From Zero to Viral: Event Promotion Ideas for Virtual Triumphs
Can your virtual event get to see the light of day if you fail to promote it effectively? In an era, where every notification and ad is competing for attention, standing out feels like chasing a shooting star. Without the right virtual event promotion ideas, your event risks fading into the background noise of the masses.
The secret ingredient to success? Grab attention, make your message loud and clear, and leave an impression so unforgettable that people can’t stop talking about it. From building buzz to creating moments that stick, every detail matters.
Looking for out-of-the-box promotion ideas for an event? Don’t worry! We’ve done the trial and error for you and gathered some fantabulous event promotion ideas that are sure to make your next event a hit.
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Pre-Event Promotion Ideas
The chaos before an event can feel like you’re living in a scene from The Devil Wears Prada—scrambling to finalize floor plans, guest lists, sponsors, and a million other details. It’s exhausting and a tad dramatic but here’s the plot twist: all that event planning effort means nothing if you don’t promote your event.
Don’t worry, we’re your fairy godmother for the day. Check out these pre-event marketing ideas and make sure your event gets the spotlight it deserves!
1. Creative Teaser Campaigns
Go big or go home! FOMO—the timeless tactic that gets people brimming with curiosity and “can’t-miss-this” energy still reigns supreme. Just look at Barbenheimer! The clash of pink dream worlds and atomic drama created a buzz that had everyone booking tickets just to join the conversation and be a part of the cultural phenomenon.
Use the same principle for your event teasers. Share just enough to spark excitement. It can be glimpses of your speakers, behind-the-scenes prep, or cryptic hints about the big surprise you’re planning. Think “movie trailer vibes”: showcase the highlights without giving away the whole story.
Teasers aren’t just fun—they’re strategic. When done right, they’ll have your audience RSVPing faster than they can say, “I can’t miss this!”
2. Gamify the Registration Process
Put a fun twist on event registration—because who doesn’t love a good game? When people know there’s a reward or an exciting challenge involved, they’re far more likely to sign up. Remember when Taylor Swift teamed up with Google to reveal her remastered tracklist through riddles? Fans were hooked, and it made waves.
Now, teaming up with Google may not be an option, but you can take inspiration from the idea! For instance, you could create a mini scavenger hunt for attendees, where you hide clues across your website or social media that lead people to your registration page. Or, go for a trivia quiz with questions tied to your event’s theme like industry fun facts, history, or pop culture. Get it right, and bam, they unlock a discount code or special access. Want something even simpler? Try a quick puzzle or word game. Once the attendees solve it, they get a chance to win a VIP upgrade or early bird discount. The key is to have a theme, add perks and most importantly, keep it simple.
Not only does gamification make registration engaging, but it also makes your event memorable before it even starts. Make it playful, creative, and irresistible.
3. Leverage Influencers or Industry Experts
Let’s face it—we’re all a little susceptible to influencer or celebrity endorsements. Slap a Backstreet Boys sticker on a random product, and you’ve got me reaching for my wallet. In today’s social media-driven world, having someone with a massive fan following in your corner is like striking gold.
Find influencers or thought leaders whose audience aligns with your event’s theme, and pitch them your idea. Highlight what’s in it for them—be it exposure, collaboration, or just being part of something cool. Once they’re on board, let them do what they do best: create buzz, share posts, and get their followers excited to join in.
It’s the kind of magic that turns casual interest into sold-out virtual seats. Trust the power of their reach!
4. Customizable Email Campaigns
The more you showcase your brand, the better! Emails are like digital calling cards—perfect for grabbing attention and creating a lasting impression. But here’s the catch: generic emails just don’t cut it anymore.
Make your emails pop with customization! Use dynamic content that tailors subject lines, visuals, and messages to your audience’s preferences. Include personalized touches like addressing recipients by name or referencing their past interactions with your brand.
Add interactive elements like GIFs, polls, or countdown timers to make your emails fun and engaging. And don’t forget a clear call-to-action—whether it’s registering, sharing, or downloading a sneak peek of the event. A well-crafted, on-brand email doesn’t just promote—it builds excitement and connection.
5. Create a Pre-Event Community
Word of mouth is one of the most powerful marketing tools. By building a pre-event community, you can take advantage of this to generate excitement before the event even begins.
Create a space where potential and past attendees can connect, share their thoughts, and talk about what they are most looking forward to. This could be a dedicated Facebook group, a Slack channel, or even a hashtag on social media. Use the space to share sneak peeks of the event, exclusive content, or interactive polls to engage participants. Not to mention, the community you end up building could be a valuable resource for future events to crowdsource topics and questions your target audience is interested in.
6. Crowdsource Topics and Event Details through Social Media Polls
Speaking of crowdsourcing…another crowdsource option is using social media polls to decide event topics or themes. One of the cardinal rules of event planning is to choose topics your target audience is interested in. So, why guess what your audience wants when you can just ask them? Use social media polls to let attendees vote on things like session topics, keynote speakers, or even the food and drink menu.
