Sometimes creating the perfect event just isn't enough, you have to make sure you're putting it in front of the right people! One of the easier ways to do this is by correctly creating a Facebook Event with your branded imagery and complete description, including a ticket link and the correct co-hosts (Artists, Promoters, Sponsors, Venue). The 600x400 Newsletter image you should be using for your Freshtix Event can also be used as the Facebook Event image. Once the event is created you should coordinate with every member of your team and partner groups to invite their friends to the event. You may also want to consider some paid promotion to boost event awareness (more on paid promotion in future posts). Event Promotion is a team effort and shouldn't just be left to one person.
WRONG (unless you enjoy missing out on additional promotion). While it seems like common sense for the Facebook Event to go live when the tickets go on sale, you're actually missing a huge opportunity to build excitement and anticipation for the event. Creating the event with a future on-sale date/time allows you to build a captive audience that will receive a notification when your event goes on sale. Additionally, when posting official announcements and promotional content, those that have RSVPd to the event will get a notification whereas a post just to your page might get lost before it gets any online traction. Although Facebook Events won't guarantee a large attendance, the more popular the event is perceived to be the more likely the interest will convert to actual sales. Upcoming Freshtix features include integration with Facebook to allow you to publish a Freshtix event to your Facebook page and save time creating the event in two places.
