So, you’ve got a mind-blowing retreat planned, and you can’t wait to share it with the world! 🌎 But here’s the thing: you can’t just hope people will stumble across your retreat by chance. Nope, you need to shout it from the rooftops—or better yet, from your social media accounts! 📢
Let’s dive into some of the best ways to use social media to fill those spots and create a buzzworthy event that has everyone lining up to join. Ready? Let’s do this! 🙌
1. Create a Story, Not Just a Post 📖✨
First things first, people connect with stories, not sales pitches. So, don’t just post a “Hey, I’ve got this retreat, come join!” post. Instead, bring your retreat to life! Share stories that capture the essence of your retreat.
Example: Share why you’re hosting this retreat, the magical experiences attendees can expect, and how it will transform them. Use videos, photos, and captions that make your audience feel what it would be like to be there. Paint a vivid picture, and sprinkle in those dreamy details! 🌄
2. Go Live & Share the Vibe! 🎥🌿
One of the most underused yet crazy effective tools on social media is the power of going live. Facebook and Instagram Lives are perfect for showcasing the location, giving a sneak peek of activities, or answering burning questions from potential attendees.
Tip: Schedule a live Q&A session where you can chat about the retreat, answer questions, and share tips for preparing. This makes it real and builds trust, showing that you’re ready to help them have an epic experience!
3. Harness the Power of Stories and Reels 🎬🌟
If you’re not already using Stories and Reels, now’s the time! These short, engaging clips can show off different aspects of your retreat. Share behind-the-scenes peeks of you prepping for the retreat, the stunning destination, or a sneak peek into the activities you’ll be offering.
Pro Tip: Create a series of Reels highlighting different parts of the retreat experience—each one leaving them wanting more. Tease the workshops, the locations, the meals, and the vibes! Remember, the idea is to create excitement and a sense of “FOMO” (fear of missing out).
4. Tap into User-Generated Content 📸🤳
Your past retreat attendees are your biggest advocates! If you’ve hosted retreats before, encourage attendees to share their photos and experiences. Repost these on your Stories and feed to showcase real-life testimonials. Nothing convinces people more than seeing others having the time of their lives!
Bonus: Run a fun contest where they share their favorite retreat memory using a specific hashtag. This not only provides you with awesome content but also creates buzz around your retreat!
5. Use the Countdown Feature in Stories ⏰🌈
Have you tried the countdown sticker in Instagram Stories? It’s an interactive way to build anticipation and remind people that your retreat is coming up!
How to Use It: Create countdowns for early-bird deadlines, the last day to book, and even a countdown to the start of the retreat itself. Encourage followers to turn on reminders for these countdowns so they don’t miss any key dates!
6. Share Testimonials & Transformations 🌟🗣️
Highlight the transformative power of your retreat by sharing testimonials from past attendees. Use a combination of written testimonials, video snippets, and before-and-after transformations to show how your retreat can change lives.
Remember: This isn’t about boasting; it’s about showing your audience what’s possible for them. Get creative with how you share these stories—make them inspiring and full of heart.
7. Engage, Engage, Engage! 💌🙌
Engagement is the name of the game. Social media is about being social, so make sure to interact with your audience. Respond to comments, answer DMs, and thank people for sharing your posts. The more you interact, the more people will feel connected to you and the retreat you’re offering.
Fun Idea: Host an “Ask Me Anything” session in your Stories where people can submit their questions about the retreat. It’s a great way to build rapport and provide valuable info in a fun, casual way.
8. Create a Hashtag for Your Retreat 🏷️🔍
Make your retreat even more shareable by creating a unique hashtag. This will help you track and curate all the content related to your retreat and encourage your attendees to share their experiences using the hashtag.
Example: If your retreat is about self-care in the mountains, you could use something like #MountainsOfZen or #RetreatToYourself. Be sure to include this hashtag in every post you create related to the retreat!
9. Send Personal Invites to Your Best Clients 💌🌟
Sometimes, a personal touch is all it takes to fill those spots! Reach out to your best clients directly and invite them to your retreat. This isn’t a mass email—it’s a heartfelt message letting them know why you’d love to have them join you.
How to Do It: Send a private message, email, or even make a quick phone call to let them know about the retreat. Share why you think they’d enjoy the experience and highlight how this retreat can benefit them specifically. This personal connection makes them feel valued and more likely to say “yes!”
Pro Tip: Offer them an early-bird perk or special bonus as a thank you for being a loyal client. It doesn’t have to be a discount (I prefer you don’t do that); it could be an exclusive gift, a one-on-one session, or a special spot at your retreat dinner. This adds an extra layer of excitement and appreciation to the invite!
10. Use Ads to Expand Your Reach 📈💰
Lastly, don’t be afraid to invest in some targeted ads. Facebook and Instagram ads can help you reach new audiences who are perfect for your retreat. The key is to target people based on their interests, location, and behaviors that align with your ideal retreat attendee.
Pro Tip: Use retargeting ads to connect with people who have visited your website or engaged with your content but haven’t booked yet. A gentle reminder ad might be just what they need to make the decision!
Final Thoughts: Keep It Real, Keep It Fun! 🎉🌟
Social media isn’t just about posting; it’s about connecting and engaging with your audience in an authentic way. When you share your passion for the retreat, tell stories, and get people involved, you create a community that’s excited to join you on this journey. So, put these tips into action, have fun with it, and watch the magic unfold! 🌈🕊️
Ready to start promoting your next retreat? You’ve got this! 🎯💖
With the right strategies in place, your retreat can be both a fulfilling and financially rewarding experience. If you want to avoid these issues and more, consider joining our Retreat Blueprint Program.
It’s just what you need to prevent you from losing money on your retreats! And iI you’ve been thinking of joining the program and have some questions, we’re happy to hop on a call with you! Happy retreat planning! 😍
Dr Sheri Rosenthal is known as one of the most sought after retreat strategists for coaches, speakers, and authors — and is the owner of Journeys of the Spirit Travel®, a boutique agency specializing in the planning and management of group travel.
Through her Wanderlust Entrepreneur Community and her signature course, The Retreat Blueprint Program, she has taught thousands of facilitators how to design exceptional retreats that allow them stand out in their niche. She is famous for helping clients plan, fill, and profit from transformational retreats that change lives in a huge way while adding serious income to their bottom line!
great post, a lot of good points brought up here. We will defiantly use them for your marketing strategy moving forward