Instagram Marketing: How to Promote Your Event Venue on Instagram
To effectively reach potential event clients and attendees, Instagram event marketing leverages one of the largest audiences in the world to promote your venue. With Instagram projected to reach around 1.44 billion monthly active users by next year, it’s clear that the platform’s growth and popularity continue to soar. This immense user base makes it an ideal platform for marketing, especially for private events, which are highly visual. In just seconds, potential clients can browse stunning venue spaces, be tempted by enticing culinary creations, and discover what past attendees are saying about your business.
Is Instagram a Good Marketing Tool?
Yes, Instagram is an excellent marketing tool for event venues, restaurants, and hotels that host events. Its highly visual platform allows you to showcase your space, décor, and event setups in a way that instantly grabs attention. Through photos, videos, and Reels, you can highlight the versatility of your venue, whether it’s hosting weddings, corporate events, or intimate dinners. Instagram’s Stories feature is perfect for sharing real-time updates, behind-the-scenes glimpses, or virtual tours, helping potential clients envision their event in your space.
Additionally, Instagram offers direct engagement with your audience through comments, DMs, and interactive features like polls and Q&A sessions. By using location tags, hashtags, and collaborating with event planners or influencers, you can increase visibility and attract more local and targeted clientele. For businesses looking to stand out in a competitive market, Instagram’s combination of visual storytelling and community engagement makes it a powerful tool for promoting your venue or restaurant’s event services.
While the app is user-friendly, success requires a well-thought-out strategy. Here’s a step-by-step guide to using Instagram to promote your event venue and secure more bookings:
How to Promote Your Event Venue with Instagram Marketing
1. Create a Stunning Instagram Profile
Your Instagram profile is your venue’s digital storefront, so make sure it’s optimized to represent your brand professionally. Start with a high-quality logo as your profile picture, as this will help reinforce brand recognition. Use a clear, concise bio that highlights your venue’s strengths—whether it’s the perfect spot for weddings, corporate gatherings, or other events. Include a link to your website or booking page to make it easy for interested clients to get more information or reach out.
Pro Tip: Use Instagram’s call-to-action buttons, such as “Contact” or “Book Now,” to make it simple for people to connect with you directly from your profile.
2. Showcase Beautiful Event Venue Spaces with High Quality Photos
Instagram is all about visual appeal, so post high-quality images and videos that showcase your venue in its best light. It’s a good idea to hire a professional photographer to take a handful of stock photos of an event space. Additionally, use candid iphone pics which are wonderful for Instagram. Photos can include shots of beautifully set tables, event decor, or your venue’s unique architecture. Mix in behind-the-scenes content, like staff preparing for an event or setting up a space, to humanize your brand and show the effort that goes into each event.
Pro Tip: When taking a photo, remember to pay attention to the lighting. Natural light makes for the best photos, but make sure to not overdo it, as direct sunlight can also be too harsh. Avoid digital zoom when taking photos. This produces a lower quality photo. We also recommend turning on the built-in grid on your camera and using “the rule of thirds,” which means placing the subject of the photo on either side of the middle grid lines. Last, if using a filter, turn the filter down to a lower setting.
3. Instagram Marketing with Live, Stories, and Reels
Instagram Live, Stories, and Reels are powerful tools for showcasing your event venue and reaching a broader audience. With Live, you can host live Q&As, interviews, and behind-the-scenes sessions to build brand authenticity and transparency. With IG Stories, you can share behind-the-scenes glimpses, highlight special features, or even host a Q&A to engage with potential clients. The fleeting nature of Stories, which disappear after 24 hours, creates a sense of urgency, encouraging viewers to act quickly. Use features like polls, countdowns, and links to make your Stories interactive, driving both engagement and inquiries.
Reels, on the other hand, allow for more polished, evergreen content. These short, creative videos can highlight the best aspects of your venue, from beautifully set tables to the perfect ceremony spot, and everything in between. Reels have a longer shelf life and are discoverable through hashtags and the Explore page, increasing your chances of reaching potential clients who may not yet be following you. By consistently posting Reels that showcase different aspects of your venue, you can create a visual portfolio that draws in event planners and guests alike.
Pro Tip: Capitalize on user-generated content. Encourage guests to tag your venue in their own Stories and posts during events. Then, repost their content to your Stories, showcasing real customer experiences in your space. This adds authenticity to your promotions and creates social proof, which is more persuasive to potential clients.
