Whether you’re hosting a live concert, a webinar, a trade show, or a product launch, getting people to show up is the hardest part. You can spend thousands on Facebook ads or email campaigns and still see low turnout. That’s where SMS marketing comes in—a powerful, underutilized tool to drive event attendance and engagement.
SMS offers instant access to your audience’s attention, making it perfect for time-sensitive announcements and reminders. With a 98% open rate and nearly 90% of messages read within 3 minutes, it can make or break your event attendance.
In this article, we’ll cover how to use SMS effectively throughout the entire event lifecycle—from announcement to post-event follow-up.
1. Why Use SMS for Event Promotion?
Here’s what sets SMS apart from other channels:
- Speed: Messages are read almost instantly
- Directness: It feels personal, not spammy
- High engagement: Response rates are 6-8x higher than email
- Versatility: Works for concerts, conferences, webinars, fundraisers, etc.
Whether your audience is Gen Z or Gen X, SMS cuts through the noise.
2. Before the Event: Announce and Invite
Start your campaign early by sending concise, compelling announcements.
🎉 Sample Invite Message:
“🎤 Don’t miss our live music night at The Garage – Saturday at 8 PM! First 100 RSVPs get VIP access. RSVP now: [link]”
🧠 Webinar Invite:
“Join our free webinar: ‘AI and the Future of Business’ – July 10 at 6 PM EST. Reserve your seat here: [link]”
Tips:
- Include a call-to-action (RSVP, Register, Tap to Learn More)
- Add incentives (early bird bonuses, freebies)
- Personalize when possible
3. Send Strategic Reminders
Use SMS to remind registrants and prevent no-shows.
🕒 Reminder Timeline:
- 24 hours before the event: “Just 1 day to go! Don’t forget tomorrow’s Digital Marketing Masterclass at 3 PM. Join link: [link]”
- 1–2 hours before the event: “We’re starting soon! Join us at 2:55 PM to grab your virtual seat: [link] 🎧”
Bonus Tip: Use countdown-style messages:
“⏳ Only 3 hours left till we go live!”
Reminders build excitement and help people show up on time.
4. During the Event: Keep Engagement High
SMS isn’t just for before the event—you can use it during to enhance participation.
Examples:
- Share live polls or Q&A links
- Send links to digital resources
- Offer real-time support
“🔗 Download today’s slides here: [link]
Have questions? Text back and our team will help.”
Pro Tip: For physical events, use SMS for crowd control (“Doors open now,” “Session B begins in Room 12”) or upsells (“Visit our booth for a 15% discount”).
5. Post-Event: Say Thank You and Follow Up
After the event ends, the conversation shouldn’t.
Sample Follow-Up:
“Thanks for joining the Leadership Summit! Missed any sessions? Watch the replays here: [link] 🎥”
For Feedback:
“Rate your experience from today’s event (1–5):
Reply with a number to help us improve.”
You can also:
- Send exclusive post-event offers
- Invite people to future events
- Ask for testimonials or reviews
6. Event Types That Benefit from SMS Marketing
✅ Live concerts – Boost last-minute attendance
✅ Webinars/virtual events – Improve show-up rates
✅ Trade shows – Coordinate attendees and vendors
✅ Workshops/seminars – Drive engagement
✅ Product launches – Hype new products and collect feedback
✅ Fundraisers/galas – Send location and donation links
✅ Church or community events – Remind and organize members
7. Best Practices for SMS Event Promotion
✅ Keep it concise
Use clear and direct language. Limit messages to 160 characters.
✅ Always include a CTA
Don’t just tell people—ask them to take action: “Register now,” “Tap to RSVP,” “Reply YES to confirm.”
✅ Segment your list
Target past attendees, VIPs, or local audiences with customized messages.
✅ Use emojis sparingly
They grab attention but too many can reduce clarity.
✅ Respect quiet hours
Avoid sending texts too early or late (typically between 9 AM – 8 PM local time).
✅ Allow opt-outs
“Reply STOP to unsubscribe” keeps you compliant and respectful.
8. Platforms That Can Help
Consider using tools with event-focused SMS features like:
- SimpleTexting
- Twilio + Zapier
- SlickText
- TextMagic
- Eventbrite (with SMS integrations)
These allow you to:
- Automate reminder sequences
- Personalize based on attendee data
- Integrate with calendars and CRM systems
9. A/B Testing SMS for Event Success
Test variations in:
- Message timing (morning vs. afternoon)
- Wording (“Register now” vs. “Secure your seat”)
- Incentives (discount vs. bonus)
- Link placement (early vs. end of message)
Analyze:
- Click-through rates
- RSVP confirmations
- Show-up rates
- Engagement during the event
Small changes can lead to big results.
Conclusion
In the crowded world of event promotion, SMS is your backstage pass to higher turnout and deeper engagement. It reaches people where they’re already active—their phones—and prompts immediate action.
Whether you’re hosting a concert, a class, or a conference, SMS makes sure your audience shows up informed, excited, and ready.
If you’re not using SMS for event promotion yet, you’re leaving seats—and money—on the table.