What better way to keep people updated on events than SMS?! It’s in the palm of their hand and will keep them up to date on even the smallest last-minute details.
From pre-event preparations to day-of and post-event follow-up, SMS can seamlessly integrate into every event management phase, offering a versatile means of interaction and communication.
Here are a few best practices to keep in mind for launch. 🗣️
📆 Pre-event: Import and Promote!
- Import attendees: Start by pulling lists from previous years and import them directly into your Subtext dashboard; you can easily re-target these attendees.
- Promote: Then be sure to promote the channel on your website and all relevant social channels to drum up noise and acquire subscribers.
💡 Content Ideas pre-event: Take a minute to think through your launch timeline and see what possible ways you can provide value to your audience.
- Share links to registration guidelines: promote your event to all SMS subscribers by texting sign up reminders prior to the event.
- Send discount codes (SMS exclusive): send a timely, pre-event link or subscriber-only promo code to event tickets.
- Line-up announcements: build hype around the event by showcasing the event lineup and any special appearances to encourage ticket sales.
- Sponsorship opportunities: have partners sponsor your SMS channel. Whether you have one partner sponsor the entire channel or send texts highlighting sponsors as a value add, you're offering sponsors personal and direct communication to the audience they want to reach.
- Need to know details: parking, things to bring, security, locations etc.
🎟️ During the event:
You’ve given all the registration details out as well as the day-of information. It’s go time!
Content Ideas during the event: whether you schedule a few texts throughout the day or have someone on standby answering questions in real time, how you run the day is up to you!
- Day of Communication Tool: easily alert attendees of any last-minute changes in location or schedules to ensure a great event experience. Morning Brew used Subtextfor their in-person event as their main communication tool with attendees. They utilized it to share schedule updates, and wifi passwords, and whenever an issue arose, they were thankful to have an immediate way to alert attendees.
- Audience Session Q&A: Planning a speaking panel? Capture your audience's hard-pressing questions via SMS and have them answered by your guest speakers at the event for a truly interactive experience.
- Merch Sales: Send a link or a special promo code for exclusive event merch available to your SMS subscribers.
- Customer Service: attendees will always have questions the day of. Check in a few times to make sure you are answering their questions!
- Speaker Reminders: Schedule timed reminders for the keynote speakers in advance so no one misses out!
- Last minute updates: Delays? Time changes? These things happen! But with SMS updates, attendees won’t miss a beat.
- Customer Service: On the day of an event, there are always people with questions. Use the SMS channel as a customer service line to respond to individual questions. Have a question that keeps coming up? Text all attendees!
💯 After the event:
Congrats, you did it! Now check back in with your audience to see how their experience was.
Content Ideas after the event: It’s important to gather feedback from the event attendees and continue the conversation with them.
- Send Surveys for Event Feedback: Want to know what your attendees thought about your event? Send a survey link and gather intel to help curate next year’s offering.
- Cross-Promote Next Year's Event: Give your current attendees first dibs at scoring those tickets and register them for the next event.
- Continue the Dialogue: Keep your subscribers in the know as you're gearing up for the next event with clips and pictures from panels, keynotes, networking happy hours, and more.
- Promote Industry Events: Drive revenue by using your channel as a sponsorship opportunity for other events in your industry. You’ve already got a targeted list of people who love events so use it to your advantage.
Inspiration Time
Take a look at some of the following examples for inspiration 👀
