Event Marketing & Planning

How to promote an event on social media—21 expert tips

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Social media can make or break the success of your event. In this article, we’ve rounded up 21 expert-backed tips to help you promote your event across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok. Whether you’re launching a local workshop or a major conference, this guide is packed with practical strategies to build buzz, boost sign-ups, and keep your audience engaged from the first post to the final RSVP.

Social media is where your audience lives. It’s where they scroll, share, and make decisions. If your event isn’t showing up there, it’s getting missed. A strong social strategy builds excitement, drives sign-ups, and keeps people talking before, during, and after your event.

But are some social media platforms more effective than others?

When it comes to event promotion, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok are the big 4. These platforms have a large user base and offer various features, such as event creation, targeted advertising, and hashtag usage, that can help you reach a wider audience and generate buzz around your event.

However, not all platforms work for every event. So, how do you choose the right one?

How do you choose the right social media platform for your event?

Not every event needs to be on every platform. The best results come from matching your event with the right audience and content style. A networking breakfast might thrive on LinkedIn, while a high-energy music fest could blow up on TikTok. Here's a quick view to help you decide where to focus your time and budget, based on your event goals, content format, and target audience.

Criteria Facebook Instagram Twitter (X) LinkedIn
Best For Local events, fundraisers, community meetups, multi-day festivals Product launches, pop-ups, concerts, brand experiences Real-time updates, public events, announcements, tech or media-focused events B2B events, conferences, networking, professional webinars
Monthly Active Users 3B+ 2B+ 586M+ 1B+
Audience Age Range 25–54 18–34 25–44 30–55
Content Format Event pages, text/image posts, live video, group discussions Stories, Reels, feed posts, interactive stickers Short-form text, threads, images, videos, polls Articles, event posts, thought-leadership content
Discovery Potential High with Facebook Events and groups High with hashtags, geotags, and Reels High via trending topics, hashtags, and reposts Moderate through connections and InMail
Ad Tools Meta Ads with detailed targeting and lookalikes Reels Ads, Story Ads, boosted posts Promoted tweets, trends, follower lookalikes Sponsored content, job title targeting, InMail Ads
Organic Reach Moderate (strong in groups/events) Moderate to high with Reels and hashtags High if content is timely and tagged well Lower unless boosted by engagement
Engagement Style Comments, shares, RSVPs, event invites Visual interaction, DMs, polls, reactions Replies, reposts, quote posts, polls Professional responses, shares, direct messages
Learning Curve Low Medium Low Low
Event Type Fit In-person, recurring, and community events Visually engaging, lifestyle-driven events Fast-moving, media-heavy, or announcement-based events Professional, business, or educational events

Here's a detailed breakdown of the major social media platforms and when to use them.

Facebook

With over 3.07 billion monthly active users, Facebook remains one of the most powerful platforms for event promotion. Its suite of event tools, ad targeting capabilities, and community features make it particularly effective for local events, public gatherings, and multi-session experiences, such as workshops or festivals.

Start by creating a dedicated Facebook Event page. This acts as a central hub for all updates, RSVPs, and discussions. Posts made in the event feed have higher visibility among invitees than regular Page posts. You can also schedule key content, such as speaker reveals or ticket reminders, to maintain momentum.

Use Facebook’s granular targeting tools to promote your event to people based on location, interests, age, or even previous event engagement. For example, if you're hosting a music festival, target fans of specific genres or artists performing at your event. According to Meta, campaigns that include Event Ads can lead to a 20% higher ticket conversion rate when combined with lookalike audiences.

Pro tip: 

Integrate Facebook Pixel with your event website to track who visits your site after seeing your ad. This allows you to retarget visitors who didn’t convert and run follow-up campaigns tailored to their behavior. You can also use conversion tracking to identify which ad creatives drive the most RSVPs or purchases.

Don't ignore Facebook Groups. Posting in relevant community or interest-based groups can boost reach without added spend. If you're hosting a niche event, tapping into hobbyist or location-specific groups gives your promotion a more personal touch.

Here’s a quick Facebook event promotion checklist:

  • Create a public Facebook Event page with clear details, a cover image, and a CTA
  • Post regular updates and encourage engagement through polls, photos, or countdowns
  • Use Facebook Ads to reach new audiences based on interest, location, or behavior

Instagram

Instagram is a visual-first platform designed for discovery, making it an ideal platform for promoting lifestyle, entertainment, or community-focused events. With over 2 billion monthly active users, it’s especially effective if your audience skews younger or highly visual.

Start with a cohesive visual identity. Use branded templates, consistent filters, and a clear event hashtag across posts. Your grid should feel curated, but Stories and Reels are where engagement happens in real-time. In fact, reels get 22% more engagement than regular video posts.

Use Instagram Stories to run polls, Q&As, or quick giveaways to keep your audience interacting. Adding a link sticker can direct users straight to your ticket page. If you are running ads, Stories, and Reel placements tend to deliver lower cost-per-click for event promotions, especially when paired with interest-based targeting.

