Ideas for Using Social Media at Events

Last week we talked about making your events memorable. Now it’s time to address how social media can be one of your greatest tools to a successful event. Here are several ways you should be using it:

 

Ways to Use Social Media with Events

Your event has three different stages in which you should be using social media. You should be using it to:

• get the word out/market the event and build excitement around it
• build a buzz and connect people at the event
• stay connected to people after the event

If you’re not doing it for all three stages, you’re missing out on opportunities. Here are a few things you need to be sharing on social.

Before the event:

• Information about what will happen there (don’t just list activities. Include things people will get excited about and what they will get out of it.).
• Teasers (this could include an interview with the keynote, a “taste” of the menu, or other ideas that bring the event to life. Whatever the type of the event think of creative ways you can share teasers for it to whet attendees’ appetites.).
• Images of last year’s events.
• Funny memes constructed around the event theme.
• Invite people to attend on social media.

During the event:

• Takes tons of pictures, share these during the event and invite people to tag those they know.
• Share social media posts from people in attendance.
• If it’s a conference or multi-day event, create a social shares leader board (this type of competition gets attendees to share more.
• Make sure everyone knows your event hashtags. Feature them everywhere.
• Offer photo booth ops or props for taking pics. People love to take funny pictures. Give them an incentive to share like a chance to win something.

After the event:

• Use your images in blog posts.
• Create a top ten list of the best parts of your event.
• Share tips learned at the event.
• Share things overheard at your event.
• Create a fun infographic about stats from your event (like 5 pounds of ranch dip were consumed)

Your posts after the event are over should accomplish three things. You want:

1. to get people excited about your next event.
2. those who were unable to make it to wish they were there.
3. to keep people talking about it.

Remember, your event is a treasure trove of content. Make sure you use every bit of it and you won’t be scrounging for content for a very long time.