SMS Marketing can be a compelling communications channel. Businesses are leveraging the power of text message marketing to engage with customers, drive sales and increase customer loyalty. When used for event campaigns, SMS marketing is a channel in its own right. It can get notifications across instantly and have them read quickly in time for flash deals and exclusive content. Event organizers must understand how to use SMS marketing for live events for it to succeed. This method differs from email marketing and must not be used as such.
SMS marketing is the perfect choice for event campaigns because it creates an immediate connection with customers and allows businesses to connect directly. It offers a range of benefits and is used for various communication purposes that require instant responses.
This article gives us 11 SMS marketing messages for events, examples, and their advantages for event campaigns
- Exclusive content
- On-the-day deals and promotions
- Onsite team comms
- Post-event marketing
- Flash deals
- Text people who have purchased in previous years, but not this year
- Rewarding loyalty
- Pre-event updates
- Onsite updates
- Line up announcements
- Presale purchase links
1. Exclusive content
SMS marketing messages are a perfect tool for sending exclusive content for events. Businesses can give the audience reason to subscribe to receive your text messages. Give your audience exclusive access to only available content through this channel. Possibilities include onsite vouchers, previews of the event venue, and personal videos from featured artists or speakers. With these unique experiences, you can generate buzz and enhance engagement for your event!
Here are some examples of SMS marketing messages you can use for exclusive content:
- [Attendee Name], Thank you for joining our live product launch today! You can claim your 15% off voucher for future purchases through this link [URL] – Usher and Co.
- Hi [Name]! It’s great to have you today at the Frida Khalo exhibition. Remember to check out the exclusive behind-the-scenes video on our website! – Museum of Modern Art
Do you want to learn more about sending exclusive content? Read our article on Text Message Invitations: Definition, Benefits and How to Send Them
2. On-the-day deals and promotions
On the day of a live event, there may be opportunities for additional sales or promotions that should be communicated quickly to attendees. Create the chance for existing ticket holders to level up their experience on the day of your event by providing them with an immediate upgrade purchase link. Make it VIP and make it happen!
Do you need to give ticket sales a final boost? Reach out directly to those who purchased tickets in the past with an exclusive purchase link that offers either a discounted ‘loyalty’ price or, even better, access to a VIP upgrade. It is sure to generate more interest and increase your overall ticket sales.
Here are some examples:
- Hey, it’s time for a VIP experience! Upgrade your ticket to the 5-star package with this exclusive purchase link: [URL]
- Wow – we have just released some limited edition packages for today’s event. Claim yours now with this exclusive discount code: 5STAR
3. Onsite team comms
SMS marketing can be used to communicate with the onsite team during an event. It ensures that everyone is aware of any changes to the schedule, venue updates, and other important information.
With SMS messages, you can quickly coordinate activities with your team members, keep track of guests’ arrival times, and address any customer service queries. Here are some examples of SMS messages that can be used onsite:
- Hey team – the venue is now open and ready to go!
- Hi everyone. There has been a slight change to the schedule. Please check your emails for more details.
- We are experiencing issues with the internet connection at the event venue. Check with comms. ASAP.
4. Post-event marketing
Leverage the enthusiasm from your event by sending a text message to all attendees the day after. Thank them for participating and provide a link to register their interest in attending next year’s edition. Make sure you capitalize on this momentum!
It’s essential to send this message directly after your event. We understand it might be the last thing on your mind, but delaying will only weaken its impact. Here are some examples of post-event marketing messages to send the day after.
- It was terrific having you at the Ultimate Party of the year yesterday! We hope you enjoyed the event. Please let us know if you’ll be joining us again next year by registering your interest through this link: [URL]
5. Flash deals
Flash sales are a great way to boost ticket sales and ensure that your events reach maximum attendance. Reach out to those who have already purchased tickets with special offers, promotional messages or post a flash deal on your promotional channels.
Flash sales are great because they create a sense of urgency and scarcity while incentivizing people to buy tickets quickly. Here are some examples of SMS messages you can use for flash deals:
- Hey there! Our tickets are almost sold out! Claim the last remaining ones now with this exclusive discount code: 5STAR
- It’s time for a flash deal! Get your ticket to the Ultimate Party of the year today with this purchase link:
- Don’t miss out – our tickets are almost gone! Claim yours now and receive 15% off with this discount code: FLASHDEAL.
