If you haven’t used email or the web to advertise your event yet, now may be the time to give it a try.  Printing posters and flyers works, but there is a whole world of low-cost and creative marketing available to you via the internet.  Here are some ideas as to how you can go online with your marketing campaign.

Email Marketing
A good event management software will allow you to upload and store your entire database of past participant email addresses.  From there you can manage this list, grow it, segment it, and create custom HTML email content.  Sending emails to past attendees, club members, or people you know are interested will give them a visual reminder of your upcoming event and a direct link to your online registration form.  The number one reason why you should switch from a paper marketing campaign to email is that your recipients can forward that email on to their friends who will in turn forward it on to more people – creating that viral effect that every professional marketing company strives to achieve. 

Social Media Marketing
You have probably heard of Facebook before and there are many other online networking and social directory websites out there as well.  These social meet-up sites are fantastic for finding people that are interested in participating in events like your own.  It may take some research but you should be able to find a Facebook group or other online network of like-minded individuals that will be interested in what you have to offer.  For example, say you host a marathon.  Search online for forums and message boards about running and training.  Next step is to immerse yourself into that group and become a part of the community.  Don’t force your event advertisement upon them, but rather just interact with them and contribute to their conversations.  Include your event name and logo in your user profile for these forums and watch as people begin to inquire about what you do and what your event is all about.  Conversation spreads fast in these forums and pretty soon everyone will hear about your event!