Pro tip:

Build a Highlights reel on your profile. Pin key info like ticket links, FAQs, or travel tips so new visitors instantly get the essentials. For multi-day events, segment each day into its own Highlight to keep things organized.

Collaboration is another high-impact move. Partner with creators or speakers and use Instagram’s Collab feature to co-author posts. These shared posts show up on both feeds, effectively doubling reach. Branded content from creators tends to outperform standard ads, with 80% of Gen Z saying they trust influencer recommendations more than traditional ads.

Here’s a quick 3-step checklist to get started:

  • Share a mix of Reels, Stories, and photo posts that highlight what makes your event special
  • Use countdown stickers, polls, or questions in Stories to boost engagement and build momentum
  • Run Instagram Ads that target users based on interests, location, or behavior to attract new attendees

Twitter (now X)

X, formerly known as Twitter, thrives on real-time updates and rapid conversation, with over 586 million monthly active users. It’s a strong choice for events that rely on media coverage, like conferences, product launches, or cultural festivals.

Use X to build momentum before your event with short, high-impact posts. Tease key announcements, share speaker quotes, or post countdown threads. Short threads perform well for storytelling, behind-the-scenes insights, or breaking down what attendees can expect. Posts with images or videos receive three times more engagement than text-only updates, so mix formats to stay visible.

Create a dedicated hashtag and use it consistently throughout your content. Pin a tweet explaining what the hashtag represents, and include it in your event materials. You can also monitor the hashtag to join conversations, respond to attendee questions, and retweet user content to boost visibility.

Live-tweeting is where X shines. During your event, share quotes, media, or updates as they unfold. If you are hosting a panel or keynote, designate a team member to capture highlights and keep the conversation going. Posts during live events see the highest engagement, especially when combined with visual content and real-time replies.

Here is a 3-step checklist to promote your event on X:

  • Create a unique event hashtag and use it consistently in every post
  • Share updates in real-time, including speaker quotes, photos, or links during the event
  • Engage with replies and retweets to keep the conversation going and boost visibility

LinkedIn

If your event targets professionals, LinkedIn is the ideal platform for you. With over 1.1 billion members, it’s built for business networking, thought leadership, and B2B engagement. 

Use LinkedIn to establish authority early. Share updates from your company page, but don’t stop there. Ask speakers and sponsors to post from their profiles, too. Video posts often get 5x more engagement than company posts.

Start with an event post that clearly outlines the value of attending. Tag your speakers, include a professional image or teaser video, and link to your registration page. Use LinkedIn’s native Events feature to host a dedicated space for RSVP tracking, updates, and attendee networking. This creates a central hub you can build around.

You can also run LinkedIn Sponsored Content to target by job title, industry, company size, or seniority. This is especially effective if your event has a high ticket price or targets decision-makers.

Here’s a quick 3-step checklist to use LinkedIn for event promotion:

  • Create a LinkedIn Event and invite your network directly from your profile or company page
  • Share regular posts highlighting key speakers, topics, or value props tied to your industry
  • Use LinkedIn Ads or InMail to reach specific job titles, locations, or industries that match your ideal attendee

How to promote an event on social media

When it comes to promoting an event on social media, timing and consistency are everything. A solid plan typically encompasses three phases: pre-event to build hype, during the event to sustain the buzz, and post-event to maintain engagement. Each stage offers unique opportunities to connect with your audience and make your event unforgettable.

Pre-event social media promotion

The more effort you put into building excitement before the big day, the more successful your event will be. Let's dive into the steps you need to take to create a buzz and keep your audience engaged right from the start.

  • Define your social media strategy
  • Create a content calendar
  • Use a variety of visual content
  • Create a captivating countdown series
  • Optimize your social profiles
  • Leverage influencers and partnerships
  • Run social media contests and giveaways
  • Consider paid advertising (carefully)
  • Create and optimize your event page
  • Don't underestimate the humble hashtag!
  • Use an email list to advertise your event

1. Define your social media strategy

A social media strategy is your plan for what you’ll post, where you’ll post it, and why it matters to your audience. It defines your goals, content formats, timing, and platforms so every post has a clear purpose. Without one, it’s easy to waste time and miss the mark.

Set clear objectives

Before diving into social media marketing, you'll need a water-tight plan. Without set goals, you may be floundering in the dark. First, brainstorm what you want to achieve, get a clear understanding of your goals, and tailor your social media strategy accordingly

Is your main aim to boost ticket sales, increase brand awareness, or drive engagement? Clear objectives will help guide your strategy and measure success.

Identify your target audience

The foundation of all event marketing. Knowing your target attendees allows you to tailor your content to their preferences, ensuring higher engagement and better results. Use social media analytics tools like Facebook Insights or Twitter Analytics to gather demographic information and learn about their interests and behaviors.

