1- Social Media

There are so many social media that you can use to create the buzz for your event but here are the most important ones you should be on:

• Facebook: Facebook is one of the most important social media to use when marketing events mostly because you have the possibility to create your event, invite all your contacts and followers and it will also give you an idea on how many attendees you can expect. The other advantage is that all the persons invited will receive notifications and reminders of your event.

• Twitter: Twitter is another social media that cannot be forgotten as this is one of the most used social media and you can tweet as much as you want without annoying your followers. Twitter is a great tool to promote your event before but also during the event, so make sure to share information and updates as well as videos during the event.

• Instagram: Instagram is another social media that I really like to use to promote an event, especially during the event as you can share pictures, videos, stories and live videos. Instagram allows everyone to have a glimpse of all the fun of the event thanks to live videos where you can present the venue, food and entertainment. Make sure to use hashtags, tag people and add the location so your posts get more attention.

2- Useful Tools

• Hootsuite: This platform allows you to schedule posts, pictures and videos on all of your social media so this is great to already schedule as many posts as you can so you can focus on other things in the meantime.

• Event Sharing websites: Many websites have an event calendar where you can add your own event. These sites are really great as they allow you to share your event on many platforms and grow your audience as well.

• Sponsors, ambassadors and venues platforms: Every platform is good to use so make sure that your sponsors, ambassadors and the venue are also promoting the event on their social media and website.

• Online Storage: One of the most useful tool for event planners is online storage like the Cloud or google drive that allow you to keep all your files and documents safe. This is very useful as you can have access to your documents everywhere and also you are sure that even if your computer dies you won’t lose anything.

Watch our video below for more complete information and tips on How to develop a PR plan for your event.

Thank you for watching, and don’t forget to like this video, share it and subscribe to CityEvents to gain valuable knowledge about planning your future events.

If you liked this video you may also like our video series on How to market your event on social media.

Toronto’s massive wealth of space in the Portlands has seen its years of ups and downs since it opened in 1951. Originally, the Richard L. Hearn Generating Station burned coal which was shipped out on the Saint Lawrence Seaway to ports around the globe.

Environmental complaints in the early 70’s about the heavy smog that was emitted from the Stations eight chimney stacks lead to the installation of a single smokestack, which cost nine million dollars but it also landed the Station in the record books at the time with having one of the world’s tallest smokestacks (215 m/705 ft.). This move greatly reduced Toronto’s air pollution and the area around the plant came to be known as a popular fishing and recreation spot.

The Smokestack at the Generating Station which was once the tallest in the world at 215 m. Photo courtesy of P. McDines.

The Station was decommissioned in 1983 after it was unable to meet the increasing financial demand that cogeneration ( natural gas and coal) would cost.

Since it was decommissioned there were many talks and many different plans to restart the generators and switchboards, with none coming to fruition mostly because of city and provincial politics

In 2002, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) gave a long lease to a film studio ( 32.5 years, according to the City of Toronto’s Waterfront Secretariat) who had ambition plans to convert the Station into a 28 thousand sq.m. multi purpose film and production studio and call it ‘Great Lakes Studios’. Many of the interior boilers and equipment was removed to make room for the renovations, which sadly also did not make it to completion.  

Since then, the Station has been a haven for urban explorers and photographers. It began getting serious about opening up its doors as a venue for events and film in 2010 when it was used in a movie, and in 2014 for Luminato’s Big Bang Bash and Yves Saint Laurent Opening Night Party. In 2015 Luminator hosted UNSOUND on the property and again in 2016 Luminator used the grounds as their festival hug, utilizing most of the space for art and performance.

The original brick exterior painted with “Don’t Look Back” at the loading entrance for Luminato ’15. Photo courtesy of P. McDines

One of the tunnels inside of the Station lit with artist installations during Luminato ’15. Photo courtesy of P. McDines.

Recently there have been a few commercial shoots, but that’s about it. So far, Luminato Festival seems to be the only lucky infrequent resident of the Station. Stats show that the 5.6-acre venue has proved to hold 10,000 people.

A look inside the Station at the still exposed wiring and steal.

