What can music do for you?
Think back to the last time you were at a sporting event and Queen’s “We Will Rock You” came on. You
could feel the vibration below you as the crowd stomped their feet and practically tasted the excitement
in the air as you all chanted along with the music.
There’s no denying the power of music to evoke emotion. The question is, how can you use it to make
your next event unforgettable?
We’ve outlined the benefits of having music at your event in the past. Now, let’s get into the specifics.
At the beginning of the Event
When people enter a meeting room, they are often guarded, serious, and uncomfortable (emotionally
and physically). Luckily, there’s a way to counteract that… dance! Have a “DJ” play some music over the
sound system and get people up and dancing. Start with one person to lead the group in some
choreographed moves, and then have them pass it off to the next person. Your attendees will be
laughing, feeling more comfortable in their own skin, and warmer (both emotionally and physically).
During the Event
Incorporate music into the event itself. You can host a drum or music circle as a team-building exercise
or divide your attendees into “bands” and let them battle it out with fake instruments. I hand out
drumsticks to the entire audience so attendees can become part of the event and help raise the energy
level.
You can also ask anyone who will be brought to the stage to tell you their favorite song ahead of time.
When they walk up to the stage, play the song as intro music and then ask them to share why it means
so much to them. It’s a great way to make speakers more relatable (especially when they are higher-ups
in your company). If you’ve got presenters from other countries or cultures, you could play music from
their homes to welcome them and to foster appreciation amongst the attendees.
After the Event
Host a silent disco as closing festivities. Every attendee gets a pair of wireless headphones with multiple
music channels. They get to listen to their favorite music while dancing out the kinks from several hours
(or days) in a chair.
If you played a certain set of songs (maybe even your “mission music”), you could also create a playlist
for attendees and email it out after the event as a reminder of your time together.
19th-century poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote, “Music is the universal language of mankind.”
Use this to your advantage by creating an environment of fun, energy, and inclusion at your next event.
Whether you choose to incorporate music before, during, after, or throughout, you will create a
memorable experience for your attendees and turn your employees into rockstars.
For more tips on rockstar leadership and how to incorporate music into your next event and turn it up, visit
https://marvellessmark.com/.