Select the right platforms

Focus on the social media platforms where your audience is most active. Prioritize 2-3 key platforms to concentrate your efforts and maximize your impact. For example, if most of your target attendees are over 40, TikTok is unlikely to be an effective channel. Remember, each platform has its strengths, so choose the ones that best match your event and audience.

2. Create a content calendar 

A content calendar helps you visualize your posting schedule and ensures that you cover all necessary content types. Include a mix of promotional posts, engagement questions, and informative updates to keep your audience engaged and informed.

If you hit a creative block, you can use AI tools like Easy-Peasy.AI and Galaxy.AI to help brainstorm content ideas, draft captions, or structure your posting schedule. Some tools can even repurpose existing content into new formats, like turning blog posts into short-form videos or social graphics. 

Once your content is ready, utilize tools like Trello, Asana, or Monday.com to manage your content calendar effectively. These tools allow you to plan, assign tasks, and track the progress of your content creation, ensuring everything is on schedule. Here's an example of the kind of content you could include:

  • Promotional posts: Highlight key details such as dates, venues, and ticket sales. Use eye-catching graphics and concise messages to attract attention.
  • Engagement questions: Ask your audience questions about your event’s theme to spark conversations.
  • Informative updates: Share behind-the-scenes content, speaker highlights, and preparation details to keep your audience informed and excited.
  • Schedule posts in advance: Tools like Hootsuite, Buffer, or Eventcube’s own scheduling features can help you automate your posts. This ensures that your content goes live at optimal times, even when you’re busy with other tasks.

3. Use a variety of visual content

Visual content is one of the most effective ways to grab attention on social media. Posts with images or videos receive 650% more engagement than text-only posts. When promoting an event, using the right mix of visuals helps you stand out, tell your story, and drive action.

Start by using photos from past events if you have them. These build trust and show what people can expect. If it’s a first-time event, create mockups or mood boards that reflect the vibe. Add short-form videos to your lineup. Even reels, TikToks, or quick speaker intros can help bring energy to your feed and show the faces behind the event.

Don’t stick to one format. Diversity is key. Ideally, your content should be a mix of :

  • High-quality photos
  • Engaging videos (short interviews, exclusive content, behind-the-scenes footage)
  • Interactive polls
  • Eye-catching graphics

Stories are great for real-time updates and countdowns. Posts with strong visuals and concise captions are more effective for announcements. Reels or behind-the-scenes clips help show the human side of your event.

Make sure your visuals reflect your event’s tone. A creative workshop and a business summit won’t look the same, and they shouldn’t. Maintain consistent branding across all platforms to ensure your content is instantly recognizable.

You don’t need a production team to get started. Tools like Canva, CapCut, and InShot make it easy to design and edit content that looks professional. 

💡 Tip: Let's say you're promoting a makeup event. You could post a stunning photo of a bold makeup look. The next day, share a captivating video tutorial demonstrating a popular technique. Follow this with an engaging infographic detailing makeup and skincare tips.

4. Create a captivating countdown series 

A countdown series is a great way to boost anticipation. Think of it like a daily drumroll leading up to the occasion, keeping it top-of-mind for your audience.

For example, if you're promoting a virtual fundraising event, start a 10-day countdown featuring a snippet about an activity planned, an interview with guests, or trivia about the event’s history each day.

Tips for creating a countdown series

  • Visuals play a key role. Think bold, eye-catching graphics with numbers that stand out.
  • Each post in your series should be instantly recognizable as part of your countdown. You could even include a daily call-to-action, like "Tag a friend you'd bring to the festival" or "Share your favorite festival memory."
  • Don't forget to sprinkle in your event hashtag and any relevant links. Posts that include hashtags can see up to 12.6% more engagement, and clickable links keep traffic flowing to your ticket or registration page.

5. Optimize your social profiles

Eventcube Facebook page
Eventcube's Facebook profile

If your social profiles are bland and lackluster, they're unlikely to attract potential attendees. Start with the basics: update your profile picture to something related to the event, and use your bio to share event dates and hashtags. Tailor the tone to match the vibe of your event, professional for conferences, creative for art fairs.

Customize your profiles for each platform. Highlight keynote speakers, post visual teasers, and cross-mention your social accounts to reach followers on all platforms.

Imagine someone finds your Instagram profile and sees a colorful banner for your art show, a bio saying, "Bringing art to life, one brushstroke at a time #ArtFest2025," and a feed with artwork sneak peeks. Intrigued? That’s the power of an optimized profile.

While organically growing your audience is ideal, sometimes giving your follower count an initial boost can make your profile appear more credible and attractive. New followers on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn can create a ripple effect, as people tend to follow accounts with substantial followings. People tend to follow accounts that already have a substantial following.

6. Leverage influencers and partnerships

One of the big advantages of social media is the potential for outreach and collaboration. Find bloggers, creators, and authors who genuinely connect with your audience. 

Collaboration on social media is powerful. Imagine a tech influencer tweeting about your conference's keynote speaker, sharing their excitement on Instagram Stories, and engaging followers on LinkedIn. This creates authentic buzz across multiple platforms.

