Putting on an event is a lot of hard work, but when you see how successful it is, this can make all of your efforts feel worth it. However, if you want your event to be successful, the main thing you need to do is get people to attend, so knowing how to promote your event is key. There are several ways you can do this, but below are five examples of the most effective tactics to get people to hear about your event and want to turn up on the day.
1. Social Media
The most obvious and cost-effective way of promoting your event is through social media. You can create an event page on Facebook, but you should also do this on specific event websites such as Eventbrite, where you can share this link on other platforms like Twitter, Instagram, etc. This is also the most effective way to keep people updated about your event, such as if start times have been changed, the location, or if it has been canceled for whatever reason. You can even use paid advertising on these platforms to reach a wider audience who might be interested in attending your event.
2. Promotional Videos
Another good way to get the word out about your event is by creating one or two promotional videos for it. If you have the budget to hire someone to do this for you or someone on your team has this knowledge already, putting together some sneak peek clips or behind-the-scenes footage can be an excellent way to pique people’s interest. You can share this through social media as well, and this is a very engaging way to promote your event.
3. Posters and Banners
Using digital tools and media to promote your event will work well, but don’t forget about more traditional methods as well. Putting up posters and banners to advertise your upcoming event will catch the eyes of people walking by who might not have seen your online presence. You can find plenty of tools that can create your own posters and banners for you in various materials. However, PVC banners and signs are great for almost any application and are very durable, so they’re great if you are hanging up your signs outdoors.
4. Reach Out to Relevant Bloggers/Publications
Utilizing your personal and professional social media accounts as promotional tools is important, but you are likely to attract more people by reaching out to other bloggers or publications that focus on similar things to your event. For example, if you’re putting on a performing arts show, there might be bloggers who write about the arts that can mention your event in their next post or let you put up an advertisement on their website. You can offer them free tickets to your event or a goodie bag as a way to say thank you for their help.
5. Hold a Competition
Finally, consider holding a competition and offer the winners free tickets to your event or VIP passes. This will directly engage people with what you’re doing and shows a fun side to your organization. It’s also a good way to encourage people to take a chance on something that they might not have previously with the allure of free entry.
If you want to successfully promote your next event, use the suggestions above as a good starting point to get the word out and to sell tickets.
