Marketing your event

Effective marketing is key to attracting attendees and ensuring your event is a success. Consider using a mix of these promotional strategies to maximize reach and engagement.

Online 

• Use social media platforms most relevant to your target audience to promote your event.
  • Whether it’s Facebook, Instagram or TikTok, make sure your content is suited to the platform’s strengths and the habits of your audience.
  • Use appropriate hashtags, engaging visuals and event countdowns to build excitement.
• List your event details on local 'What's on' websites like Eventbrite, Meetup and local council websites. List your event on our website.
• Use email marketing and social media to send out 'Save the Date' reminders well before your event. This helps build awareness early on and allows your audience to plan for the event.
  • Offering early bird tickets or special perks for early RSVPs can further encourage commitment.
• Create an email marketing campaign with clear calls to action such as ticket sales, RSVP confirmations or reminders.
  • Be sure to segment your audience (for example, previous attendees, local residents and so on) to personalise messaging.
• If possible, engage local influencers, bloggers or public figures to help promote your event. They can create buzz on social media and encourage their followers to attend.

Local 

• Promote your event in local newspapers, community newsletters and radio stations.
  • Reach out to journalists or community radio stations for coverage or interviews as well as ads.
  • Consider submitting a press release or event announcement for further exposure.
• Reach out to local schools, clubs, charities or other community organisations and invite them to promote or participate in your event. Local collaboration will broaden your audience and create a sense of local involvement and support.
• Partner with other local events, businesses or influencers to cross-promote. This can be especially effective if you’re hosting a recurring event because it creates a network of local supporters. By pooling marketing efforts, you’ll gain access to wider networks and increase event visibility.
• Distribute physical marketing materials at local shops, libraries, community centres and other high-traffic spaces.
  • Ask businesses or venues for permission before posting materials.
  • Flyers and posters should include essential event details and be visually appealing to grab attention.
• Consider encouraging the local community to get involved in promoting your event. This can be through user-generated content, event-specific hashtags or running a competition where attendees can win tickets by sharing the event on social media.

Recommended for large events

• For larger or high-profile events, or if you lack in-house marketing expertise, consider engaging a professional agency. Agencies can assist with branding, campaign strategy, media engagement and paid advertising, helping maximise reach and ensure consistent messaging.
• Create a dedicated event website or landing page where people can get all the information they need about the event, including location, time, schedule and ticketing. This is essential for larger events to build credibility and provide a central hub for your promotional materials.
• If you have event sponsors or partners, use their marketing channels to promote the event. Ask sponsors to share the event on their websites, social media pages or in email newsletters.