It’s a fun way to get them involved while building excitement for the event as well. Plus, when people feel like they’ve had a say, they’re way more likely to show up and tell others about it! This is one of the best event promotion ideas on social media - it’s super valuable, low cost, and extremely easy to carry out.
7. 12 Days of Christmas Inspired Countdown
Everybody loves and looks forward to the holidays, so why not capitalize on that with a holiday inspired event promotion idea. You can create a “12 Days of Christmas” style marketing campaign to hype your event before it starts. Each day, reveal something exciting like a special speaker, a behind-the-scenes sneak peek, or a limited-time discount. You could even throw in a giveaway or two to keep people coming back. It’s festive, fun, and keeps your audience engaged right up to the event. The only thing to keep in mind, is it’s probably an event marketing idea to save for events you’re organizing around December.
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8. Affiliate Promotions
One of the best assets you have for event marketing is your internal team. Encourage them to share about the event on their own social media and with their own network to drive registrations. You can even turn it into a friendly competition to see who on the team secures the most signups and offer commission or non-monetary perks, like a day off or bragging rights. If you’re doing this though, remember to make sure you’ve got solid tracking in place, whether it’s through UTM parameters or referral codes, to measure their contributions.
Beyond just your internal team, you can use this same strategy with your speakers. Encourage them to share the event with their own network for even wider reach. As an incentive you can offer commission or better visibility within the event for the speaker that drove the most registrations.
9. Paid Ads and Retargeting Ads
If you want to get your event in front of more people and you’ve got some event marketing budget, paid ads are a no-brainer. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Google make it easy to target specific groups whether it’s based on their interests, location, or industry. This means you can get your event seen by your specific target audience to boost registration. When considering paid advertising though, remember to focus on a few channels first that your target audience will likely be on. For example, if you’re organizing a professional conference for finance managers, you may want to consider LinkedIn advertising before turning to Instagram.
And don’t forget retargeting! Those ads that follow people around after they’ve visited your site work wonders for reminding them to register. It’s like a little nudge that says, “Hey, don’t miss this!”. Retargeting ads can be even more effective when you tie it to additional incentives, like discounted tickets, exclusive merchandise or VIP sessions. Since these ads specifically target those who previously visited your registration page but did not sign up, these extra benefits could address any hesitations they had initially and increase your sign ups.
10. List Your Event in Discovery Sites
The aim of event marketing, like any marketing strategy, is to get your event in front of as many of your target audience as possible. So, besides the common channels, like email and social media, another marketing channel to consider is event discovery sites. For example, Events.com, Eventbrite, Meetup, or even local event boards. These sites are like a treasure chest, but instead of gold, it’s filled to the brim with events.
These platforms are an effective marketing channel as they’re typically visited by people who are actively looking for events to attend, so their intention to register can be sky-high (provided your event topic aligns with their interests). Not to mention, listing your event on websites like these is usually free! All you need is an attention-grabbing event name and description as well as some eye-catching visuals, and you’re all set to attract new attendees.
During-the-Event Marketing Ideas
Just because your event has started doesn’t mean your promotion efforts should hit pause. In fact, this is your moment to shine and keep the momentum alive! The goal? Keep the momentum going, engage your audience in real time, and make your event the talk of social media.
11. Interactive Social Media Challenges
The world belongs to social media, and we’re all just scrolling through it. If you’re not tapping into its full potential during your event, you’re leaving engagement on the table.
Interactive challenges are a fun way to get your attendees and followers talking. Create a branded hashtag and challenge participants to post photos, videos, or stories related to your event—whether it’s their virtual setup, their favorite moment, or a fun activity you’ve planned.
Think TikTok dance, Instagram filter challenge, or a "caption this moment" contest. Offer exciting rewards for the best submissions, like exclusive event swag or free access to your next event. The more creative and shareable, the better—your attendees will do the marketing for you!
12. Live Streaming Highlights
Why keep all the fun to yourself? Share snippets of your event live to create FOMO and get those who aren’t attending wishing they were. Go live on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube, showcasing the most exciting moments, behind-the-scenes action, or guest appearances.
Highlight key speakers, panel discussions, or unique interactive moments that make your event stand out. Make sure to engage with viewers in real time by responding to comments, asking questions, and creating polls.
These live glimpses will not only hype up your current audience but also leave those not attending eagerly awaiting your next event, ready to grab their tickets before it’s too late!
13. Exclusive Offers and Announcements
Who doesn’t love a freebie? During your event, offering exclusive incentives can keep your audience engaged and excited. Whether it’s discounts, special access, or freebies, make sure to announce them live and create a sense of urgency.
For example, offer exclusive access to a VIP session, a special gift, or a discount for future events to attendees who share a post about the event or engage in a live poll. You can also take advantage of Remo's live broadcast feature to announce these deals in real time.
By adding surprise announcements or limited-time offers, you not only boost participation but also leave your audience eagerly awaiting your next event—because who can resist a good deal?