Equip your influencers with a digital contact card containing event details, a registration link, and your hashtag. This Ensures all the necessary information is easily accessible to potential attendees.

Involve influencers in your event by inviting them to host sessions, conduct Q&As, or share their live experiences on social media. The right influencer will enhance your event's profile and provide their followers with a compelling reason to engage.

Collaborate with sponsors and partners to maximize your promotional efforts. Provide them with branded content and unique hashtags to share across their networks. This cross-promotion broadens your reach and strengthens valuable relationships. Working together ensures a unified message and highlights your event across multiple platforms.

Case Study: Revolve x Coachella

Revolve did not just promote Coachella. They built a parallel branded event called Revolve Festival. This invite-only experience was designed specifically for influencers, creators, and celebrities. The goal here was to reach. 

Revolve selected hundreds of micro and macro influencers across fashion, beauty, fitness, and lifestyle. They provided them with free travel, outfits, and access to exclusive performances and photo-ready setups. In return, creators posted branded content on their own channels, including styled outfits, branded hashtags, and behind-the-scenes footage.

Revolve didn’t focus on polished ads. They leaned into organic, personal content that felt authentic to each creator's audience. The brand provided a compelling environment and allowed the content to flow naturally.

The platforms leveraged:

  • Instagram for Stories, outfit tags, swipe-ups, and influencer shoutouts
  • TikTok for behind-the-scenes clips, trends, and reach to younger audiences
  • X (formerly Twitter) for real-time conversation, reactions, and event updates
  • YouTube Shorts and vlogs for extended storytelling and recaps

Revolve’s key tactics focused on creating a private, visually striking setting designed specifically for content creation. The brand used event-specific hashtags like #RevolveFestival and #RevolveAroundTheWorld to unify posts and boost discoverability. 

Influencers were equipped with branded wardrobes and media kits to streamline their content process. Rather than controlling every post, Revolve prioritized scale and authenticity by allowing creators to share their experiences in their own voice and style.

The results:

  • Revolve generated over $30M in earned media value from its Coachella presence
  • Influencer content from the event reached over 600M impressions across platforms.
  • Poppi, a startup beverage brand featured at the event, saw 250M+ TikTok views and a 200% spike in sales from influencer coverage alone.
  • Revolve attributed most of its sales during that period to the campaign’s social media exposure

7. Run social media contests and giveaways

Who does not love the thrill of winning something? That's exactly why contests and giveaways are your secret weapons in social media event promotion. Competitions boost engagement while spreading the word about your event in an exciting and interactive way.

Let's say you're promoting a music festival. How about a giveaway where participants share their favorite concert memories and tag two friends to enter? It's simple, it encourages sharing, and it creates a nostalgic connection with your audience.

Contests can also be a great way to showcase what your event has to offer. Hosting a beauty workshop? Run a giveaway and offer free tickets to win.

💡 Tip: Make sure your contest rules are clear, and your prizes are desirable. Whether it's VIP tickets, exclusive merchandise, or a meet-and-greet with a guest speaker, your prize should excite your target audience.

8. Consider paid advertising (carefully)

Paid ads can be a smart way to boost visibility and drive registrations, especially when you need fast traction. With the right strategy, you can reach thousands of potential attendees who are most likely to care about your event. In fact, 80% of marketers say paid ads are essential to amplifying their event and brand reach.

Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn offer highly targeted options. You can narrow down your audience by interests, location, job title, or even recent behaviors. This means your budget goes toward showing ads to the people who are actually likely to register.

When setting up paid ads, it's crucial to establish a clear budget. Determine how much you're willing to spend and allocate funds to the platforms where your audience is most active. Track the performance of your ads to ensure you're getting a good return on investment. If you notice certain ads performing well, consider increasing their budget.

Retargeting ads are especially useful in event promotion. You can target people who clicked on your event page but didn't register or those who engaged with your content but didn’t take action. These gentle nudges often drive last-minute conversions without overspending.

If you notice certain ads performing well, consider increasing their budget. But how do you know if an ad is actually working towards marketing your event? There are certain metrics that can help you determine that.

How do you measure the success of your ads?

Tracking the right metrics helps you understand not just how many people saw your ad but how they responded to it. To understand if you have a strong campaign on your hand, you will need to combine multiple data points to get the full picture.

Below, we break down the core social media ad metrics for event promotion, what they actually mean in context, and what to do if your numbers are not lining up.

1. Engagement metrics

Engagement metrics measure how well your content resonates with your audience. High Engagement shows how people are interacting with your ad. Strong engagement is a sign that your content is relevant, interesting, or emotionally resonant. Weak engagement could indicate targeting issues or messaging that fails to connect.