6. Text people who have purchased in previous years, but not this year
Reach out to those who have purchased tickets with us in the past but have yet to do so for this year. Send them a text containing an exclusive purchase link that grants them a special discount if they purchase within 12 hours!
If you have a tiered ticket pricing system, hold back a predetermined amount of tickets at each price level to evoke urgency and encourage sales. On the other hand, if you opt not to discount your tickets, reward loyal attendees with VIP upgrades or exclusive incentives that will motivate them to come next year. Here’s an example of an SMS marketing message encouraging them to purchase.
- Are you still reminiscing on last year’s STFest? Us too! But no need to worry. It’s time to get hyped up for this year’s event, as tickets go on sale on March 7th! Take advantage of this and make sure you secure the best deals now.
7. Rewarding loyalty
Show your most committed customers extra appreciation by crafting surprise and delight experiences just for them. Identify the ones who have attended most of your events, and if you ever find yourself with spare tickets to one of these shows, reach out via text to see if they’d like an invitation to the guest list!
If you’re targeting fans for tickets to an upcoming show, make sure they are from the same city! Otherwise, it could lead to displeased customers and future frustrations. Here is an example of an SMS message for event loyalty rewards.
- Hi [Subscriber]! You have been with many of our events and we’ve spared you a ticket for the upcoming show on May 30th. As a token of our appreciation, we’d like to offer you 2 free tickets! To claim this reward, please click the link: We hope to see you there!
8. Pre-event updates
Ensure that your guests can get to your event without issue by sharing clear and concise directions, links for Google Maps, and public transport trip planners (if accessible). Provide the necessary details, so they know when to arrive at the planned destination. Establishing a set timeline will also help keep everyone on track throughout the day. Here are some examples of pre-event update text messages to send.
- Hey [Subscriber]! We’re almost one week away from the biggest event of the year – can you believe it? I wanted to remind you that doors open at 6 pm sharp. Please arrive early so we can all get started on time. See you soon!
- Hey there, we’ve got a tonne of festivities planned for the upcoming event. Make sure you get to the venue by 5:30 pm, grab a bite, and have time to mingle before we start. See you there!
9. Onsite updates
Ensure you are providing updates on site – for example, if an artist is running late or a stage needs to be switched up. It’s essential to keep your audience informed and make it easy for them to stay in the loop by sending out SMS messages.
You shouldn’t be intimidated to send fans numerous messages throughout the event, provided they are pertinent and valuable. They’re completely absorbed in your experience – it is perfectly acceptable, but remember not to overdo it! Ensure each message is relevant so you don’t appear intrusive or annoying.
Here are some examples of onsite SMS message content:
- Hey everyone, the artist will be running late due to traffic – we’ll start 15 minutes later than planned. Get yourself a drink and take this chance to meet your neighbors!
- We’ve got some fantastic surprises in store for you today, so stay tuned and watch for more updates! We promise it’s worth it.
10. Line up announcements
Keep your fans in the loop immediately when you announce a new setlist. Fans are always eager for any news about upcoming shows, so by sending them an SMS notification as soon as it’s out, they can stay one step ahead of everyone else!
Remember to include a call-to-action alongside the presale registration link when advertising to your fan base – it can be surprising how many people overlook this step.
Here is an example of a text message for line-up announcements:
- Hey everyone! We’ve got some massive news for you – the lineup for our upcoming event is out, and we’ve got a few surprises in store. You can get your presale tickets now using this link: Take advantage of the show of the year!
11. Presale purchase links
Provide presale links to your fans and ensure they get all the exclusive deals and discounts. Pre-sales are a great way to reward loyalty and excite people for upcoming events. Including the option to purchase tickets through a link in an SMS message can make it easy for them to secure their spot at the show.
Here is an example of a presale message:
- Hey there! We know you’re excited about the upcoming event, and we want to give our loyal fans a chance to grab tickets first. Secure your spot now with this presale link: [URL]
What is SMS Message Marketing?
SMS Marketing is an effective way for businesses to reach out to their customers. Companies can use text messages to send promotional offers, time-sensitive updates, and alerts that have been consented to by the recipients in advance. This method of communication helps ensure your business delivers essential information quickly and directly into customers’ hands.
