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7 Simple Ways to Use Social Media for Maximum Event Exposure

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Imagine tripling event exposure without tripling your budget. In 2024, social media is the way to do it! 

In just a few easy steps, you can turn your event into a big deal, not just in your town but across the nation. 

So whether you’re planning a conference, a charity fundraiser, or a product launch, read on. These seven tactics will help you make the most of social media to get your event in front of the right people – and get them excited to join in!

1. Find Your Perfect Social Media Platforms

Before promoting an event, figure out which social media platforms your audience loves. Research your attendees’ demographics and habits to see where they are most active online. For example, LinkedIn and Instagram might work better if your event is for young professionals than Facebook or X. 

Each platform has pros and cons. Consider each platform’s strengths and limitations for any upcoming events. Instagram is great for stunning visuals, X is perfect for real-time updates and trending hashtags, and LinkedIn is ideal for B2B events and networking. Focus on the platforms that match your event’s style and audience for maximum event exposure.

Create a Memorable Hashtag for Event Exposure

A unique and catchy event hashtag can boost your event’s exposure and engagement. Keep it short, easy to spell, and directly related to your event. Steer clear of generic terms that might get mixed up with other topics.

Tips for a Great Event Hashtag:

  • Include your event name or acronym
  • Use keywords or themes that are relevant
  • Make it catchy and memorable
  • Check that it’s not already being used

Promote your hashtag everywhere! Put it in your bio, posts, and visuals. Get attendees, speakers, and sponsors to use it when sharing content about the event. This will expand your reach and build a community around your event.

2. Use Eye-catching Visuals to Stand Out

In the fast-scrolling world of social media, visuals are your best friend for grabbing attention and sharing information quickly. High-quality images and videos can showcase your event’s highlights, making it appealing to potential attendees.

When crafting your event visuals, keep these tips in mind:

Event Posters and Banners

Create stunning graphics with your event name, date, location, and key speakers or topics. Stick to colours and fonts that match your branding for a cohesive look.

Take a cue from Foreverland— a brand that hosts immersive rave events. Every one of its event poster graphics is vibrant and eye-catching. They nail consistency with their branding, ensuring each poster stands out while still fitting the overall aesthetic. Key details like the date, time, location, and headliners are front and centre, making their designs visually appealing and informative.

Speaker and Venue Photos

For more professional and networking events, post headshots of your speakers – if you have any, along with their bios and session topics. Highlight your venue’s cool features or amenities to give attendees a sneak peek of what to expect.

Behind-the-Scenes Content

Show your followers a behind-the-scenes look at the event planning process, like setting up the venue or prepping materials. This builds excitement and makes attendees feel more connected to your event.

Mambo Ibiza, for example, is all about those live Facebook sessions which give you great behind-the-scenes content. It’s the perfect way to showcase their music events and make everyone want to get tickets for the next party. 

Live BTS streams offer your audience an unfiltered, authentic glimpse into your events, building trust and excitement through exclusive sneak peeks. This real-time experience triggers FOMO, driving ticket sales while enabling interactive engagement where fans can comment, ask questions, and receive instant responses. 

3. Team Up with Content Creators and Industry Leaders

Collaborating with influencers and thought leaders in your event’s niche can significantly boost visibility and credibility. Here’s how to approach influencer partnerships:

Identify influencers and thought leaders in your event’s niche

Do your homework! Research and identify influencers and industry leaders whose followers match your target audience. Look for those with a strong social media presence relevant to your event and a history of high engagement. Credibility is key, so ensure they are trusted voices in your industry.

Reach Out with Collaboration Ideas

Once you’ve pinpointed potential influencers, contact them with collaboration proposals. This could be for event promotion, speaking gigs, or content creation partnerships. Be clear about what’s in it for them, like exposure, payment, or exclusive event access.

Equip Them with Shareable Content

Make it easy for influencers to spread the word about your event by giving them ready-to-use graphics, videos, or pre-written social media posts. To sweeten the deal, offer incentives for their followers, such as discounted tickets or exclusive perks, to encourage engagement and ticket sales. 

Tips for successful influencer partnerships:

  • Pick influencers who genuinely align with your event’s theme or industry.
  • Set clear expectations and guidelines for content and promotion.
  • Track the impact of your partnerships with unique links and discount codes.

Statista reports that 25% of brands allocate at least 10-20% of their marketing budget specifically to influencer marketing. So, it’s a strategy worth considering to maximise event exposure. What can we say? Collaborating with influencers and content creators effectively spreads the word.

Choose the social media platforms that best align with your target audience and event type. Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn offer robust advertising tools that allow you to create visually appealing ads and target specific user groups. For example, Facebook’s detailed targeting options can help you hone in on your ideal attendees.

Define your target audience

Use the platforms’ targeting options to define your ideal audience based on age, location, interests, job titles, and past behaviours. This ensures your ads are shown to the most relevant users, increasing the likelihood of engagement and ticket sales. Accurate targeting is crucial to cut through the noise and reach those who care about your event.