Here are the metrics you should track:

  • Likes, Comments, Shares: These basic interactions help you gauge surface-level interest. Shares are especially valuable because they increase organic reach.
  • Engagement Rate: This shows what percentage of people interacted with your ad out of everyone who saw it.
  • Sharing Rate: A higher sharing rate usually means your message is hitting the mark and feels worth spreading.

If you're seeing a high number of impressions but very little engagement, your content may not be grabbing attention. Try testing new visuals, rewriting your copy to be more direct, or narrowing your audience to improve relevance. If engagement is decent but clicks are low, the call-to-action might not be clear or compelling enough to move people forward.

2. Awareness metrics

Awareness metrics help you understand how far your ad is reaching and whether it’s building momentum. These metrics are helpful for campaigns focused on brand recognition or top-of-funnel visibility.

Here are the metrics you should track:

  • Impressions: The number of times your ad appears on screens, even if no one interacts with it.
  • Reach: The number of unique people who saw your ad at least once.
  • Audience Growth Rate: Tracks how quickly your follower counts or page likes are increasing during the campaign.

If impressions are high but reach is low, your ad is being shown to the same users repeatedly. This may lead to ad fatigue and lower results over time. Broadening your audience or refreshing your creative can help avoid this. 

If reach is high but engagement is low, you're attracting attention but not holding it. You may need to adjust your messaging to better align with your audience’s interests or expectations. On the other hand, if reach and engagement are both strong, you have likely found a combination that resonates.

3. Conversion metrics

These are the most direct indicators of performance. Conversion metrics indicate whether your ad is prompting people to take meaningful action, such as signing up or purchasing a ticket. Here are the key conversion metrics you should track:

  • Click-Through Rate (CTR): Identifies how many people clicked your ad after seeing it.
  • Bounce Rate: The percentage of visitors who left your landing page without taking further action.
  • Conversions (Sign-ups/Ticket Sales): The number of people who completed your desired goal after clicking through.

If your CTR is high but conversions are low, the issue may be with your landing page. Check that it delivers what the ad promised, loads quickly, and makes it easy to take the next step. 

If CTR is low despite high impressions, your ad may not be visually strong or compelling enough to earn a click. In this case, test different headlines, visuals, and calls to action. A high bounce rate often means your landing page is confusing or misaligned with the ad message. Simplify your layout, tighten your copy, and focus the page around a single action.

9. Create and optimize your event page

An event page is your event’s main information hub. It’s the place people land when they want to learn more, buy tickets, or decide if the event is worth their time. Whether it’s hosted on your website, an event platform, or a ticketing site, this page should do all the heavy lifting when it comes to driving sign-ups.

Make sure it’s informative, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. Include key details like the date, time, location, speaker lineup, and a clear call-to-action for ticket purchases or registrations. Add high-quality visuals, strong headlines, and an FAQ section if needed.

While it’s often overlooked, a well-designed event page builds trust. A confusing or incomplete layout can turn people away. The clearer and more user-friendly your page is, the easier it becomes for people to say yes and take action.

How to create a dedicated Facebook event page

TEDx Facebook event page
Example of TEDx Facebook page

First of all, this is free. If you don’t want to create a dedicated website, a Facebook event page is a great option where people can find all the necessary information and confirm their attendance.

Make your page as compelling as your event. Start with a captivating cover photo that captures the essence of the content. Is it a sports event? How about a photo of runners or a stadium, along with your regular logo? This visual first impression can make a big difference.

Next, fill your description with the juicy details:

  • What can attendees expect?
  • Who are the special guests?
  • What's the schedule?

Regularly update your page with social media posts about your preparations, teasers, or anything that can keep the excitement brewing. Encourage potential attendees to post on your event wall as well. Maybe they’re looking forward to a particular speaker at your tech conference or a specific band at your music festival.

Here’s where the magic happens: As people start clicking “Interested” or “Going,” their friends see it too, broadening your reach organically. Encourage this by creating shareable content.

Create and customize an event page with Eventcube

Example of Eventcube Event page
Example of en Eventcube event page

Creating an event page with Eventcube couldn’t be easier. You can also integrate your event page into your website using customizable embeds for direct ticket purchases and leverage robust API and webhook management for custom integrations.

Here’s how to set it up:

  • Create an account: Sign up and access Eventcube’s dashboard in under a minute.
  • Set up your event: Add event details, such as name, date, time, and description.
  • Customize your page: Use the visual editor to match your branding with custom colors, fonts, logos, and modular blocks.
  • Configure ticket sales: Add ticket types, pricing tiers, discounts, and payment options.
  • Enable marketing tools: Add email campaigns, social sharing, promo codes, and partner links.
  • Follow-up post-event: Send surveys, collect reviews, and use attendee data to improve future events.

For a more detailed walkthrough, check out Eventcube’s guide on building a successful event promotion website.

10. Don't underestimate the humble hashtag

A good hashtag builds a buzz around your event. It's your digital banner and your shortcut to social discovery. But what makes a hashtag stick?

