The Mindful Marketing Podcast: Creating Community-Driven Events with Kristina Bartold

Episode Details:

• Podcast Title: The Mindful Marketing Podcast (Formerly Known As The Savvy Social Podcast)
• Host: Andréa Jones
• Guest: Kristina Bartold
• Episode Title: Creating Community-Driven Events with Kristina Bartold
• Release Date: November 12, 2024

Introduction

In this insightful episode of The Mindful Marketing Podcast, host Andréa Jones welcomes Kristina Bartold, a seasoned expert in event marketing, to discuss the intricacies of creating community-driven events. The conversation delves deep into the motivations behind organizing events, effective marketing strategies, fostering genuine connections, and measuring success beyond monetary gains.

Kristina Bartold's Journey into Event Marketing

Kristina shares her transition from a successful marketing and social media background into the event space. Drawing parallels with Andréa's journey, she explains the catalyst that led her to host events focused on entrepreneurial women.

Kristina Bartold [01:19]: "I was really lucky that early on I was investing in a lot of really great American rooms and was going over to the stadium, going to some amazing events over there, and just couldn't find anything comparable at home. So we started throwing these little dinners..."

Kristina emphasized the initial challenges and the rewarding experience of bringing together like-minded women, fostering relationships that went beyond mere networking.

The Value of Community-Driven Events

The discussion highlights the profound impact of live events in building a supportive community. Kristina underscores the importance of connection, inspiration, and the collective growth that emerges from such gatherings.

Kristina Bartold [02:52]: "We know that business is not really meant to be done alone. Our businesses are stronger, better, I think more profitable when we can do them with others."

Andréa resonates with this sentiment, reflecting on the camaraderie and team spirit that Kristina's events cultivate, especially in the post-pandemic landscape where genuine connections are more valued than ever.

Designing Events That Foster Connection

Kristina elaborates on the intentional design of her events, focusing on creating environments that prioritize participant interactions over speaker-centric formats. She shares her approach to event planning, which revolves around understanding what attendees value most and structuring the event to meet those expectations.

Kristina Bartold [05:28]: "People come more for each other. And so really, when we start to think about our experience, we start to think about what can we do to foster connection with each other."

By meticulously planning every aspect—from seating arrangements to content creation—Kristina ensures that each event is a fertile ground for meaningful interactions and lasting relationships.

Effective Event Marketing Strategies

A significant portion of the conversation delves into the marketing strategies that Kristina employs to promote her events successfully. She shares actionable insights on leveraging feedback, creating authentic content, and utilizing community ambassadors to amplify event reach.

Kristina Bartold [07:54]: "When thinking about building an event, really just listening to what people have to say about your event is helpful not only on the marketing side, but then also in the design perspective."

Kristina attributes the rapid sell-out of her recent event to strategic marketing efforts that emphasized genuine participant experiences and harnessed the power of word-of-mouth promotion.

Creating Urgency Ethically

Kristina discusses the delicate balance of creating urgency in event marketing without resorting to manipulative tactics. She emphasizes honesty and value addition as key components in fostering trust and encouraging prompt ticket purchases.

Kristina Bartold [13:28]: "I don't like the yo-yo on the pricing... I'm very clear on the metrics of what success looks like to us because Maria and I are very touchy-feely."

Kristina advocates for transparent pricing structures and creative incentives that respect attendees' trust while effectively driving ticket sales.

Defining Success in Event Marketing

Shifting focus from purely financial metrics, Kristina shares her holistic approach to defining success in event marketing. She values the intangible benefits of fostering community, creating impactful connections, and establishing sustainable partnerships over immediate monetary gains.

Kristina Bartold [23:14]: "What makes it like, yeah, this was a win for me... Did you see the impact and did you see these people connecting with each other?"

Kristina's philosophy centers on long-term community building, where the true measure of success lies in the enduring relationships and collaborative opportunities that emerge from her events.

Overcoming Challenges in Marketing and Community Building

Every venture faces its set of challenges, and Kristina candidly discusses the hurdles she has encountered in marketing and community building. From setting boundaries with community expectations to handling imperfect event outcomes, she offers valuable lessons on resilience and adaptability.

Kristina Bartold [27:00]: "We had to set kind of, like, some precedents around, you know, what that felt like... How do we add the most value to people?"

Kristina highlights the importance of maintaining integrity in marketing efforts and prioritizing the community's well-being over short-term gains.

Maintaining Authentic Community Dynamics

The authenticity of the community is paramount for Kristina. She shares her strategies for ensuring that her events remain genuine and inclusive, fostering an environment where every participant feels valued and connected.

Kristina Bartold [30:40]: "We are very, very key about, like, you know, high vibe is one of these words that could literally mean anything... we talk a lot about community."

By intentional seating arrangements, diverse speaker line-ups, and prioritizing participant experiences, Kristina ensures that her events resonate deeply with attendees, making each one feel like a natural extension of a supportive community.

Tools and Resources: Story Starter Guide

Kristina introduces a valuable resource for listeners aiming to enhance their event marketing: the Story Starter Guide. This tool provides daily prompts to help individuals articulate their narratives effectively, both online and in-person interactions.

Kristina Bartold [34:33]: "Our story starter guide gives you a different story starter for every single day... When you practice these things, what your elevator pitch comes way easier when you're in person."

This guide is designed to empower entrepreneurs to confidently share their stories, facilitating deeper connections and more impactful networking.

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

In wrapping up the episode, both Kristina and Andréa reflect on the key elements that make community-driven events successful. The emphasis on authentic connections, strategic marketing, ethical urgency, and a holistic definition of success emerges as the cornerstone of effective event planning.

Kristina Bartold [35:21]: "Maria and I are just kind of like the minions organizing it over here. And so I think that that's it. And I think around the piece about selling out..."

Andréa expresses her appreciation for Kristina's insights, highlighting the seamless integration of marketing and community-building strategies that sustain vibrant and loyal event communities.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Kristina Bartold [01:19]: "We started throwing these little dinners... and we realized we were kind of onto something."
• Kristina Bartold [02:52]: "Our businesses are stronger, better, I think more profitable when we can do them with others."
• Kristina Bartold [05:28]: "People come more for each other... what can we do to foster connection with each other."
• Kristina Bartold [07:54]: "Listening to what people have to say about your event is helpful not only on the marketing side, but then also in the design perspective."
• Kristina Bartold [13:28]: "I don't like the yo-yo on the pricing... being very clear on the metrics of what success looks like to us."
• Kristina Bartold [23:14]: "Did you see the impact and did you see these people connecting with each other?"
• Kristina Bartold [27:00]: "How do we add the most value to people?"
• Kristina Bartold [30:40]: "We talk a lot about community... ensuring that every participant feels valued and connected."
• Kristina Bartold [34:33]: "Our story starter guide gives you a different story starter for every single day... elevator pitch comes way easier."

Final Thoughts

This episode serves as a comprehensive guide for entrepreneurs and event planners seeking to create meaningful, community-driven events. Kristina Bartold's experience and strategies offer valuable lessons on balancing effective marketing with genuine community building, ensuring that each event not only succeeds commercially but also enriches the participants' professional and personal lives.

For more insights and resources, listeners are encouraged to connect with Kristina through her podcast episode on Community with Christina Bartold and explore her Story Starter Guide available at dre.com.

Thank you for tuning into another episode of The Mindful Marketing Podcast. Don't forget to rate us 5 stars on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and join our 2025 planning workshop on November 13th to strategize your marketing for the upcoming year.