How to Create a Social Media Wall for Events [5 Simple Steps]

By setting up a social media wall for events, you can greatly enhance your brand’s or company’s live happenings by boosting their interactivity and social reach.

Most event organizers incorporate these social wall installations so they can combine the benefits of digital signage, such as showcasing real-time user-generated content and event directions and instructions, with the physical aspects of live events.

That way, they create a complete and enjoyable experience for everyone. Below, we show you how to do the same by using a social media aggregator like EmbedSocial.

What is a social media wall?

Social media walls are large screens (or a combination of more than one screen) that aggregate and display social media posts from various platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and more. These walls curate their user-generated content (UGC) feed based on various hashtags, mentions, or even keywords and phrases.

There are a few other names to describe a social media wall, like ‘social media hub’, which also refers to a tool that aggregates and displays real-time social media content, and ‘digital signage board’, which refers to the type of technology used to present information.

By using this type of digital signage walls, brands and companies can showcase a live feed of everything happening at the moment related to the event. That way, they successfully create a vibrant and engaging atmosphere for every participant.

Benefits of a social media wall for events

When organizing an event, social wall digital signage is very effective at enhancing the overall enjoyment of the event and informing participants of everything they need to know. Plus, it comes with a few additional benefits, including these:

• Enhancing attendee engagement—encourages attendees to participate by posting their content, which can be displayed in real-time on the big screens;
• Increasing social media reach and visibility—by promoting event-specific hashtags, your event can trend online and reach an audience outside the event;
• Creating a sense of community—social media walls help attendees to collaborate together on social media and see the results on a single big screen;
• Maintaining a dynamic event—since social media content is displayed in real-time, the event becomes a dynamic and up-to-date experience for everyone;
• Collecting and showcasing UGC—with social media walls, event organizers can collect authentic UGC for their marketing goals and showcase it at a later date;
• Encouraging networking—social media walls facilitate connections by highlighting attendees’ posts, making it easier for them to collaborate together.

As you can see, a social media wall not only boosts engagement and visibility but also fosters a sense of community and showcases genuine UGC in real-time.

How to set up a social wall in 5 simple steps?

Creating this dynamic and interactive social media wall for your event is not difficult at all, as the process involves only a few straightforward steps. Once you are done, you’ll ensure that your audience experiences your event fully both physically and virtually.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a social media wall for your next event by using a social media aggregator like EmbedSocial, one of the best user-generated content platforms to collect, moderate, and display content from any social media channel option:

1. Get the right screens for your social media wall
2. Sign up for a social media aggregator
3. Create a social media wall widget and get embeddable code
4. Paste the widget codes on your online platforms
5. Showcase your content widgets on your event screens

1. Get the right screens for your social media wall

You only need a smart TV with online capabilities to set up a social media wall.

Note that shart TVs are ideal for this purpose since they can directly access the content you want to showcase on your social media wall.

Remember: if you are using a standard TV, you will also need an additional device, such as a computer or smartphone, to connect and stream the content to the TV.

Once you have acquired and installed all the screens for your event, you need to set up your social media wall software to display live social media feeds.

2. Sign up for a social media aggregator

Choosing the right software is crucial for effectively displaying your social media wall at events since several platforms are available with different features. That said, if you choose a comprehensive social media aggregator software, you will get everything you need.

For instance, you won’t go wrong choosing EmbedSocial!

This complete UGC platform and social media aggregator will get all the content you want and need from social media, help you moderate it, and then embed it anywhere.

As an example, you can display content from Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube, Vimeo, and more. Plus, it supports showcasing reviews, testimonials, RSS feeds, and custom feeds, providing a versatile solution for your social media wall needs.

3. Create social media wall widget and get embeddable code

After signing up for EmbedSocial, you can start customizing and setting up your social media wall to ensure it aligns with your event’s branding and engagement goals.

Connect the social media sources from which you want to aggregate your content (as shown above). You can either create a free social wall with certain limitations or choose the PRO customizable version.

Next, choose the website widget template that best suits your needs from EmbedSocial’s extensive widget library. You can customize the layout of the widget to align with your event’s branding. Finally, you only have to copy the embeddable code provided.

EmbedSocial offers various widgets to display a wide range of content, including Instagram stories, Google reviews, TikTok and Instagram photo sliders, and even contact forms. This flexibility allows you to create a rich and engaging social media wall tailored to your event.

4. Paste the widget codes on your online platforms

The next step involves embedding the social media posts into your event website.