Regardless of the event type you host, keep your hashtag short, snappy, and relevant to your event’s personality. If you're planning a wellness retreat, skip something generic like #RelaxRetreat2025. Go for something with more flavor, like #BreatheInBliss or #ZenInZion. It should feel like part of the experience, not an afterthought.

Once you have got it, make it loud. Use it in every post, from teaser trailers to speaker spotlights. Add it to your visuals, your bio, and your email footer. You should also encourage your audience to use it too. When they share stories, photos, or reactions using your hashtag, your reach expands naturally.

Facebook story of two young women
Image source: Facebook

Case Study: Coca-Cola’s #ShareACoke Campaign

The #ShareACoke campaign is widely regarded as one of the most successful hashtag-led brand promotions. First launched in Australia and later expanded globally, the campaign replaced Coca-Cola’s logo with 150 of the country's most popular first names. The idea was simple: find a bottle with your name, share it with someone, and post the experience using #ShareACoke.

The platforms leveraged:

  • Instagram and Facebook were central to visual storytelling and community engagement.
  • Twitter (now X) enabled real-time conversations and hashtag tracking.
  • YouTube hosted longer-form branded content to support the campaign narrative.
  • In-store displays and custom vending machines extended the experience offline and reinforced brand visibility.

Coca-Cola built the campaign on three pillars. Personalization puts a real person’s name on every bottle, creating an instant photo opportunity and a reason to hunt for more. User-generated content was the engine. Shoppers were urged to snap, tag, and challenge friends, making each participant a micro-influencer.

Finally, a cross-channel push reinforced the same hashtag on TV spots, outdoor boards, point-of-sale displays, and every social platform. This made sure that all conversations funneled into one searchable thread.

The results:

  • Over 500,000 user-generated photos were shared using #ShareACoke during the first year
  • Coca-Cola gained 25 million new Facebook followers during the campaign
  • The campaign generated more than 1 billion impressions across social platforms
  • Coca-Cola saw a 2% increase in U.S. sales, reversing a decade-long decline in consumption
  • The brand reported significant increases in teen and millennial engagement in key markets

Coca-Cola’s execution of #ShareACoke demonstrates how a single, well-positioned hashtag can unify messaging, drive user participation, and deliver measurable business results.

11. Use an email list to advertise your event

landing page email news subscription

An email list is a collection of contacts who have opted in to hear from you. These could include past attendees, newsletter subscribers, or anyone who has shown interest in your work. Unlike a social media following, this is an owned audience you can reach directly using email templates without relying on algorithms or timing.

Conducting a manual search of each subscriber on your social platform is time-consuming. Plus, you will need to spend even more time sending those email subscribers an invite to connect with you so they can see your promotional posts.

The good news is that you can easily upload your email list to Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Then, you can target the people on your list with social media ads promoting your event.

Each social platform has straightforward instructions for uploading email lists and creating ads using them.

To give you an idea, here’s how to upload an email list on Facebook:

  1. Go to the Ads manager
  2. Go to All Tools, then click on Audiences.
  3. Click on "Create Audience" and then select the "Custom Audience" option.
  4. Pick the Customer List option to upload your email list. Make sure it’s in a .csv or .txt format.

When creating a Facebook event ad based on your email list, just choose your uploaded Customer List as your audience.To manage your contacts more efficiently, use tools like Mailchimp or Kit to segment, clean, and export your email list.

The good thing about this strategy is that you can again create an event custom audience of people who interacted with your social media ad. Then, reach them with even more targeted ads to boost your chances of conversion.

Promoting an ongoing event on social media

Social media promotion doesn't stop when your event begins; far from it. Let's keep the energy high and the engagement flowing! Here’s how to keep your audience hooked and excited during your event.

  • Engage attendees in real-time
  • Leverage multimedia content
  • Encourage social sharing
  • Monitor and respond quickly
  • Highlight key moments

12. Engage attendees in real time

Businessman doing a presentation at big convention

Real-time engagement keeps your event alive online while it’s happening. It gives people a reason to post, share, and interact while the experience is fresh.

Start by encouraging attendees to post stories, tag your account, or use your event hashtag. Feature user content as it comes in. Sharing attendee posts not only boosts visibility but also demonstrates to your audience that you're paying attention.

Use live polls, Q&A sessions, or Instagram Stories stickers to invite participation. These tools are quick to launch and easy for attendees to respond to, making your content feel two-way rather than one-sided.

If you're hosting a multi-day event or conference with multiple sessions, consider posting short video recaps, speaker sound bites, or key takeaways between segments. These updates help remote followers feel involved and provide on-site attendees with content to share.

Around 77% of consumers prefer to see and engage with content that’s real and relatable during live events. That’s your edge. You should show behind-the-scenes moments, highlight crowd reactions, or do quick interviews with speakers and attendees. These glimpses make your event feel human and help build FOMO for those not attending.

13. Stream live content

Live streaming is one of the most effective ways to extend the reach of your event beyond physical attendees. YouTube serves as both a live platform and a long-term content library. Organizers can use it to host panel discussions or product launches while also building a repository of content that remains accessible long after the event ends. 

