With the popularity of social media firmly cementing itself as a reliable marketing tool for brands and destinations alike, it’s no wonder we see so many events – like state fairs – jumping on board.
The question now is: how can a state fair elevate its social media channels?
It may seem like the obvious first step, but the simplest steps are often the ones that have the biggest impact. This means having a clear picture of the types of content, posting frequency, and channels you’re going to post on in place. Plan your content out weeks, months, or even years in advance, even if it’s just getting an idea of what you’ll post on what day. Then, when it comes time to post your content, you know what subject you’ll be covering. So half the work is already done for you.
For example, once you know the date your big fair is opening, start posting content about the food, events, and attractions months in advance. This accomplishes two things: it keeps the fair top-of-mind, even during the off-season, and generates interest in your event long before your gates even open.
If you know what you’re going to post when you’re going to post it, why not schedule content ahead of time? Once you take a closer look at when your content will be posting, you’ll be able to see gaps in your plan (long stretches of time where there is nothing posted) or bottlenecking of content. You don’t want to overwhelm your audience with too much content all at once.
Your audience is a largely visual one – meaning, they want something to catch their eye and keep their attention. This is something you can use to your advantage. The thought of state fairs immediately brings to mind delicious food, brightly colored lights and rides, and large, plush stuffed game prizes. Post photos of new dishes you’re going to feature, or new rides, or even new musical acts on places like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for maximum exposure. Be sure to experiment with filters or photo editing programs, like VSCO to really make your images come alive.
Want to attract new audiences to your fair for years to come? Use hashtags in your posts! Hashtags are types of metadata that allow users to sort and find content relevant to their interests. By using hashtags like #statefair, #fair, #cottoncandy, and #bumpercars in your Instagram or Twitter posts, audiences who are interested in these subjects will be able to easily find and engage with your content, and (hopefully) be compelled to buy a few tickets.
Social media is a place of experimentation and trial-and-error. Be sure to switch up your content, post consistently, and engage with your audience. If you keep these social media tips for state fairs in mind, you might just continue to see your turnstiles turning for years to come.