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  • 1.  Tips to make your Event Invitation Successful

    Posted 26 days ago

    Welcome to the Cvent Community! It's time to kickstart the next edition of the Tip of the Week discussion!  Invitations set the tone for any event. But how do you craft an event invitation that gets your guests excited to say "yes" to attending? 

    Personalized Greeting 

    It's a small detail, and yet, surprising how many event invitations come across one's inbox without a hint of pleasantry. 

    Front-and-Center Value Proposition 

    Highlight your value proposition. If recipients can't immediately see the value of your event, will they even care to know when it's taking place? Unlikely. 

    Clear Call-to-Action That Inspires Action 

    CTAs should welcome action without being pushy. Rather than the tired old standbys, try something like: 

    • Save me a seat!
    • Avoid the FOMO: Click here
    • The unforgettable awaits!
    • I'm sold – sign me up! 

    Flaunt What Sets Your Event Apart  

    For example, if you have an amazing lineup of speakers and your event is the only one of its kind that offers attendees an opportunity to earn a certification, you'll want to highlight both of those elements.  

    Such elements might include: 

    • Training and certification opportunities
    • Interactive sessions
    • Networking opportunities
    • Awards
    • Workshop with professionals 

    Insert a Sense of Urgency 

    As all marketers know, urgency sells. You can create urgency with phrases like: 

    • This event is selling out fast!
    • Don't miss this opportunity!
    • The countdown begins…
    • Take advantage of our early bird prices while you still can!
    • It's not too late to get a great deal on registration! 

    Offer Incentives to Attend 

    What do people love more than free stuff? Free stuff they win! Prizes can include free branded swag, access to VIP events, gift cards, vouchers for local establishments at your destination… the possibilities are endless! 

    Let Your Fans Do the Talking 

    Leveraging testimonials from past attendees or brand loyalists can not only lend credibility to your event and brand, but also might entice new invitees to dig deeper into your event and ultimately register. 

    Catch the Eye with Photographic Evidence 

    Sometimes, a killer photo from a past event or an image that makes your venue shine can sway someone into at least learning more about your event.  

    Create Cohesive, Branded Communications 

    Ensure your email's design mirrors the event website to create a unified, seamless user experience that doesn't leave recipients going "HUH?!" when they follow your CTA link. 

    Questions for you -  

    • Have you ever offered incentives to attend your events, such as free branded swag, access to VIP events, gift cards, or vouchers? If so, what impact did these incentives have on attendee registration and engagement?
    • Which tips from the above did you find most useful? 

    #CventTip


    #EventApp

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    Megha Jetley
    Manager
    Cvent Marketing Department
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  • 2.  RE: Tips to make your Event Invitation Successful

    Posted 26 days ago

    Hi Megha, 

    When it comes to trying to entice students to attend events, free food is a must-have! Our events are free to attend, so we usually get 50-60% attendance compared to registration. We've noticed that events that are branded as being more intimate/exclusive actually get better attendance rates than our public events.  

    While I like a lot of the tips you offered, we're sometimes limited in the tone we can use - no way the university would let use FOMO in an email haha. 

    Cheers, 



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    Beline Falzon
    Event Planner
    Stanford UniversityUnited States
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  • 3.  RE: Tips to make your Event Invitation Successful

    Posted 26 days ago

    Hi Megha,

    • Have you ever offered incentives to attend your events, such as free branded swag, access to VIP events, gift cards, or vouchers? I have not but I think it is a great idea. I really enjoyed receiving the gift for Cvent Connect 2024
    • Which tips from the above did you find most useful? Catch the Eye with Photographic Evidence 


    ------------------------------
    Katie Dreifus
    Registration Manager
    Dunaj Agency LLCUnited States
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  • 4.  RE: Tips to make your Event Invitation Successful

    Posted 25 days ago
    • Have you ever offered incentives to attend your events, such as free branded swag, access to VIP events, gift cards, or vouchers? If so, what impact did these incentives have on attendee registration and engagement?
      • At my previous position, we always offered an early bird discount in order to drive registration. We also offered multi-attendee discounts for people who registered more than two individuals.
    • Which tips from the above did you find most useful?
      • Using photos and video from previous events in both email and social media campaigns positively impacted our events, but I also think that remembering to always highlight your value proposition is critical!     


    ------------------------------
    Tori Martinez, Cvent Certified
    Event Technology Specialist
    Direct Travel
    United States
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  • 5.  RE: Tips to make your Event Invitation Successful

    Posted 25 days ago
    • Have you ever offered incentives to attend your events, such as free branded swag, access to VIP events, gift cards, or vouchers? If so, what impact did these incentives have on attendee registration and engagement? We offer a gift upon arrival (changes every year) and they know they get access to one afternoon activity on one of the days - the activities can normally range in value from a massage to a round of golf to getting out and touring local activities
    • Which tips from the above did you find most useful? Definitely focusing on call to action. The people we invite are busy and have limited number of events they can attend per year due to schedules/costs so we need to make sure to really entice people to attend and let them know what value they'll get from doing so.


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    Rachel
    NJ
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  • 6.  RE: Tips to make your Event Invitation Successful

    Posted 21 days ago

    Hi Megha,

    • Have you ever offered incentives to attend your events, such as free branded swag, access to VIP events, gift cards, or vouchers? If so, what impact did these incentives have on attendee registration and engagement?
      - Yes, we have some incentive program for specific invitees that includes VIP events and outdoor engagement activities!

    • Which tips from the above did you find most useful?
      - Personalized Greeting & CtA tips


    ------------------------------
    MVJ [Designation]
    Web Analyst
    AZ
    Incred!ble India
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  • 7.  RE: Tips to make your Event Invitation Successful

    Posted 21 days ago
    • Have you ever offered incentives to attend your events, such as free branded swag, access to VIP events, gift cards, or vouchers? If so, what impact did these incentives have on attendee registration and engagement?
      • Yes to swag, access, and gift cards. Access to special events (such as attending our suite at a sports game) seems to be the best, as it provides an intimate gathering and plenty of time to chat and bond during the game. 
    • Which tips from the above did you find most useful? 
      • Sense of urgency, flaunting the value (free CE)


    ------------------------------
    Lori Wildman
    Marketing Director
    lwildman@dmainc.com
    DuCharme, McMillen & Associates, Inc.United States
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  • 8.  RE: Tips to make your Event Invitation Successful

    Posted 20 days ago
    • Have you ever offered incentives to attend your events, such as free branded swag, access to VIP events, gift cards, or vouchers? If so, what impact did these incentives have on attendee registration and engagement? Yes, gift cards for meals. Webinar attendees will stay on for the duration of the session.
    • Which tips from the above did you find most useful?  differentiation - Flaunt What Sets Your Event Apart  


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    Hallie Loeb
    Event Operations
    CDW United States
    ------------------------------