Written By: Paula McDines

Do you ever find it hard to keep your guests interested, awake and engaged at your events? Social media walls could be used by anyone from wedding planners to corporate event planners to community leaders onsite at their events and meetings. Social media walls provide their attendees with a great way to interact.

A Social Media Wall shows content, not only from Twitter (Twitter Wall), but also from other social networks like Facebook, Instagram, Flickr, or YouTube.

Top Tips On Social Media Walls:

• Hashtags: Create an easy to remember, short relevant Hashtag. Ensure the hashtag  you create is on your Instagram posts and in your tweets. Ask guests to use the same hashtag when discussing the event on social media.This hashtag allows you to search who else is talking about your event. Tag all of your posts with it, and encourage attendees to do the same.

• Tweet a lot and listen: Share those pre-planned Tweets, ask questions, pictures and videos as much as you can. Don’t forget that communication is a two-way conversation, so don’t just Tweet and Post and leave it there. Listen to the conversation and contribute when you can. RT or Favorite Tweets, Like and Share posts, answer questions and respond to comments. You’ll be surprised how it can encourage more interaction and build a connection with your followers.

• Display branded content: If you are sharing a lot of official updates during the event, social media walls are a great way to maximize the lifetime and reach of all your branded social media content via TV displays around the venue. Connect your Facebook page, Twitter feed, Instagram etc. and your attendees will never miss an update while walking around the event. Share announcements, prize winners, next speaker in line etc.

• Onsite Contests: Consider organizing a contest and asking followers to submit their own photos/videos — the winner could win a prize! Social Media Walls will make it more visual and will help you track the hashtag of your event and contest. You can display photos of prizes, tags and hashtags your attendees can use.

Watch our video below for more complete information and tips on how to market your event and create the buzz on social media.

Thank you for watching, and don’t forget to like this video, share it and subscribe to CityEvents to gain valuable knowledge about planning your future events.

If you liked this video you may also like our video on How to market your event on Periscope and Google +.

Everyone uses Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to advertise and market events, but why not try something new? Instagram. This social media platform is often under-used but most effective when it comes to promoting your event, building your brand identity and gaining a stronger following for your company. It is building in momentum and is a must have.

As Instagram is all visual, photos are always a great way to provide a visual to your event. An Instagram photo diary is a wonderful way to promote your events to your target market and audience. Instagram live is also popular.

Top Tips On Instagram:

• Get Posting: Just like other social media platforms, the key to be successful on Instagram is being active. This means taking lots of pictures or videos and posting them for your followers to see. Consider setting a posting schedule and stay on top of that, whether it’s five times a day or five times a week. Study your past posts to see when they got the most audience engagement.

• Create a Story: Let your followers and audience in on the details of the event.  You want to make them feel involved in the event right from the beginning. For timing it is important to create excitement before tickets are on sale. You can do this by making your posts tell a story, updating them regularly and let them in on the planning and preparation right through to after the event. Having regular updates will make people look forward to the next update and keep them wanting more!

• Hashtags: Create an easy to remember, short relevant Hashtag. Ensure the hashtag  you create is on tickets, website, signs, email reminders, facebook event/posts and in your tweets. This hashtag allows you to search who else is talking about your event. Tag all of your posts with it, and encourage attendees to do the same.

Watch our video below for more complete information and tips on how to market your event and create the buzz on social media.

Thank you for watching, and don’t forget to like this video, share it and subscribe to CityEvents to gain valuable knowledge about planning your future events.

If you liked this video you may also like our video on How to market your event on Social Media Walls and Facebook.

Social media sectors such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and your surrounding neighbourhood are great ways to network and spread the word about your past, current, and future projects.  Today we are focusing on Facebook: one of the most popular social media tools.

Facebook is a powerful and cost-effective social media tool. Creating and promoting an event on Facebook is free and requires a series of easy-to-follow steps.  You can also enhance your facebook marketing with a custom facebook ad campaign.

Top Tips On Facebook:  

• Create an event on Facebook: Ensure to have any staff, ambassadors with permissions as a host. Once someone has accepted the invitation you are able to change their status to host so they can edit the event and update and post easily. Once you have created the event start to invite friends, ask others to invite others to increase the reach.  You will need to keep the event as a public event so that guests can invite others and people can find your event through facebook search.

