Registration no-shows can cause an entire event to fall apart. Event planners and organizers place great emphasis on getting good attendance rates. Successful events can be differentiated from average ones by managing the attendee experience from registration to attendance.
In this article, we discuss reasons why registered attendees do not show up and how to prevent them from dropping off. As a result, we have developed this step-by-step guide to help you fix your low attendance rate.
Invite a speaker who is an industry expert & influencer
Attending events with industry experts and influencers is one of the most effective ways to increase attendance. They have an established rapport with your target audience. Expertise and authenticity are desirable qualities for audiences.
People gather to listen to the expert's experience and expertise. Showcasing such experts is a sure way to boost attendance. Yet scheduling time with these experts can be challenging. Make a list of speakers that you want to invite, contact them, and ask for their availability as soon as possible. Ideally, you’re looking to invite them to participate at least 6 months prior to the event.
Enhance the experience of attendees on the event landing page
Getting a good first impression is important. Potential attendees learn the most about your event on your event landing page. Create a user-friendly website with clear communications and a crisp event offering.
Zoom invitations and long agendas with twisted jargon have worn us out. What if you simplified the promise of your event and the value it offers from the very beginning? In a simple, easy-to-understand manner, describe as many details as possible about the event - what is the aim & purpose of it, what problems does it address, what to expect from the sessions, who to contact to get further information, etc.
Open the floor to questions before the event
Think like your potential attendees. Wouldn't you love to have answers to questions about an event you're considering investing your time and energy into, wouldn't you? You can let your attendees ask questions to their favorite speakers or to the organizers before the event.
On your event website, you might want to consider adding a live Q&A section or a chat bot. A virtual event platform makes this fairly simple. From the organizer dashboard, you can create open and moderated Q&A sections.
Take advantage of email marketing campaigns
Send the best email marketing campaigns possible to promote your event. Keeping your registered attendees interested and engaged with your event requires sending the right email, at the right time, with the right content and tone.
Here are some quick tips:
- Provide attendees with engaging and interactive content that they will want to share.
- Send updates about sessions and speakers regularly.
- Keep them informed about exciting offers, contests, and discussions to take part in.
- Make sure your calls to action are relevant and personalized.
- Make your content easy to read on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices.
- Check your campaign regularly to see which attendees are most engaged, what type of content gets the most traction, and what CTAs are working.
Get rid of your low attendance worries by implementing some of these strategies. We teach these pre-event methods, and many more during the Event Planner Expo. Sign up for the 2022 wait list now!
