Turn Posts into RSVP’s: Social Media Tips for Your Next Big Event

07 Apr Turn Posts into RSVP’s: Social Media Tips for Your Next Big Event

SOCIAL MEDIA TIPS FOR YOUR NEXT BIG EVENT

Let’s talk about social media.

Uh oh. Did your eyes just roll back a little? I get it. We’ve been living and working with social media for more than a decade now, and I think we all agree it has its pros and cons. Battling algorithms is exhausting and engagement can sometimes feel non-existent. Did anyone even see that last post? Not to mention the patience required to make a reel and the discipline it takes not to scroll the day away.

So, let me rephrase my question:
Let’s talk about using social media strategically.

Why? Because if you’re promoting your event, business, product, or service, there’s no better FREE tool out there. At Zynger Events, we use Instagram both to promote our company and showcase our clients’ events. And before we get too busy with events this year, I am taking this time to share my TOP THREE favorite strategies from recent events that our clients have used (kudos to them!)…

SOCIAL MEDIA TIP #1:
Create a countdown campaign

PURPOSE: Build anticipation and excitement

HOW IT WORKS: Post a daily countdown leading up to your event. Highlight interesting details—guest speakers, entertainment, behind-the-scenes peeks. Use countdown stickers in Instagram Stories or create a bold “days left” graphic to keep it visual and fun as this example.

This technique worked well to help our client, NAIOP SoCal, build interest for its Annual Awards Gala that recognizes leaders in the Southern California Commercial Real Estate Industry. It also ensured that members got their entries in on time to be considered. This year the event will be on Wednesday, May 14 at the Vibiana, so the March deadline gave the judges plenty of time to choose the nominees and select the winners (to be announced at the event!).

SOCIAL MEDIA TIP #2:
Create and use an event hashtag

PURPOSE: To enable attendees and a wider audience to follow along as the event unfolds & add a “brand” to your event.

HOW IT WORKS: Create a custom hashtag early and encourage its use. Hashtags enable people to follow the hashtag to its own Instagram page where they can see what others are also posting about the event.

The best practice is to develop a memorable, catchy event hashtag that people can start using even before the event begins.

Our longtime client, The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, in preparing for their annual Red Dress Dress Red party, encouraged guests to use the hashtag #RDDR2025 as they prepped, partied, and recovered after this year’s event – attracting close to 4,000 guests of the Palm Springs Community!

This hashtag is posted in material before the event and on their social media as they begin to plan the event which takes place at the Palm Springs Air Museum in March. The use of it encourages followers and early registrants to share their excitement, thoughts, or expectations about the event with the hashtag. You can also create a pre-event challenge or contest where attendees post their own content related to the event using the hashtag. You will be able to find them on that page and use their content or reward them for most posts, best post, etc.

SOCIAL MEDIA TIP #3:
Post behind-the-scenes reels and content

PURPOSE: Going behind the scenes with video gives your audience an insider’s viewpoint into the preparation process of the event. And yes, another “shout out to The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert’s Digital Marketing Manager”…

HOW IT WORKS: This works well when you can film or photograph content that is dynamic or vital to the event. For instance, we took video of our walk-through of the Palm Springs Air Museum where the Red Dress Dress Red event would be taking place. It was impressive to see the planes and the vast space of the hangar.

Ideas include footage of set up, organizing swag bags, or rehearsing for key moments. This not only builds excitement but makes your followers feel involved even before the event happens.

In the case of the Red Dress Dress Red event, a special Instagram account was created (@rddrps) so when posting, they could also post an entire reel, getting the event, and the post, more bang for the buck! As well, it allowed for sharing between other accounts that were tagged – so was able to be shared over and over again through other accounts.

If I had to add one more social media tip (and why not??), it would be this: try to get comfortable with video. It’s not as intimidating as it seems! You don’t need a director’s chair or an Oscar-worthy script—just simple, snackable clips that tell a story.

A great, easy tool for editing video right from your phone is the InShot app. Or, skip the editing altogether and just share short video snippets as they are. Authenticity wins.

Why video? Because it works. The algorithm loves it, and so do Instagram users. Out of the 2 billion+ people on Instagram, over 726 million are watching Reels—and that number’s still growing. In fact, Instagram users spend 50% of their time watching Reels, and there are more than 140 billion Reels played every day. Reels now make up 38% of all Instagram feed posts.

Wild, right? I’m not sharing these stats to overwhelm you—but to encourage you. If you’re looking for exciting, free ways to boost engagement at your events, nothing comes close to the impact of video and Reels.

PS – We also encourage taking breaks from social media – this significantly benefits your mental health and well-being, offering opportunities for reflection, reduced anxiety, and increases focus on real-life activities.

I’d love to hear how you are using social media for your events. Just hit reply and share your thoughts—and drop your handles too. That way, when I post Part Two on this topic, I’ll be sure to tag you and spread the word!

Talk soon—and until then, I’ll see you in the scroll,