Using social media to advertise events

Hi,

The main thing to consider is that you are reducing your audience if you limit things to certain social media platforms. So you probably need to replicate the majority of your coverage on all the platforms...

And if you are a volunteer attempting to mix this coverage with competing in the event and geting to some of the social events then all that replication may become somewhat onerous.

Edited by JimC - 07 Mar 13 at 12:35pm

They need an events section on this forum, is an obvious one. Alternatively what about posting news of it on Jimbo & Rusco's dinghy bits Facebook page, then you could of course let Mark know and it go on the news page if that has not already happened, has he got a Facebook page I wonder?

Originally posted by ASok Hi,   Just wondered if anyone out there has any experience of successfully using social media to promote an event they are running?   I've just set up a twitter account for the Dart 18 National Championships we are hosting this year at Netley. The account is @Dart18Nationals for those that are inclined to follow (shameless plug )   My idea for the feed was to generate an information source for competitors planning on attending and build interest ahead of the main event. During the event I was planning to tweet event coverage, race results, photos and social things that are happening. This will all be tied in with the event website, facebook and class association websites.   Has anyone seen anything like this or done it themselves? I'm just trying to get ideas of what would be useful in the feed and would gain some interest. I'm think amateur level rather than Vendee, Americas Cup or similar feeds!   In the meantime, take a look @Dart18Nationals

Generally I'd use as many channels as you've got access to, but be clever about how you use the channels. Here are my general pointers from what I've learnt.

• Make sure we know - email any event news to club@yachtsandyachting.com
• Have a class Twitter account and Facebook page, such as @Dart18 and facebook.com/dart18
• For an event use a hashtag such as #Dart18Nationals and then use the Twitter Widgets to embed a feed following the hashtag
• Remember that Facebook posts only reach around 16% of your followers (unless you pay to promote your posts) and Twitter feeds move very quickly so don't just rely on these channels
• If you've got video then always send the YouTube or Vimeo URL of the video out with the report
  

Why this approach?

• YachtsandYachting.com reaches up to 92,000 unique users (as measured by Google Analytics) each month with 79% in the UK - i.e. your target audience
• Always have class pages on the social media channels rather that event pages as the class is permanent and the event is temporary. People don't want to have to sign up each year (or event!) to a new Twitter account
• The hashtag provides a way of following an event - that's what you want as the temporary option

Lastly, make sure you email mark@yachtsandyachting.com with the details of your social media channels and how you're using the Social Media channels - I can then embed these in the reports.

I hope this helps!

Cheers, Mark

Edited by Mark Jardine - 07 Mar 13 at 1:25pm

we use fb page and twitter acounts that are linked so posting on one posts on the other.  we use it mainly to encourage people to turn up to events and remind them of social gatherings etc.  fb page is useful when creating an event because it creates a calendar entry in your ithingy.  our icicle series has double entrants this year, all have come from the fb page.  careful managment is required though.  make sure youre familiar with the inner workings of it, like posting as page rather than as yourself and vice versa, this can make a mess of things if youre not careful!  twitter mostly watch out for your acciount to be hacked.