For Salesforce users, your database is likely the hub of most of your daily activities. Between tracking data, running reports, and managing communications, it often seems like your Salesforce system can do it all.

But did you know that Salesforce can also be used to plan successful, engaging events? 

It’s true! With the right software and a little bit of strategy, you can plan awe-inspiring events without ever leaving your Salesforce CRM. From galas to walkathons, meetings to training sessions, you can plan any type of event with ease.

How do you do it? You just have to follow these simple steps!

1. Start with the right Salesforce event management app
2. Segment your Salesforce data
3. Set custom pricing levels for your Salesforce event
4. Build an event microsite
5. Manage event logistics using your Salesforce app
6. Register your attendees online or at the door
7. Compile event reports (and get ready for the next event!)

Let’s take our event management strategy one step at a time. When we’re done, you’ll be left with all the know-how you need to host your most successful event yet.

1. Start with the Right Salesforce Event Management App

Before you can jump into event-planning, you’ll need to find an event management solution to help you keep track of all the moving pieces of your event.

Why This Step Matters

In order to streamline your event management experience (and limit potential pitfalls), you should find an event management app that works with your Salesforce CRM platform.

The benefit of working with a Salesforce app, as opposed to a separate platform, is that all your data will be available in one place.

If you’ve ever planned an event before, you know how important it is to have all relevant data on hand to plan events that are customized for your audience. Planning generic events that aren’t responsive to your attendees’ preferences, interests, or lifestyles won’t be very profitable and might deter guests from attending future events.

How to Plan Your Salesforce Event with This in Mind

The best starting point for your software search is understanding the difference between native Salesforce applications and non-native apps.

Put simply, a native app is one that was built to work within your Salesforce CRM. A non-native app, on the other hand, is built on a third-party platform and must be integrated.

You can learn more about the differences by examining our in-depth look at the topic, but for now, consider these benefits of using a native app:

• Guaranteed compatibility. You won’t have to worry about external platforms, additional setup, or third-party data storage. Since all your information resides in one system, everything you need automatically works together perfectly—absolutely no integration required!
• Continual data updates. You need your guest data to maintain accuracy in real-time, and a native app is the only way to ensure that! Since all data is housed together, all of your information is continually updated with no added effort on your end.
• Reduced manual data entry. When you work within two platforms, there’s always a risk that incomplete data will find its way to your database, meaning you’ll consistently have to check and re-enter information. Since a native app updates on its own, there’s less risk for error and less time spent on data entry.

Not sure what to look for in a Salesforce app? Our list of top features can help you find the perfect tool for your organization’s needs.

 Check this off your Salesforce event to-do list when you’ve found the right native app to launch your event management project!

2. Segment Your Salesforce Data

Like most organizations, your Salesforce database is likely bursting with useful information. Now it’s time to put it to use for your upcoming event.

Why This Step Matters

As mentioned, planning generic events won’t leave any of your guests feeling good about signing up for any future conferences, meetings, or fundraisers your organization might host.

However, if you use your Salesforce data to tailor your event-planning tactics, your guests are sure to take notice! 

You can segment your data using custom fields, and use the intel you collect to design pitch-perfect events that are designed with your attendees in mind.

How to Plan Your Salesforce Event with This in Mind

You can segment your data to find pretty much any information you need, but when it comes to events, there are a few especially important ways you can use data segmentation:

• Set ticket pricing levels. Segment your list by past giving history or income level to determine an appropriate ticket pricing strategy. You can use this information to pinpoint the perfect general admission price, or take a more customized strategy (more on that below!).
• Develop a guest list. Instead of casting a wide net across your entire database, start putting together a guest list with the most likely attendees. You can tailor your invitation approach by first setting an exclusive RSVP list and go from there to create a general admission list.
• Send targeted communications. You can filter your database by communication preference to make sure you’re reaching out to constituents in the most advantageous way. You can also use relevant data to make sure your emails, calls, and direct mailings are as personalized as possible.

 Check this off your Salesforce event to-do list when you’ve segmented your database and come away with relevant insights that can help your event be more strategic, profitable, and guest-specific.

3. Set Custom Pricing Levels for Your Salesforce Event

All events are different, and they require different ticket pricing and registration options. For most events, you can’t just select one general ticket price and move on; you need to customize your pricing levels!

Why This Step Matters

In order to continue hosting events (and keep your organization afloat), you need to plan events that are budget-conscious and lucrative. Ticket sales are a major part of that equation.