4. Use Hashtags and Location Tags
Hashtags are an essential tool for expanding your reach beyond your current followers. These tags serve as searchable hyperlinks. Use a mix of popular event-related hashtags (#eventvenue, #weddingvenue, #corporateevents) and niche-specific ones that target your ideal clientele (#rusticweddingvenue, #luxuryweddings, #NYCevenues).
Location tags are just as important. Tag your venue’s physical location in posts and stories so that people searching for venues in your area can discover your content more easily. Encourage your event attendees to tag your location when they post photos, further amplifying your venue’s exposure.
Pro Tip: Create a branded hashtag for your venue that clients and attendees can use when they post about events. This encourages user-generated content, making it easier for others to discover your venue through real-life experiences.
5. Show Behind the Scenes
One of the great things about social sharing is getting to see how the cogs and gears work in all types of industries. Photos of team outings, chefs in the kitchen, or even steaming tablecloths can be great Instagram fodder because it lets the public see you and your team as humans, which makes you more likable. Show off your personality — your followers will love it!
Pro Tip: Follow an event staff member from start to finish as they prep for an event. This not only highlights your venue’s capabilities but also creates a narrative that shows the effort and care that goes into each event, making clients feel confident in choosing your space for their special occasion.
6. Host Giveaways and Contests
Giveaways and contests are excellent ways to engage your followers and generate buzz. You could offer a free venue tour, a discounted event booking, or a prize related to an upcoming event. Ask participants to like your post, follow your account, and tag friends in the comments to enter. This helps increase your engagement and introduces your venue to new potential clients through user-generated sharing.
Pro Tip: Make sure the prize aligns with your target audience. For example, if you specialize in weddings, offer a wedding planning consultation or a package discount as the giveaway prize.
7. Promote Event Venue Tours
Instagram is the perfect platform for promoting your available tour dates, but don’t just stop at listing the times! Get creative with your posts to generate excitement and urgency. Here are some ideas:
- Encourage immediate action with captions like: “Book a tour today for Winter 2025 events—spots are filling up fast!”
- Highlight the experience, not just the tour. For example: “Take a free tour and savor a complimentary cup of our signature coffee blend!”
Pro TIp: Use Tripleseat Floorplans to create immersive 3D tours. Showcase your venue through virtual tours using Instagram. This lets potential clients get a feel for your space before they even step foot inside!
8. Collaborate with Event Planners, Vendors, and Influencers
Collaboration is a powerful way to reach new audiences. Partner with event planners, florists, caterers, and other vendors to cross-promote each other on Instagram. This can include shoutouts, guest posts, or even joint Instagram Live sessions. These collaborations expand your reach to your partners’ followers, many of whom may be interested in your venue.
Additionally, consider working with local influencers or event influencers who have a large following in your area. Invite them to your venue for an event or a private tour in exchange for a feature on their feed or Stories. Their endorsement can help boost your credibility and attract more inquiries.
Pro Tip: Partner with event planners and vendors to share behind-the-scenes shots, styled shoots, or event setups at your venue. Tag each other in posts, Stories, and Reels to expand your reach by tapping into each other’s follower base.
9. Highlight Client Testimonials and Event Success Stories
Social proof is incredibly important in event marketing. Share glowing client testimonials, success stories, or recap posts of past events. Include images or videos that capture the event’s atmosphere, making sure to highlight how your venue was a key part of its success. Prospective clients are more likely to choose your venue when they see that others have had positive experiences there.
Pro Tip: Consider turning these testimonials into short Reels or Stories, where past clients speak about their experience at your venue.
10. Run Paid Instagram Marketing Ads
While organic posts can drive engagement, Instagram ads allow you to target specific demographics and reach a larger audience. You can run ads to promote an upcoming event, special offers, or simply to increase brand awareness for your venue. Instagram’s advanced targeting options enable you to reach people based on location, interests, behaviors, and more, ensuring your ads are seen by the right people.
11. Engage with Your Audience
Finally, don’t just post content—engage with your audience! Respond to comments, like posts from people who tag your venue, and answer any questions you receive in direct messages. This not only builds a stronger relationship with your followers but also signals to Instagram’s algorithm that you’re an active and engaging account, which can help improve your content’s visibility.
Final Thoughts on Promoting Your Event Venue with Instagram Marketing
Instagram marketing is an incredible opportunity to showcase event spaces, attract new clients, and build a loyal following for event venues. By creating high-quality content, leveraging features, collaborating with industry professionals, and engaging with your audience, you can create a dynamic Instagram presence that drives bookings and elevates your venue’s reputation.
Are you ready to grow your event business? Schedule a Tripleseat demo to take a closer look at our event management features.