So, you have an event. How can you make sure the general public is aware of it, and how can you make sure they purchase tickets? Marketing for events has certainly changed since the days of the concert posters painted on the walls with glue. Now, you can target your special audience very specifically and get the results you need.
Make a Page
Once you’ve got your date and venue squared away, you need to create an event page in Facebook. Make it look like the event itself. Is it a serious, chamber orchestra event? Traditional colors and simple clean lines would work well in this situation. Have a more rowdy event like a color run? Bright colors and more busy illustrations would be appropriate. After the page is created and all the event information is posted, invite everyone.
Then, post information on your timeline that recalls the event. Post photos of behind the scenes action. Show your potential participants how the event is being prepared for. These can be teaser photos, too. If you haven’t announced the headliner, for example, you can show clues to who the person will be. Ask people to guess on the page or timeline. You may want to offer free tickets to the person who figures it out first.
Post to Event Websites
Any chance to get your event seen is another chance to snag an audience member or two. There are lots of websites that allow you to create an event. In order to capitalize on your event, make the event you post look very similar to the Facebook Event page you created. Use similar, if not the same, photos. Most sites will let you link to the Facebook pages you’ve created. Do that and then tweet about it.
Use all Available Media
Tweet, Post, Blog and all those other social media verbs help share your message. This will help your event gain momentum. Make sure you link all of them, and then see which are the most productive. Change things up and see what happens. What works best? What falls flat? Keep track of the successes and the not so successful attempts.
One note on posting, tweeting and blogging if you have affiliates, sponsors, or speakers at your event: it is great to encourage them to share via social media. It is better to do it for them. Provide them with pre written information they can use for their groups to help spread the word about the event.
Don’t forget the mainstream media. Submit press releases to all media outlets: newspapers, television channels, radio stations. Remember to include the quirky, independent papers and community magazines in your release. Look for journalists that cover local events; reach out to these reporters. Offer press badges and a relevant article or guest blogger post.
