One of the very best ways to promote an upcoming event, as well as generate excitement and anticipation, is by using social media. With several platforms to choose from, you can spread the word to various segments of your audience regardless of where they hang out online.
To maximize your marketing efforts, it pays to develop a strategy ahead of time regarding your posts. Here are 6 simple steps to help you effectively promote your event online:
1. Choose Your Social Networks
Depending on your industry and target audience, some social platforms may be more effective than others. Typically, if you can do some promotion on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, you should be well covered.
2. Choose Your Event Hashtag
Come up with a hashtag that’s short, unique, and easy to understand. Once you land on an idea, stick with it because consistency is key.
If you post anything relevant to your upcoming event, include your hashtag. Be sure to add it to all of your social account bios as well.
3. Upgrade Your Social Profiles
Before you embark on a social media event promotional campaign, be sure you update your social profile pages. Create polished headers and thorough company descriptions and update any existing pages that include your upcoming event.
4. Craft Your Content Carefully
Engagement with your posts determines how many potential event goers see your promotions, so be sure you make every post count.
For maximum engagement, include images in your posts, and space out (if applicable) your ticket sale posts with more general industry news or lifestyle content.
Make your content engaging, conversational, and not overly “salesy.”
5. Work with Influencers
Nearly 85% of marketers have plans to use some type of influencer marketing, according to the latest statistics.
Building relationships with key people in your industry who can talk up your event, can help influence prospective attendees to register and be the push that results in a successful event.
6. Launch Paid Social Media Ads
It’s a pay-to-play environment on social media these days so that means supplementing organic posts with paid social ads. When crafting an engaging ad, include an eye-catching image or video, short post text, engaging short headline, direct call to action and an accurate link description.
So, there you have it. You now have at your disposal the insights on how to effectively use social media to promote your events. Be sure to measure what works and what doesn’t and tweak along the way so you can continue to drive sales!