Allocate a budget and monitor performance

Set a budget for your ads and spread it across your chosen platforms. Monitor your ad performance with the platform’s analytics tools and tweak your strategy as needed to get the best return on investment (ROI). Regular monitoring and adjustments are crucial to making your ads work harder for you.

How to Create Good Social Media Ads? 

Here’s how to make the most of it:

  • Create Compelling Ad Content: Ensure your ad clearly communicates your event’s value and includes a strong call-to-action (CTA). Use eye-catching visuals and punchy copy to grab attention.
  • Experiment with Ad Formats: Try different formats, such as carousel ads to highlight multiple features of your event or video ads to give a sneak peek of what to expect.
  • Retargeting: Use retargeting to reach people who have already engaged with your event website or social media profiles.
  • Monitor and Adjust: Keep track of your ad performance and adjust your targeting, creative, or budget as needed to maximise results.

Paid advertising is a powerful way to increase your event’s exposure, drive ticket sales, and build excitement. With the right strategy, you’ll have people lining up to join your event!

5. Create Shareable Content

Get your audience to share your event by creating shareable content. Here’s how to do it:

Eye-Catching Graphics and Videos

Make your event pop with stunning visuals. Use high-quality graphics and videos to showcase event highlights, guest speakers, and key moments. Think teaser trailers, speaker spotlights, and sneak peeks of what’s to come. The more visually appealing your content, the more likely people will share it.

Testimonials from Past Attendees or Industry Experts

Nothing boosts credibility like a glowing review. Share testimonials from past attendees or quotes from industry experts speaking at your event. Personal stories and endorsements can motivate others to attend and share your event with their network.

Take a cue from Ultra Challenge, a marathon event brand that often posts testimonials showcasing its events’ highlights, building trust and excitement.

More Behind-the-Scenes Content

Build excitement with exclusive behind-the-scenes content. Share sneak peeks of the event setup, interviews with organisers, or prep work. This builds anticipation and makes your audience feel like insiders, increasing their likelihood of sharing the content.

Case in point: Business Travel Show Europe nailed it by including BTS pics from past events in their LinkedIn carousel ads. This is a frequently used strategy that you see all of the time. 

Clear Calls-to-Action

Every piece of content should have a clear call-to-action. Whether it’s “Register Now,” “Share This Post,” or “Tag a Friend,” make it easy for your audience to know what to do next. Direct them to your event registration page or encourage them to spread the word.

Travel Tech Show Ad – Clear CTA

Promote your content consistently across all your social media channels. Creating shareable and engaging content can amplify your event’s reach and generate buzz among your target audience.

6. Engage with Your Audience

Building a solid relationship with your audience is key to boosting event attendance. Here’s how to keep your followers engaged:

  • Respond Promptly: Answer comments and messages quickly.
  • Encourage User-generated Content: Get attendees to share event photos or testimonials.
  • Run Contests: Host social media contests and giveaways to drive engagement.
  • Live Sessions: Hold live sessions to provide value and spark interest.
  • Polls and Surveys: Run polls or surveys to gather feedback.

Encouraging User-Generated Content for Event Exposure

User-generated content (UGC) is a goldmine for increasing visibility and engagement. When attendees share their experiences, it creates authentic content that connects with potential attendees.

To boost UGC:

  • Create Photo Ops: Set up branded backdrops, unique installations, or interactive displays at your event.
  • Run Contests: Offer prizes for the best event photos or stories shared using your event hashtag.
  • Showcase Attendee Content: Repost the best UGC on your event’s social media profiles to build trust and credibility.

Creating that sense of community can turn your followers into event advocates who help spread the word and drive sales.

7. Make the Most of Social Media Event Tools

Many social media platforms have special features just for events, making promoting and selling tickets easier. Here are a few examples:

  • Facebook Events: You can create a page just for your event, invite people, and sell tickets right there.
  • LinkedIn Events are perfect for targeting pros in your industry and giving attendees a place to connect before, during, and after the event.
  • Instagram’s “Add Yours” sticker lets users share their own event content, attracting more attention to what’s happening.

Example: Outdoor Cinema 

Outdoor Cinema maximises its event exposure and ticket sales by leveraging Facebook’s dynamic event features. Seamlessly listing all its screenings throughout the year makes it easy for movie enthusiasts to grab their tickets. Plus, with Facebook’s nifty “Interested” button, organisers get a real-time gauge of the event’s popularity, knowing how many people they’ve hooked.

These tools can make promoting your event a breeze and give your audience a smooth experience.

Conclusion 

So, there you have it: social media is a powerful tool for promoting your event and reaching a wider audience. By implementing these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to maximising your event’s exposure and creating a memorable experience for your attendees. Which social media tactics will you focus on for your next event?

Here’s how we can help you with your event marketing.

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