Why Paid Facebook Ads Matter for Events and Tourism
If your advertising budget were cut by 25%, what would you keep?
For Salem Tourism and Salem Fair's Carey Harveycutter, the answer was immediate: paid Facebook advertising would be the last thing he’d cut.
In his conversation with Wheeler Digital Wise Guys hosts Cameron May and Fredy Wright, Carey explained why: strong response and the ability to reach travelers in markets Salem once couldn’t afford to advertise in.
"Campaigns that actually work!"
- Carey Harveycutter, City of Salem Tourism and Salem Fair
For destinations and events, that’s a powerful opportunity. Your next visitor may live several hours away. They may be looking for a weekend getaway without having a particular destination in mind. Digital advertising gives you a chance to reach them while those plans are taking shape.
But getting their attention takes more than an event date and a “learn more” button.
You have to give them a reason to make the trip.
For Salem, the fair can be that first reason. Restaurants, outdoor activities, and nearby attractions help turn it into a weekend worth planning. Paid Facebook carousel ads give us room to tell that story, showing potential visitors what they can experience beyond the fairgrounds.
That matters to the whole community. Another night in town creates more opportunities for visitors to book a hotel, eat at a local restaurant, and explore businesses they might otherwise pass by.
Making those advertising dollars work also takes ongoing attention. Which markets are responding? What messages are getting interest? Where should the campaign adjust? Working with a digital partner means having someone help answer those questions and respond when plans change.
After roughly nine years of working with Wheeler Digital, Carey’s answer to the budget question reflects the value he sees in that approach.
Your next visitor is making plans. Are you giving them a reason to choose you?
Watch our full Wheeler Digital Wise Guys interview with Carey Harveycutter to hear his perspective on tourism, events, and the advertising he’d protect.
Ready to reach more potential visitors? Grow your business with Wheeler Digital.
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