On the other hand, it’s also imperative that your organization considers your constituents’ budgets and sets registration fees that your guests can actually afford.

How do you solve both those problems at once? Use your Salesforce event management app to devise a pricing plan that’s customized to your guests and can help you bring in the ticket sales you need. 

How to Plan Your Salesforce Event with This in Mind

Like many other aspects of your event, the ticket levels you choose will be uniquely reflective of your organization and your guests.

However, here are a few general price points to consider featuring to give your guests flexibility with their ticket options:

• General admission. The baseline price you’ll offer to most of your registrants, general admission ticket pricing should be based off of your guest list’s historic median giving amount. Of course, you also have to consider your event budget, including costs for venue, speakers, and technology.
• VIP pricing. This price point should be reserved for special subsections of your guest list, including members, major donors, or early-bird registrants. With this ticket, you might also want to offer additional VIP perks, such as special table assignments or exclusive access.
• Personalized pricing. Using the data you store in Salesforce, you can determine the most appropriate, effective ticket prices for specific groups or even individuals. You can refer to giving histories, membership levels, or other custom fields to create 100% custom pricing.

 Check this off your Salesforce event to-do list when you’ve priced your tickets according to your Salesforce data, guest list, and event goals. You’re ready to start selling!

4. Build an Event Microsite

To make sure you fill all the seats on event day, you’ll need to consider your promotional tactics early on. While a multi-channel marketing approach is always encouraged, you’ll also want to make your event details easy to find for potential guests.

Why This Step Matters

Especially important for large events, a dedicated event webpage—also known as a microsite—serves as the center of all things event-related.

Think about it: do you want your guests to spend valuable time scouring your organization’s website, social media pages, and email newsletter archives to find out the information they need about your event? Or worse—do you want potential guests to miss out on signing up for your event because they don’t know where to do it?

That’s where your event microsite comes in! With a well-designed site, your guests will have a one-stop shop for anything and everything related to your event.

How to Plan Your Salesforce Event with This in Mind

Ideally, your Salesforce event management software should generate a site for you, automatically pulling event details from your database to populate the site.

To get the most out of your microsite, make sure to include all of the following:

• Registration information. Using your event management app, build or customize registration forms to place on your microsite. Since your microsite is already linked with your CRM, all the data you collect on your forms will be automatically filed into your database.
• Merchandise catalog. You can set up an online store to sell fixed-price items on your microsite. Guests can add these to their ticket purchase or buy the products they like individually.
• Event details. Date, time, and location should all be prominently displayed on the front page of your microsite, but you can also include separate tabs with speaker information, specific session details, and logistical information (e.g., parking, check-in times, etc).

 Check this off your Salesforce event to-do list when you’ve built a microsite to promote your upcoming event and share relevant details with guests.

5. Manage Event Logistics Using Your Salesforce App

Every event planning team has a million responsibilities to stay on top of before (and during) the big day. Your Salesforce event management app can help you track those tasks!

Why This Step Matters

Now that you’ve gotten a lot of the “pre-prep” out of the way, it’s time to dive into the real event planning.

Luckily, with an event management app that works within Salesforce, you won’t have to leave your CRM to manage all the details of your event, big or small.

Having all your event data in one place lessens the possibility that you or your team will overlook an important detail. And, when event day rolls around, you won’t have to worry about juggling various platforms to stay on top of your plans—it will all be accessible in Salesforce!

How to Plan Your Salesforce Event with This in Mind

Within your Salesforce app, you can keep tabs on these important event considerations:

• Venue. Where will you hold your event? Is this location geographically accessible for your guests? Can the venue accommodate all of your guests? How many rooms will you need? Will you have access to a stage, projector, lighting and sound equipment, tables, or anything else you might need?
• Sponsors. Are there local businesses who’ve previously interacted with your organization? Do any of your constituents have ties to generous corporations? What sponsorship levels will you offer?
• Speakers. Who in your database might be a good fit to speak at your event? What speakers or topics might be most relevant to your guests’ interests? How does hiring a professional speaker fit into your event budget?

You’ll also be able to use your event management app to manage exhibitors, vendors, auction items, event sessions and/or tracks, table and seating charts, and many other elements that contribute to a successful event!

 Check this off your Salesforce event to-do list when you’ve used your Salesforce event management software to plan and track all the finer details of your event. It’s almost time for event day!

6. Register Guests Online and at the Door

Your event is well-planned and expertly promoted—all that’s missing are your guests!

Why This Step Matters

Having a strategy in place for registration can help your organization stay on track of your guest list and streamline the process for your attendees, too.

