How to Get More Attendees on a Facebook Event

Creating a Facebook event is easy, but getting people to actually show up can feel like a totally different game. You’ve got the perfect idea and the logistics sorted, but a low RSVP count can be incredibly deflating. This guide will walk you through actionable strategies to turn your event page from a quiet corner of the internet into a high-traffic hub of excited attendees. We’ll cover everything from optimizing your event page to creating pre-event buzz and using paid ads intelligently.

Nailing the Basics: Create an Irresistible Event Page

Before you spend a single dollar on promotion, your event page itself needs to be polished and persuasive. This is your digital storefront, and first impressions count for everything. Optimizing these core elements can make the difference between a user scrolling past and clicking “Interested.”

Choose a Compelling Name and Cover Photo

Your event name should be clear, concise, and communicate the value proposition instantly. Avoid vague names like "Summer Meetup." Instead, be specific: "Sunset Yoga on the Beach: A Vinyasa Flow for All Levels." The second name tells attendees exactly what to expect and who it’s for.

Your cover photo or video is the most prominent visual on the page. Use a high-quality, vibrant image that captures the atmosphere of your event. If you have photos from a previous event, use the best ones! A short, dynamic video showcasing past highlights is even better. Remember the ideal dimensions for a Facebook event cover photo are 1920x1005 pixels.

Write a Crystal-Clear Description

Your event description is your sales pitch. Don’t just list the date and time, tell people why they should attend. Use an engaging tone and break up the text with short paragraphs and bullet points for readability. Make sure you answer these basic questions right at the top:

• What is it? A workshop, a concert, a webinar, a community cleanup? Be specific.
• Who is it for? Creatives, entrepreneurs, families with kids, software developers?
• When and where is it? Include the full address for physical events or a clear link for virtual ones. Mention the time zone.
• Why should they come? What will they learn, experience, or gain? This is the most important part. Focus on the benefits, not just the features.
• How much does it cost? If there's a fee, be transparent. Link directly to the ticket page.

Add Co-Hosts and Boost Your Reach

This is one of the most powerful and underutilized features. If you are partnering with other organizations, venues, speakers, or artists, add them as co-hosts. When they accept, the event will automatically appear on their Page’s timeline and be visible to their followers. It’s an instant, organic way to tap into a new, relevant audience without any extra effort. Just navigate to your event page, click “Edit,” and find the “Co-hosts” field to start adding your partners.

Use Keywords and Categorize Correctly

When you create your event, Facebook asks you to select a category (e.g., Music, Food & Drink, Business). Choosing the right one helps Facebook’s algorithm show your event to people who have shown interest in similar events. Furthermore, sprinkle relevant keywords throughout your title and description. If you’re hosting a “digital marketing workshop,” make sure you use those exact terms. People use Facebook search to find local events, and just like Google, using the right keywords will help you rank higher.

The Art of the Invite: Getting the Right People Interested

Once your page is perfect, it’s time to start filling the guest list. A combination of organic and direct outreach is the most effective approach to building initial momentum.

Invite Your Personal Network (the Right Way)

Facebook allows you to invite people from your personal friends list, but do so with intention. Blasting an invite to every single person you’ve ever met is spammy and ineffective. Instead, take a few minutes to scroll through and selectively invite friends who you genuinely think would be interested. A smaller list of highly targeted invites will result in a better response rate and more meaningful engagement.

Share the Event on Your Business Page and in Groups

Beyond the initial invite, you need to share the event itself. Create a post on your business Page announcing the event and telling people why they should save the date. Pin this post to the top of your Page so it’s the first thing visitors see.

Next, find relevant Facebook Groups. If you’re hosting a local artists’ market, find community groups for your city or specific groups for art lovers. Before posting, always check the group rules - some prohibit promotional posts. The key is to add value, not just spam a link. Introduce yourself, explain why the event is relevant to the group’s members, and invite them to ask questions in the comments.