14. Sell Event Merchandise
Take advantage of your event's excitement by offering exclusive merchandise. From T-shirts and hats to tote bags and digital items like custom wallpapers, event swag gives attendees something to remember the event by. Plus, it acts as evergreen marketing, promoting your event or brand long after it ends!
You can decide when the best time to sell your merchandise is, whether it’s ahead of time with VIP packages or during the event to boost excitement or even after the event to serve as a keepsake. Just remember to make sure the items align with your event's theme and brand to keep them relevant and desirable.
15. User-Generated Content (UGC)
Who says you can’t get a little help from your attendees when it comes to marketing? UGC is a great way to turn your audience into free promoters! Encourage your attendees to share photos, videos, or moments they’re loving during the event.
Create a fun, branded hashtag and let them post their favorite event moments—whether it's a behind-the-scenes shot, a cool speaker quote, or a group selfie. You can even sweeten the deal by offering small prizes like a shout-out or event swag for the best posts.
Not only does it get people more involved, but it also helps spread the word beyond your event. It's like having an army of marketers—minus the cost!
Post-Event Promotion Ideas
We’re nearing the finish line—this is your chance to go out with a BANG! The event may be over, but the marketing doesn’t stop here. Need help? Take a look at these ideas!
16. Share Highlights in a Creative Way
Event highlights deserve their moment in the spotlight! Don’t let the excitement end when the event wraps up. Get creative with how you share the best moments—whether it’s a fun recap video, a series of Instagram-worthy images, or an engaging blog post that captures the most memorable takeaways.
Consider mixing in attendee testimonials, behind-the-scenes shots, or memorable quotes from your speakers to make the recap feel more personal. You can even turn the highlights into shareable content, like infographics or quick video clips.
Not only does this keep your event fresh in people’s minds, but it also builds anticipation for your next one!
17. Repurpose Event Content
Just because the event is over doesn’t mean the content has to be! Repurpose your event content into bite-sized videos, blog posts, or infographics that can be shared across social media or used in future marketing campaigns. Turn panel discussions into blog series, keynote highlights into short clips, and Q&A sessions into FAQs or downloadable guides.
This not only maximizes the value of your content but keeps your audience engaged long after the event ends—plus, it provides great promotional material for your next one!
18. Offer Early Access for Future Events
Build anticipation for your next event by offering early access to those who attended the current one. Whether it’s a special VIP registration link, a discount code, or a sneak peek at the agenda, giving your current attendees a head start shows appreciation and creates a sense of exclusivity.
This tactic not only rewards your loyal audience but also helps generate excitement and secure registrations early—ensuring your next event has a strong start before the promotion even kicks off!
Fun & Creative Ideas for Event Marketing
Did you think that was all? Well, think again—we’ve got one more creative idea up our sleeve! Isn't it great? It’s like a gift that keeps on giving. Let’s get right into it, shall we?
19. Mystery Event Box
Who doesn’t love a little bit of mystery? It’s the perfect way to add some excitement and curiosity to your event marketing. Take inspiration from MasterChef Australia’s famous mystery box challenges and create your own "Mystery Event Box" for your attendees!
Send out these surprise boxes in advance or give them away during the event. Fill them with quirky, event-related items or clues that lead up to something big—whether it’s an exclusive virtual session, a hidden giveaway, or a special guest reveal. The intrigue and anticipation will have your audience energized for the event even before it starts.
How Remo Can Help Enhance Event Promotion
Now that you’ve got some great ideas for promoting your event, the next step is ensuring you provide an unforgettable experience, and that’s where Remo comes in. With Remo’s user-friendly platform, you can create an immersive event experience from start to finish with easy registration, an immersive attendee experience, and customizable event spaces.
Curious to see how it works? Schedule a demo with us and let us show you how Remo can help you boost engagement and bring your event vision to life.
Promote Your Event to the Max!
And with that, we’ll gracefully bow out! We hope these creative event marketing ideas have sparked some inspiration for your next big event. Remember, promotion doesn’t stop with the planning—it’s all about keeping the momentum going and making a lasting impression.
So go ahead, use these tips, and take your event promotion to the max!
Frequently Asked Questions About Event Promotion Ideas
- What is event marketing?
Event marketing is all about promoting and organizing events to get people excited and engaged with your brand. It's how you spark interest and connect with your audience before, during, and after your event.
- How to do event marketing?
Event marketing is all about mixing strategies—think social media posts, email campaigns, influencer partnerships, and fun content. The goal is to keep your audience in the loop and build excitement leading up to the big day.
- How can I measure the success of my event marketing?
To measure success, look at things like ticket sales, social media activity, and attendee feedback. These will give you the insights you need to improve and keep your events growing.
Zainab Asad
Zainab Asad is a Content Writer at Remo, contributing to the platform's mission of fostering authentic virtual connections. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for effective communication, she crafts engaging content that empowers event professionals to create memorable virtual experiences.