Plus, accepting registrations in a variety of formats can help you maximize your event revenue and boost the turnout overall.

How to Plan Your Salesforce Event with This in Mind

Depending on the scale of your event, it might make sense to offer online-only registration. However, offering registration onsite on event day can bring in additional last-minute ticket sales and help you fill in empty seats.

Regardless of which path you choose, follow these best practices for managing your guests’ registrations:

• Make online registration mobile-friendly. Smartphones and tablets are nothing if not universal. By mobile-optimizing your registration forms, you’ll make signing up or purchasing tickets for your event convenient for guests on the go.
• Allow guests to build their own schedules. If you’re hosting a conference or multi-day event with various tracks, sessions, and speakers, you should enable guests to design their own agendas based on their interests and availability.
• Make multi-session signup intuitive. For multi-session courses, guests should be able to quickly sign up for all events in a series at once. That way, their entire event schedule is mapped out, no extra effort needed.

 Check this off your Salesforce event to-do list when tickets are purchased, guest lists are set, and your registered attendees are ready for your event!

7. Compile Event Reports (and Get Ready for the Next Event!)

Event planning never stops, so you’ll need to assess the success of this event in order to achieve even greater heights at the next one.

Why This Step Matters

After event doors close and your team breathes a well-deserved sigh of relief, the work isn’t quite done yet.

Before you can wrap up your event, you should analyze your success to see what elements of your event strategy were right on track and which ones lagged a little bit. 

By using reporting tools to objectively assess your success, you can improve your event-planning skills for the future and create more compelling events from now on.

How to Plan Your Salesforce Event with This in Mind

To get a good idea of how your event measured up, make use of these metrics:

• Registration and attendance. How many individuals registered for your event? How many of those attended? At what point did they register? What ticket level was the most widely purchase?
• Cost-effectiveness. How many tickets did you sell? How did your profit compare to your budgetary expenses? Did you have other revenue streams, such as merchandise or donations?
• Attendee engagement. How do the responses from your pre-event survey compare to your post-event survey? Did your marketing tactics generate ticket sales, new social media followers, or new customers?

No matter how you measure success, what’s important is that you set concrete event goals and follow through on tracking your progress against them.

If keeping tabs on your success seems daunting, don’t worry—the right event management app should come with easy-to-use reporting and analytics features designed to make managing goals easier.

 Check this off your Salesforce event to-do list when you know exactly how well your event performed and already know where to start for the next event!

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The perfectly planned event might be an abstract concept, but with a little help from the right event management software (not to mention your Salesforce data!), your organization will soon be one step closer to event success—and happy guests!

For more help planning your next event in Salesforce, check out these additional resources:

• Salesforce Event Management: The Essential Guide. We’ve put everything you need to know about using your Salesforce system to plan engaging, inspiring events. Trust us: this is the last resource you’ll need for everything event management!
• Best Eventbrite Alternatives. Thinking of using the web-based event platform Eventbrite to plan your Salesforce event? Before you commit, check out these solutions like Eventbrite (but better) for your event management needs.
• Top Salesforce Event Management Integrations (Rated and Reviewed). The web development team at DNL OmniMedia has gone through the most popular Salesforce event management solutions to help you find the one that will work for you. See how Fonteva Events, Eventbrite, and Cvent compare!

There are a plethora of Salesforce event management applications at your organization’s disposal. And although these apps have varying prices, feature sets, and target audiences, each is designed with a simple purpose: to help your organization plan the best event possible!

As you’re sifting through potential apps and diligently researching which event management features you need the most, you may inadvertently breeze over a concept that can (and should) seriously impact your decision—we’re talking about what it means to be a “native” Salesforce app. 

If you’ve found yourself scratching your head at what the term “native application” means or how it applies to your event management, you’ve come to the right post. Here, we’ll break down three questions you might have about Salesforce native apps:

1. What is a native Salesforce app?
2. What are the benefits of working with a native Salesforce app?
3. Are there advantages for native apps specific to event management?

Once you know why being native matters, you’ll be able to make a better informed decision regarding your own event management needs.

1. What is a native Salesforce app?

Before we get ahead of ourselves, we should break down a thorough definition of what makes an app native to Salesforce:

A native Salesforce app was built on top of Salesforce, runs entirely within the Saleforce infrastructure, and functions as an extension of your Salesforce CRM.