Brands utilize SMS – “short message service”- to foster a more personal connection with their clientele and increase user engagement through opt-in marketing communication. When you use SMS marketing for your campaigns, you have the power to choose who receives your message and when they receive it. You also control what content is shared in an SMS campaign for total creative freedom. When engaging in text marketing, you have full control over the customer experience from start to finish. Create an unforgettable impression on your customers by taking advantage of this powerful tool. Read more about What is SMS Marketing? Guide and Benefits.
Why is SMS marketing the best for Event Campaigns?
SMS is powerful and effective at a level that other communication channels often do not reach; its direct, personal nature encourages prompt responses. Furthermore, texts are concise enough to be read without any delays.
Emails are great, but let’s face it – they sometimes get opened. Mailchimp reports that only 20.51% of emails related to events or entertainment have a successful open rate. Contrastingly, texts boast an impressive 98% average open rate and a 45% response rate! It is clear which option should be on your radar to promote your event or activity efficiently and effectively.
SMS is an incredibly powerful tool to help the success of your event and increase ticket sales. You can send out reminders, directions, and joining instructions to attendees in advance, while during the occasion, you can keep staff running it up-to-date with what’s happening onsite. Even afterward, SMS will still prove helpful in following up with people who attended.
To ensure every attendee knows of any schedule changes, you can import your contact list into an event text messaging service. Event text messaging services are the perfect companion for large-scale events. They guarantee that everyone has all the information necessary for success.
What are the Benefits of Using SMS Marketing for Event Campaigns?
SMS marketing brings many advantages to various facets of a business. Text marketing messages are also advantageous during event campaigns. Here are five obvious pros of using SMS marketing for event campaigns.
- Higher ticket sales rate – During times of hardship, take advantage of the power of personalization and blast your subscribers with targeted texts offering a discount or sale. Doing so is sure to drive them into action.
- Fast and cost-effective – An opt-in contact list allows you to distribute invitations, reminders, and updates quickly and offers to hundreds of individuals at a nominal cost. Text messaging is practical when it comes down to broadcasting your messages in bulk versus other mediums available.
- Instant results – Subscribers are far more likely to respond to text messages than emails, leading to higher levels of engagement. Research shows that 29% of recipients click the link in such texts!
- Creates customer loyalty – By consistently updating your subscribers with upcoming events, offers, or opportunities, you can make them feel important and develop a positive connection. It will not only entice customers to return again and again but also encourage them to recommend their friends to join as well!
- Maximize attendance – Are you hoping to maximize your attendance for this upcoming event? All it takes is a simple click of the send button, and you can remind thousands that the occasion they’ve been anticipating is right around the corner. Taking advantage of this easy process will enable you to achieve maximum participation.
What are the marketing objectives of an Event?
Businesses often use events to build customer relationships, promote products or services, generate leads and sales, and engage with their audience. Event marketing is used to achieve specific objectives such as launching a new product/service, increasing awareness of the company’s brand, driving traffic to the website or store, strengthening customer loyalty, creating buzz around an event, engaging with previous attendees, and providing customer support.
Is SMS advertising effective for Event Campaigns?
SMS advertising is an incredibly powerful tool to promote events and increase ticket sales. It boasts a 98% average open rate and 45% response rate, far higher than the 20-25% email experience. Text messages are also more cost-effective than other forms of advertising and can be used to reach a wider audience. Additionally, SMS advertising allows you to track your campaign’s performance, so you can adjust it as needed to optimize the results.
Does SMS Campaigns for Event are Cost Effective?
Yes! SMS campaigns are cost-effective compared to other media and offer a high ROI. You will save money on production, printing, and postage costs and reach more people in less time than other advertising methods. Additionally, SMS marketing has been proven to be an effective way of engaging customers and increasing their loyalty.
Does the Marketing Message able to Fit on a Single SMS Message?
Yes. Marketing messages are crafted to be concise and direct. SMS messages have a maximum of 160 characters, so ensuring your message is clear, to the point, and can fit within the character limit is crucial. A call-to-action in your marketing message will also help drive sales and conversions. Read more about What is SMS Character Limit to ensure your message remain compliant and effective for your campaign.