six nights of readings and discussions with noted authors from the United States and around the world.

South Beach Comedy Festival

Where: various venues When: mid-Jan Website:www.southbeachcomedyfestival.com South Beach comedy week is guaranteed to bring laughs and smiles.

Ocean Drive Volleypalooza

Where: Ocean Drive & 8th Street, South Beach When: early Feb Tel & website: 305 532 2544/http://www.southbeachvolleyball.com/ This Miami event brings all those fit young people out for a sexy volleyball tournament. For two days watch models from the world's top agencies get down and dirty in the South Beach sand.

Coconut Grove Arts Festival

Where: throughout Coconut Grove When: 3rd weekend Feb Tel & website: 305 447 0401/http://www.cgaf.com/

What began in 1963 as an intimate “clothes line” art show featuring a handful of artists and a few thousand onlookers as part of a promotion for the Coconut Grove Playhouse’s production of Irma la Douce has transformed itself into South Florida’s most successful arts festival.

Events in Florida

Looking for the perfect event space in Miami can be difficult. There are many events in Florida that take place all year round and choosing the right event space like Soho Studios will be the best decision you will make. Soho Studios was the perfect event space in Miami for An Affair of the Arts Performance and Gala in 2008. This event was a great success because of the location, VIP guest list and event space, as the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA) completed its annual youngARTS Week with at black tie event where over 800 guests visited Soho Studios.

As reported by SocialMiami.com Margarita and Armando Codina chaired the event, while SunTrust Bank served as Title Presenting Sponsor and Lin Arison, AT&T, Goldman Sachs, and Merrill Lynch as Benefactors. Other attendees included NFAA Chairman-Elect James Dubinand wife, Susan; Adrienne Arsht; Don Carlin; Ella Fontanals Cisneros; R. Kirk Landon; Audre Mendel; Paul and Trudy Cejas; Woody and Judy Weiser; Sandra and Stephen Muss; Billy Cypress, Chairman of the Miccosukee Tribe of Florida; Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, Dean of the School of Architecture, University of Miami; and Frank Everett, Director of Tiffany’s Bal Harbour.

This event started with a silent auction and cocktail reception. However unlike other events in Florida this event had amazing luxurious items for sale from brands such as Tiffany & Co., Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman and Escada.

The event was followed by dinner, dancing and performances by rising star youngARTS alumni, including Nashville Star winner Chris Young, 2003 youngARTS Winner in Popular Voice and Presidential Scholar in the Arts; American Ballet Theatre soloist Sarah Lane, 2002 youngARTS finalist in ballet; Pianist Rachel Kudo, 2005 youngARTS Winner in Classical Piano; and Tenor Rafael Moras, 2006 youngARTS Silver Winner in Classical Voice and Presidential Scholar in the Arts kept the spirit of the evening strong.

World renowned architect and design visionary Frank Gehry was presented with the Arison Award for his contribution to the education of young artists. Critically-acclaimed dancer and American Ballet Theater Executive Director Rachel Moore, 1982 youngARTS winner in Dance and a Presidential Scholar in the Arts, received the third annual NFAA Alumni Award.

As most events in Florida progress through the evening, this event continued with  the inaugural youngPATRONS Late Night Party, under the leadership of Sarah Arison and youngPATRONS committee member Ali Codina, opened its doors for more celebrating with DJ Irie and more performances, including jazz singer Grace Weber and pianist Julian Pollack, 2006 youngARTS finalists who recently cut their first CD.

Out of all the events in Florida youngArts had the best event at our venue in Miami. At our event space in Miami we pride ourselves on service with extraordinary capabilities.

Check out the photos from this event.

For more information, visit www.youngARTS.org.

Book our event space or call us on 305 600 4785