Don’t Forget Your Other Channels

Your audience isn't only on Facebook. Announce your event to your email list, which often contains your most dedicated followers. Write a compelling email with a clear call-to-action button that links directly to the Facebook event page. You can also share the event on your other social platforms like Instagram (use the link in your bio or share in Stories with a countdown sticker!), X, and LinkedIn.

Build Buzz: Keep the Momentum Going

Getting someone to click "Interested" is only half the battle. You need to keep them engaged leading up to the event so they don't forget about it. Think of your event page's discussion tab as a mini-community hub.

Create a Content Calendar for Your Event

Don't just post randomly. Map out a simple schedule of content you'll share in the days or weeks leading up to the event. Posting consistently keeps your event at the top of attendees’ news feeds and lets the Facebook algorithm know your event is active, potentially boosting its organic reach. Your calendar could include:

• A welcome post explaining what attendees can expect.
• Spotlights on speakers, vendors, or performers.
• Behind-the-scenes looks at your preparations.
• A poll asking attendees what they're most excited about.
• An "Ask Me Anything" session with a speaker or organizer.
• Important logistical updates (parking, schedule, what to bring).

Share Behind-the-Scenes Content

People love feeling like insiders. Post photos of the venue being set up, a quick video of your team planning, or a sneak peek of a product you'll be launching. This type of content builds authenticity and makes the event feel more tangible and exciting.

Engage with Polls or Questions

Engagement is the fuel for Facebook’s algorithm. The more likes and comments your posts get, the more people Facebook will show them to. An easy way to spark conversation is to ask simple questions or run a poll directly in the event discussion.

Example questions:

• "What song do you hope the DJ plays at our '80s throwback night?"
• "For our social media workshop, what’s the #1 platform you’re struggling with right now?"

Run a Contest or Giveaway

A classic for a reason! A contest can dramatically boost engagement and reach. Offer something valuable, like a free ticket, a VIP upgrade, or a product from a sponsor. A popular contest mechanic is to ask people to tag a friend in the comments they’d like to bring with them. This encourages an organic-sharing loop that introduces your event to new potential attendees.

Paid Promotion: When to Spend Money (and How)

Organic reach on Facebook isn't what it used to be. Sometimes, you need to invest a small budget to reach a wider, targeted audience. If your event is for your business, a paid strategy is almost always a good idea.

Using Facebook Event Ads

This is the most direct way to get more RSVPs. When you create an ad in Ads Manager, you can choose "Event Responses" as your campaign objective. This tells Facebook to optimize your ad delivery to find people most likely to click "Interested" or "Going." You can then target the ad based on location, age, interests, and behaviors, ensuring your money is spent reaching the right people.

Boosting Your Event Posts

If you've shared a really engaging post about your event (like a great video or the contest you’re running), you can "boost" it directly from your Page. While this is less targeted than a full Ads Manager campaign, it’s a quick and simple way to get more eyeballs on your content and, by extension, your event page.

Targeting Like a Pro

The power of Facebook ads lies in precise targeting. Instead of just targeting broad interests, get more specific:

• Custom Audiences: Upload your customer email list to show ads directly to people who already know your brand.
• Retargeting: Show ads to people who have visited your website, engaged with your Facebook Page, or watched your videos.
• Lookalike Audiences: Create an audience of people who are remarkably similar to your existing email subscribers or Page followers. This is an incredibly powerful way to find new customers who are likely to be interested in what you offer.

Final Thoughts

Getting more attendees to your Facebook event boils down to being intentional at every step. It starts with creating a polished, informative event page, moves to strategic invitations and consistent engagement, and is amplified by a targeted advertising plan.

Keeping a steady drumbeat of content is critical for building buzz, and we know that juggling promotional posts across multiple platforms can be a huge time-sink. That's why we built Postbase with a visual calendar that allows you to schedule all your event-related content - from Facebook posts to Instagram Reels and Stories - all from one clean dashboard. You can plan your entire promotion schedule weeks in advance and trust that everything will publish reliably, giving you more time to focus on putting on a great event.