How to Promote an Event on Social Media: A Step-by-Step Guide

Social media can make or break your event. Done right, it builds anticipation, sells tickets, and keeps people engaged long after the last guest leaves. Ignore it, and you might end up with empty seats and a whole lot of missed opportunities.

You don’t need a big budget or a degree in marketing to pull this off. You need a plan, an understanding of where your target audience spends their time, and content that actually makes them care.

The Big 3—Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn—still dominate event marketing. Statista backs it up: Facebook and Instagram work best for public events, while LinkedIn shines for corporate events and industry conferences. No matter what kind of upcoming event you’re planning, a well-executed social media event marketing strategy will help get the right people in the room.

1. Give Your Event a Home on Social Media

People won’t attend an event they can’t find.

A Facebook Event page is an obvious first step for social media event promotion. It should have all the event details:

LinkedIn offers event pages, too. Perfect for professional gatherings, product launches, and event presentations. Add details that matter to this crowd: keynote speakers, networking opportunities, and industry insights.

Instagram doesn’t have built-in event pages. No problem. Use social media posts: Instagram Stories and highlights. Create a countdown timer. Keep important details pinned. Make it effortless for potential attendees to stay in the loop.

2. Make Noise Before the Event Even Starts

A single “Hey, we’re hosting an event!” post won’t cut it. Help you event promotion efforts build momentum early with a content calendar that balances information with excitement.

6-8 Weeks Out

4-6 Weeks Out

2-4 Weeks Out

Final Weeks

3. Use Paid Ads (Strategically)

Social media’s best feature? Targeted advertising.

Organic posts will only go so far in terms of event visibility. If your budget allows, put money behind highly focused ads. Retarget website visitors who haven’t bought tickets. Use location-based ads if the event is in-person. On LinkedIn, refine by job title and industry to reach the right professionals.

Small budget? Start with Instagram Story ads. They’re immersive, skippable, and great for conversions.

4. Let Attendees Do the Marketing for You

People trust people more than brands. Attendee-driven content is worth its weight in gold for promoting events.

Encourage guests to post before, during, and after the event by:

User-generated content doesn’t just promote your event—it builds a sense of community before it even starts.

5. Go Live—A Lot

Live video generates 6x more engagement than pre-recorded clips. No fancy production needed. Just press record.

  • Host a Q&A session with speakers or organizers
  • Give followers a peek at the setup process
  • Drop into different parts of the event and let viewers experience it in real time
  • Don’t stop after the event wraps. Chop up the best moments into bite-sized videos for your future events.

    6. Track Engagement and Adjust in Real Time

    Social media isn’t static. If a post flops, tweak it. If a certain type of content is getting traction, double down.

    Monitor your social media platforms for:

    During the event, social listening matters. If attendees are struggling with directions or checking in, respond publicly and fix it fast.

    Afterwards, dig into the data. If Instagram Stories drove most of your traffic, make that a bigger focus next time. If LinkedIn barely moved the needle, consider skipping paid ads there.

    7. Keep the Energy Going After the Event

    The event might be over, but the conversation doesn’t have to stop.

    Post event highlights—quick video clips, standout moments, audience reactions. Reshare user-generated content from attendees. Ask them for feedback in a way that sparks engagement:

    Start hinting at your next event. Even if you don’t have details locked in, a simple “We’re already planning something big for next year—stay tuned!” keeps people interested.

    For corporate events, turn key moments into blog posts or LinkedIn articles. Offer on-demand access to event presentations or extra resources. Give people a reason to stay engaged.

    Take Event Promotion—and Event Management—to the Next Level

    A strong social media strategy builds excitement and drives attendance, but great marketing alone won’t guarantee a successful event. Behind the scenes, you need the right tools to manage logistics, streamline operations, and deliver an exceptional experience for attendees. That’s where EventPro comes in.

    EventPro is more than just event management software—it’s a complete solution that helps you handle everything from venue bookings to catering management and attendee tracking. Whether you’re organizing corporate events, industry conferences, fundraisers, or large-scale public gatherings, EventPro simplifies the process so you can focus on creating memorable experiences.

    EventPro serves a wide range of industries, from hospitality and education to government and nonprofit organizations. Learn more about how we support different sectors with tailored event solutions on our Industries We Serve page.

    So, while your social media strategy builds buzz and visibility, let EventPro handle everything else. Plan smarter. Work more efficiently. Deliver events that people remember.

    Contact Us

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