- August 19, 2015
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Add Social Media Buzz to Your Next Event
Social Media is a natural tool for promoting your next conference or event appearance. If you’re not already taking advantage of social media at trade shows, your competitors are beating you to the punch.
Use your favorite social networks to generate buzz before, during, and after the show to drive traffic, make new connections, and strengthen existing relationships.
Here are some simple ways you can better integrate social media into your event marketing mix, summarized from a complete list of 14 tips by Timothy Carter at Marketingland.
Hashtags — Most tradeshows and events have their own #hashtag; add it to your Tweets to show that you’ll be there. Join conversations around the hashtag. You can also create a hashtag for your company or event promotion to generate awareness and excitement like WEMO did at CES.
Host a Mixer — Invite key contacts to a VIP dinner, happy hour, or other private networking event. Promote your mixer with a Facebook Event page to send invitations and manage RSVPs. Share the event on your other social platforms.
Alert the Media — Get to know the people who cover your industry and connect with them on Twitter and/or LinkedIn. Retweet and comment on their stories. Invite them to your booth or networking event. Be available as a subject expert or source. Let reporters know about newsworthy activities at your company and be ready to offer possible story angles.
Teaser Videos — Promote your show activities with a short trailer-like teaser video. Upload your video to YouTube, then share it on your other channels like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Remember to include the event hashtag.
Event Landing Page — Create a dedicated page on your company website as the central repository for everything connected to the event, such as press releases, photos, videos and VIP networking invitations.
Document the Event. Show your social followers what’s happening at the event (especially at your booth). Shoot photos and short video clips of the action to keep your company top of mind for those following the show online.
Schedule Posts — Shows are always hectic, so it helps to schedule some posts to promote events at your booth and remind followers about giveaways, speakers, or approaching deadlines.
Sweepstakes — Use social media to promote your event giveaway or sweepstakes and attract more visitors to your booth. Make it easy and fun for people to enter, such as taking a selfie at your booth, using the show hashtag, or simply retweeting your company message.
Follow-Up — Reconnect with visitors after the show via LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. Be sure to personalize your message to each one, regardless of the channel.
