Skift Take
Based on research on what drives attendee engagement, Skift Meetings has curated a list of over 100 event promotion ideas to maximize your event’s reach and impact.
Kanchi Jain
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An event organizer’s worst nightmare is not being able to reach the right audience. You want your event to be the talk of the town, buzzing with energy and packed with people.
And it even gets worse when you have to pull that off with little to no budget. The right event promotion ideas can make your event a smashing success.
Sure, we’ve all seen the fancy billboards and glitzy ads for large-scale, big-budget events. But, just because you don’t have big sponsors or bucks backing you, it doesn’t mean you’re out of the game.
Whether you’re promoting a concert, festival, conference, or roadshow, these event marketing ideas will fill those seats without draining your wallet.
Event promotion encompasses all the efforts made to successfully market an event. The aim is to widen the number of people who are aware of the event and consequently increase attendance in terms of the number of registrations or ticket sales.
There are a lot of event promotion tools and software to help you boost event attendance. Most of these tools have free plans or freemium pricing which are scalable based on the size and requirements of your events.
When used correctly, these event marketing platforms can pay for themselves several times over by boosting your event attendance and engagement.
Price vs Outcome: How Mainstream Event Promotion Tools Compare?
The average cost per click indicates what you might spend to drive attendees to your website or ticket page. Costs can vary based on competitiveness and remarketing strategies.
However, direct mail gets a bit trickier to track scientifically! It’s a lot harder to track the outcome of an offline campaign. To make it easier, if attendees have to sign up, ask how they heard about the event, and collect their addresses, you can gain insights into geographical conversions.
| Platform |
Avg. Cost Per Click |
Ease of Use |
Potential Reach |
Drawbacks |
Targeting Options |
| 1. Email Marketing |
$1 – $2 |
Easy (especially with a well maintained list) |
High |
Limited by the quality and amount of email addresses you have on your list. Spam filters can reduce deliverability. |
Narrow Targeting |
| 2. Facebook Ads |
$0.42 – $3.9 |
Setting up the ad is easy. Targeting can be tricky |
High |
You need to understand targeting, Facebook ads, your audience, and the quality of the ad which can all affect the outcome |
Adaptive. Broad and narrow targeting options. |
| 3. Twitter Ads |
$0.38 |
Easy to set up |
High |
Targeting isn’t as good and engagement on Twitter ads is generally lower so the cost per click is higher |
Adaptive. Broad and narrow targeting options. |
| 4. LinkedIn Ads |
$5.39 |
Easy |
Medium |
It’s more costly, but leads are often better converters. |
Adaptive. Broad and narrow targeting options. |
| 5. AdWords |
$0.63-$2.69 |
Slightly more difficult to navigate for beginners |
High |
For event promo campaigns $0. (although consideration for the cost of building your audience and content should be mentioned here.) |
Highly targeted |
| 6. Organic Social Reach |
For event promo campaigns $0. (although consideration for the cost of building your audience and content should be mentioned here.) |
Easy. The level of effort required will depend on the competition in your niche |
High |
You’ll always be limited by social platforms because you haven’t paid. |
Broad targeting |
| 7. Direct Mail |
$0.60 – $10 (cost of distribution of A5 leaflet per area with high targeting) |
Medium. Difficult if you’re doing the distribution yourself |
Medium |
There’s not a lot of conversion data so while some campaigns are beneficial, others aren’t. A lot of variables. |
Broad and Targeted. Highly targeted for local events |
price vs outcome – event promotion tools
Now, we know the how, here is the what!
Put these 100 promotional ideas for events into action to start seeing results.
Nobody wants to attend boring events.
How you promote your events should reflect how innovative your event is. Creativity means you can save money and create a positive image in your attendees’ eyes.
Here are 20 creative ways to promote an event (that isn’t going to break your event budget):
1. QR Code Mystery
Incorporate a little mystery by handing out QR codes on the street that link to prizes, tickets, and event information and put up QR codes on A4 posters with a cryptic message. The fact that people won’t be able to guess the content behind it immediately will make them intrigued and more likely to scan and look.
However, make sure your cryptic message gives a hint strong enough to differentiate your QR code from scams.
2. Create a Live Spectacle
Plan a live activity that can grow and develop in a busy public place over a period of a few hours and that passers-by want to stop and watch. This could be a group of artists creating a huge structure or canvas or wood carving. Create a timelapse of progress to share online too.
