12 Creative Event Marketing Ideas
Your brand needs compelling event marketing ideas to effectively reach your target audience, spark interest, and generate buzz. An event marketing strategy includes concept design, theme development, event planning and promotion, budget and logistics management, pre/during/post-event marketing, multichannel engagement, etc. Event marketing is a valuable business strategy and can enrich the attendee experience.
Event marketing must occur before, during, and after the event to make a meaningful impact. Let’s look at some ideas you can deploy throughout your feature programming.
Pre-Event Marketing Ideas
1. Build a Microsite for the Event
A microsite is a website devoted exclusively to the event. Consumers can access the microsite through your brand website, social media links, or search for the dedicated URL. Fans, interested parties, and prospective attendees will visit the event microsite to learn event details, register, and engage with pre-event programming.
2. Create a Dynamic Registration Landing Page
The registration page for your event or experience is an excellent opportunity to make a strong impression, deliver pertinent information, and convert curious visitors into active participants. Include elements like videos, visuals, and copy to inspire registration and anticipation.
3. Offer Early-Bird Registration
Early-bird registration is an advanced, often discounted registration window helping brands foster excitement, create buzz, and gather leads. With early-bird registrations, dedicated fans can take advantage of a good deal and spread the word to friends and colleagues. Most marketers schedule early-bird registration windows several weeks before the event.
4. Publish Blogs about the Event
Publishing a blog is a great way to share event information and help with the event’s SEO. Consider writing about featured topics, speakers, and engagement opportunities to illustrate the event’s value and prepare your readers for the event experience.
5. Create Teaser Social Media Posts
Everyone loves behind-the-scenes content and getting a sneak peek into event preparations. Make a timelapse of an artist creating a component of the event or take a video of a notable person getting ready. Distribute the teaser footage on your social media pages to generate buzz.
During Event Marketing Ideas
1. Share a Social Media Hashtag
On the day of your event, post your social media hashtag on each customer-facing platform, ensuring the event is on everyone’s radar. When attendees post about their experience, the hashtag gives them a sense of community and makes it easy for your audience to follow the event’s trends.
2. Go Live
Live social media footage conveys your team’s energy and excitement for the event to an online audience. Live streams also facilitate conversations between those in-person and online. You can share keynote deliveries, explore event features, or hold impromptu interviews with attendees.
3. Hire an Artist to Draw During the Event
Most events have a photographer, but how many have live-drawing artists? You could hire an artist to sketch key points of a presentation, draw a scene at the event, or create sketches of the attendees. The experience will leave a lasting impression and offer additional insights into your brand.
Post-Event Marketing Ideas
1. Create a Highlight Reel
The event’s top moments can be showcased and archived in a highlight reel on your social media. Consider curating a selection of posts that utilize the event hashtag to connect with attendees and thank them for their participation.
2. Recap Blog Post
Construct a blog post promoting important moments from the event and continuing the conversation with attendees and other interested parties. Include photos, videos, and memorable quotes to help readers understand the event, gain insight into your brand, and spark interest in future events.
3. Recap Email
Create and send a recap email celebrating special moments from the event, thanking attendees for their participation, and keeping your brand at the forefront of your audience’s mind.
4. Registration for the Next Event
Keep the momentum going by making the registration page for your next event. Follow up with your leads inviting them to your future programming.
Many brands find it helpful to partner with a professional team who can guide marketing initiatives. Hamilton is a full-service event marketing agency with a 75-year legacy creating immersive brand experiences for companies throughout North America and around the world. We design, produce, and execute integrated experiences – exhibits, proprietary events and conferences, corporate environments, outdoor events, mobile tours, and digital solutions – that drive meaningful connections between your brand and your audience.
To create effective pre, during, and post-event marketing initiatives, contact Hamilton today!