\n<\/p>\n
Simply put, promoting events online is a tall order. Your target audience is likely so busy that getting them to pay attention to what you\u2019re doing, much less show up, can be an enormous challenge. Luckily, we have many years of experience helping organizers to put together all kinds of functions. Today, we are going to share our simple and proven four-step process for promoting an event online\u2026<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
Your event website is the hub of your marketing and PR activity. Ideally, you\u2019ll want a domain that\u2019s dedicated to the event, and a modern, responsive layout that looks great on computers, tablets, and smart phones alike.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
When it comes to an event planning website, it\u2019s crucial to have not only the right information but also an exciting tone. So, while it should definitely be easy for a visitor to spot details about dates, times, and locations, you\u2019ll also want to include some supporting facts. For example, bios and photos for key presenters or performers can boost enthusiasm. The same goes for itineraries and previous highlights. You want an interested individual to not only see what your event is all about, but why they\u2019ll kick themselves if they manage to miss it. It also goes without saying that these pieces of information will also give you more search-friendly content, so more potential attendees will hear about what you\u2019ve got going on.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
Spreading the word is just the first step, though. Your event website can be a great tool for generating registrations (or at the very least, follow-up communications). So, you\u2019ll want to have a large and prominent registration button with a secure portal. You should also include an email newsletter sign-up that will drip further pieces of information as the event draws closer, and possibly even calendar reminders or social links.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
Finally, don\u2019t forget that you can include information for sponsors, presenters, or volunteers in a special section of your website. Getting attendees is important, but don\u2019t forget about the men and women who are helping you turn your event into a reality.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
Current clients and readers of our blog will already know that even the very best website doesn\u2019t generate its own traffic and interest. Even if you follow all the rules we\u2019ve outlined above you\u2019ll still have to bring visitors in before you can generate registrations.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
Luckily, when promoting an event online, you have a lot of different choices. The first and most obvious tool is going to be your email newsletter. If you\u2019ve been collecting names and addresses from your website, previous events, and interested partners, then you might have thousands of subscribers to reach out to.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
You can also promote your event (and drive traffic to your website) using pay-per-click advertising. Some types of occasions \u2013 like charity running races, for instance \u2013 can increase registrations quickly and inexpensively by advertising. Just be sure you restrict your campaigns through geography and other filters so you aren\u2019t paying for ads that won\u2019t perform.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
Perhaps the best way to promote your event is by releasing tweets, videos, and other pieces of social content. Not only can these be targeted with the right keywords and hashtags, but they also have viral ability. While a few of your most dedicated attendees and supporters might forward emails about your event to their friends, the majority of your audience is much more likely to share the details of a party or fundraiser they will be attending on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. So, good social marketing updates can vastly increase your reach, help you drum up attention, and boost registration numbers.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
You don\u2019t have to promote your event all on your own. There may be other individuals or groups who have a vested interest in seeing you be successful, too.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
If your event is worthy of press attention, you could reach out to newspapers, magazine editors, and even television reporters. They have are likely to have a much larger platform than you do, both in terms of their traditional reach and their social following. If they advocate for your event it could bring an amount of buzz you wouldn\u2019t be able to generate on your own.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
The same goes for sponsors. If they are going to have signage, giveaways, or other tie-ins with your event they\u2019ll want as many people to be present as possible. Ask them if they have any advertising or promotional ideas. You may be able to get space on existing billboard campaigns and company newsletters, or through other channels you weren\u2019t even aware of.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
You could even try reaching out to social influencers in your industry or geographic area. You never know when someone might take an interest in the event you are promoting, particularly if there are aspects promoting nonprofits or community benefits.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
You might think your work is done after you\u2019ve promoted your event and had hundreds or thousands of people show up. But, the days and weeks just after its conclusion are vitally important for your future success.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t miss the opportunity to reach out to attendees, volunteers, sponsors, and other participants to thank them for their involvement. This doesn\u2019t cost you anything and can serve to express your gratitude while also notifying recipients about future events.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
You could repeat the process we described above and set up a website or dedicated page for your next event, even if some of the details are missing. People who were excited about your previous work might take advantage of early registration offers, or at least mark their calendars. It\u2019s a good idea to take advantage of these opportunities while enthusiasm is at its highest.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
And finally, you\u2019ll want to review your online event promotion strategy \u2013 including web analytics reports \u2013 to get a sense of what did and didn\u2019t work. That way you\u2019ll not only be prepared to duplicate your success in the future, but also to build on it and think even bigger than you have in the past.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
Planning a wildly successful event starts with having the right strategy in place from the beginning. Why not let us use our expertise to help you fill registrations, get press attention, and break attendance records?<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
The Weblinx team is here to help. Schedule a free consultation at 630-551-0334 x1<\/b>. Contact us today!<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Simply put, promoting events online is a tall order. Your target audience is likely so busy that getting them to pay attention to what you\u2019re doing, much less show up, can be an enormous challenge. Luckily, we have many years of experience helping organizers to put together all kinds of functions. Today, we are going […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1088,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1087","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n