Case Study: Lakeside Marketing Scoops Up Success with Ice Cream Fest’s Debut!
Ice Cream Fest was envisioned as a community event that would not only bring together ice cream enthusiasts but also showcase local businesses and nonprofits, from vendors to artists. For this ambitious project, Julie Ann’s needed a marketing partner with the expertise to transform their vision into a reality. That’s where Lakeside Marketing stepped in.
It’s a journey through a collaborative process, championing children’s causes and creating unforgettable experiences. The Ice Cream Fest not only served as a testament to marketing fundementals and community spirit but also laid the foundation for an enduring tradition of joy and giving.
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Enthusiastic contender, Jax, immersed in the spirited Ice Cream Eating Contest at Ice Cream Fest, a community-centered event orchestrated by Lakeside Marketing, supporting local non-profits.
“With only three months from conception to opening the gates, Lakeside was able to create a unique brand and create a culture of excitement. We now have a template for an amazing community event for years to come.”
“With only three months from conception to opening the gates, Lakeside was able to create a unique brand and create a culture of excitement. We now have a template for an amazing community event for years to come.”
Linda Anderson, Julie Ann’s
Challenges of creating a community event
Embarking on the Ice Cream Fest adventure, our mission was sparkling clear and oh-so-exciting—mix the vibrant tales of three inspiring non-profits, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of McHenry County, CASA, and New Direction, with the creative swirls of Warp Corp, all to concoct a message that’s as harmonious as it’s flavorful! It was all about sprinkling community spirit, a dash of advocacy, and a whole lot of artistic zest. Launching this brand-spanking-new fest in a bustling market was like crafting a new ice cream flavor—needing the right blend of ingenuity, zest, and a sprinkle of uniqueness. And oh, did we mention, it was all about pure, unadulterated family fun? Yep, we decided to skip the alcohol and keep the vibes wholesome and merry, making it a true haven for families!
Jumping into Ice Cream Fest was like blending a rainbow of flavors to create something spectacular! We joined the inspiring tales of awesome non-profits with the cool vibes of Warp Corp to cook up a fest that’s all about community, creativity, and fun! Launching this brand-new bash was like whipping up a new sundae—full of zest, uniqueness, and a sprinkle of magic. And the best part? It was a total family fiesta! We kept it alcohol-free, making it a cozy and joyful space for families to just let loose and enjoy!
With our budget more on the snug side, every penny counted, but we made sure the fest’s happy vibes reached every corner. It was all about smart planning, a dash of innovation, and loads of enthusiasm! The result? Ice Cream Fest turned into a dazzling celebration of togetherness, creative spirits, and community happiness!
- Weaving the stories of three non-profits, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of McHenry County, CASA, New Direction and Warp Corp into a seamless message.
- Launching a brand-new event in a competitive market.
- We decided against alcohol sales, making it a truly family friendly event.
- Establishing relationships with vendors in a condensed 3-month timeframe.
- Maximizing reach with a small budget.
- Working with vendors on their menus and getting all the graphic design to print in time.
Selected photos from Ice Cream Fest in Crystal Lake, IL.
Marketing Solutions
We crafted a sleek, user-friendly website, www.icecreamfest.co, which became the go-to hub for all things fest, from ticket sales to vendor highlights. We then dived into a harmonious social media dance with our vendors, creating a unified buzz and selling tickets like hotcakes, with just a dash of digital advertising!
Our communications brewed a mix of engaging emails, and our collaborations with local stars and influencers painted the town with fest vibes, while our SEO and SEM wizards ensured we were the talk of the online town. All the while, the heartwarming tales of non-profits were woven seamlessly into our vibrant tapestry, making Ice Cream Fest a melody of joy, unity, and purpose. Our team closely worked with Pen and Mouse Design to build the graphical elements and Trumpet & Mallow Consulting to strategize the event. A debt of gratitude and big old-fashioned thanks go to these organizations for their dedication. We cannot wait to work on year two!
- Web Design:
Lakeside Marketing’s design team developed a visually appealing and user-friendly website – icecreamfest.co. The website was not just a platform for ticket sales but also served as the primary source of information for attendees, vendors, and sponsors. Julie from Pen and Mouse Design worked with us to develop the artwork and characters. She went above and beyond to create the illustrations for the map, shirts and posters. - Collaborative Social Media Campaign:
We worked closely with all involved parties, especially the vendors, to run a synchronized social media blitz. This collaboration ensured that the fest’s messaging was consistent across all platforms, maximizing the event’s exposure. We started to boost Facebook posts, but found that the organic traffic and social campaigns were selling tickets at a fast rate. We stopped digital advertising after spending just $150 on Facebook and Instagram Ads. - Email Campaign:
Our team curated a series of engaging email blasts, starting with teasers, followed by line-up announcements, and culminating in last-minute sales pushes. This campaign played a pivotal role in driving ticket sales. - Community Partnership Marketing Program:
In partnership with Erin from Trumpet & Mallow Consulting, we developed partnerships with local businesses and influencers. This not only provided additional promotional avenues but also strengthened the fest’s ties with the local community. - SEM and SEO:
To ensure the fest’s online visibility, our digital marketing team implemented an aggressive Search Engine Marketing (SEM) strategy and optimized the website for Search Engine Optimization (SEO). This led to a significant uptick in organic and paid traffic, ensuring the fest was on top of search results related to local events. - Non-Profit Support and Messaging:
To ensure the fest’s online visibility, our digital marketing team implemented an aggressive Search Engine Marketing (SEM) strategy and optimized the website for Search Engine Optimization (SEO). This led to a significant uptick in organic and paid traffic, ensuring the fest was on top of search results related to local events.
Rapid Results
- Ticket Sales: The combined might of our strategic campaigns led to Ice Cream Fest selling out all 2500 tickets in its inaugural year.
- Vendors: Despite the tight 3-month window, our team managed to foster relationships with a diverse group of vendors, ensuring a wide array of offerings for attendees.
- Annual Event Blueprint: Given the inaugural year’s resounding success, we’ve established a replicable model, ensuring Ice Cream Fest will be a highlight on Crystal Lake’s calendar for years to come.
Conclusion
Lakeside Marketing’s holistic approach, combining traditional and digital strategies, played a pivotal role in the success of Ice Cream Fest. Our ability to build relationships, execute on technical benchmarks, navigate vendor relationships, foster community relationships,, both online and offline, ensured the event’s inaugural edition was a hit, laying the foundation for an annual tradition. We are proud to have been part of this journey and look forward to scaling greater heights with Ice Cream Fest in the years to come.
