The likely answer to this question is that - They probably did not give it much importance. They did not know what was in store for them. There was no excitement created in their minds for them to remember and take the efforts to go to the event. Just the mention of such an event as a line item in the monthly calendar of the company is not enough. People read such emails and tend to forget such items because they don’t appear important. It is, therefore, necessary to create an atmosphere well before the actual event. People need to be told and reminded again and again that there is such an event that is coming up. They need to be made to think about it at least once or twice before the actual day. This is necessary to keep them guessing and make them look forward to participate actively at such events. Be it parties, seminars, talk shows, competitions, social service drives or any such corporate events.

On the other side too, people need to be informed about the events that have already happened. People need to know what happened in that event, what was the take home message for them. Rather than them knowing the details from each other, which could probably be misleading, it is better that the company announces the details of such past and future events.

Here are some fun ways to internally advertise such events to ensure active and overwhelming response and participation and also to make sure people have been informed correctly about the events that have already happened.

1. News board: We have all seen white boards put up at the reception of offices, to share some kind of news. Why not have an attractive notice board instead announcing the details of the event? Do make sure the name, venue, time and details of the event stand out more clearly than the graphics or design of the notice board.

Better still one can also make use of a LED signboard, if the office already has one installed.

2. Mark calendars physically: Each employee would be having a calendar on their desk. How about going and marking their calendar with a pin and a small card? Or a post-it with a scribbled message will also do. Pin it on their workstation boards where it can meet their eyes very frequently. The message has to be concise and precise. Use colorful post-it notes to make them eye catching.

3. E-Mail Teasers: Use these to continuously remind the team members of the event through use of effective email teasers. Email teasers are a series of messages that come one after another. The first one simply announces an upcoming event but with no details. The next teaser reveals a little more of the event, the next one a little bit more. Thus the series of such teasers can be timed such that people will be constantly reminded keeping the suspense intact. So much so that they look forward to the last email message of the series - this actually gives out the real message. There are a lot of attractive templates to choose from. Keep sending them at adequate intervals and keep the people guessing for more.

4. Mobile message reminders: If it is possible, through the use of corporate messaging services, send a mobile message as a reminder of the event a few days in advance. The mobile message can be complimentary to the series of teasers that have been sent through email

5. For a more personal touch, conduct road shows/ demonstrations/ public announcements: If the event is really big enough to demand enough attention, try a hand at conducting a road show or a group demonstration. Gather a team of people who will stand in the middle of the office, every day at stipulated time intervals. Make them sing a jingle or enact or make them read a scroll announcing the events loudly. Yes, you could even have a person dressed as the king’s messenger and make him read the announcement publicly - the way they used to do in olden days!

6. Play an audio clip: If you have a limited budget, how about recording the details of the event and then playing that audio clip periodically all through the day? If you have an in-house lyricist and singer, you could make them write a small poem for the event and sing the jingle.

7. Posters/ Flyers on the walls: The conventional mode would be to put posters and flyers on the walls as a constant reminder.

Whichever is the mode of announcement, the following things need to be kept in mind.

1. The details of the event such as date, time, venue, dress code if any, map and address of the venue, transport details and a point of contact with reachable phone number has to be clearly mentioned.

2. The timing of the e-mail, phone messages have to be matched with the actual time of the event, such that people get some buffer time to make the necessary arrangements.

3. The placement of the reminders as in the posters/ flyers, calendar marks have to be such that they are effortlessly noticed by the people.

4. The audio clip has to be recorded such that the broadcasting is clear and in an adequate speed so as that people do not miss out on any of the details.

With these fun ways of advertising any and every corporate event is bound to be a huge success before and after the big day!