When you collaborate on an event with another organization in your field, you get a chance to reach potential new members, while providing extra value to your current members. Sounds like a win-win, right?

But holding a joint meeting can also be tricky, especially if the organization you partner with has different business goals. Audra Hopkins from the Web Scribble blog says that to make a collaborative event truly successful, the meeting should focus on areas that are meaningful to all parties involved, including members of both groups.

“Sit down with who you’re collaborating with and discuss what you’d like to circulate your event around,” she says. “Brainstorm specific touchpoints you’d like to hit in order to give members what they’re looking for in a collaboration. After all, this event should be a two-in-one special for members, so you want to make sure they’re getting what they pay for.”

Another area where you and your partner will need to be aligned: event marketing, particularly around the meeting’s branding. “Make sure both of your brands are incorporated and that the design works for everyone involved,” Hopkins says.

Monitor the Right Metrics

Your event data is incredibly valuable! Follow these four steps to get the insights you want: https://t.co/jbKEzwSqhA #eventprofs #events #meetingprofs #eventplanning

— Eventsforce (@eventsforce) April 26, 2019

With so much data at a planner’s fingertips, it can be hard to tell which metrics are useful and which are just for show. To get a better handle on what information you should be tracking, the Eventsforce team recommends taking a step back and looking at what data you have versus what you actually need.

“[T]here are two main considerations,” they say. “One is, what data do you need to execute the event, and the second is, what data do you need to provide to your boss or senior leadership?”

From there, consider the source of the data. Is it reliable? Can you derive insights from it? If the answers are yes, then you may have found the right metrics.

Other Links of Note

Frustrated by Gmail’s user experience? You’re not alone: The former lead designer of Gmail created a free Chrome extension to simplify it, according to Fast Company.

Unfortunately, negative comments are all too common in the digital landscape. Nonprofit Marketing Guide explains how to handle negative feedback.

What do young professionals expect from your educational resources? The WBT Systems blog investigates.

(saknakorn/iStock/Getty Images Plus)