Attendance rate is a direct indication of an event’s success (or failure). You can’t expect to host a successful event if only a handful of people show up for it. Thankfully, however, there are several ways to boost attendance rates, which we’re going to discuss further in today’s blog post.
- Diversify Your Notifications
Don’t just send guests a single email notification of the event and call it a day. Instead, spread the word across a variety of platforms, including mailed notifications, social media, bulletin boards, presentations, or even mobile apps. By using multiple platforms to notify guests of the event, you’ll naturally encourage a higher attendance rate. Also, keep in mind that the earlier you send notifications/invitations, the greater the turnout will be. - Choose a Convenient Location
How long will it take guests to travel to the event? If guests are forced to travel long hours to reach the venue, some may choose to stay at home instead of attending. When choosing a venue for your next event, consider travel time and accessibility. Booking a venue that’s within a reasonable driving distance will prove essential in achieving a high attendance rate. - Make it Entertaining
Of course, another simple way to boost attendance rates is to make your event entertaining. There’s nothing wrong with having a section dedicated strictly to business/corporate issues, but you should include some form of entertainment to make the process a little more enjoyable.
Here are some entertainment ideas to consider for your next event:
- Offer Incentives for Early Arrivals
If you’re willing to spend the extra money, you can boost attendance rates by offering incentives for guests who arrive early. The allure of getting a free t-shirt or other schwag is often enough to convince people to attend – people who would otherwise choose to stay at home. You can even go one step further by offering company-branded gear as an early bird incentive, which offers the side benefit of branding your business in the process. - Accept Online Registrations
Why should you offer online registrations? Well, there’s a growing trend towards the use of online registrations in the event planning industry, and for good reason: it’s easier to sign up for an event on your desktop or mobile device as opposed to visiting the venue (or the host company’s office). If you want to really strike a home run with your next event, offer online registrations and make sure the technology is compatible on smartphones.