What does that mean? Let’s look at it piece by piece:

• A native app was built on top of Salesforce. These applications were created using the existing Salesforce platform, meaning they’ll look and function similarly to the rest of your CRM.
• A native app runs entirely within Salesforce. You’ll never have to transfer data between systems or interact with third party platforms.
• A native app functions as an extension of Salesforce. Since the application exists exclusively in Salesforce, as long as your Salesforce is working, your app will be too.

You can view a native app as an interconnected part of your Salesforce system rather than a separate platform with its own infrastructure, security, and data storage.

It’s important to keep in mind that just because an app was built for Salesforce, it isn’t necessarily a native app. In fact, most apps available on the Salesforce AppExchange are non-native.

So, what are the key drawbacks to using non-native apps?

• Non-native apps were not built within Salesforce and don’t run entirely within Salesforce. These apps require third-party integration to work with your CRM.
• If you use a non-native app, its data will be stored outside Salesforce. To access both sets of data concurrently, you’ll need to transfer the data from one platform to the other.
• Non-native apps have their own security parameters and servers. They typically require additional third-party setup to connect to your database.

Along with being Salesforce native, make sure your event management app has all the features you need to plan successful events. Learn what features to look out for by reading this helpful article!

The takeaway: Native apps are an extension of your Salesforce CRM and work hand-in-hand with Salesforce, giving you a more intuitive event management experience.

2. What are the benefits of working with a native Salesforce app?

Native applications come with a host of benefits for Salesforce users. Let’s walk through a sampling:

• A complete data set, no data transfer required. Since your event management app and Salesforce data both exist within the same platform, you won’t have to transfer information back and forth to get a complete view of your data. Everything you need is all together, all the time.
• Consistent availability and performance. Salesforce is an inherently stable infrastructure, so if your app is built on Salesforce, you shouldn’t have to deal with interruptions or downtime. A third-party app, on the other hand, might be built on any infrastructure, and there’s no way to guarantee reliability.
• Familiar security standards. A native app operates under the same data security and sharing standards as Salesforce, so you don’t have to worry about safety. A third-party app comes with its own security protocol, so you’ll need to thoroughly evaluate it before trusting it with access to your data.

Non-native apps require custom integrations, and many organizations need to look to a developer or consultant to help them through that process. Those services come at a cost, and it typically takes a significant amount of time to get completely set up, oriented, and successfully operating with their new system.

With a native app, you’ll never have to worry about time-consuming integration, incomplete data, or third-party servers; you’ll be able to access everything you need without ever leaving your Salesforce system.

The takeaway: Salesforce native apps give you the most complete view of your data with less work on your end.

3. Are there advantages for native apps specific to event management?

So far, we’ve outlined the general benefits of working with a native Salesforce app as opposed to a non-native integrated app.

While being Salesforce native is important for all types of apps, it’s especially vital for event management apps.

Why is that the case? Simply put, your Salesforce data is the crux of your event-planning strategy. Without a guaranteed complete set of data at all times, you won’t be able to use your guests’ information to inform your tactics.

Let’s explore a few ways you can use your Salesforce data to plan a better event:

• Planning a strategic guest list and sending targeted RSVPs to specific subsets of constituents.
• Tailoring communications to fit guests’ preferences (and then sending those messages using Salesforce).
• Managing ticketing options and prices based on income levels and giving histories.
• Keeping track of constituent engagements in order to funnel specific constituents toward certain objectives.

With your Salesforce data and event management data accessible in a centralized location, you’ll be able to cohesively manage both sets in a holistic way.

The takeaway: Having complete, up-to-date information is crucial for planning and executing strategic events. With a native app, you’re ensured access to everything you need within Salesforce.

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If planning successful events is one of your organization’s most important tasks, you shouldn’t take your search for the perfect Salesforce event management app lightly.

To get the best results from your event management application, search for a platform that’s native to Salesforce and can guarantee high performance, utmost reliability, and a comprehensive look at your guest and event data.

For more Salesforce event management resources, check out these amazing additional resources:

• The Essential Guide to Salesforce Event Management. Before you can find the right app, you need to know the basics of planning events in Salesforce. This guide breaks everything down for you to make your event management process easier!
• 7 Steps to Planning Successful Salesforce Events. Once you’ve got your native app, learn how to use it to make the most of your upcoming event. This list of best practices and strategies will help you engage guests and improve your events.
• Double the Donation’s List of Cvent Competitors. There are a number of amazing Salesforce event management apps available, so why limit yourself? Double the Donation will walk you through the pros and cons of the best Salesforce event management apps on the market.