3. Animal Ambassadors
Who can resist a cute puppy or kitten? Partner with a local rehoming shelter and encourage adoption alongside promoting your event! This works particularly well with fundraisers, particularly if this is your chosen event charity, and it has an element of sustainable event promotion too.
4. Create a Movie Trailer
Use last year’s event footage and testimonials to create a short video about your event to attract others. Seeing the action and including a clear call to action to buy tickets can encourage those considering purchasing a ticket to take the plunge.
5. Sneaky Book Signings
Get your speakers who have written books to sign copies including your event info. This idea came from Neil Gaiman who covertly signed all copies of his American Gods book at JFK airport and then told his Facebook audience what he had done. This caused all sorts of fans to run for the Delta terminal and the bookstore. If you have authors with a decent profile presenting at your event, consider doing something like this. Use social media to promote it.
6. Pop-Up Henna Stall
A week before your event takes place, set up a pop-up stall at a local event, in the local town center, or even at the local supermarket. A Henna artist should create a Henna in a unique style that incorporates your logo or represents the event theme. Hand out event details and let people know that everyone who turns up at your event with this Henna tattoo, will get free swag or discounts.
7. Be a Podcast Star
If you have plenty of time before your event, start a podcast, and begin to build a following you can promote and tap into that way. If you don’t have a lot of time, ask to guest star on an industry influencer show to reach the right audience. In return offer the influencer free tickets to attend and to give away to their fans.
8. Chatbots
Use AI technology to take care of anyone looking for answers on your website before they are willing to commit to tickets. Live chat on your website, Facebook messenger, and text chatbots can answer and reassure potential attendees that have specific niggles holding them back from booking a ticket.
9. Local Graffiti
Ask local artists to create a piece of original art that also has your event information in it! Of course, make sure you get permission from the wall owner, or you can set up a temporary wall and canvas specifically for them to create their promotional art on. Offer services in kind or create an opportunity for them to sell their own prints or artwork at the event itself. The artwork could even be commissioned and made into event merchandise such as t-shirts, hoodies, bags, and mugs.
10. Infographics
Create a fun infographic about last year’s event stats and what you’re expecting for this year! Pick a theme they will be interested in and that offers value worth sharing.
11. World Record Attempt
Investigate world record attempts in your event niche. If there is a current record, make a serious attempt to smash it in the lead-up to the official event. If there is no record, think creatively for a record attempt that will capture attention. This could even generate some TV coverage ahead of the live event which is the type of promotion you generally cannot afford.
12. Temporary Branded Seating
If you can’t afford a big fancy advert placement on park benches or local seating, create your own version. Temporary options such as cardboard tables and chairs can be easily printed, decorated, or written on to promote your event and give potential attendees somewhere to sit at the same time. Or, if you have a little budget available, hire an oversized deckchair with the fabric custom printed to your design. You could also repurpose it for your event too!
If your event has a performance element or theme you can play on, create a preview performance on the subway or another public area. For example, concerts have acts start playing, for themed events, dress event staff in outfits, and interact with the public. Make sure signage and information have clear and complete details of the event.
14. Temporary Signposts
Create signposts that lead people to your event or venue easily, they can be made from anything, including cost-effective cardboard or recycled and reclaimed materials. Just be careful not to tamper with any existing signage or confuse your guests, and remove them afterward.
15. Well-Known Mascot Characters
Do you have a beloved mascot in your hometown? Or perhaps a relevant cartoon character that everyone loves? Pose for photo opportunities and have your staff dress up to hand out event details.
For business-related events or those that offer some sort of expertise, a webinar can give a preview of what to expect and entice them in. If you can give them some really valuable information for free in the webinar, imagine how much more they can get at the event.
17. Set Up A City Photo Booth
Photo booths are one of the most popular activities at events so use it as a promo opportunity in advance instead! It doesn’t have to be complicated, just a Polaroid camera, a signed backdrop curtain with event dates and details, and funky props to get people having fun. You can also give options to print the image for a memento to take away.
18. Social Promises
Get everyone working together by sharing a common goal online to encourage engagement and promotion. It could be promising a giveaway, charitable donation, free tickets, or VIP access if your social post gets a certain amount of likes/shares/interaction.
19. Utilize Storytelling
Share personal stories from people who have attended the event in the past and what it meant for them. Storytelling often sees better results and conversions.
