You need to remember that just because lots of people use social media, it doesn’t mean that they will all be willing to join your event and spread the word about it. Follow the steps outlined below and you’ll be sure to make the most from your social media channels and other online outlets, effectively promoting your event and, if you’re lucky, pushing it to go viral.
Twitter is a great promotion medium and the key to its potential are hashtags. Every time you tweet about your event, make sure to always use the same hashtags. Be consistent – use the same hashtags across all social media. Your audience will recognize the hashtag and associate it with your event. Moreover, hashtags are great for real-time engagement during your event.
You can also use already existing hashtags or conversations and relate to them, bringing the news about your event to new audiences. Always follow your sponsors – they will be more than happy to retweet your tweets and help you in promoting the event.
Facebook Events
Some think that once they set up a Facebook event and just invite people, the event will become popular on its own. This is a mistake. To make the most from this promotional opportunity, you’ll need to keep your audience engaged – otherwise, even if they RSVP’d, they might simply forget about your event.
Mention the event on your Facebook page. If you’ve got a poster, place it in your cover photo. Organize a ticket giveaway based on ‘like and share this post’ to help your event go viral.
Facebook Ads
Facebook Ads are great for event promotion. Choose specific criteria and you’ll see your ad displayed to all those who, for instance, live nearby the event location. Select your budget and targeting options, and you can be sure the news will reach the right audience.
Blogging
Content marketing is increasingly important and blogging can get the word out there and help users locate your event in search engines. Blog about confirmed keynote speakers – these posts will attract a large audience. Include updated information on the venues and timings of the event.
Provide engaging content – conduct video interviews with past participants, introduce your team with a fun group photo or share some updates on the venue. Why not create an infographic to talk about the topic of your event and share it on your blog?
LinkedIn is a must resource to use for all kinds of business events promotion. Set up a group for participants to help them interact and exchange opinions about subjects that will be taken up at the event. Always add a social media feed and inspire delegates to share the news about your event to their own networks.
The web is full of promotional opportunities – seizing the potential of the right channels and keeping your content engaging, you’re on your way to make your event a great success.
Monique Craig is a passionate blogger and marketing specialist who works for Oneflare, an online marketplace which connects customers with local service providers.
