Author: Monique Vermeulen, Senior Sales Manager
You did it! The event was a hit, the attendees had a blast, and now you’re finally catching your breath. But here’s a little secret: the work isn’t truly done.
Before you relax completely, there’s one vital step that can turn a good event into a truly great one: the post-event report.
Skipping your post-event report is like throwing away the map after an epic adventure.
You might have had fun, but how will you know the best path to take for your next journey? This report is your roadmap to continuous improvement and future success.
Key Data Points Every Report Needs
So, what should you be looking for in this powerhouse document? Here are the essential data points that will help you plan your next event with precision:
Attendance vs. RSVPs
Did everyone who said they would come actually show up? This helps you understand how well your marketing converts interest into attendance.
Check-in timestamps
When did most people arrive? Knowing peak arrival times helps you staff registration points better next time, making things smoother for everyone.
Session popularity
Which sessions were buzzing, and which had more tumbleweeds? This insight tells you what content truly resonated with your audience.
Email open rates
Were your event emails opened? This shows how effective your communication strategy was before and after the event.
App usage & engagement metrics
If you used a mobile event app, how much did attendees engage with it? This data proves the app’s value and how connected your audience felt.
Survey results & attendee feedback
This is so important! Direct comments from your attendees tell you exactly what they loved, what frustrated them, and what could be better.
Post-event survey feedback
What did attendees feel after the event? This helps you gauge their overall satisfaction and lasting impressions.
These insights give you a full picture of what worked and what didn’t. They help you fine-tune everything: logistics, timing, messages, and content for future events.
Uncover Hidden Problems (Blind Spots)
Post-event insights often reveal things you could not see during the live event. Without this data, you’re just guessing. But with tools like Flock’s analytics, you’re learning and getting better with real facts.
For instance:
- A low turnout for a certain session might mean the content wasn’t relevant enough.
- Many people not opening your invitations could show that your guest list needs updating.
- Key groups not showing up? That signals a problem with your targeting or reminder messages.
Build Trust and Get More Money for Events
Data builds trust. When important people (stakeholders) see clear proof of success, they are much more likely to support your future plans.
Imagine showing them:
- Strong results (like high attendance or leads collected)
- Clear trends in performance
- Guest happiness, backed by feedback
They will be more likely to approve future budgets, become more involved, or support larger events. They see how their investment paid off, which they can compare to previous events.
Let Your Attendees Guide You
Attendee feedback is the voice of your audience. It’s a goldmine for enhancing experiences. It tells you:
- Which sessions were their favourite (or least favourite)?
- What logistical issues bothered them?
- How they felt about the content, food, venue, and communication – everything.
By incorporating this feedback into your next event plan, you demonstrate to attendees that their experience matters. This is also the easiest way to boost your Net Promoter Score (NPS).
Don’t Risk Your Reputation
Skipping your post-event report is like throwing away the map after your trip. It’s risky! You could end up:
- Repeating mistakes that could have been avoided.
- Missing out on important proof of success for sponsors or leaders.
- Not acting on guest feedback, which will show in fewer attendees next time.
- Losing trust as an organiser who pays attention to details and uses data.
A rushed or unclear report can hurt your brand more than a tough event itself. So, make sure your post-event report is thorough and insightful. It’s a critical step to your next event’s success!
Ready to unlock the full potential of your events?
Level Up Your Reporting with Flock
With Flock, you can ditch those endless spreadsheets and use real-time dashboards instead. Our tech-powered tools make your post-event reporting process a breeze:
- Generate RSVP, attendance, and engagement reports instantly.
- See trends in landing page views, email performance, and app use.
- Sort data by guest type, session, or even region.
- Connect easily with lead capture tools like LeadScan.
- Keep all your important data safe in one secure place.
This saves hours of tedious work, makes your data more accurate, and lets you share clear insights with stakeholders quickly. After all the event excitement, our clients can’t wait to get their hands on these analytics – they are the rewards of hard work and the building blocks for planning next year’s awesome event.
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