20. Animated Digital Invites
Make your digital invitations pop by using animations and cartoons that move when the attendee opens them. You could also include interactive elements that become live or animated when hovered over or clicked on.
If your budget is gone, it can feel like there are no options left for event promotion. Don’t give up though – we have 20 ideas that won’t cost you anything.
1. Service Exchanges
A wide-ranging idea that could work for anything if you can find the right hook and you’re willing to ask! For example, offer to volunteer at a local event in your area in exchange for promotional opportunities for your next event and sign a service-based sponsorship agreement rather than exchanging monetary payment.
2. Share Behind-the-Scenes Setup
Take your audience on a journey and give them exclusive peeks behind the scenes at your event to build buzz. This could be set-up photos, pre-event interviews on what to expect, or even a live feed from the backstage area to grow their excitement.
3. Ask for Referrals
The highest converting type of promotion and most effective marketing tactic is often word of mouth or referrals so get in contact with previous attendees, industry professionals, and vendors that have worked with you in the past to encourage them to share the event details with others. If you don’t ask, you don’t get it. Many technology tools offer ways to freely generate invite codes and turn past attendees into ambassadors.
4. Link Your Events
Create recurring or linked smaller events so that you can use them to cross-promote your main event. For example, if you establish a business networking event on websites such as Meetup.com that will help to build a community for your main event.
5. Speak at Other Events
Offer your expertise by speaking at relevant industry-specific events. Without giving a sales pitch you can tap into their pool of attendees with minimal effort and make sure they have heard about your event.
6. Ensure Event Branding is Consistent
Share social media collateral such as images or videos, with those who will be marketing the event on your behalf, like industry influencers, speakers, or sponsors. Make it as easy as possible for them to schedule and share content that will promote the event. Try to customize the images for each stakeholder.
7. Use Image Quotes From Past Attendees
Take a quote from an attendee and overlay it on an interesting background, such as an image from the event. Note their name, job title, and organization if they are happy for you to share it. These are great to share on social networks, in blog posts, or as stories.
8. A Photo A Day
Share photos from previous events on social media each day to give a flavor of the event. Make sure you have permission and if you do, consider tagging them in the photo too, to encourage them to share it as well.
9. Invite Local Journalists
There are bound to be event listings in your local newspaper so submit the event details in plenty of time. Furthermore, preemptively contact journalists and invite them to attend and offer a newsworthy angle and key facts why they should cover the event.
10. Spend Time Making Conversation on Social
Invest some time on social media each day to get the conversation flowing without selling. Just aim to be helpful and genuine, offering solutions when you can. Try to participate in groups, forums, and popular hashtag chats online.
11. Comp Passes
Give sponsors, exhibitors, vendors, and attendees free passes so they can share them with their best clients or invite along colleagues, friends, and family. Encourage the favor to be returned by asking them to share widely on social media and help spread the word.
12. Jump on Exclusivity
Add an exclusive element to your event, whether that’s invite-only, VIP areas, or secret events, and details that only a select few know or can access. This makes attending more of a “thing” and strikes FOMO in the heart of unregistered attendees everywhere. Promote your event using exclusivity tactics, such as the first 100 tickets will each receive a VIP upgrade.
13. Find a Milestone
Milestone events such as a 25th anniversary are always popular because everyone wants to be part of something exciting. Figure out a way to make your event a milestone and promote it from that perspective, e.g. 10th annual AGM, 5th year at the venue, the only event that meets a certain criteria.
14. Ask Your Personal Network
What are friends and family for? Ask them to share, spread the word, and get involved to help the promo cause. If every member of the event staff did this, you would reach a very wide network for free.
15. Crowdfunding Campaign
If you want to raise awareness, test the water, and gain support (financial and otherwise), consider launching a crowdfunding campaign. This can help your event to get noticed and offer a registration boost within a set time period (often a month).
16. Donate Tickets to Charity Auctions
Donate tickets or a VIP package to a charity auction or fundraiser which not only helps worthy causes but means that your event will be written or spoken about in order to explain the prizes. It gets you in front of a ton of people to promote, while also helping others to fundraise, a win-win situation.
17. Segment Your Audience
Look at attendees who have attended the event in previous years but have not yet signed up for this year’s event. Reach out and contact them to let them know they are missed. If you can take the time to share a notecard with a handwritten message that could be even more effective in showing them that you care.
