Pour, toast, clink! Hosting a Facebook event is a great way to network and meet new professionals. (Not that you need an excuse to have a good time.)
There are many elements that go into throwing a memorable party that you may not think of. Sure, we all know we need to acquire some pretty awesome entertainment and delicious food. But, how do you plan to get guests in the door?
You could just send an invite out and hope for the best. But, if you want to ensure your party rocks, you’ve got to be well-prepared.
That’s why we’re stepping in. If you’re looking to throw a killer party, here are 5 tips that will help you along the way.
1. Optimize, Optimize, Optimize
If you’re a marketing professional, you know the importance of optimization. Just as you would with a website, you can optimize your Facebook event to maximize visibility.
The first step in doing this is to create an engaging event description. You’ll want to identify some keywords that you can incorporate into this section.
Really consider the event you’re planning. What are some of the main takeaways? Is it adult-only? Kid-friendly? Casual? Black tie affair? Oh, and the big one — will there be food?
These kinds of elements really help set the stage for your party. When people are deciding whether to attend, they often formulate their choice off these buzzwords.
You should also select the category your event falls into. You can choose between a wide range of options that include drinks, dinner, entertainment, etc.
2. Invite Your Friends First
The timing for when you should send an event request out matters, too. That’s because there’s a certain level of irony that circulates through social media.
We see stuff online and we get jealous. Call it FOMO if you will, but it’s a real phenomenon. So, how can this help you?
Well, your first move should be to invite your Facebook friends to the event. Have friends, family, and colleagues (that plan to attend) RSVP to generate more buzz on the event page.
Then, start promoting your event and inviting the general public. If you were to send an invite out with no attending guests, people may feel less inclined.
But, when they see an interactive Facebook event with many RSVPs? The little FOMO-indicator starts going off.
The great part about this strategy is that it’s so easy to execute. But, again, make sure that people who say they’re coming actually intend to. You don’t want to give people a false impression.
3. Facebook Event Ads
Speaking of promotional tips, let’s talk about creating a Facebook event ad. As of recent, Facebook has added the ability for users to boost their event page.
Like you would with any regular boosted post, there’s a small button at the bottom of the post. It’s also a very easy strategy to execute, and it’s a cost-efficient way to get the word out.
Once you click “Boost Post”, you’ll be prompted to fill out a little more information. This is so you can better segment your audience by inputting your target.
You really don’t need to shell out a ton for a Facebook event. Many small businesses can get away with $5 a day or under. A large company or party planner who’s hosting a big event may opt for a $10 budget, which is still reasonable.
Don’t begin running advertisements until you’ve invited friends and the public. You’ll want others to see that there is already a solid number of people attending.
4. Hashtag It Up
Gone are the days we worried about oversaturating our posts with unnecessary hashtags. While we still have to ensure they’re relevant, we have more free reign to use as many as we want.
So, you should start by creating a hashtag for the event. This is a great outlet for people who are attending to connect and learn more about the day.
Plus, during and after the event, you’ll have a lot of people using the tag when they post their own images.
Make sure your hashtag is closely aligned with the Facebook event name. It doesn’t have to be spot-on but you don’t want to confuse anyone.
Also, make use of other relevant hashtags that will help you appear in more pages. For instance, you should use items like #localevent, #grandopening, or #exhibit.
Location-specific tags are great, too. We’re out of Las Vegas, so we may use hashtags like #VegasEvents, #SinCity, or #WeLoveVegas.
5. Update Guests Often
The last tip we’ll leave you with is to keep your guests in the loop via event updates. When something emerges, whether it’s a new caterer, band, etc., let your guests know! They’ll love being in the know and it helps you boost visibility.
When you make a new event post, make sure you also post on your company’s main page. Then, you can link to the event, which draws more attention to that page. Plus, it helps to target people who may have missed the initial invite.
It can be hard brainstorming things to post about, as Facebook will alert guests. You certainly don’t want to waste their time with useless crud.
So, when you’re adding new posts, make sure it’s relevant and enticing to the attendees. Give them some behind-the-scenes information and share pictures as often as possible.
Let’s Get This Party Started
Hosting a Facebook event can really help boost your company’s image. Whether it’s a grand opening, new renovation, or simply “just because”, a party is always a good idea.
If you’re looking for other ways to advance your inbound marketing skills, you’re at the right place. At Yoobly, we provide education, consulting, and support to network marketers.
From CRM Software and content marketing to personal branding, we’ve got you covered. We’d love to get to know you more, so drop us a line today! Oh, and don’t forget to send us an invite to your big celebration!