5 Ways To Promote Your Marathon Event on Instagram

Running is an easy sport to get into. You only need a good pair of shoes, clothes to work out in, and the road outside. Many communities in the United States have active running communities that are on the lookout for marathon events like yours.

To get their attention, it helps to be where they are. Instagram, with its 1.5 billion active monthly users, is a great place to start marketing your event. Its high number of users and the app’s ability to reach targeted audiences make it a must-add to your campaign.

Here are 5 ways to promote your marathon on the platform:

1. Create a Unique Event Hashtag

Hashtags remain relevant so choose one that’s never been used before to make the hashtag unique to your event. This will help people check out related posts, reels, and stories with just one click.

When creating a hashtag, follow the KISS strategy. Keep the hashtag short and simple to make it easier for your audience to recall. Also, use more than one hashtag. Think of them as supporting acts in a play that enhance the lead’s character.

Make it catchy and relevant to your event. It should also be easy to remember and spell. Stay away from wordy hashtags, acronyms, and numbers that might confuse your audience.

2. Use Instagram Stories

More than 500 million Instagram users post and engage in stories. So, you should definitely create your own Instagram stories to create curiosity about your event.

Mix it up with videos and pictures. Add relevant links whenever necessary. You can add a link to the marathon registration page and a call to action (CTA) to encourage athletes to participate.

Alternatively, you can show some behind-the-scenes (BTS) footage to make your audience feel included. Don’t forget to add the location as it draws in 79% more engagement.

Once the stories have been created, create a highlight for users to view even after it has expired (stories are live for 24 hours only). This helps users go through past marathons and know what to expect.

3. Create Aesthetically Pleasing Content

Unlike Twitter, where words do the trick, Instagram is all about the visuals. Create and use the most visually appealing images when promoting your marathon.

Consider investing in professional photographs and making the most of in-app editing tools to make your profile attractive. However, if your team is small or you have limited resources, you can use ready-made fitness poster templates. This will save you time and money while giving you access to attractive and professional-looking graphics.

4. Host Giveaways and Contests

Creating a buzz among users is the best way to gain organic traction. You can do this by hosting enticing giveaways and contests.  A study showed that user-generated content (UGC) has a conversion rate of 4.5%, which is quite impressive, considering the fact that it’s organic and you don’t have to pay for it.

Ensure your giveaway or contest has clear instructions posted. Phrase your rules and instructions clearly to avoid confusion. It would also be helpful if you mentioned when the giveaway ends, the selection process, and how winners can claim their prizes.

Some ways to increase traction when hosting a giveaway include:

• Request participants to follow your account or event. They can also like, share, or tag the account that shared the post.
• Ask users to use your hashtags.
• Request participants to tag their friends in a post or comment on one of your posts.

That said, the prize should be worth the effort. To motivate your readers, make the reward special. Consider giving away a free slot or a chance to be featured on social media. Be transparent about the selection process and identify the winners.

5. Boost Your Content

It wouldn’t hurt to reach a wider audience through boosted content. With Instagram’s targeted ads, you’ll never have to worry about them reaching the wrong demographics.

Through Meta’s Business Suite, you can boost your content on Instagram and Facebook to target potential followers and runners based on age, gender, geographical location, and more.

Don’t just stop at one ad. Play around with a couple of designs and templates until you know what works.

Conclusion

Instagram is an excellent platform for increasing awareness about your event, creating engagement, and prompting people to sign up for your marathon. It can also give you valuable insights that you can use in event marketing.

Create a unique hashtag, post stories frequently, host giveaways and contests, and boost your content to make the most of it. Make your visuals stand out and create compelling content. Leverage tools like PosterMyWall to make your content production process faster, easier, and cost-effective.

We hope these tips help you achieve a great turnout on the day of your marathon!