SMS marketing is one of the most effective ways to promote and engage with customers for events. Whether you’re hosting a conference, trade show, concert, or charity event, SMS allows you to reach your audience directly and in real time. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how SMS marketing can help you promote your events, increase attendance, and engage with attendees before, during, and after the event.
Why SMS Marketing is Perfect for Event Promotion
With an incredibly high open rate of 98%, SMS marketing is the best way to ensure your messages are seen by your audience. Unlike email or social media, SMS messages are opened almost immediately after being received, making it the ideal communication channel for time-sensitive event promotions and reminders. Plus, SMS allows you to communicate with your audience directly on their mobile devices, where they are most likely to engage with your message.
How to Use SMS Marketing for Event Promotion
1. Send Event Invitations
SMS is an excellent way to send event invitations that are sure to be seen. Whether you’re hosting a large public event or a private gathering, sending personalized invitations via SMS will ensure your audience is aware of the event and can easily RSVP. The key is to make your invitations clear and compelling, with a strong call to action (CTA).
” Join us for [Event Name] on [Date] at [Location]! Reply YES to RSVP and receive an exclusive gift at the door!”
2. Send Event Reminders
As the event approaches, sending reminders is crucial to ensuring your attendees show up. SMS reminders help reduce no-shows and keep your event top of mind. You can send reminders a few days before, the day before, and even a few hours before the event.
“Just a reminder: [Event Name] is tomorrow at [Time]! We can’t wait to see you at [Location].”
3. Provide Real-Time Event Updates
During the event, SMS is an excellent tool for sending real-time updates, changes, and important information. Whether it’s a last-minute schedule change, a special guest speaker, or a change in the venue, SMS ensures that your attendees are kept informed and engaged. This helps to improve the overall attendee experience and makes your event run more smoothly.
” Important update: Due to weather conditions, the [Event Name] will be moved indoors. See you at [New Location]!”
4. Encourage Last-Minute Sign-Ups
If you still have space for your event or want to encourage last-minute sign-ups, SMS can be a powerful tool for creating a sense of urgency and excitement. You can send a limited-time offer or a special promotion to prompt your audience to act quickly.
“Hurry! There’s still time to join us for [Event Name]. Register now for 10% off using code ‘LASTCHANCE’!”
5. Drive Traffic to Your Event Page
If you have an event page where people can learn more or purchase tickets, SMS is a great way to drive traffic. Include a link to your event page along with a compelling reason for recipients to visit it, such as an early-bird ticket discount or exclusive event details.
“Get your tickets now for [Event Name] at [Event Page Link]! Don’t miss out on early-bird pricing!”
How to Engage Attendees During the Event Using SMS
1. Share Event Highlights
During your event, you can use SMS to share highlights, photos, and key moments in real-time. If you’re hosting a conference, you can share speaker quotes or session highlights. For a concert or festival, you can share set times and updates on upcoming performances.
“The keynote speaker at [Event Name], [Speaker Name], is about to take the stage! Don’t miss it!”
2. Run Interactive Polls and Surveys
Engage attendees by sending polls or surveys through SMS to gather their opinions or preferences during the event. This can help you gauge attendee satisfaction, understand their interests, and improve future events. You can also use SMS to gather feedback on specific sessions, products, or services presented during the event.
“We want to hear from you! Text your answer to: What’s your favorite part of [Event Name] so far?”
3. Send Special Offers or Promotions
During the event, you can send special offers to attendees to encourage sales, bookings, or participation. For example, if you’re hosting a trade show, you can send exclusive discounts to attendees at specific booths, or if you’re running a charity event, you can promote donation matches or auction items.
“Exclusive offer for event attendees: Get 15% off our [Product Name] today only. Show this message to claim your discount!”
How to Use SMS After the Event for Continued Engagement
1. Send Thank You Messages
After the event, it’s important to thank your attendees for their participation and engagement. A simple thank you message via SMS can go a long way in showing your appreciation and keeping your audience connected to your brand.
“Thank you for attending [Event Name]! We hope you had a great time. Stay tuned for future events and special offers!”
2. Request Feedback
Feedback is essential for improving your events and understanding your audience’s experience. Use SMS to send post-event surveys or feedback requests. This will provide you with valuable insights and help you improve your future events.
“We’d love your feedback on [Event Name]! Text ‘FEEDBACK’ to participate in our quick survey and help us improve!”
3. Continue the Conversation
After the event, you can continue engaging with your attendees by sending them follow-up information, such as a recording of the event, photos, or upcoming events. Keeping the conversation going helps maintain a relationship with your audience and prepares them for your next event.
“Thanks for attending [Event Name]! Here’s a recording of the event and exclusive content from our speakers. Stay tuned for future updates!”
How Mobiniti Helps You with Event Promotion and Engagement
Mobiniti’s SMS marketing platform is perfect for promoting and engaging attendees at every stage of your event. With Mobiniti, you can easily create, send, and track SMS campaigns that help increase attendance, enhance engagement, and drive results. Whether you’re sending invitations, real-time updates, or post-event surveys, Mobiniti has the tools you need to ensure your event is a success.
- Event Campaigns: Automate event promotion, reminders, and post-event follow-ups.
- Segmentation: Segment your list to send targeted, personalized messages to specific groups.
- Real-Time Engagement: Engage attendees with SMS polls, updates, and special offers during the event.
- Analytics: Track the performance of your campaigns and make data-driven decisions for future events.
Get started today and use Mobiniti to enhance your event marketing with the power of SMS.
Learn more about how Mobiniti can help you create successful SMS campaigns for your next event.
Conclusion
SMS marketing is an incredibly effective tool for event promotion and engagement. By using SMS to send invitations, reminders, real-time updates, and follow-ups, you can increase attendance, enhance engagement, and create lasting connections with your audience. With Mobiniti’s powerful platform, you have everything you need to run successful SMS campaigns for any event. Start using SMS marketing today to take your event promotion to the next level!
