Virtual events are becoming more common these days, which means it is time to step up your event marketing strategies. This virtual setup has presented an opportunity for businesses to reach a global audience with attendees from all over the world. Placing an ad in the newspaper might have been effective in old times, but is certainly not the most productive event marketing technique.
Just think, where do you find most of your audience and event participants during these days? Online. So, put your event marketing online and reach the audience effectively. Engage your potential audience via the internet and have a global outreach because one of the biggest advantage of a virtual event is that it has no territorial constraints. So, let the world know what is coming!
Key Strategies You Must Know for Marketing Virtual Events
Planning and marketing a virtual event takes the same amount of attention to details as required by a physical event. However, for virtual, there are multiple digital options to promote on. Here are some of the best practices in the event marketing industry to help you make your next event go big!
Eye-catching Event Page
When your event is online, this is where people go to learn about the event, so make your event webpage design pop. Make your landing page stand out by incorporating catchy graphics and introducing keynote speakers to entice people into signing up for the event.
Make sure to grab their attention by embedding all the relevant videos and pictures on the page to keep them from wandering away from your page. For that, it is essential to include all the important details on one page like the following information:
- Date and time of the event
- Information on each session
- Speaker bios
- Sign-up links
- Secure payment options
- Sponsors information
Use keywords to boost visibility online
One of the out-of-the-box marketing strategies for virtual events is to create original content for the event that serves as an invitation. One way to achieve that is to write articles regarding your upcoming events and share them on blogs. Get professional with your content and use strategic keywords to rank your event website on search engines like Google.
With a better ranking on Google, you will be more visible to people, which means higher attendees. The first step is to look for words that people are searching online regarding your event theme, and then include those keywords in your promotional content to increase visibility online.
This is one of the most successful event marketing strategies, therefore, we suggest getting help from event marketing specialists to increase outreach and gain more attendees.
Leverage Social Media Platforms
Engage your target audience via social media platforms by creating brand awareness and loyalty. There are a million ways to promote your event on social media. But make sure to start a social media marketing campaign well ahead of time to create a buzz around your event. Following are some of the social media platforms that you can use in your event marketing strategy:
- Facebook Events is easy to share and is free. By using the Facebook event, you can create your online event and share it within communities and on your official brand page. This is a great platform for event marketing because it keeps track of your RSVPs.
- Promote your event on LinkedIn using ads, groups, and through your official company page,
- Create hashtags on Twitter to spread the word about your event and increase engagement on social media.
- Share behind the scenes videos and images of the event on social media to create FOMO. You can also hashtag speakers and special guests.
Another way to leverage social media is by using influencers to engage your target audience. Reach out to influencers who have a connection with your target audience and use their connections to promote your event, and you WILL see a rapid increase in event sign-ups.
Advertise using Sponsors and Partners
Going virtual does not mean you cannot monetize your event. There are multiple ways to incorporate sponsors into your online events and make the most out of it. Sponsors are also useful when it comes to the promotion of your event. Marketing your event benefits all the stakeholders, including your partners, so don’t be shy and ask your sponsors to promote the event among their online contacts and followers.
Use hashtags to tag these sponsors in your social media marketing campaigns and ask the sponsors to create their own marketing content to promote the event online. Another factor to keep in mind is to ask the speakers and special guests to do self-promotion on your behalf through their social media accounts.
Most of the speakers will promote themselves and the event to their fans, but make sure you provide them with relevant graphics and media to share online. If you have issues getting sponsors, you can always consult event companies in Abu Dhabi and use their contacts in the event industry to make sure your virtual event is a success.
Be consistent with your promotion
For brand recognition on various platforms, you need consistency, i.e., have a consistent online presence with the same colors, logos, and theme across all platforms. Consistency is the key to keep people engaged on social media and create a buzz around your event; otherwise, chances are they will not show up on the event day.
Don’t let the registration numbers fool you; chances are most of them won’t show up. You need to create interest through media and graphics. For example, create an online treasure hunt and award winners with special discounts and giveaways. You can also create a countdown on your event website to create a hype around your event. Options are limitless!
Taking things virtual does not mean having limited options when it comes to event marketing and promotion. In reality, things are completely opposite! With Virtual events, you have limitless opportunities and platforms to promote your event to millions of people across the world.
Follow these tips to host successful international virtual events that surpass the attendee rate as compared to in-person events.
