Get the Word Out: How to Effectively Promote Your Event

Event planners have a lot to think about when putting together an event, but one of the most important parts of the event planning process should be publicity. You could put together a gorgeous event page in preparation for the event you've spent so much time, money and energy planning, but if no one knows about it you're not very likely to sell tickets. Luckily, ezEvent's publicity tools make it simple to spread the word and get your tickets sold!

The methods you use to promote your event will depend on the event's purpose, the likely audience, the best ways to reach that audience, and your promotional budget and resources. Below are a list of popular marketing channels that you can use to get the word out about your event and how ezEvent can help you utilize them.

1. Social Media

Social media has a vast reach, with nearly one in four people worldwide having an online social presence. For that reason, social media should be a primary weapon in your arsenal for generating buzz for your event. Facebook and Twitter should be your primary tools, as they're designed for spreading a message. Having a Facebook page, rather than a group, allows your posts to appear in News Feeds every time you update the page's status. On Twitter, you can create a hashtag for the event (or use a popular existing one) and ask for retweets of the most important information. No matter which vehicle you use, make sure to post your event link consistently in the time leading up to the event. You should also vary your posts with different types of content, including event information, contests, and pictures that showcase what guests will see at the event. Since everyone uses social media differently, the repetition and varied content assures you'll engage as many people as possible.

ezEvent's Share Your Event tools allow you to like your event on Facebook so that your friends can see it, tweet the link, publicly recommend it on Google+, or share it on LinkedIn. With one click of a button, you also have the capability to create a Facebook event page that has all of the information you entered on your event page along with a Get Tickets button that links back to your page.

2. Email

Email marketing is effective because you can directly reach people you know are interested in your event or the general type of event you're hosting. Email marketing is permission-based, meaning the people on your email list have told you they want to receive messages from you, so these people are very likely to buy tickets to your event. People also check their email constantly, wherever they are, and that allows you to stay connected to them. To get people to open the email you send, make sure you include a great subject line that is clear what the contents of the email are.

ezEvent allows you to email out your event page to everyone in your contacts list. Simply type in or import your contacts, enter in a subject line, add in a custom message and click send. It's that easy.

3. Utilizing Your Website

When guests look for information about your event, it's likely that the first place they'll check is your website. Links to the event should be placed anywhere and everywhere on the site where it seems appropriate, whether that be on the home page, an events section, announcements section, etc.

ezEvent has several options that make it easy for buyers to access your event page from your website. If you simply want to include your event link, you can copy and paste it from your Event Information page. When your event is created, an HTML code is generated for several types of buy tickets buttons that you can include on your page. These buttons look cleaner than just having a link and make it obvious where the person will be going when they click it. If you have several events going on and you want to promote them all at once, you can use our Event Calendar/Event List widget so that a potential customer can scroll through a map and see which dates have events.

4. Print Media (Flyers, Posters, Newspaper Ads, etc.)

Many people have stopped utilizing print media since the world is so online-focused nowadays, but it can still be a viable marketing option if your target audience utilizes it. Buying ad space in a newspaper that's target audience is the same as your event's is a great way to reach those people. If the event is in a high traffic area, conveniently placed posters and flyers may also help catch the eye of your target. Just make sure all of your print media contain your event link!

ezEvent allows you to customize your event link so that it's easy to remember. Under the Customize section, you can enter in an easy to remember event link so that when someone sees it listed on a poster or in the newspaper, they'll be able to remember it when they have a chance to go online.

Now that you know which marketing channels you can use to promote your events, you'll need to create content that will allow you to effectively connect with your audience. Once you do that, you're sure to have a well-attended event!