I mean it. It really isnt. I see so many people limiting their event marketing to Facebook. I am going to make this whole post about burlesque events but what I say is very much applicable for all events. Its not rocket science and MUCH of this information can be garnished from a few Google searches. I mean it, there is so much out there for you if you take the time. I am aware we all dont have the same time in day (Molly-Mae got torn down for that already). However if you dont have the time, then you need to outsource it. If you cant outsource it, you dont have the right budget for your event. I mean it. If you cant do a job then you need to outsource and it should be included in your budget.
Put yourself in the mind of a person who doesn’t go to your show/event.
Stop using acronyms that only those in know know. Its really isolating and turns people off immediately. For example in burlesque you often see the BHOF and whilst most of us know its Burlesque Hall of Fame, its likely no one else does. Furthermore its likely they haven’t even got a clue how significant it is. To them BHOF means zero zilch. So instead market to the person who has zero knowledge. Burlesque Hall of Fame has more sway than BHOF. Your show/event is not for performers. Most performers are doing just that: performing. So they aren’t your audience. Otherwise you’d be arranging a convention or a business networking event. This is not what you are doing so stop assuming performers are gagging at the bit to ditch their own stage time to watch someone else perform and earn.
Lazy Media is No Media
You know posting pretty pictures isnt cutting is anymore. Instagram, YouTube and even Facebook have hollered from their regal pillars of gross consumerism that VIDEO is key. So why are you *just* posting photos? Get some video. Short clips with titles. There are many apps that are low costs or even free for you to use.
Also be sure you are adapting that content for the platforms. YouTube Reels wants a different orientation to YouTube videos. Facebook likes landscape but loves portrait for stories. ADAPT your content.
Now before you go: Oh thats too much work Khandie. YEAH it is work. So like I said, outsource it. Or use sites like Canva to get it changed with a few clicks of the mouse.
BUT KHANDIE I HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT FEATURE.
Yeah duh. Not everything is free and nor should it be. People work to create this. You can go Google for free versions for sure. But its all about including this in your budget. And budgets are complex. So you got to sort yours. Events arent simply hiring performers.
Mailing Lists Are Amazing!
I mean it, why haven’t you gotten one already? Mailchimp offers you a certain amount of contacts to mail for free (don’t come at me if your mailing list goes over that. You shouldn’t always expect to get everything free because you haven’t budgeted for it. I mean it.)
Get yourself a QR code that you can put on the tables of your events, on posters etc. We are used to QR codes now so its easy to scan and join your list.
Add a link to your posts, have it on your website. Here’s mine: MAILING LIST
Give your mailing list first dibs on tickets and then even instruct them to join a VIP type Facebook group and again post there the mailing list, tickets and more before going public.
Facebook Aint All That
I mean it. Not everyone is scouring Facebook for your amazing posts. Worst yet your ads that you paid money for. (I’ll come on to ads in a little bit). So get posters and flyers printed. Get out and post them in places people may go:
- Hairdressers/nail salons
- Tanning salons
- Gyms
- Community Centres
- Nearby hotels (hint hint you can tell your audience to book there and may even get a special rate for them)
- Pubs
- Restaurants
Not exhaustive but its a start. Stop assuming people will see it online. Also make sure you exhaust ALL social media. You can schedule most of it. You can reuse so much. Get where the eyeballs are. Right now a lot are on TikTok so best get on there. Show the BTS of the show or the videos of your performers. Tag them so they can share etc etc.
Facebook Ads Waste Time and Money
Total click baity but they do if you dont use TARGETED ads. You need to go learn and again if you cant, outsource it. Make sure you are targeting people within a comfortable travel distance of your area. But again not all are loving Facebook ads right now especially around Black Friday/Christmas times as its so rammed right now. You may not want to do ads, I do think one at least is a good idea if it stands out and is targeted. So get your head in the game and work out your targeted audience.
Get Talking
I mean it, you will be surprised how many a post will reach if you get people talking on it and about it. Its organic and people trust it more. Write captions that have a direct call to action for people to respond to. Top tip people love to give advice so always look at that as a potential way to build engagement. We all love to look like the expert. I mean look at me writing this….
Anyway I could go on and on about what else you could do but I get paid by clients to do this indepth so here have a freebie.
ENJOY. The problem isnt always just the climate, sometimes its us as well. A lack of knowledge can be changed. We just got to put the time in. If we havent the time, then we outsource. If we cant outsource we didnt do the budget right. If we didnt do the budget, we shouldnt be doing a show.
x
