Having just wrapped up a whirlwind month of live events (both in person and online), including the Brighton Chamber Summit and RCOT (Royal College of Occupational Therapists) #OTWeek, we’re buzzing with excitement and insights to share!
From taking over socials for major happenings to covering our own agency adventures, October had us flitting from one event to the next. And with each experience, we’ve refined our approach to make the magic of live events shine online.
So, grab your favourite GIF and dive into our top tips to make your next live event a social media success!
Before the event: setting the scene
The success of live-event social media starts long before the big day. Here’s how we ensure a seamless experience:
Plan, plan, plan
- Content roadmap: Create a rough content outline and, when possible, draft posts ahead of time. While you can’t predict everything, pre-drafting captions and visuals for likely scenarios helps cut down on day-of pressure.
- Roles and responsibilities: Designate team roles clearly—who’s capturing live video? Who’s engaging with comments and re-shares? This way, everyone knows their place, and nothing slips through the cracks.
- Brand hashtag: Launch the event’s hashtag early! Encourage your audience to use it in their own posts, building buzz beforehand. This creates excitement and sets the stage for a collaborative social media presence.
- Audience teasers: Give your audience a taste of what’s to come, whether through sneak peeks, interviews, or visuals. You’ll build anticipation and get people excited to follow along
During the event: capturing the energy
Now that the stage is set, it’s time to showcase the excitement as it happens! Here’s how we keep it engaging and on-brand:
Be flexible and embrace the unexpected
- On-the-fly adjustments: Events have a way of going off-script! Whether a speaker brings up something unexpected or Wi-Fi gets spotty, be ready to adapt your plans. Quick thinking (and a dash of humour) will keep things running smoothly.
- Engage with real-time content: Post frequently and vary your content—mix live updates, quotes from speakers, crowd reactions, and short interviews. Capturing these moments keeps your audience engaged and makes them feel like part of the action.
- Encourage audience participation: Invite attendees to post and tag your brand or use the event hashtag. Comment on and reshare their posts, adding a personal touch that enhances connection and shows your brand’s personality.
Create FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes: Share moments that give followers an insider’s view, like the buzzing prep room or audience reactions during keynote sessions. The exclusivity draws your audience in, making them want to attend next time.
- Go Live for special moments: Whether it’s the opening keynote or a behind-the-scenes moment, going live adds a layer of excitement. Use it sparingly for maximum impact, like a big reveal or closing remarks from the event host.
After the event: keeping the conversation going
The event may be over, but its social life is just beginning. Here’s how we extend the magic beyond the event itself:
Post-event highlights
- Event round-up content: Create a “round-up” reel or a GIF of event highlights. These fun summaries are a great way to encapsulate the energy and impact of the event and give followers a reason to revisit your page.
- Share key takeaways: Give your audience something to chew on by sharing insightful quotes, highlights, and “wow” moments from speakers. This adds lasting value to your content and positions your brand as a knowledge resource.
- Reshare audience content: Show appreciation to attendees by resharing their content and tagging them. This strengthens your community, builds brand loyalty, and keeps your brand active in their feeds
Follow-up engagement
- Continue the dialogue: Post an event poll, invite followers to share their favourite moments, or ask them what they’d like to see next year. This encourages a two-way conversation and provides valuable feedback.
- Thank the contributors: Acknowledge speakers, sponsors, and key attendees in your post-event content. This not only shows gratitude but also encourages them to share your post with their networks, increasing your reach.
Ready for your next event?
When it comes to live event social media, preparation, engagement, and follow-through are key. And while each event comes with its own challenges, remember: the best content often comes from the most unexpected moments. So, prepare for the unexpected, involve your audience, and make the most of every second.
If you’re looking to make your next live event unforgettable online, Social Firefly is here to help—just drop us a line at hello@socialfirefly.co.uk 🧡
Mel is a creative digital marketer who loves working with the public sector, charities and businesses to help them achieve their goals. She's been working in marketing and communications since 2011, and when she's not being a dynamite marketer she loves reading about psychology, travelling, running or hanging out with her daughter Mia.