You must open your website editor and paste the code into a custom HTML block. Most modern website builders provide this straightforward functionality.

For instance, in WordPress, you can achieve this by opening the post or page editor, clicking the ‘+’ icon to add a new block, searching for ‘Custom HTML,’ and then adding the block. Finally, paste the widget code you copied in the previous step into the custom block.

By embedding the widget code, your social media wall will be displayed on your website, allowing visitors to see the real-time social media content from your event.

5. Showcase your content widgets on your event screens

Now that your social media wall widget is embedded on your website, you can easily display this content on your event’s TV screens.

You can access the content directly through your smart TV’s browser by navigating to the website where the widget is embedded. If this method doesn’t work, you can use your TV as a monitor for your computer or phone and open the content there.

For example, Heart to Heart International uses EmbedSocial’s Instagram wall widget to enhance their screens with a dynamic social feed:

This approach ensures that the information displayed, from upcoming events to the latest social media posts, is always current and engaging for your attendees.

Additionally, real-time moderation is essential to ensure that all displayed content is appropriate and relevant. Thankfully, EmbedSocial includes moderation tools and filters.

Tips to make an effective social media wall

You can maximize the effectiveness of your social media wall and ensure a seamless experience for your attendees by following a few best practices and tips:

• Promote your hashtag—еnsure your hashtag is visible everywhere: on tickets, promotional materials, and screens during the event;
• Moderate the social media content—before you embed social media posts on a website, you need to filter out inappropriate content and keep the wall professional;
• Use the wall for activities—mention the social media wall in presentations, use it for live Q&As, and integrate it into other interactive segments of the event;
• Encourage diverse content—motivate attendees to share various types of content, such as photos, videos, and comments, to make it engaging and dynamic​;
• Provide incentives—offer incentives like giveaways or contests to encourage attendees to participate and share content on the social media wall​;
• Ensure accessibility—ensure the displayed content is accessible to everyone by using large fonts, high-contrast colors, and clear visuals​​;
• Update the content—keep the social media wall updated with fresh content to maintain interest and engagement throughout the event​​;
• Highlight key moments—use the social media wall to showcase highlights of the event, such as keynote speeches, performances, and special announcements​;
• Analyze your engagement—after the event, analyze the engagement metrics from your social media wall to understand what needs improving for future events​.

By following these tips and tricks, you can create a memorable social media wall that is a dynamic, engaging, and successful feature for your event.

10+ ways to use a social media display wall by experts

You can do plenty with your social media wall, from holding photo contests to executing live polls and Q&A sessions. Why not even a leaderboard display showcasing the most engaged participants to drive more interaction among attendees?

Here is what 11 thought leaders have to say:

1. Authentic Engagement on Social Media by Kelly Sullivan
2. Strategic Hashtag and Event Wall Usage by Austin Benton
3. Platform-Specific Social Media Tactics by Dmitriy Bobriakov
4. Strategic Planning with Engaging Content by Himanshu Sharma
5. Provide Real-Time Event Updates by Sam Browne
6. Boost Post-Event Momentum with Live Discussion by David Schwartz
7. Blend Live Updates with UGC for Excitement by Haiko de Poel
8. Dynamic Content and Paid Social Ads by Ryan Esco
9. Ensure Up-to-Date and Inclusive Profiles by Patrick Beltran
10. Create Interactive and Engaging Posts by Carly Hill
11. Amplify Engagement with Live Interactions by Rohit Vedantwar

1. Authentic Engagement on Social Media

I leverage platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to raise awareness and share updates in an authentic way. I post eye-catching graphics and photos to capture people’s attention on their feeds. I share behind-the-scenes sneak peeks to build excitement and give people a reason to engage with the content. I also post reminders and countdowns in the days leading up to the event to keep it top of mind.

For example, for a recent conference, I posted photos of the venue setup, highlights of keynote speakers, and teasers of the topics that would be discussed. I also ran a social media contest where people could win free tickets by sharing one of my posts. This generated buzz and word-of-mouth promotion. 

By strategically using social media to tap into people’s FOMO (fear of missing out), I was able to significantly boost attendance and engagement at the event. The key is to be active, provide value, and give people an inside look into what they can expect. Social media is the modern word-of-mouth, so use it to your advantage!

