Event Marketing: Everything You Need to Know to Sell Those Tickets (without even needing to spend a cent).

🎉 Event Marketing: How to Boost Your Event’s Impact & Exposure 🎉

When planning any event, there are typically two main objectives: making money or increasing brand awareness. Whether you’re hosting a fundraiser, a networking event, or a product launch, getting people in the door and talking about your event long after it’s over can have an exponential impact on your brand.

📣 Events are a Powerful Tool for Building Brand Awareness 📣

Here’s why:

• Face-to-face engagement builds trust and allows your audience to interact with your brand directly.

• Word of mouth: Attendees sharing their experiences with their networks expands your reach beyond your immediate circle.

• Experience-driven marketing: People remember experiences far longer than they do advertisements. Events create lasting memories.

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In addition to building your brand, events can generate a wealth of free (earned) marketing exposure! Here’s how:

1. Media Coverage: With the right pitch, local media outlets will often pick up your event, giving you free publicity.

2. Social Sharing: Your attendees become marketers, sharing your event with their networks, especially when you offer them incentives to do so.

3. Influencer Engagement: Inviting local influencers or bloggers to your event can attract their followers and extend your reach without having to pay for ads.

   
   

   So...you've hit a snag and need to sell tickets. If bums on seats is your goal, read on!

   
   

📈 50 Ways to Promote & Sell Tickets for Your Event

Here’s a detailed list of promotional strategies (including free options) you can use to market your event and boost ticket sales:

Free Promotion Ideas 🌟

1. Local Community Billboards: Many councils offer free community boards. In Geelong, you can book one via City of Greater Geelong Community Events. 🎯

2. Likewise, your local Council might have other ways to help promote your event, for example an event listing page on their website, or via their socials (remember, there are lots of financial benefits to your community when you run an event!).

3. Facebook Event: List your event on Facebook. Make it public to generate buzz, share updates, and encourage ticket sharing. (There are so many eyes on Facebook Events!). For an added tip, run a ticket giveaway via your event page.

4. LinkedIn Event: Create an event on LinkedIn for your professional audience. Encourage your network to attend and share it.

5. Send Media Releases to Local News Outlets: Contact local newspapers, radio stations, and TV stations with a press release announcing your event. 📻

6. Host a Radio Interview: Local radio stations are often happy to host a segment about your event. It's free exposure to a wide audience. Contact radio hosts with an audience similar to yours.

7. Engage Influencers: Invite micro/local influencers to your event in exchange for social media mentions. 🎥

8. Email Marketing: If you have an existing email list, send out a personalised invitation or newsletter with event details and ticket links. 📧

9. Local Community Groups on Facebook: Post in Geelong Facebook Groups or other local community spaces online where your target audience is.

10. Sponsor a Local Podcast: Many podcasts will allow you to sponsor a short segment or mention your event for free.

11. Create Social Media Challenges: Get attendees to post photos using a branded hashtag. Offer prizes for the most creative posts. 📸

12. Flyers at Local Cafes & Community Centres: Many cafes, libraries, information centres (Tourism) or community halls offer free flyer distribution.

Low-Cost Promotion Ideas 💰

12. Facebook Ads: Create a targeted ad campaign on Facebook and Instagram to boost visibility and sales.

13. Sponsor Local Businesses: Partner with local businesses to display your event’s flyers or ads in exchange for cross-promotion.

14. Paid Social Media Posts with Influencers: For a fee, ask influencers to post about your event on their platform.

15. Create a Landing Page for Your Event: Offer a dedicated landing page for ticket sales and email sign-ups.

16. Collaborate with a Local Charity: Partner with a local charity for a mutually beneficial promotion (they help market it, and you get exposure).

17. Flyers & Posters in Malls or Libraries: Some malls or libraries allow event posters for a small fee.

18. Paid Ads in Local Newspapers: Local papers are a good option for targeting a specific geographic audience.

19. Google Ads: Set up a Google Ads campaign targeting people searching for events in your area.

20. Host a VIP Event for Sponsors: Offer a VIP or networking event for sponsors or partners to get them more invested in your event.

21. Email Marketing (with paid tools): Use a tool like MailChimp or ActiveCampaign for email marketing automation.

In-Person Promotion Ideas 🏙️

22. Attend Other Local Events & Network: If other local events are happening, attend them to network and promote your own event.

23. Host a Free Preview Event: Create a mini-event (or webinar) before the main event to generate interest.

24. Partner with Local Schools or Universities: Engage students and staff with group discounts or special student tickets.

25. Post on Local Bulletin Boards (Offline): Post at gyms, restaurants, and libraries. Many will allow free community events to be posted.

26. Host a Flash Event or Pop-up: If your event is artsy or experiential, create a flash event in a public space to attract interest.

27. Collaborate with Local Celebrities or High-profile Guests: Having a well-known speaker or local figure can generate buzz for your event.

28. Host an Open House: Give people a taste of your event by hosting a small preview, a “meet the team,” or an open rehearsal.

29. Offer Ticket Discounts for Referrals: Incentivize past attendees or participants to refer new guests by offering discounts or freebies.

Boosting Media Coverage & Press 📸

30. Leverage Local TV News Stations: Pitch your event story to your local news stations.

31. Offer Tickets to Local Celebrities for Promotion: Reach out to well-known individuals in your community and offer them complimentary tickets in exchange for promotion.

32. Write for Local Blogs: Write guest posts for local blogs about your event, offering a unique angle or behind-the-scenes insight.

33. Pitch Stories to Event Websites: Websites that list local events can help promote your event to a broader audience.

34. Host a Virtual Press Conference: If your event is big or special, host a press conference or virtual press briefing to attract coverage.

35. Contact Influencers for Mentions: Local lifestyle bloggers or Instagram influencers can help raise awareness about your event.

Event Partnerships & Sponsorships 🤝

36. Work with Local Sponsors: Approach local businesses to sponsor your event in exchange for brand visibility.

37. Host a Business Networking Event Before Your Main Event: Network with businesses in your area to drive interest and ticket sales for the main event.

38. Get a Local Brand to Co-Host: Invite another well-established local brand to co-host or support the event in exchange for visibility.

Event Incentives 🎁

39. Give Freebies or Raffles: Offer free entry into a raffle for a prize when people register for tickets early.

40. Group Discounts: Offer group discounts for friends or corporate teams attending together.

41. VIP Packages: Offer VIP experiences that include additional perks like behind-the-scenes access, exclusive seating, or a meal with the speakers.

42. Early Bird Offers: Give a special price to the first 50 attendees.

43. Offer Discounts for Returning Attendees: If this is an annual or recurring event, offer returning customers a special discount.

44. Bundle Packages: Offer bundled ticket deals with add-ons such as merchandise or access to workshops.

45. Post-Event Content: Share recap videos, interviews, and attendee testimonials on social media to build excitement for next year’s event.

    
    

    

✨ A Personal Note on Event Marketing from Me ✨

Having managed numerous large-scale events throughout my career, I can honestly say that I am thoroughly "retired" from the logistics of running events. 😅

However, I still love helping businesses and organisations market their events! Whether it’s creating compelling promotional content or strategising ways to get your event noticed, I can help you get the exposure and ticket sales you deserve without the stress of managing the day-to-day operations.

If you need help marketing your upcoming event, I’d love to connect with you! Book a call with me today, and let's make your event unforgettable. 🌟