The Biggest Event Marketing Mistakes El Paso Businesses Still Make (and How to Fix Them)
- Adrianna B.
- Sep 21
- 3 min read
El Paso is full of cultural festivals, live music, food pop-ups, and business events. But even with so much opportunity, many organizers still struggle with low attendance and missed revenue.
The problem often lies not with the event itself, but with how it is promoted.
In this guide, we will break down the most common event marketing mistakes El Paso businesses make, why they are costly, and how to fix them with strategies that actually work.
Mistake #1: Promoting Too Late
Many businesses start advertising only a week or two before an event. By then, it is often too late to build awareness and secure RSVPs.
Why It Hurts in El Paso: Local audiences plan around school, family, and work. Without enough lead time, they simply cannot fit your event into their schedules.
Fix It: Start promotion at least four to six weeks in advance. Build a timeline that includes teaser content, mid-campaign buzz, and last-call reminders.
Mistake #2: Relying Only on Organic Posts
Posting on Facebook or Instagram is important, but organic reach alone is not enough. Algorithms limit visibility, especially for businesses.
Why It Hurts in El Paso: Relying only on free promotion means your event gets buried under dozens of other posts.
Fix It: Pair organic posts with paid ads. Even a modest budget targeting El Paso ZIP codes can dramatically increase visibility.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Retargeting
Many organizers focus only on first-time impressions. They forget that most people need multiple touchpoints before they commit.
Why It Hurts in El Paso: An interested attendee may click on your event page but get distracted before RSVPing. Without retargeting, you lose them.
Fix It: Use retargeting ads to follow up with people who clicked or engaged but did not register. Add urgency with limited-time offers.
Mistake #4: Weak or Generic Creative
Low-quality flyers, bland graphics, or unclear messaging can make even great events look unappealing.
Why It Hurts in El Paso: Events compete for attention. If your creative does not stand out, people will assume the event is not worth their time.
Fix It: Invest in strong visuals and localized content. Use video teasers, highlight performers or features, and make sure every post clearly communicates the event’s value.
Mistake #5: Skipping Community Partnerships
Many businesses try to market events entirely on their own. They miss out on the power of local partnerships.
Why It Hurts in El Paso: El Paso thrives on community. Without collaborations, your event feels disconnected from the city’s culture.
Fix It: Partner with local businesses, influencers, and organizations. Co-promotion expands reach and adds credibility.
Mistake #6: Forgetting Email Marketing
Social media often gets all the attention, while email is ignored. This is a big missed opportunity.
Why It Hurts in El Paso: Not everyone sees your posts. Without email reminders, even interested attendees may forget about your event.
Fix It: Build an email sequence with early invites, updates, and final countdown reminders. Keep your audience engaged until the day of the event.
Mistake #7: No Post-Event Follow-Up
The event ends, and so does communication. Many businesses fail to nurture attendees into long-term customers.
Why It Hurts in El Paso: You lose the chance to turn one-time guests into repeat attendees or loyal customers.
Fix It: Send post-event thank-you emails, share highlight reels, and ask for feedback. Build momentum for your next event.
For more guidance, see HubSpot’s event marketing resources.
How El Paso Businesses Can Do It Right
Start early with a clear promotional calendar.
Balance organic and paid promotion for maximum reach.
Leverage retargeting to capture warm leads.
Invest in strong creative that reflects the event’s value.
Build partnerships with local businesses and influencers.
Use email sequences to keep people engaged.
Follow up after the event to grow long-term relationships.
Why Work With an Event Marketing Expert in El Paso
Managing promotion on top of event logistics can overwhelm even seasoned planners. Expert event marketing support ensures that every step is covered, from pre-launch buzz to post-event follow-up.
At Adri Santos Marketing, we help El Paso businesses and organizations design event marketing strategies that fill venues and build lasting connections. From creative design and ad management to influencer partnerships and email flows, we turn events into experiences that sell out.
Final Thoughts
Event success in El Paso does not happen by chance. Avoiding common mistakes and building a clear, structured marketing plan ensures higher turnout and stronger ROI.
If you are ready to promote your next event with a proven system, visit our Event Marketing El Paso page and schedule a free strategy session today.
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