1. Promote on your Website

If you have a website, it’s a good practice to create an events page for your campaigns. This helps your event pop up in search results, and connects your campaign with your organization. If your organization hosts several events per year, you may want to consider having an events section right on your home page. Wherever you choose to place your events section on your website, it should be easy to find, and feature a compelling description of the event, guest speakers, special features, persons of interest, supporters and partners, and the date, time, and location. This is also a perfect spot for posting original content, including photos, bios, videos, and quotes. It's also helpful to have a “sign up now” button available on this page for future event announcements. Try to make as much of the content on this page shareable so it’s easy for potential attendees to pass it along to their friends.

2.  Promote in Emails

If your organization has an email list, you should prepare to share information regarding your campaign in your e-newsletters. If you don’t have an email list of your own, a good idea is to ask your partners (if you have them) to include your event in their newsletter with a link to your website. You can also research email marketing tips and guides for information on catchy subject lines, email frequency, and name retention.

3. Promote on Social Media

Social media is a fantastic tool to promote your event! You can create your own unique #hashtag for your event on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, or add on to an already existing hashtag. You can also create an event page on Facebook, and ask your friends and members of your organization to share the event. Another good tip is to consider changing your website link in your social media profiles to a link for this event. It’s just temporary, but it can really make a significant difference in spreading the word about your event. Social media is also a great place to share reminders and teasers, including event dates, time, location, guest speakers, photos, videos, countdowns, quotes, etc.

Lastly, tag media, and influential people on social media who might share or attend your event.

4. Promote on Blog Posts

If your organization has a blog, you can write two or three blog posts leading up to the event. You can write your first post one month in advance, your second one two weeks in advance, and your third one week in advance. Be creative with your posts! You can include interviews with guest speakers or volunteers, or maybe include some behind the scenes or set-up photos. Another great idea would be to invite speakers to write or contribute to a guest post.

5. Promote via Media and Press

Once you’ve taken advantage of all of your own promotion channels, you can take some time to notify the local media and press. You can write a traditional press release, or maybe post it to your town’s Facebook page, or contact a local radio station. One great tip is to look up and invite local journalists and photographers to your events.

6.  Promote During the Event

Using social media live during your event is a huge promotion opportunity that targets both attendees and those who could not attend. People will be following your hashtag, so tweet, Facebook, or Instagram live photos, videos, interviews, and behind the scenes. Be sure you're always including your hashtag in each post!