So you’ve planned an event…now how do you get people there? Social media will help you quickly spread your event to hundreds, if not thousands, of people. Good social marketing can increase registrations, boost profits, and create extra buzz around the event. The best way to ensure your posts don’t get lost in the sea with everyone else sharing their events is to post as frequently as possible. Here are a few ideas for posts to help you get your creative juices flowing.
Speaker Announcement
Announcing the speakers at the event is a good idea for two reasons: it informs people about what will happen at the event, and it draws in fans of the speaker. By sharing a post with their photo or presentation theme and tagging them, you can organically boost reach and target their fans online.
Speaker Promo Video
A more engaging way to promote your speaker is through a video. Interview them about their area of expertise to show credibility or ask them to submit a quick clip promoting the event.
Past Event Testimonials
People enjoy hearing what their peers have to say about events. Pull attendee quotes from social posts or send out a survey to gather feedback. Then while marketing for the same event next year, use those testimonials in your marketing to entice new attendees.
Last Year’s Highlights
Use photography from previous events to visually show people what they can expect. Find photos that answer questions like: What happens at the event? What does the venue look like? How much do people enjoy it?
Early Bird Announcement
Entice people to sign up early on by offering an early bird discount. Depending on how long the discount runs for, two to three posts is standard—once to announce the discount, one in the middle as a reminder, and finally a “last chance” post before it ends.
Flash Sale
Offer selective deals—like flash sales or unique promo codes—to create a sense of urgency or exclusivity. Periodically posting about day-only sales will entice people to return to your site regularly, hoping that they won’t miss a deal. Plus, people are more likely to register on the spot, rather than putting it off and forgetting to come back to it.
Show the Data
Use data to peak interest. Infographics or shocking statistics is a great way to educate followers, teach them about your event or organization, and force them to stop and look at your social media post instead of scrolling past it. Make your infographic bright, colorful, and easy to read.
Countdown Graphics
Countdown social posts are invaluable tools in building up excitement prior to the event. These teasers offer a daily dose of anticipation and remind your audience that something special is just around the corner. By creating a sense of urgency and fostering a shared sense of excitement, countdown posts can significantly boost attendance, making your event not just an occasion to attend but a must-see experience.
Behind-the-Scenes Prep
Behind-the-scenes photos give your followers an exclusive glimpse into the process. Bloopers that got cut from the final video, a sneak peek of what to expect, or getting-ready photos from the venue are great filler posts leading up to the event.
Polls or Quizzes
Ask your followers for their feedback! What food would they prefer? Which topics do they want to discuss? Which color flowers do they like? When you include your followers in the planning process, they feel involved, heard, and eager to see their choices come to life. People enjoy being involved! Polls like these are often best to do on an Instagram story.
Event Agenda
Clarity and communication with your attendees is key. Include times, speaker information, location, and any other crucial details to reduce confusion.
FAQ Session
Get ahead of any questions you anticipate from attendees. Put yourself in their shoes and consider what questions might arise in every step of the process: logging in, registering, parking, dietary restrictions, special accomodations, etc. Answering them in a common FAQ format is the best way to communicate this information. Then, at the end of the video or blog post, add a final statement encouraging more questions in the comments—and actually respond to them with answers!
Partnership Announcements
If you are partnering with another organization to host your event, you need to make sure your followers know it. The main benefit of a partnership is that you gain exposure to their audience, just like they do with yours. Posting about a partnership on social media will attract attention from everyone that follows them, growing your platform and boosting your business.
Interactive Contests
Boost engagement through giveaways or contests. Giveaway a branded swag item, a set of tickets, a gift card, or popular product in your industry. Then, in the caption, invite your followers to like and share the post, with each share entering them to win!
Sneak Peek of Event Merchandise
Are you selling merchandise at your event? Make sure people know that! Desirable merch is a perfect way to entice people to attend. Show pictures of real people wearing or using your merch, so your followers see why they need it in their daily life. Not only will they have an amazing evening, they will also have something to take home!