18. Give Great Deals
Probably the oldest trick in the book, but, offer deals, discounts, and vouchers as an early booking incentive with a clear deadline. 51% of event planners find that early bird rates are the most effective tactic to boost ticket sales. Deals tend to spread like wildfire and if people think they are getting a bargain they are more likely to share with others.
19. Turn on Social Sharing
This is a given but make sure you have social sharing capabilities on all of your registration software so that it is easy and prompts others to share their excitement when they get a ticket for your event.
Hand over the reins of your social media accounts to an alternative voice. This could be the intern or a blogger you are working with. The key thing is to present a different perspective and hopefully to encourage some of their tribe to start following and interacting more with your event account.
Another great free idea is to create a challenge, such as a 30-day photo challenge on Instagram. Tap into your niche and set promotions that will appeal to your audience. Furthermore, make sure that you engage and converse with everyone that gets involved.
Maximize your budget’s impact—while even a modest allocation can yield significant results—especially in event promotion ideas.
Every little helps!
If you have a little bit to invest here are 20 of the best low-cost event promotional opportunities.
1. Attend Networking Events
There are networking events for a reason! Take brochures, posters, and business cards with you and spread news of your event strategically but as far as you can. Perfect your elevator pitch so you can explain succinctly what your event is about.
2. Blogger Outreach
Research bloggers, vloggers, and micro-influencers that have a loyal following in your event niche and approach them to get them on board. Arm them with the chance to earn a commission on those who sign up and buy tickets through them using dedicated discount codes. Make sure you provide them with the access they need and look after them on site too, ensuring the WiFi is up to scratch so they can do what they do best.
3. Registration Swag
Don’t wait until attendees get to your event before you offer them free stuff! Give them a voucher when they register to exchange for swag on-site at the event. This makes them more likely to come along.
4. Use Social Ad Credits
Just because you don’t have a budget, doesn’t mean you can’t use some of the paid ad services on social media. Many of the channels offer credits, particularly for those who are starting out so use them to promote your event! Just make sure you read a few strategy articles first so you optimize them properly and don’t waste them.
5. Become an Award Winner (or Giver)
Awards can be an interesting way to gain recognition so apply for relevant categories in your industry whether it’s a local award or something more prestigious. Alternatively, consider starting your own awards ceremony if it fits your event niche. Everyone wants to be a winner.
6. Branded Cupcakes
Free food and treats are always a big hit. Invest in some cupcakes with the event details on sugar paper and hand them out. Colored icing and pretty sprinkles are a surefire way to get some social media pictures surfacing too.
7. Submit to Calendar Sites
Whether industry-specific or local calendars that showcase events in the area, you’d be surprised how many people have email notifications linked or check event listings regularly to see what is coming up.
8. Grow Your Event Specific Opt-In
Take every opportunity to build your email list with people that want to hear from you for future event promotion. Make sure that your list is GDPR compliant and that your audience has confirmed that they are happy for their data to be held by you, within specific criteria, as detailed in your privacy policy.
9. Offer a Loyalty Program
For those who want to hear from you, consider starting a loyalty program. This could mean that the more event tickets they book the closer they get to a lifetime event discount or that on their birthday each year they get a special promotional code entitling them to a free drink at the next show they attend.
10. Strategic Arrangements With Other Brands
You may not have a lot of budgets, but others might! Use this to your advantage by partnering with brands so that both sides win. This could be product placement at your event in exchange for free signage and advertising of your event to their networks or another quid pro quo.
11. Banners
Get vinyl banners printed and get permission to put them up in high-traffic areas. These are robust and can cost next to nothing to produce. Request eyelets so you can secure them effectively in outside areas. Also, invest in pull-up banner stands which can be used inside to promote your event and ask the venue if it can be displayed at the venue for a month or more in the lead-up to the event.
12. Traveling Pop-Ups
Events like to utilize pop-up stalls or shops to promote events but take things that step further by having them pop up from one day to the next! If people think it’s going to be gone tomorrow, they are more likely to act now so take your pop-up on the move. If you don’t want to travel too far, keep it within the city but still jump around.
13. A/B Testing
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Check the effectiveness of your different campaigns by testing two variations with a small sample and seeing which one performs the best. Email marketing tools such as Mailchimp, make this easy for you. People have different preferences and this way you can find out which promotional approach is better so that you have better results. More click-throughs can mean more ticket sales so you have one shot to get it right.
