Maximizing Engagement
If you're working to keep your audience connected, not just to register for events like conferences but also to stay engaged with your brand throughout the year, a multi-channel approach is a game changer. When it comes to keeping your community engaged, I always recommend combining email marketing, texting, social media, and public relations into one robust strategy. These tools, when used the right way, can work together to ensure you're consistently showing up, providing value, and nurturing those relationships long after the event ends.
Why This Approach Works
Each of these platforms has its own strengths, and when you combine them, they create a seamless experience for your audience.
Email Marketing: Email is perfect for sharing in-depth details. You can deliver personalized content, send reminders, and offer valuable resources. It's great for the long game.
Text Messaging: Texting gets your message directly into your audience’s hands and ensures it’s seen right away. Whether it's a quick registration reminder or a motivational boost, texting helps you stay top-of-mind instantly.
Social Media: Social media is where your audience is already hanging out. It's where you can build community, share updates, and keep your brand in the conversation.
Public Relations (PR): PR is key for building trust and credibility. It's an excellent tool for making your message heard on a larger scale, whether through press releases, media coverage, or thought leadership opportunities.
Here’s How to Integrate Email, Texting, Social Media, and PR for a Strategy That Works
1. Use Email for Those Detailed Touchpoints
Emails are great for when you have more information to share, especially for:
Pre-Event Communication: Send registration reminders, event details, speaker previews, and any last-minute info. This helps your audience feel prepared and excited.
Resources & Encouragement: After the conference, keep the momentum going by sharing helpful resources, exclusive content, and positive reminders to keep them engaged.
Follow-Up: Post-event emails are perfect for gathering feedback, sharing highlights, and giving your audience next steps for staying involved.
2. Tap Into Text Messaging for Quick, Impactful Touchpoints
Texting is perfect for keeping your audience engaged on a more personal, immediate level. Use texting to:
Send Urgent Reminders: Whether it's a last-minute registration prompt or an event reminder, texting guarantees your message gets through quickly.
Motivational Check-ins: Send a quick, encouraging message that makes your audience feel seen and supported, especially after an event.
Exclusive Offers: Reward your audience with special deals or promotions via text—this keeps them excited and gives them an incentive to keep engaging.
3. Keep the Energy Up on Social Media
Social media is where the fun and engagement happen in real-time. It’s a great way to keep your audience involved before, during, and after the event. Here's how:
Pre-Event Hype: Share countdowns, sneak peeks, and behind-the-scenes content to get people excited about what’s coming.
Live Updates: During the event, share key moments, quotes, and videos. It creates FOMO for those who didn’t register and keeps current attendees engaged.
Post-Event Community: After the conference, keep the conversation alive by posting recap videos, attendee testimonials, and discussion prompts. Social media is great for letting your community interact with each other long after the event wraps.
4. Use PR for Broader Reach and Credibility
PR can be a game-changer when it comes to building trust and visibility for your brand. You can use PR to:
Announce Major Milestones: Send press releases about key announcements, like the launch of a new podcast host or the opening of event registration. This helps you gain attention from media outlets and reach a larger audience.
Generate Buzz Around Your Brand: Pitch your brand story, upcoming events, or podcast highlights to journalists, bloggers, and influencers. Coverage in reputable media outlets helps build your authority and reach.
Thought Leadership: Position your team or key figures (like your podcast host) as experts in your field. Contribute articles, appear in interviews, or engage in speaking opportunities that elevate your brand's credibility.
Staying Connected Year-Round
While these strategies are awesome for promoting a single event, the key to long-term engagement is making sure you're providing value and staying in touch consistently. Consider offering monthly newsletters, motivational texts, and fresh social content that goes beyond just event promotion.
Offer Ongoing Value: Share articles, resources, personal stories, or encouragement via email, text, and social media. Your audience will appreciate the ongoing support and feel like they’re getting more than just event-related content.
Create Community: Use your platforms to foster a sense of belonging. Create Facebook groups or private social spaces where attendees can connect, share experiences, and continue learning from each other.
How We Used This Strategy to Introduce Our New Podcast Host
One of the ways we successfully applied this multi-channel approach was when we introduced a new host for our podcast. To keep the audience excited and informed about this change, we strategically used all four platforms:
Email: We sent a detailed announcement to our email list, introducing the new host and sharing what listeners could expect from the show moving forward. This gave us the chance to dive deep into their background, vision for the podcast, and the exciting changes ahead.
Texting: For immediate engagement, we sent text messages to our audience highlighting the launch date of the new season and a special message from the new host. It felt personal and real-time—exactly what people needed to feel connected to the change.
Social Media: On social, we built up the hype with posts, teasers, and behind-the-scenes footage of the new host preparing for the role. We also shared clips from the first few episodes to spark conversations and create buzz around the transition. This allowed us to keep the excitement going and build a sense of anticipation leading up to each new episode.
PR: To reach a wider audience, we pitched the new host to media outlets and shared press releases announcing the change. This generated additional coverage and helped solidify our podcast’s credibility, making sure the audience knew this was a significant shift for the show.
Conclusion
When used together, email marketing, texting, social media, and PR form a powerful strategy that keeps your audience connected and engaged. These tools allow you to stay top-of-mind with your community—whether you're encouraging them to register for an event, introducing a new podcast host, or providing ongoing resources and support throughout the year.
So, if you’re ready to take your marketing strategy up a notch, combining these touchpoints will help you build a loyal, engaged audience that not only shows up for your events but stays connected to your brand long after. If you need help figuring out how to integrate these tools into your strategy, I’m here to help—let’s talk about how we can make this work for you!