Purpose: start with the outcome
Be clear about why you’re running the event and what success looks like for attendees (e.g., “understand rental rights” or “know where to get help”). Keep it short and realistic.
Ask yourself:
- What will people learn?
- What will they do next?
- What information or support will they take away?
Audience: be specific
Target a defined group so your message, timing, and format fit their needs. “General public” is too broad to communicate with effectively.
Consider
- Location, age, language, life stage.
- Whether to reach service providers (who already connect with your audience) rather than individuals.
- Where they already get information (workplaces, services, online groups).
Helpful pointer
If your topic is “future planning,” young parents and retirees may need different sessions, venues, and times.
Engagement: find your hook
People don’t always recognise their problem as “legal,” so frame your event in their terms (e.g., “save on energy bills,” “your rights as a renter”). Keep the focus on benefit, not legal jargon.
Your audience should determine:
- Language and message focus.
- Event format (talk, panel, QandA, clinic, demo).
- Location, date, and duration.
- How you promote (see Section 2).
What works
An unusual format, a stand out speaker, or a partner organisation your audience already trusts.
Examples from past Law Weeks (use as inspiration):
- Coffee and chat with lawyers and donuts to reach younger attendees.
- High profile speakers to draw a diverse, large audience.
- Partnering with a community organisation already serving your audience.
For a deeper dive into some inspiration, check out our Event Blueprints. We've done the hard work so you don't have to. These event blueprints are tried and tested formats, just add your own contents and audience!
Accessibility and inclusion: reduce barriers
Aim to make your event easy to attend and participate in.
Accessibility Checklist
- Time and place: ramps/elevators, parking, public transport, close to audience, after hours as needed.
- Delivery: online tech comfort; interpreter or captions; plain language slides; avoid jargon.
- Promotion: alt text on images; captions on videos; plain language.
- Registration: simple form; contact for support.
- Costs and supports: consider childcare, catering, or transport if they will meaningfully reduce barriers.
Example
A child friendly session with hands on activities helped a community legal service reach women and children effectively and reduced barriers to attendance and participation.
Budget: plan the essentials
What to consider (if relevant to your event)
- Room hire, catering, printed resources, notebooks/pens, activities for children etc.
- Accessibility supports (e.g., interpreters, captions).
- Childcare or transport.
- Modest paid promotion (e.g., boosted social posts or local media ads).
What not to budget for
- Facilitator/presenter fees for legal content. In the spirit of Law Week and access to justice, legal partners are encouraged to volunteer their time pro bono.
Keep it lean. You can run a successful event without added costs if the topic, format, and partners are right.
Goals: choose 2–3
Pick clear, measurable goals that align with your purpose.
- Attendance (e.g., target headcount, or “fill the room”).
- Awareness (e.g., “80% can name where to get help”).
- Action (e.g., “50% take a next step: book an appointment, download a fact sheet”).
Evaluation: decide how you’ll learn
Match methods to your goals.
- Attendance: headcount or registration report.
- Awareness/impact: quick survey (paper or digital), live polls, QandA engagement, or creative methods (post it wall, show of hands, voting buttons in jars).
- Social reach: hashtags, mentions, engagement rates (light touch is fine).