Kelly Sullivan, Managing Director, Kokomo Botanical Resort

2. Strategic Hashtag and Event Wall Usage

We leverage social media feeds and walls to create buzz and engagement around our events. Our strategy encompasses several best practices that include: 

Consistent Branding: Ensure all posts are visually cohesive, reflecting the event’s branding and theme, which helps in creating a recognizable and professional image.

Hashtags and Mentions: Use relevant hashtags to increase visibility and encourage followers to use them. Mentioning partners, sponsors, and speakers can extend the reach through their networks.

Official Event Wall: Create a dedicated social media wall that aggregates posts from attendees, sponsors, and the organizers. Display this at the event to encourage live participation and enhance the experience.

Example:

For a recent corporate leadership summit, we initiated a social media campaign one month prior to the event. We used the hashtag #GothamSummit2023 across platforms and encouraged all speakers and attendees to tag their posts with it. We posted teaser videos, speaker highlights, and behind-the-scenes content, which generated considerable pre-event excitement. 

During the event, a live social media wall showcased posts and tweets using our hashtag, fostering a sense of community and encouraging real-time sharing. This strategy not only amplified our event’s visibility but also enhanced attendee engagement and participation.

Austin Benton, Marketing Consultant, Gotham Artists

3. Platform-Specific Social Media Tactics

As an experienced event marketer, I’ve learned that social media is crucial for promoting events and driving attendance. The key is to leverage each platform’s unique features to engage your target audience.

On Facebook, I create an Event page to provide all the key details and allow people to RSVP. As the event approaches, I frequently post updates, behind-the-scenes photos, contests, and reminders to the Event page feed to spark interest. I also run Facebook ads targeted to my ideal attendees based on demographics, interests, and behaviors.

For visual storytelling, I use Instagram to give followers a sneak peek into the event with eye-catching photos and videos. Instagram Stories are great for real-time coverage during the event itself. I use relevant hashtags throughout to extend my reach beyond just my followers.

On Twitter, I craft intriguing tweets about special guests, activities, discounts, and more. Retweeting others who express interest also helps amplify my message. As a best practice, I include links to the event registration page in my social posts to make it easy for people to sign up.

The key is keeping the momentum going on all channels in the weeks leading up to the event to turn interest into registrations. With strategic promotion across social platforms, I’ve been able to significantly boost attendance and buzz for many successful events over the years.

Dmitriy Bobriakov, Founder and CEO, SEO Analytics Pro

4. Strategic Planning with Engaging Content

Using social media feeds and walls to promote events involves a combination of strategic planning and engaging content. 

Here are some best practices I suggest:

1. Create a Hashtag: Develop a unique and memorable hashtag for your event to encourage attendees to share their experiences and create a buzz.
2. Countdown and Teasers: Post regular updates and teasers leading up to the event to build anticipation.
3. Engage with Followers: Interact with your audience by responding to comments and sharing user-generated content related to your event.
4. Live Updates: Use live feeds to share real-time updates, behind-the-scenes content, and live streaming of key moments during the event.
5. Collaborate with Influencers: Partner with influencers who can reach a broader audience and lend credibility to your event.

Himanshu Sharma, CEO and Founder, Academy of Digital Marketing

5. Provide Real-Time Event Updates

During the event promotion phase, I provide real-time updates to keep the audience informed and engaged. This includes announcements of new speakers, schedule changes, or even weather-related updates for outdoor events. 

Keeping our followers in the loop in real time ensures they feel valued and included, fostering a stronger community around our event brand.

Sam Browne, Founder, Findaband

6. Boost Post-Event Momentum with Live Discussion

Pre-event engagement is key. We post teasers, behind-the-scenes videos, and announcements of speakers on our social media feeds. For a recent event, we released a video of the set-up and interview clips with some of the speakers prior to the event, and during the event, we used a social media wall to display live tweets and Instagram posts from attendees.

Our idea is that once an event ends, donors start to forget about it. But with a social media wall and a live discussion going on as the event unfolds, they are more inclined to share their experiences with a larger network and give the event momentum that will make people talk about it afterwards.

David Schwartz, Founder and CEO, Orion Entertainment

7. Blend Live Updates with UGC for Excitement

Leveraging social media feeds and walls to promote events is all about creating real-time excitement and maximizing engagement. One strategy I find effective is blending live updates with behind-the-scenes content. For instance, during a product launch event, we used Instagram Stories to document the setup process, highlight key moments, and capture attendee reactions. This storytelling approach resulted in a 10% higher viewer engagement rate than standard posts.

