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If you run a venue—a conference center, an event space, a workshop retreat, or anything in between—you've probably had this thought at least once:
"How do we get more people to book our space?"
The answer isn’t just better lighting or newer furniture. It’s better marketing. Specifically: digital marketing.
Digital marketing is the secret sauce that can help your venue get discovered, build trust, and stay fully booked. Whether you're just getting started or looking to overhaul your strategy, this guide is your 3000-word crash course in how to make your venue stand out online—without getting overwhelmed.
We’ll cover SEO, ads, content, social media, partnerships, data, automation, and more—all in a fun, non-boring way.
Why Digital Marketing Matters for Venues
Let’s be real: people aren’t flipping through phone books anymore. They’re searching on Google, scrolling on Instagram, and clicking on Facebook ads. If your venue isn’t where your customers are looking, they won’t find you.
Digital marketing helps you:
- Reach new clients 24/7
- Build trust before they ever visit
- Book events automatically
- Stand out from other venues in your city
The best part? A lot of this works even when you're not working.
If you want to dive into broader marketing strategies for your venue, check out our Venue Marketing Strategies guide too.
1. Build a Website That Sells (Not Just Shows)
Many venue websites just show the space—they don’t sell it.
Here’s what your website should do:
- Load quickly (under 3 seconds)
- Show beautiful photos and videos
- Include clear pricing or packages
- Let users check availability or request a quote
- Have testimonials and case studies
Make sure it’s mobile-friendly, too. Most people will find you on their phone.
Pro Tip: Add a lead magnet like a free “Event Planning Checklist” in exchange for email addresses.
Need help with packaging and positioning? Here are 10 smart marketing ideas to boost visibility.
2. Get Found on Google (SEO for Venues)
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is how people find your venue when they Google things like:
- "event space near me"
- "conference venues in Amsterdam"
- "team offsite location with Wi-Fi"
To show up in those results, your site needs:
- Keywords in the right places (titles, text, URLs)
- Helpful, local content (blog posts, city guides)
- Google Business Profile setup with great reviews
Write content like:
- “5 Best Corporate Event Venues in [Your City]”
- “How to Plan a Hybrid Meeting Without Stress”
- “What to Look for in a Business Offsite Venue”
Not sure how to structure your blogs? Start here.
3. Create Scroll-Stopping Content
Social media content gets people’s attention before they start searching.
Content types that work great for venues:
- Time-lapses of event setups
- Before/after photos
- Client testimonials
- Mini-tours of different rooms
- Behind-the-scenes: lighting tests, catering, drone shots
Use Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn depending on your audience.
Pro Tip: Use Instagram Stories to do Q&As about your venue features, policies, or booking process.
And if you want help building a brand people trust, this guide breaks it down.
4. Use Paid Ads (Without Wasting Money)
Paid ads are the fast lane to visibility—but only if you do them right.
Start with:
- Google Search Ads for keywords like “event venue Amsterdam” or “offsite team meeting room”
- Instagram + Facebook Ads showing event highlights or video tours
- LinkedIn Ads for targeting office managers, HR leads, and founders
Keep your audience small, your message focused, and your visuals amazing.
Hot Tip: Use retargeting ads for people who visited your site but didn’t book.
5. Collect and Show Off Social Proof
One happy client review is worth 10 photos.
Here’s what to collect:
- Google Reviews
- Video testimonials
- Case studies (what kind of event it was, what they loved, why they’d come back)
Then post them everywhere:
- Homepage
- Booking page
- Emails
- Social media
Need help making video testimonials? There’s an easy way to do it.
6. Build an Email List and Actually Use It
Email isn’t dead. It’s one of the best ways to stay in touch with warm leads.
Ideas to grow your list:
- Free download: event checklist, room layout planner
- Contest: win a free venue tour or discount
- Early bird booking perks
What to send:
- Monthly newsletters
- Venue upgrades ("New lounge area open!")
- Flash promos
- Client spotlights
This keeps you top of mind for when they are ready to book.
7. Partner Up to Level Up
Smart venues don’t do it alone. Partner with:
- Event planners
- Caterers
- AV teams (or use Get Camera Crew)
- Local influencers or business groups
Trade referrals, create joint packages, and feature each other on your sites and socials.
This makes your venue feel full-service without you doing everything yourself.
8. Automate the Boring Stuff
Digital marketing works best when it's not all manual.
Set up automations to:
- Follow up with leads who download your checklist
- Remind people of upcoming events
- Ask for reviews after events
Tools to try:
- Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign (emails)
- Zapier (automations)
- Calendly (booking tours or calls)
9. Track What Works (and Drop What Doesn’t)
Look at the numbers every month:
- Website traffic (Google Analytics)
- Ad click-through rates
- Email open rates
- Booking form completions
Keep doing what’s working. Drop what’s not.
If your SEO is crushing it, double down on content. If no one clicks your emails, test new subject lines or formats.
10. Maximize Revenue From Every Booking
Once someone books, your marketing isn’t done. Think upsells.
Offer:
- Event filming or livestreaming
- On-site photography
- Premium coffee station or snacks
- Branding or signage packages
Upsells are where smart venues really grow. Here are proven ways to increase venue revenue.
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need to Do It All, Just Do It Consistently
The secret to digital marketing is not doing everything at once. It’s doing a few things well and doing them regularly.
- Start with your website
- Get listed on Google Maps
- Post one reel a week
- Run one email campaign a month
Keep it simple. Keep it useful. Keep it consistent.
And when you're ready to start offering video, photography, or livestreaming without the stress of managing it yourself, we’ve got your back →.