For large-scale or hybrid events, YouTube Live’s streaming infrastructure offers improved discoverability, higher video quality, and enhanced audience retention. It also supports pre-recorded content, scheduled premieres, and SEO-optimised descriptions. 

You can publish trailers in advance, host Q&As during the event, and later repurpose sessions as on-demand content. The platform is particularly effective for educational, corporate, or entertainment-focused events, where content longevity and professional presentation matter.

Short-form platforms like Instagram and Facebook are still valuable for quick updates and informal engagement. Behind-the-scenes clips, speaker shoutouts, and setup previews help maintain interest throughout the day. But YouTube’s reach and evergreen nature make it a core channel, not just a complement. 

14. Encourage social sharing

Social media is most effective when it’s part of a coordinated marketing strategy. It works best when supported by your event website, email campaigns, content marketing, and even offline materials.

Start with a clear, branded hashtag. It gives your event a unifying thread and helps consolidate all attendee-generated content. Encourage its use across posts, stories, and reels. Make sure the hashtag appears in your email footers, on-site signage, speaker slides, and social bios.

Your event website should serve as a central hub for content. Include visible social sharing buttons and embed a live social wall using tools like Walls.io. Embeds also help convert visitors into participants, driving interaction before and during the event.

Email remains one of the most consistent drivers of traffic and conversions. With tools like Mailchimp or Brevo, you can create campaigns that showcase social highlights, promote contests, and push traffic to your live streams or hashtag page. Social sharing options in emails can boost click-through rates by over 150%.

Your blog and content marketing efforts should feed the social calendar. Share speaker spotlights, how-to articles, or behind-the-scenes previews across platforms. These assets not only add depth to your promotional strategy but also provide your audience with something valuable to repost or engage with.

When all of these efforts work in sync, your social sharing strategy does not just drive likes. It builds awareness, strengthens credibility, and turns attendees into active marketers for your event.

15. Monitor and respond quickly

Keeping a close eye on social media during the big day is crucial. Track event hashtags and mentions to stay on top of attendees' opinions. Like, share, and comment on these posts to show you're actively listening and appreciate their participation.

Respond promptly to attendee comments and questions on social media. Quick responses demonstrate attentiveness and commitment to attendee satisfaction. Whether addressing issues, answering questions, or just engaging in the conversation, this real-time interaction helps maintain high levels of engagement and ensures a positive experience for your audience.

16. Highlight key moments

Crowd watching event

Share highlights and milestones as they happen. Post notable quotes from speakers, key announcements, and special performances. This keeps the energy high and makes those who couldn't make it feel involved.

Use Instagram Stories, Facebook posts, and Twitter threads to keep the flow of information steady and engaging. This ongoing engagement helps maintain a lively and interactive atmosphere. Furthermore, this content can be strategically repackaged for subsequent promotion.

Post-event social media promotion

Your event may be over, but the excitement doesn't have to end. Post-event promotion is key to capturing lasting impressions, gathering valuable feedback, and keeping your community engaged for future happenings. Let's dive into how to keep the buzz alive!

  • Share highlights
  • Gather and share attendee feedback
  • Post-event surveys and polls
  • Continue the conversation
  • Analyze and report on social media metrics

17. Share highlights

Post-event highlights keep the buzz alive and give latecomers a clear reason to join next time. Social video generates 1200% more shares than text and images combined.  

Post your inspiring speeches, energetic performances, and memorable interactions across platforms. This allows attendees to reminisce and gives those who missed out a glimpse of what they can look forward to next time.

Think about creating a highlight reel or a photo album. Tag your attendees and encourage them to tag themselves and their friends. A well-crafted post-event highlight can spark nostalgia and keep the excitement alive.

💡 Tip: Create a "Top 10 Moments" list and share it as a series of posts. Each moment can be a separate post with engaging captions, making it easy for your audience to follow along and engage with each highlight.

18. Gather and post attendee feedback

Illustration of reviews on mobile with man and woman

Show your audience that you value their opinions by gathering and sharing their feedback. This not only helps improve future events but also strengthens your connection with attendees.

The way to respond to feedback is often underestimated. Consider sending a friendly thank-you message with a feedback form via email or social media. Keep it short and sweet to encourage more responses and ask about their favorite moments and areas for improvement.

Share some of the positive feedback on your social media channels. Highlighting attendee testimonials and quotes can add credibility and attract future attendees.

💡 Tip: Create an engaging graphic with a standout testimonial and the attendee’s name (with permission). This makes the feedback more visually appealing and boosts your event's reputation. Engaging with feedback publicly shows your audience that their opinions matter, keeping the connection alive and setting the stage for future events.

19. Post-event surveys and polls

Facebook poll
Example of a Facebook poll

Yes, we've mentioned polls a few times already, but that's for a good reason! After the dust has settled, these tools are invaluable for collecting detailed feedback and gauging overall attendee satisfaction.