• Facebook Campaigns: Many events have grown tracking or increased its exposure and attendees through facebook campaigns and Facebook Ads.  These can be useful as you can be very specific of the geographic area, age, status and other elements so you are only paying for advertising to your target market.

• Photos: Always a great way to provide a visual to your event.  This is a wonderful way to promote your events to your target market and audience and show people enjoying past events. It also gives them a better understanding of what the event looks and feels like. Change your profile and cover photo with the main banner of your event.

• Videos: You can also create promotional videos or video photo slide shows about your event to post.  This can be done using a slide show of photos related to your event, any related footage you have access to, link to music and add text with your main event details.

• Tags: A tag is a hyperlink making it easier for your followers or guests to click and visit the  page or person that you’ve tagged. Your post is usually displayed onto the Wall or Timeline of the Page or friend that you’ve tagged. By tagging speakers or guests, you will make your event more visible and have a chance to reach future attendees.

Watch our video below for more complete information and tips on how to market your event and create the buzz on social media.

Thank you for watching, and don’t forget to like this video, share it and subscribe to CityEvents to gain valuable knowledge about planning your future events.

If you liked this video you may also like our video on How to market your event on Hootsuite and YouTube.

This marketing video outlines how to prepare effective techniques to market your events on Twitter.  Because posts on twitter are only 140 characters, your tweets have to be creative and engaging. It’s better to tweet something short and eye catching and include a link that people can click for more information.

Top Tips On Twitter:  

• Text/Quick Stories/ Bytes: Different people are interested in different things, write tweets about all aspects of the event and don’t forget to mention sponsors, ambassadors. One text byte explains charity or the cause or explains official message, while another is all about the talent, celebrities or DJ, and another could perhaps showcase the venue or the food, or signature drinks etc.

• Photos and Videos: Photos show up well on twitter, so similar to facebook, tweet and post photos so followers can get a visual of the event. You can also create promotional videos about your event to post on various sites online.  This can be done using a slideshow of photos related to your event, any related footage you have access to, link to music and add text with your main event details or can try Vine that is integrated into twitter recently.

• Twitter contest: Setting up a twitter contest is a perfect way to increase your reach and have your followers engage or retweet.  The most common is a Retweet to win, another way is to ask ppl to mention a hashtag and account name (@Mention)  These can also be held onsite at the events to increase engagement by attendees.

• Hashtags: Create an easy to remember, short relevant Hashtag. Ensure the hashtag  you create is on tickets, website, signs, email reminders, facebook event/posts and in your tweets. Hashtags will make it easier to find any tweet related to the event and can also be very useful if you have a social media wall during your event.

Watch our video below for more complete information and tips on how to market your event and create the buzz on social media.

Thank you for watching, and don’t forget to like this video, share it and subscribe to CityEvents to gain valuable knowledge about planning your future events.

If you liked this video you may also like our video on How to market your event on Instagram and Hootsuite.

This time we are telling you how to promote your event through Google +: a social media which plays a major role in Search Engine Optimization by making it easier for marketers to show up in search results. Despite its late start, Google + is one of the largest social network and is definitely to include into your marketing strategy.

Here are some highlights of the video:

• Join communities: They are the best way to promote your event. This is a place to meet and engage with people on topics you’re interested in. You can join communities related to any business or topic you want and they often have different categories so it allows you to target the right audience. If you cannot find a community related to your content, you can create you own.

• Include keywords and hashtags: Keywords are essential on Google + whether it is in your company description, personal profile or your posts. Make sure that they are SEO friendly and to include hashtags in all your posts. They will increase your visibility on google search so they are very important for your event promotion.

• Create your event: Like on Facebook, you can create your own event and invite all the persons in your circles. You can give all the details related to your event such as the date, the location, etc. People that you invited can let you know if they will be attending or not. This is also a great way to communicate any extra details, or answering questions of the attendees.

• Engage: There is no secret to buzz on social media, you have to engage with people and not simply post your content. This means that you have to join communities, comment and like others posts, but also share content from others that you find interesting. Google + is the best place where you can interact with people that could be interested in your events.

Watch our video below for more complete information and tips

 
Thank you for watching, and don’t forget to like this video, share it and subscribe to CityEvents to gain valuable knowledge about planning your future events.

