Best Practices Guide: Add Social Media to Your Event Strategy

Social events go hand-in-hand with social media marketing. Or, they should. If you're not thrilled with your event's RSVP list or you want to prevent the common nightmare of having a party to which no one comes, reach out to clients using the social platforms they frequent all day long: Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, Flickr and YouTube. This guide will explain the reasons and benefits of using social media when event planning, including:

• Reviewing the major social media networks and how they work
• Deepening your relationship with customers using Web 2.0
• Using social networks for pre-event planning, promotion, and post-event follow up
• Taking photos and video clips of your events to go viral
• Creating social media accounts, even if you don't use them
• Using social networks to get feedback on event details, before or after your party
• Incorporating Online Surveys to poll customers about things like, interest level, dates available, food preferences, entertainment choices
• Creating buzz by letting clients spread the word before, during and after your event
• Leveraging your marketing blog by telling personalized behind-the-scenes event planning stories -- which will make your small business more approachable while promoting your event
• Learning social media etiquette, so you don't annoy people
• Branding your event with a "hashtag" so you can see who is talking about it