With over 1.79 billion social network users worldwide, it would seem that social media has taken over the way in which charities promote their events.
Social media consumes far more than a quarter of the time we spend online. The average person has five social media accounts and spends one hour 40 minutes browsing their social media networks every day. Clearly this is an online platform not to be missed.
Social media is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to promote an event, providing that you have a good understanding of what it takes to achieve the best results, and you make the most of the vast range of tips and tricks social media has to offer.
Here are CJAM Group’s top five tips to help you promote your event using social media:
- Make use of hashtags and trends
Hashtags are used to spread the word, so don’t forget to make good use of them. Once you have chosen the perfect hashtag for your event, depending on the size and aim, it’s ideal to spend a few months promoting your event using your hashtag. Make it punchy, to the point and memorable. Cancer Research UK’s winning hashtag #Raceforlife is an example of an effective hashtag. Be punchy, unique and keep your hashtag usable, clear and simple.
- Tagging your stakeholders
Whether it’s the venue, your catering company or supporters, when tweeting or posting content always remember to tag anyone that’s involved. By doing this, those tagged can spread the word further by retweeting or sharing your content. Before you know it, the event will already have increased awareness.
- Defining the best platform for your event
When promoting an event, it’s usually best to use more than one social media platform, however, clearly define which platform is most likely to reach your target audience. Instagram is prodigious for events that are slightly more creative, providing you are able to post daily content of images and videos. Facebook can be useful if your aim is to sell tickets, create an events page, invite friends, as well as posting informative content. Plus, don’t forget to use your hashtag!
- Timing and scheduling your posts
To ensure the best audience reach you will need to take note of the times that your target audience are using social media and visiting your page. There are plenty of analytical tools available to track interactive users online and those engaging with your content. Facebook has an excellent insights tool to provide you with all statistics for organic and paid reach, engagement, likes, demographics and times your audience are online. You can then apply this knowledge to schedule posts, ensuring your pages are seen by as many people as possible.
- Make your content widely relevant
When promoting your event, it’s good practice to use informative and exciting information that’s bound to grab attention, either by posting photos, links, tweets or blogs. Even if some of your followers are unable to make your event, it’s still important to aim these posts towards everybody. The chances are if you create memorable and interesting content, they’ll revisit your page, spread the word and quite possibly attend the next event on your calendar.
