Effective Use of SMS Marketing in Event Promotion

Event promotion is a crucial aspect of any successful event, whether it’s a concert, conference, trade show, or local gathering. With so many marketing channels available, it can be difficult to decide where to focus your efforts. However, one channel that should never be overlooked is SMS marketing. With its high open rates and direct communication, SMS is an incredibly effective way to engage with your audience and boost event attendance. In this post, we’ll explore how to use SMS marketing to effectively promote your events and drive higher attendance.

1. Build Anticipation with Pre-Event SMS Campaigns

One of the best ways to use SMS for event promotion is by building anticipation before the event. SMS marketing allows you to send timely, exciting updates directly to your audience. Start by sending early-bird announcements, sneak peeks, or exclusive content leading up to the event. For example: “Exciting news! [Event Name] is coming soon! Stay tuned for exclusive offers and updates. Text ‘YES’ to sign up for early access.”

2. Send Event Reminders

As the event date approaches, sending SMS reminders ensures your attendees don’t forget to mark their calendars. SMS is a great tool for sending reminders with event details such as date, time, location, and what attendees should expect. For example: “Reminder: [Event Name] is tomorrow! Join us at [Location] at [Time] for an unforgettable experience. See you there!”

3. Promote Last-Minute Ticket Sales

If you have remaining tickets as the event nears, SMS is a great way to promote last-minute sales and drive ticket purchases. You can send exclusive offers or discounts to entice people to buy tickets. For example: “Last chance! [Event Name] tickets are 30% off for the next 24 hours. Text ‘TICKET’ to get yours now before they sell out!”

4. Send Exclusive Offers and Discounts

Offer your SMS subscribers exclusive discounts or early access to tickets to create a sense of VIP treatment. SMS marketing is perfect for sending special promotions and time-sensitive deals that motivate your audience to act quickly. For example: “VIP Access: Get 20% off tickets to [Event Name]—this offer is exclusive to SMS subscribers! Text ‘VIP’ to claim your discount.”

5. Use SMS for Real-Time Event Updates

During the event, use SMS to keep your attendees informed with real-time updates. Whether there’s a schedule change, a special announcement, or a last-minute addition to the event, SMS ensures that your audience gets the information instantly. For example: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, [Speaker Name] will be speaking in 30 minutes instead of 2 PM. See you there!”

6. Collect Feedback and Encourage Engagement

SMS can also be used to collect feedback from attendees and encourage engagement during the event. You can send surveys, ask for reviews, or encourage social media sharing. For example: “We’d love to hear your thoughts! Please reply with a rating for today’s event. 1 for Poor, 5 for Excellent!” Or, “Share your event photos on social media using #[EventHashtag] for a chance to win a special prize!”

7. Use SMS to Drive Post-Event Engagement

Just because your event is over doesn’t mean your communication should stop. Use SMS to keep your attendees engaged after the event. Send follow-up messages, thank you notes, and share event highlights. For example: “Thank you for attending [Event Name]! We hope you had a great time. Stay tuned for future events and exclusive offers!”

8. Segment Your Audience for Targeted Messaging

One of the most powerful features of SMS marketing is its ability to segment your audience for more targeted messaging. With Mobiniti’s platform, you can create targeted groups based on interests, demographics, or past event attendance. This allows you to send highly relevant and personalized messages, such as sending special offers to repeat event attendees or promoting events based on their preferences. For example: “As a past attendee of [Event Name], you’re invited to our upcoming event! Get early access by texting ‘JOIN’ now.”

Conclusion

SMS marketing is one of the most effective ways to promote events and engage your audience. From building anticipation and sending reminders to offering exclusive discounts and collecting feedback, SMS allows you to communicate directly with your audience in real time. By incorporating SMS into your event marketing strategy, you can increase attendance, boost engagement, and create lasting connections with your attendees. To learn more about using SMS marketing for event promotion, visit this page.