Thanks to the internet, the world is more connected than ever. But social media isn’t just for checking in with family members and seeing how old friends are doing—it’s also the perfect marketing tool.
If you have an upcoming event, you can utilize your online platforms to draw in more attendees. But if you’re a novice at social media marketing, you may feel lost or unsure where to start.
At Overland Park Convention Center, we can help you market your event online and get the most guests possible. We also have tips on how you can transform your own social media page for maximum attendance. So if you’re interested in social media marketing for large events, read on for all the information you need.
Tip #1: Be Consistent
Some people say that if you want to become an expert in something, you simply need to do it every day. The same holds true for social media marketing for large events.
While you may not need to post every day, you do need to post often. Some people make the mistake of thinking all it takes to market an event is 1 or 2 posts, but if you want to catch the most fish, you need to cast a wide net.
You can also ramp things up slowly to get comfortable—start with a few posts when the event is far away, but as you get closer, make those posts more frequent.
Choose High-Quality Content
Just because you should try to post often doesn’t mean you should aim for all quantity without regard to quality.
Everything you post on social media serves as a reflection of you, your organization, and your brand.
Even something as simple as a typo or a low-quality image can communicate a lack of care and attention to detail, which is not the best way to sell an event.
To give space for quality work, you should try to make your posts in advance. Set aside some time to develop multiple high-quality posts, so you also have time to proofread and edit them before posting.
Tip #2: Build a Coherent Theme
If someone stumbles across one of your posts and follows it back to your profile, you want them to know they’re in the right place. One engaging way to do this is by theming your profile around the event itself. Some users keep their profile pictures and banners the same for years, but this can result in a stale, stagnant look.
Instead, create a new banner with information about the event, including the location and time of your event. This way, a curious user doesn’t have to comb through your posts to find the information they need.
People browsing the internet can be indecisive and impatient, so make sure they don’t have an excuse to click away.
Tip #3: Interact With Your Audience
Social media marketing for large events revolves around the user, and each user is just a person like you—they want to be seen, heard, and understood. So be sure to interact with them as much as possible. This can look as simple as responding to comments or messaging your followers.
Many sites also have interactive posting features. You can create a poll to learn more about what your users want out of your event. You can also host a Q&A session to answer any questions your potential guests may have as they consider attending. These interactive posts don’t just keep your users in the know—they keep users engaged.
LIVE It Up
Another way you can interact with your audience is through a live stream. Sometimes, the online experience can feel artificial and impersonal—it’s hard to remember that there’s actually another person on the other side of the screen. But when you host a livestream, you can interact with your users in real time.
Use the livestream to tell your followers all about your event, and be sure to pay attention to the chat. Answering questions and responding to comments can help you build a relationship with your followers, making them more likely to attend your upcoming event.
Tip #4: Know Your Platform
In the modern age, the selection of social media platforms can seem endless. But you don’t need an account for every site—you just need to understand which platforms appeal to specific demographics.
For instance, TikTok is more popular with younger users, so if you’re trying to build an audience of baby boomers and millennials, then you may not want to focus your efforts on that platform.
Facebook, on the other hand, resonates with older users, so it may be more beneficial to build an audience there. Social media marketing for large events requires careful planning, so don’t waste all your effort on the wrong platform.
Tip #5: Apply the Power of the Hashtag
Hashtags don’t just add some flavor to your captions—they can also help new users find your content. But while you may be tempted to add as many hashtags as possible to reach the most viewers, you can curate the best return by using a smaller number of more targeted hashtags.
For example, Instagram pushes posts that use 3 to 5 specific hashtags rather than a wide variety of generic hashtags, because the platform wants to reward users who use the system as intended.
You can also create a custom hashtag for your event. Use it every time you post about your event—that way, any user who follows this hashtag can see all your event’s posts in one location.
Tip #6: Recruit Incredible Influence
To raise awareness about your event, reach out to influencers to help spread the word. Influencers make their careers on social media platforms, so they have the skills and the network to help with social media marketing for large events.
Influencers understand how the algorithms work and how to use them for the most exposure. Influencers also have a pre-existing audience, so when they post, you can be sure lots of people will see it!
But before you decide to work with an influencer, make sure they have the audience you’re looking for. If your event is a professional networking event, you won’t want to choose an influencer with a high-school or college-aged audience. Collaborate with someone whose audience would have interest in your event.
Tip #7: Keep the Momentum Going Afterwards
Social media marketing for large events doesn’t end when the event does. You can continue to engage with your audience even after your event is complete.
Post pictures of the event, thank your team members, and repost any content your guests might have created while in attendance. You want to show your audience that you appreciate their participation and remind them of the value they received. If you plan on holding the event again, this also shows new audience members what they can expect.
Posting after the event also keeps your profile at the forefront of your audience’s feeds, so you can stay relevant in their minds.
Tip #8: Get Expert Assistance From Your Venue (Like OPCC)
We hope you’ve learned a few things about social media marketing for large events, but if you still want some assistance, reach out to our team at Overland Park Convention Center. When you host your event at our venue, we can promote it on our social media page.
We have thousands of followers, exposing a whole new potential audience to your event. Not only can we create custom posts for you, but we also post your event to our online calendar, so anyone visiting our website can find the information they need.
The Team You Need
When hosting an event, you want to work with a team that can predict your needs before they even arise. At Overland Park Convention Center, our experts have worked on countless events, so they know just what you need.
Our team members pride themselves on always saying “yes,” so just tell us what you’re looking for, and we’ll do whatever we can to make it happen. From A/V experts to award-winning chefs, we can help you throughout every step of your event-planning journey.
Want More Info?
To learn more about social media marketing, our team members, and the resources we offer, take a look at our educational blog. This resource contains more information you need about our services. So if you’re considering planning an event at Overland Park Convention Center, don’t hesitate to take a look.
We update this blog each month with new posts, so there’s always something to read. And if you don’t see a post that answers your question, contact us. We’re always here to answer your questions.
Promote Your Event With Our Team
For the best possible turnout, you can’t just post a few flyers and call it a day. In the modern world, you need to adopt modern strategies. Fortunately, our team can help you with social media marketing for large events. To get started planning your event with OPCC, contact our team and talk with our experts.
You can also get a free estimate online with our free event planning tool. Just answer a few questions about your event, and our experts will respond with a personalized event estimate based on your responses. Bring your event marketing strategy into the 21st century at Overland Park Convention Center.