This time we are telling you how to promote your event through Linkedin: a professional social network, where you can connect with companies and other professionals. Linkedin is one of the most popular social media counting more users than Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. Despite its popularity, Linkedin is often forgotten by marketers which makes it the best platform to promote your event without too much competition. We don’t recommend LinkedIn for your next music festival but it could be a perfect place to get the word out for your next networking event or conference.

Here are some highlights of the video:

• Keep your profile and company page updated: A properly optimized profile or page will increase your search visibility, so you have to make sure to use relevant keywords in your description, use descriptive wording in your job title and company name, Complete all fields in your profile and company page and to include links to your website and blog in your profile, description and posts.

• Join groups: Groups are the best way promote your event. This is a good way to select a specific audience and to promote your event to the right target. You can find groups very easily by using the search tool. You can also create your own group which will help you to connect with attendees before and after the event, to provide a central place for them to ask questions and facilitate discussion around the event topics.

• Send invitation and messages: You can’t be shy when promoting an event, so you should be familiar with contacting people directly. Using the Advanced People Search, you can filter the results by how you’re connected as well as by keyword, industry, and location.You can send invitations to your event using the Advanced People Search function to find people that would benefit by attending your event, media contacts that may be interested in covering the event for their outlet or potential event sponsors. You can also send direct messages to your contacts or members of groups you are part of.

Watch our video below for more complete information and tips

Thank you for watching, and don’t forget to like this video, share it and subscribe to CityEvents to gain valuable knowledge about planning your future events.

This time we are telling you how to promote your event through Snapchat: a messaging mobile app where you can share exciting pictures, videos and daily life stories to others in a 10 second window. Snapchat sends pictures and videos that you will be able to see from 1 to 10 seconds before they disappear. This application is used by millions of young users which makes it the perfect place to market your event to this type of attendee.

Here are some highlights of the video:

• Snapchat is easy to use. You only have to download the application on your phone and create your account.

• Snapchat has its own terminology such as: snaps which are photos or videos, and stories which are series of snaps that you can send to your friends. You can personalize any of your snaps with filters, emojis or drawings.

• Unlike other social media, Snapchat has a time constraint on the shared content, which means any snap you send will expire and will not be seen ever again. Stories are the best tool for your marketing campaign as the snaps can be seen during 24h. The extended view time opens the door to all kinds of creative marketing campaigns. For example, you can create a series of videos and images showing the progress of the preparation for your event or the teams working on certain aspects of the event.

• Snapchat is an exciting application as it allows you to be very creative and to stand out from other companies. There are different ways you can market your event and create buzz such are creating offers & promotions, teasers like a behind the scenes of your event, giveaways and storytelling.

Watch our video below for more complete information and tips

Thank you for watching, and don’t forget to like this video, share it and subscribe to CityEvents to gain valuable knowledge about planning your future events.

This time we are telling you how to promote your event through Periscope: an application that allows you to “go live” via your mobile at anytime and anywhere. This mobile application allows you your own “on the go” broadcasting station, streaming video and audio to any viewers who join your broadcast. Periscope is an amazing tool to promote your company and your events as it is free, easy to use and is a unique way of promotion. Periscope is  also a great tool to interact with your attendees and subscribers as you can live stream during your event or conduct interviews live.

Here are some highlights of the video:

• Periscope is easy to use. You can use your twitter account to log in so it will be easier to share that you are going live on social media.

• Periscope is only composed of 4 tabs: the list of people you are following and are live, the live public broadcast to join, your broadcast booth and the people to follow.

• Periscope is a great tool to promote your event before, but also during and after. It allows you to show all the different aspects of your event and can help you get more attendees or make your event more popular. For example, run a giveaway, hold a behind the scenes broadcast, interview special guests or speakers, or live stream the opening of your event.

• Announce on all your social media when you are going live! Since your Twitter account is connected to your periscope account, it makes it easier to promote your live broadcast. You want as many viewers as possible, so it is important that you share in advance when you are doing your broadcast. Share this information on all your social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+, etc. and announce it in your newsletter.

Watch our video below for more complete information and tips

Thank you for watching, and don’t forget to like this video, share it and subscribe to CityEvents to gain valuable knowledge about planning your future events.