14. Exclusive Wearables
For loyal fans or followers, create exclusive wearable ideas like hats, t-shirts, and tote bags as a reward and turn them into a walking promo. It could be something like, for those who attended the first-ever event or registered for several years consecutively. It also incentivizes people to sign up each year because they get a nice thank you in the form of free stuff.
15. Car Vinyls/Magnets
Take your promotion on the road without the need to rent or hire signage vehicles. You can get stickers or vinyl transfers for different parts of your car, or if you want a temporary solution, magnetic door, or 3D roof signage.
16. Repurpose Content
Don’t constantly create new promotional content, simply come up with more interesting and exciting ways to present it. For example, turn existing blog posts into promo videos, turn videos into infographics, and repurpose video interviews into blog posts. Also, go back to older content to refresh it, and add new ideas and up-to-date information.
17. Create Specific Landing Pages
Create targeted landing pages specific to the call to action that has been clicked so you can focus on the specific information that motivated the website visitor.
For example, if an individual clicks specifically through information about the event location, they want to know how easy it is to get to, and perhaps local accommodation options. If someone clicks through for more information about the content, they want detailed information about whether it is suitable for their level of expertise and what they will get out of it.
18. Share Your Event Playlist
Create the ultimate playlist, inspired by your event, and share it on Spotify, Amazon Music, or other streaming services. Make use of the description box and get your attendees to start following the list. If you have artists performing at your event they can also promote your event and share the ticketing link from certain platforms.
19. Tell the Story of Your Founder
Set up an interview for the event founder to share their story (and the story of the event) on a respected source that your target audience demographic reads. The more inspirational the journey the greater the interest and this will be a great boost for ticket sales. If time is shorter find opportunities through the #journorequest hashtag on Twitter to submit a short quote in your area of expertise and list the event name instead of the organization name.
20. Write a Collaborative eBook
Show your expertise by joining the professionals involved in your event together and writing an insightful eBook as a prelude to the event. This could be personal and include stories or it can specifically solve a problem but, either way, use it to build a connection with attendees.
The internet has a wealth of potential when it comes to event promotion but it can sometimes be tricky to figure out how to promote an event online.
What will give the best results and where should you focus your efforts, particularly if you are working with limited time? Online promotion is more than knowing how to promote an event on social media (though that certainly can help!).
1. Long-Term SEO Impact
If you have a long lead time before the event, work on improving your SEO and answer long tail target questions your ideal audience asks and make sure the search results offer a clear answer for them.
For instance, if someone asks “How do I market my healthcare business” and this is a major theme for your event, make sure you rank for it by creating content that is valued by people who are searching for that answer. Make sure you highlight your event and give a clear call to action to book tickets.
Create an online community where people can connect before the event. Facebook or LinkedIn Groups are ideal for that. Try to create a vibrant place and reasons for like-minded individuals to come together and feel at home.
Whether it is providing a sense of belonging or bringing together minds that could potentially explore business opportunities together creating a digital meeting space you can offer positive reflections back to your event. Brownie points if you can get your speakers to stop by adding a little something – start a discussion, make a comment, share some wisdom.
3. Get Blogging
Write blog posts about very specific content including “10 Reasons Why You Should Attend ____” and “What to Bring to ______.” Cover the event from a million creative angles.
4. Highlight Your Professionals
Create a speaker’s page that features professional pictures and credentials. Encourage teaser videos from each of the speakers talking about what they will discuss, request guest blog posts, or interview those presenting. If they have books published, promote a book signing or meet and greet at the event. You’ve given much thought to your speaker selection, make sure you share it.
5. Use Lookalike Audiences
Create a list of event attendees and upload it to Facebook to help find and target lookalike audiences that may also be interested in attending your event. Facebook identifies people with similar or common qualities to increase the chances of a match. Invest a little budget in reaching these people via social media ads and it could pay off. Aim for a list of 1k people as a minimum to increase the accuracy.
6. Pre-Event Twitter Q&A
Build the hype and have influencers, entertainment, or industry professionals that are involved in your event to interact with attendees before you arrive. Not only does this attract those who signed up to get more information, but it can also get the event trending and intrigue others to check out the hashtag and your event information.
