Word-of-mouth marketing is one of the most powerful and cost-effective ways to drive event success. When attendees have memorable experiences, they naturally become advocates, helping to boost ticket sales and build brand credibility. Many Brown Paper Tickets reviews highlight how the platform supports event organizers in leveraging word-of-mouth marketing. With features like seamless social sharing buttons and personalized referral codes that reward advocates, Brown Paper Tickets makes it easy for organizers to turn attendee enthusiasm into increased bookings.
When attendees share their positive experiences, it amplifies an event’s reach, while also building trust and credibility among potential participants.
Encouraging Social Media Sharing
Social media is the cornerstone of modern word-of-mouth marketing, offering attendees an easy way to share event highlights with their networks. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn allow participants to post photos, videos and updates in real-time, amplifying event visibility to a wider audience.
Event-specific hashtags encourage attendees to engage with branded content while enabling organizers to track and share user-generated posts. Features like live streaming, Stories and reels add excitement and provide a behind-the-scenes look, fostering deeper connections with followers. By sharing their experiences, attendees not only promote the event but also inspire others to participate in future gatherings, turning online buzz into real-world interest.
Create Shareable Moments
Design interactive experiences—like photo booths, branded backdrops or engaging live sessions—that inspire attendees to capture and share their moments. Encourage the use of event-specific hashtags to make it easy for organizers to track and amplify user-generated content.
Host Social Media Contests
Gamify sharing by creating contests that reward participants for tagging the event or posting photos and videos. For example, “Share your favorite event moment with #EventName for a chance to win exclusive prizes” creates buzz while increasing event visibility.
Provide Ready-to-Share Content
Offering attendees pre-made social media graphics, captions and highlight reels makes it simple for them to spread the word. Providing templates saves time and ensures consistent messaging that aligns with the event’s branding.
Social media sharing amplifies excitement and organically extends the event’s reach to broader, untapped audiences.
Leveraging Attendee Testimonials
Testimonials from real attendees provide relatable, trustworthy endorsements that resonate with potential participants. Hearing about firsthand experiences, whether through video clips, social media posts or written reviews, helps build credibility and trust. Organizers can showcase these testimonials on event websites, marketing emails or social media campaigns to highlight the event’s value and success.
Featuring stories that emphasize unique takeaways—such as valuable networking opportunities, engaging content or memorable moments—can inspire potential attendees to take action. Authentic, attendee-driven endorsements serve as powerful motivators for driving interest and future registrations.
Collect On-Site Testimonials
Engage attendees during the event to gather authentic feedback. Video testimonials, recorded at designated “testimonial stations,” allow participants to share their favorite experiences in real-time.
Highlight Post-Event Feedback
Post-event surveys and reviews often contain valuable insights and positive quotes. To promote attendee satisfaction, feature these testimonials on event websites, email campaigns and promotional materials.
Showcase User Stories
Spotlighting attendee success stories—such as meaningful connections made, professional growth or favorite takeaways—creates emotional connections with future audiences. Sharing these stories through blogs, newsletters or videos enhances event credibility and appeal.
Attendee testimonials offer real-world validation, building trust and inspiring new participants to get involved.
Implementing Referral Incentives
Referral incentives encourage past attendees to spread the word by rewarding them for bringing in new participants. Offering perks like discounted tickets, exclusive event access or branded merchandise motivates attendees to actively promote the event within their networks. A well-structured referral program not only boosts attendance but also taps into the trust and credibility of personal recommendations.
By making the referral process seamless—through personalized links, promo codes or easy sharing options—organizers can maximize participation and engagement. These incentives create a win-win scenario, rewarding advocates while expanding the event’s reach and impact.
Offer Exclusive Rewards
Create referral programs that provide tangible benefits—such as discounts on future tickets, VIP access or event merchandise—for attendees who invite friends or colleagues. A tiered incentive system, like “Refer three people, get 50% off,” adds further motivation.
Simplify the Referral Process
Provide personalized referral links, QR codes or easy-to-share emails to make it easy for attendees to refer others. A seamless process ensures participants are more likely to engage with the program.
Highlight Referral Programs Early
Promote referral incentives during registration, throughout the event and in post-event communications. Reminders about rewards reinforce the value of sharing and create ongoing engagement.
Referral incentives tap into attendees’ enthusiasm while expanding the event’s reach through trusted word-of-mouth recommendations.
Creating a Community of Advocates
Building a community around your event fosters long-term loyalty and advocacy.
Engage Through Follow-Ups
Send personalized thank-you messages, highlight reels and exclusive updates to maintain connections with attendees after the event. Recognizing their participation makes attendees feel valued and invested in the event’s success.
Encourage Networking and Connection
Facilitate online groups, forums or event-specific communities on platforms like LinkedIn or Facebook. These spaces allow attendees to share experiences, build relationships and keep conversations alive long after the event ends.
Recognize and Reward Advocates
Identify enthusiastic participants—those who share, refer or provide testimonials—and recognize their efforts through shoutouts, badges or exclusive perks. Turning attendees into recognized “event ambassadors” encourages continued promotion and participation.
By fostering a sense of belonging and appreciation, organizers can build a loyal community that champions future events.
Turning attendees into advocates requires a thoughtful strategy that encourages sharing, highlights authentic testimonials and rewards word-of-mouth promotion. Social media sharing, attendee testimonials and referral incentives work together to amplify an event’s reach and build credibility among potential participants.
Platforms like Brown Paper Tickets simplify this by providing secure, user-friendly tools for ticketing and registration while streamlining the process of tracking referrals, collecting feedback and seamlessly engaging attendees. These tools enable organizers to measure the success of word-of-mouth campaigns and identify their most enthusiastic advocates. By leveraging the power of attendee recommendations, organizers can turn satisfied participants into vocal promoters, driving long-term success and sustainable growth for future events.