User-generated content (UGC) is another game-changer. Encouraging attendees to share their experiences using a specific hashtag can significantly amplify event reach. During a digital transformation seminar I recently managed, we promoted a unique hashtag and saw a 25% spike in social media interactions. Reposting user content not only broadens visibility but also fosters a sense of community and authenticity around the event.

Incorporating interactive elements like AR filters can also elevate the experience. At a SaaS conference, we introduced an AR filter on Instagram that allowed users to visualize our product features in real-time. This fun and engaging tactic boosted our event-related engagement by 15%. Additionally, leveraging paid social ads to target specific audiences in the lead-up to the event increased registration rates by 30%, demonstrating the power of combining organic and paid strategies effectively.

Haiko de Poel, Owner, Mass Impact

8. Dynamic Content and Paid Social Ads

At FireRock Marketing, I leverage social media feeds and walls to create dynamic and engaging content for promoting events. One particularly effective strategy involves blending live updates with behind-the-scenes content. For instance, during a recent client’s product launch, we used Instagram Stories to share real-time updates, set-up processes, and attendee reactions. This approach not only increased immediacy and excitement but also resulted in a 25% higher engagement rate compared to static posts.

User-generated content (UGC) is another cornerstone in our promotion tactics. Encouraging attendees to use specific hashtags allows us to aggregate and amplify their experiences. For example, during a digital marketing seminar, we promoted a unique hashtag and saw a 30% spike in social media interactions. This user content was then reposted, broadening event visibility and fostering a community-centric atmosphere.

Additionally, combining organic content with targeted paid social ads has proven highly effective. Leading up to major events, I often utilize Facebook Ads to target specific demographics and interests, resulting in a 35% increase in event registrations. A/B testing different content types—such as raw behind-the-scenes footage versus professional videos—showed that raw content garnered 22% more engagement, allowing us to optimize and adapt our strategies in real time.

Ryan Esco, Chief Marketing Officer, FireRock Marketing

9. Ensure Up-to-Date and Inclusive Profiles

Keep your social media profiles up to date, and ensure your feed and wall are inclusive! For many first-timers learning about your event, your social media profiles are their initial point of contact for more information. That’s why it’s crucial to keep all your social media profiles up to date.

It’s important to communicate that your event is accessible and inclusive. Make sure to inform potential attendees, like wheelchair users, people with disabilities, and those with food intolerances, that your event will accommodate their needs. Also, include your code of conduct and provide a link to it.

Being transparent about these details and readily available on social media makes it easier for people to reach out with questions. Don’t forget to add the event hashtag to your profile description as well.

Social media is also an excellent tool for building excitement before an event. This means you need to post consistently about the event to keep it top of mind and encourage registrations.

Patrick Beltran, Marketing Director, Ardoz Digital

10. Create Interactive and Engaging Posts

One way to utilize social media feeds/walls for event promotion is by creating engaging and interactive posts that encourage participation from followers. 

By consistently posting updates about the event, such as countdowns, behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, and interactive polls or quizzes, you can generate excitement and build anticipation among your audience. 

Additionally, using eye-catching visuals like videos and images can help capture attention and increase engagement with your posts.

Carly Hill, Operations Manager, Virtual Holiday Party

11. Amplify Engagement with Live Interactions

We utilize social media feeds and walls to amplify our event promotion efforts by focusing on interactive and real-time engagement. Our approach involves hosting live Q&A sessions and webinars on platforms like Facebook Live and Instagram Live to directly interact with our audience and build anticipation. We also create countdowns and teaser posts to keep the excitement alive as the event date approaches.

Engaging visuals, coupled with storytelling that highlights key event features and benefits, are integral to our content strategy. An example of this was our recent digital marketing workshop where we leveraged LinkedIn Live to broadcast expert sessions in real-time, resulting in a notable increase in attendee sign-ups and subsequent social media interactions.

Rohit Vedantwar, Co-Founder and Director, Supramind.com

Key takeaways

At the end of the day, when organizing any modern event, you should consider engaging your audience with a social media wall as it comes with various benefits, from creating a sense of community to collecting and showcasing valuable UGC from your visitors.

Plus, setting up such a dynamic and engaging wall from posts from all your social media platforms is very easy. You only need to connect multiple social media channels via a UGC aggregator like EmbedSocial and then pull and display all your social media posts.

However, in addition to your social media feed, you can also boost audience engagement during live and virtual events by allowing them to create their own content, which you can later reuse in your social media marketing campaigns.