7. Go Live
Go Live on Facebook from your site walk-through. This will excite potential attendees and they’ll look forward to seeing it for themselves. Do the same thing on Live for the host city or area too.
8. Use Geotagging Online
Make sure you can tag the location of your event-related posts so that they are easily searchable and potential attendees know exactly whether the location is suitable for them straight away without having to look.
9. Email Creativity
Email marketing campaigns can be effective, you just have to learn how to stand out. Make sure you have a killer email list that you keep up to date, and improve your email subject line as well as the email content offering within to improve open rates.
Mass mailings are the biggest turn-off, so always ensure that the content is personalized and uses first names. Don’t make the mistake of sending bulk emails to those who have already signed up to attend either.
10. Use GIFs, Emojis and Humor
Don’t be scared to inject a bit of personality into your social media activity and stand out from the same boring content everyone else is churning out. Share different types of content and use GIFs and emojis to get people’s attention. A strong strategy is to understand the pain points of your audience and to create and share humorous insights into the work of your attendees.
Remarket to those who have visited your event website but never checked out. Set up remarketing campaigns with strong call-to-actions to offer a reminder to book their place. People often need more than one nudge to make a transaction so don’t be afraid to offer reminders to them.
12. Create a Social Filter
For Snapchat or Facebook, create an event-specific filter that people can use for pictures. Not only does it let them know about the event, but it captures it on the screen for their networks to see too!
13. Website Banners and Advertising
You and your sponsors have website traffic, so use it! Create custom clickable ads and banners to promote the event from multiple sources and drive traffic through to your registration page. Use tagged URLs so you know which traffic sources have been most effective for driving interest.
14. Event Specific Branding
For the duration of your event promotion, change your branding and information to new colors and pictures. This could be something like a new header or profile photo across your channels, or it could be an entire color shift across your brand.
15. Email Signature
How many people do you converse with via email per day?! They are all potential employees, customers, or sharers of your event so put a non-intrusive mention and link for your event into your signature and let it do some passive promotion for you.
16. Target Keywords
Research the keywords that are most synonymous with your event and most valuable to you and utilize them in specifically created online content. It makes you easily searchable by improving your SEO.
17. Expand Your Network
Follow everyone who registers for the event. (You should be asking for social media profiles during registration.) Create a list on Twitter, share content from your attendees periodically, and interact and respond to their content too. They will appreciate it and it will make them more loyal to the event if they feel valued.
Create social media content that maximizes social sharing and interaction. For instance, run a caption competition and let people know that the post with the most activity will have the opportunity to win a tempting prize (ideally donated by one or several of your sponsors).
19. Share the Caliber of Those Attending
If you are in the B2B arena, let people know the type of people that have already registered for your event. Check on the registration form if they give permission for their name, job title, and organization to be listed publicly. Those considering attending will be fired up to buy a ticket when they see people they want to connect with.
20. Website Badges
Create badges for attendees to add to their sites once they’ve registered. Make the image pop and have it link back to your event page or mini-site.
We know that marketing efforts today automatically turn to the Internet when it comes to promoting your event, however offline event promotions can still be effective. Honest!
So, it’s time to unplug and check out these offline-only event promo ideas.
1. Helium Balloons
Balloons are always fun and when attendees start to walk around with them, they become walking advertisements! Plus, kids (and adults) are always wanting to find out where they get one so they will come and seek you out to get one for themself.
2. Give Staff Accessories
Your event staff should be your biggest fans so ask them to carry event swag with them wherever they go. Whether it’s t-shirts, hats, or keyfobs they can always represent the event and turn every meeting into a promotional opportunity.
3. Flyers and Posters
Printed media can still be an effective way to reach certain audiences and communities. Explore opportunities to have inserts at a similar event your target audience enjoys and put leaflets in strategic places, such as the event venue, tourist information centers, and transport hubs. Remember printed items can be made from recycled content and also interesting effects can be created to capture people’s attention.
4. Radio
It’s unlikely you’ll get on any national radio stations but you may be surprised with the opportunities local and voluntary radio stations can bring about! Brainstorm some ideas for promotion in the lead-up to the event and even on the day, encourage a mobile broadcast unit to make it to your live event.
5. Flash Mobs
The possibilities are endless here and you can create flash mobs that are all singing and dancing or something that is particularly event specific like special entertainers or an immersive role-play experience in public. Think about the timing and location carefully for maximum promotional impact in the lead-up to the event.
