Strategies For Swiftly Boosting Event Registrations 

Event registration is crucial to the success of any event, whether a corporate conference, charity fundraising event, or community workshop or happening. The first step to executing a successful event to a large audience is getting registrants to the event successfully and on time. To engage prospective applicants and have them register with ease of access to completing the registration, a wide-ranging and varied approach is needed.  

As the advancement of digital technology advances and continues to enhance the days of planning an event, events have a wide variety of different types of tools available that can increase registration. These tools when utilized will inform an event to not only have a large audience but can also create a buzz that can lead to an atmosphere for a great experience.     

Choosing an Event Registration & Ticketing Platform

The first step in engaging registrants quickly for an event is to choose the right event registration and ticketing platform.     

A contingent Samaaro can assist in the overall planning by simplifying the registration process but still allowing attendees the important aspect of a good user experience as the participants use the registration platform so the event also affords event planners the tools and good user experience as they input registration material.     

Following is a list of considerations to review for a potential ideal registration platform for events:     

• User Experience: Look for a registering platform that allows for a seamless user experience. Attendees should be allowed an easy transition to register and purchase tickets through a registration platform which does not create unnecessary barriers or confusion for the attendee.     

• Multiple Payment Options: People have multiple payment preferences. Offer multiple payment options, such as with a credit or debit card, mobile wallets, or more old-fashioned offline purchases could begin. 

• Branding and Customization: Make your event page your own to visually reflect your branding and event theme. An event website that has a solid visual brand can establish a professional impression for potential participants. This authoritative brand can contribute to potential participants feeling comfortable and ready to register!  

• Data Management and Analytics: A strong platform should have native data-tracking tools that help with tracking not only how many people register for your event but also other pieces of valuable information, such as demographics of your attendees. These items will help you make data-informed decisions instead of a best guess approach.  

• Marketing Tools: Look for a platform that has built-in marketing tools such as social media outlets or email marketing software. This way you are able to broaden your audience for your event and connect with your participants.  

Tips to Quickly Increase Event Registrations

A. Event Marketplace 

An event marketplace is one great way to build your reach for your event. An event marketplace source will have very strong search and recommendations abilities in addition to just exposure to an entirely new audience that will increase the likelihood of someone discovering your event. When marketing your event on a marketplace site, remember to use great images (your imagery should capture the experience people will have at your event and set – the tone for your event) and also relevant keywords in the description of your event. Ask people who attended you event in years past to leave reviews on the site, because a positive review does a great deal to establish credibility with potential registrants.   

B. Discounts or Early Bird Passes 

Who doesn’t love a good deal? Enabling early registration discounts is an easy way to drive registrations early.Do not confine yourself to only one promotion. Use a range of promotional techniques to engage targeted audience subgroups. For example, if you are offering a series of related events and are trying to attract young participation you can provide student pricing, group pricing for teams or colleagues or bundle pricing for multiple events. Be sure to effectively communicate these promotions through all of your marketing strategies.    

C. Email Marketing 

A 2021 Markletic survey found 76% of marketers believe using email marketing is the best approach to generate event registrations. Organizers can further increase their return on investment for their events with a good email marketing plan in place. To build momentum, start with sending out a save-the-date email to build awareness. Next, send emails that educate and persuade attendees about the benefits and highlights of attending the event. Ensure the emails articulate a clear call to action that takes them right to the registration page. Building FOMO before your event will help increase registrations. Attach countdown timers to the emails as the event date nears to create some urgency in the audience. Additionally, personalization can bring substantial increases in conversion and open rates.  

D. Social Media Hype    

Social media is a goldmine for event promotion and increased registrations. Organize live Q & A sessions or virtually meet-and-greet sessions with speakers or performers to create a community feel and build excitement around your event. Push out teaser videos, behind-the-scenes photos and participant testimonials. Consider partnering with a social media influencer or micro-influencer in your field; these influencers can promote your event to their followers, reaching a larger and more relevant market. Consider running polls, contests or giveaways to keep the audience engaged in your event.  

E. Pre-Event Sessions   

Webinars or pre-event panels serve a number of purposes. Use these to further entice people to register for your main event. Provide useful information to entice possible participating to see the value of attending the event, in addition to creating excitement. Invite well-known speakers or subject-matter experts to present, and be certain the topics relate to the messaging of the overall event or examine the subject from a different angle. In order to maximize registration effectiveness, gate the pre-event sessions behind a free registration. This will capture valuable registration information, and further compel registration for the main event. To maximize attendance, you should also record these sessions and make them available as on demand content for people to consume.