Case Study: How Consistent Social Media Made Host of Leyton a Go-To Destination

When Host of Leyton, a beautifully restored Victorian corner shop turned creative venue—approached Dove Social & PR, they were at a turning point. With a packed calendar of pop-ups, workshops, and exhibitions, their small team was struggling to keep up with the demands of social media, event promotion, and community engagement. They knew their space had huge potential, but needed help turning digital buzz into real-world bookings and a loyal local following.

Read on to discover how our hands-on social media, PR, and content strategy helped Host of Leyton grow to over 10,000 followers, increase booking enquiries, and build a reputation as one of East London’s most exciting spaces for work, retail, and play.

The Challenge: Bringing a High-Street Venue to Life Online

Host of Leyton is more than just a room for hire—it’s a creative hub for Leyton’s community, offering everything from art exhibitions and supper clubs to workshops, photoshoots, and pop-up retail. But with such a fast-moving schedule, the team faced three core challenges:

• Inconsistent social media: With new events and pop-ups happening every week, it was hard to keep the Instagram grid and stories up-to-date, let alone create a cohesive brand voice.

• Time and resource constraints: The owner and team were focused on running the space and supporting collaborators—leaving little time for content planning or digital marketing.

• Missed opportunities: Without proactive promotion, some events weren’t reaching their full audience potential, and bookers sometimes struggled to know what was coming up next.

Host needed a partner who could take full ownership of their digital presence, streamline their communications, and make sure every event got its moment in the spotlight.

Our Solution: Organised, Results-Driven Social Media

We embedded ourselves as an extension of the Host of Leyton team, bringing our experience in social media management and content creation to transform their online presence. Here’s how we did it:

1. Content Creation & Scheduling

• Developed a “magazine-style” grid, ensuring every event, no matter how last-minute, got a dedicated post and stories coverage.

• Created original content for each pop-up, exhibition, and workshop, including photography, captions, and hashtags optimised for East London audiences.

• Regularly updated the Instagram bio and pinned posts, making it easy for followers to see what was coming up next.

2. Strategic Communications

• Wrote and sent out MailChimp newsletters to the Host mailing list, driving awareness and ticket sales for upcoming events.

• Designed posters for the venue’s windows, ensuring local footfall was converted into bookings and event attendance.

• Liaised directly with event bookers and collaborators to gather assets, event details, and key messages—often on tight deadlines.

3. Community Management & Engagement

• Managed DMs and comments, answering questions, sharing key info, and connecting with potential bookers.

• Collaborated with event organisers for joint posts and tags, boosting reach and engagement for both Host and its partners.

• Built relationships with local businesses, artists, and brands, positioning Host as a supportive platform for East London’s creative community.

4. Process & Organisation

• Developed a highly organised system for content planning, asset collection, and approvals, ensuring nothing was missed—even with last-minute changes or new bookings.

• Created a content calendar that could flex for last-minute additions, while keeping the core brand voice and visual identity consistent.

Standout Events & Collaborations

Host’s unique approach means every week brings something new. Some of the most memorable projects we supported include:

• Into The Woods art exhibition by Phin Harper—striking installations that brought the space to life and generated a flood of positive feedback (and beautiful photos for socials).

• Lisa King abstract art class—a sell-out event that showcased the venue’s versatility for creative workshops.

• Mean Mail pop-up—locally made greeting cards by Vicky Simmons, a collaboration that drove both online and in-store engagement.

• Folie Chambre - a curated popup of the finest antique and vintage furniture and objets from France and Italy.

The Results: Tangible Growth and Real Business Impact

Our partnership delivered measurable results for Host of Leyton, including:

1. Follower Growth & Brand Reach

• Grew Host’s Instagram following to over 10,000, cementing its reputation as a must-follow for East London events and creative happenings.

• Increased collaboration post reach—event organisers and brands who booked Host benefitted from our engaged audience, often seeing their own follower counts and bookings rise as a result.

2. Increased Booking Enquiries

• Socials became a key driver of new bookings, with many clients citing Instagram as how they discovered and chose Host for their events or launches.

• The clarity and consistency of the grid, stories, and bio made it easy for potential bookers to see availability, upcoming events, and the venue’s unique features.

3. Operational Relief for the Team

• By taking full ownership of socials and comms, we freed up the owner and team to focus on running the venue and supporting collaborators.

• Our system ensured every event—no matter how fast-paced—got the promotion it deserved, with zero stress for the Host team.

4. Stronger Community Connections

• Host became known as a “beautiful room on the high street” that champions local talent, supports fledgling businesses, and brings people together.

• Regular newsletters, posters, and stories kept the local community engaged and aware of what was happening each week.

5. Positive Feedback

• The business owner received consistent feedback from bookers and attendees about how professional, attractive, and clear the social media presence was.

• Event organisers commented on the value of being featured on Host’s socials, with collaboration posts often driving additional bookings and sales.

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Lessons for East London Venues & Event Spaces

1. Consistency is Key:

A fast-paced events calendar is only an asset if people know what’s on. A regular, organised social media and content system means every event gets its moment—and nothing gets lost in the shuffle.

2. Collaboration Boosts Reach:

By working closely with bookers and brands, and leveraging collaboration posts, Host was able to multiply its reach and become a true platform for the local creative community.

3. Digital Presence Drives Bookings:

For modern venues, a well-curated Instagram grid and regular newsletters are as important as a great physical space. Most new clients now discover event spaces on social first.

4. Outsourcing Frees Up Time:

Bringing in a dedicated social media partner allowed Host’s team to focus on running events, supporting collaborators, and growing the business.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I hire Host of Leyton for my event?

You can enquire directly via email at bookings@hostofleyton.com or visit them at 658 High Rd Leyton, London E10 6JP.

What types of events work best at Host?

Host is ideal for pop-ups, workshops, supper clubs, photoshoots, meetings, and creative launches. The space is flexible and equipped with everything you need.

How does Dove Social & PR help venues like Host?

We provide end-to-end social media management, content creation, newsletter writing, PR, and event promotion—taking the stress off your plate and helping you grow your audience.

Ready to Make Your Venue a Go-To Destination?

If you’re running an East London venue or event space and want to boost your bookings, grow your audience, and build a reputation as a true community hub, we’d love to help. At Dove Social & PR, we specialise in social media, PR, and content strategies that deliver real results for creative businesses.

Contact us for a free discovery call and let’s make your space the next local success story.