6. Paper Invites
Sometimes, receiving a physical invitation can make more of a powerful statement than an email or digital option. You may not have the budget for fancy printing but if not, taking the time to handwrite them could be the personal touch attendees need to sign up!
7. Chalk Sidewalks
Temporary and completely diverse, chalk is an excellent idea for sidewalk signage to highlight your event. Still ask permission though because even if it’s temporary, private property may still consider it vandalism!
8. Reverse Dirt
An alternative to the chalk idea is to reverse-clean something. For example, create a stencil and use a power washer to wash away street grime within your stencil area. The image lasts longer and technically is just clean vs dirt.
9. Happy Mail
Direct mail can still work and be worth exploring. Publications and flyers that are sent in the post just have to reach a higher standard now in terms of the copy and the effect they offer. At least there is less competition nowadays as many companies have dropped snail mail marketing completely now to save money. It doesn’t have to be expensive though, and you could go for a different layout, or unusual size, to catch the eye and stand out from the bills.
10. Yarn Bombing
This is such a fun and creative idea that definitely gets people talking about it. Plan ahead and set up your yarn creation overnight so that when people wake up it has magically appeared in a prominent place that can’t be missed. Yarn bombing works best in smaller areas like the city center or within a city block so pick somewhere that is going to make the biggest impact.
11. Shop Window
Many shops will allow you a free poster or ad placement inside their store which can be particularly beneficial for local events. A true community feel encourages shops to create their own promotion in keeping with the event theme and make it into a window spotting competition to drive residents to the town center.
12. Offer a Taster Session
Offer short, 15-minute taster sessions, highlighting some of what people can expect from the event. This gives people enough reassurance and leaves them hungry for more and might just be the push people need to commit to attending.
13. Video Projections
Use a wall outside the venue and work with your AV partner to project your advert or promotion onto it and let passers-by know what is coming up. It’s as good as a billboard and more innovative!
14. Outdoor Installations
Turn an existing statue, feature, or landmark within the local area into an installation that relates to your event. You could dress them up into a themed character or simply decorate trees and fountains to suit your narrative. Use your creativity (and keep it tasteful).
15. Traditional Merch
You know the ones; old-school button badges, stickers, magnets, pens, etc. You can’t go wrong with handing out freebies and when you do it in person you’re more likely to have extra time to chat and make a potential conversion.
16. Create a Secret Tour Collaboration
Work with your local businesses and your visitor bureau to create a (not so) secret tour around the city, concluding with your event. Those who sign up for the tour get free entry and you can include other stops along the way.
17. Human Billboards
Have your staff do some funky sign twirling to music on the sidewalk or dance their way up the street with their own sandwich signage to get attention!
18. Pop-Up Playground
Make your event synonymous with fun and excitement by having an adult play area complete with blow-up ball pits and inflatables. If you don’t have the budget at all, you could exchange this for an obstacle course that they need to complete to earn free tickets.
19. Giant Props
Oversized objects are always fun and you could create them yourself with a little imagination. While the budget may not stretch to a giant fabricated prop you could create a cardboard house with event signage and allow people to color it in, draw, or write messages on it. It could also make an appearance at the event itself if it gets a lot of interactions.
20. Trusty Business Cards
No matter where you go, take event-specific business cards with you. You never know when you’ll find yourself in a networking opportunity and want to remind them about the event and where they can sign up! This goes for your personal business cards too.
Now equipped with over 100 event promotional ideas, it’s time to take action. Choose the tactics that align best with your event’s personality and audience, and implement them strategically.
Remember, the key to success lies in experimentation and adaptation. Whether you’re organizing a local meetup or a large-scale conference, Skift urges you to seize this opportunity to elevate your event’s success.
Even if you are short on budget, be smart about it and come up with more creative ways to boost your event promotion strategy. The best event marketing ideas will always be personal to your event and capture the imagination of your event audience.
Now onto you:
- Do you have a tip to make this page better? Email us at [email protected].
- Do you want to use any of the statistics in this post? Apply here
- Do you have a colleague who may benefit from reading this page? Share it with them.
- Do you have more tips and advice to add about how to effectively promote your event? Particularly on a shoestring budget?
- What promotional tips paid off for your event? Comment below to share more inspiration with other event planners.
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