Keep surveys short and focused. Surveys with fewer than 10 questions have the highest completion rate, at around 89%. Ask about the venue, content quality, logistics, and overall experience. You can distribute them via email or directly through social media.

Send out surveys via email or social media platforms, keeping them concise to encourage participation. Ask specific questions about different aspects, such as the venue, speakers, activities, and overall experience.

Share the results of your surveys and polls with your audience. Highlight positive feedback and address any constructive criticism. This transparency shows that you value their input and are committed to improving future events.

💡 Tip: Use interactive features on social media, like Instagram Stories' poll stickers or LinkedIn polls, to gather quick insights. These can be fun and engaging ways to collect feedback while keeping your audience involved.

20. Keep the conversation going

Eventcube Instagram post

An example of how Eventcube maintained an interest in their collaboration with War Child

Keep the excitement alive by continuing the conversation on social media. Post-follow-up content that encourages discussion and engagement among attendees.

Share memorable moments, funny anecdotes, or unexpected surprises. Ask attendees to share their own experiences and favorite highlights using your dedicated hashtag. This creates a sense of community and keeps the buzz going.

Leverage user-generated content (UGC)

User-generated content, or UGC, refers to any content created by your attendees rather than your team. It captures real experiences and reactions, making it one of the most trusted and persuasive forms of marketing. Over 50% of consumers trust user-generated content (UGC) more than traditional advertisements.

You should encourage your attendees to share their experiences by using a branded hashtag, tagging your account, or participating in event-related challenges. Create photo-worthy moments by using a unique backdrop or an interactive installation. The more engaging the experience, the more people will want to capture and share it.

UGC can also be used for post-event marketing. You can use these user-generated posts in social media highlights or as part of your promotional materials for next year. A great photo or testimonial from a past attendee can be more impactful than any ad.

However, whenever you're resharing content, make sure you always credit the original creator. Tag them in your posts, and if you plan to use their content in official marketing or paid ads, ask for permission first. A simple message is usually enough, but for bigger campaigns, it’s best to get written consent. 

If you are planning to repurpose a lot of attendee content, include a brief UGC rights clause in your event terms so expectations are clear upfront.

21. Analyze and report on social media metrics

Now, it’s time to dig into the data and see how well your social media efforts paid off. Analyzing and reporting on social media metrics is essential for understanding what worked, what didn’t, and how you can improve.

  • Assess engagement metrics for your posts: Which posts received the most likes, shares, and comments? Identify the type of content that resonated most with your audience. Tools like Facebook Insights, Twitter Analytics, and Instagram Insights can provide detailed data on your social media performance.
  • Evaluate reach and impressions: How many people saw your posts? Did you gain new followers during the event? Tracking these numbers can help you understand the overall impact of your social media strategy.
  • Measure click-through rates and conversions: How many people clicked on links to your dedicated page or ticketing site? How many registered or bought tickets? This information is crucial for evaluating the return on investment (ROI) of your social media campaigns.
  • Compile findings into a comprehensive report: Highlight key successes and areas for improvement. Share this report with your team to inform your strategy for future events. 

In closing

Promoting your event on social media is your ticket to creating an unforgettable experience. Engaging your audience before, during, and after the event can spark a buzz that builds a vibrant community around your brand. 

Eventcube can be your trusted partner in this endeavor. Having worked with brands like Volkswagen and Uber (to name a few), the Eventcube team knows a thing or two about event promotion.

Its customizable event pages, seamless social media integration, and powerful marketing tools let you craft an event that stands out. The platform allows for advanced customization, ensuring your branding is consistent and appealing across all channels. 

Additionally, robust analytics and reporting tools enable you to track engagement and refine your strategies. Ready to take your event promotion to the next level? Get a free demo today. 

FAQ

How early should I start promoting my event on social media?

Start at least 8-12 weeks in advance to build awareness. Increase posting frequency as the event date approaches.

Is it okay to change platforms later if I discover a better fit?

You can change social media platforms. But shifting platforms too late can hurt engagement. Instead, repurpose content across multiple channels to test effectiveness.

How frequently should I post without overwhelming my audience?

Post 3-5 times per week on platforms like Facebook and Instagram and multiple times daily on Twitter for real-time updates.

How do I optimize content for quick, real-time engagement on Twitter/X?

Use trending hashtags, live tweets, polls, and GIFs to spark immediate interaction among your community on X. You should also engage with comments quickly to boost visibility.

Can social media promotion help build long-term engagement beyond the event?

You can post highlights, user-generated content, and follow-ups to create a community for your events. This can help keep the conversation going and build excitement for future events.

by
the Eventcube Team
With extensive experience in events and technology, our platform, Eventcube, has powered over 100,000 events across the globe, attended by more than 15 million people. Our expertise ensures every event, whether in-person or virtual, is a standout success. Our goal is simple: to help our clients create and host extraordinary events.