Text message marketing, or SMS marketing, is a powerful way to communicate with your conference attendees before, during, and after your event. It can help you build anticipation, increase attendance, boost engagement, and gather feedback. In this article, we'll show you how to use text message marketing to create a memorable and successful conference.
Choosing a text message marketing platform for your conference is the first step, and there are many options available. Look for a platform that offers features such as easy integration with your website, email, and social media channels, customizable templates and campaigns, segmentation and personalization options, analytics and reporting tools, and compliance with data protection and privacy laws. You can also compare the pricing, support, and reviews of different platforms to find the best fit for your conference.
Selecting a reliable text message marketing platform is pivotal to boost engagement at your conference. Choose a platform that aligns with your audience size, offers customization options, and provides analytics for performance tracking. Seamless integration with registration systems and event apps enhances targeted messaging. By leveraging a robust platform, you not only streamline communication but also create a personalized and interactive experience, elevating attendee engagement and overall satisfaction throughout the conference.
The next step is to build your text message list by inviting your potential and registered attendees to opt in. This can be done by adding a checkbox or link to your registration form, promoting your text message list on various channels, offering incentives such as discounts, freebies, or exclusive content, and creating a keyword and short code that people can text to join your list. It is important to remember the best practices for text message marketing, including obtaining explicit consent, providing clear instructions, and sending a confirmation message.
Building a robust text message list is essential for maximizing engagement at your conference. Strategically promote opt-ins through event registration, social media, and email campaigns. Offer incentives like exclusive content or updates to entice sign-ups. Ensure transparency about messaging frequency. By cultivating a targeted and interested audience, you create a direct channel for timely announcements, polls, and event updates. A well-curated text message list forms the foundation for impactful and personalized communication, enhancing conference engagement.
The third step is to plan your text message campaigns for each stage of your conference: pre-event, during event, and post-event. You can use text messages to remind attendees of the date, time, and location of your conference before the event, inform them of the agenda, speakers, and activities during the event, and thank them for joining afterwards. Additionally, you can send updates and tips to create excitement and anticipation before the event, encourage participation and networking during the event, send real-time alerts and notifications as needed, ask for feedback and testimonials after the event, share highlights and resources from your conference afterwards. Furthermore, you can segment your list based on interests, preferences or behavior and send personalized messages that match their needs and expectations.
A conference is a unique event where the attendees are in tune and ready to engage. Building out text messaging campaigns should capitalize on this by setting two-way communication as the goal. Polls where you share insights during the conference. I.e. 23% of respondents said this. Ask for feedback after the conference and collect that data to implement in future conferences. Make it easy for respondents to send a response. Typing long-form on a phone isn't easy for all users. I.e. Type Y or N to answer this question...
Planning text message campaigns is crucial for leveraging text message marketing effectively at your conference. Define clear goals for each campaign, whether it's promoting sessions, sending event updates, or engaging attendees. Schedule messages strategically, considering time zones and the event schedule. Segment your audience for personalized content delivery. By thoughtfully planning campaigns, you ensure relevant and timely communication, maximizing engagement and making the most of this direct and impactful channel for conference attendees.
When crafting text message content for your conference, it's important to keep it clear, concise, and compelling. You should use a friendly and conversational tone that reflects your brand voice, and keep your messages short and simple (ideally under 160 characters). Additionally, include a clear call to action that tells your recipients what to do next. Emojis, GIFs, or images can add some personality and emotion. And don't forget to test your messages for spelling, grammar, and formatting errors. If you're looking for inspiration and ideas, you can also use templates or examples from other successful conferences.
Crafting compelling text message content is key to elevating engagement at your conference. Keep messages concise, delivering valuable information or prompts for action. Use personalized and inclusive language to resonate with attendees. Incorporate emojis or multimedia elements for visual appeal. Tailor content to specific segments or interests within your audience. By investing in well-crafted, targeted messages, you enhance the overall attendee experience, encouraging active participation and fostering a positive and engaging conference atmosphere.
The final step is to track and measure your text message results to evaluate the performance and impact of your campaigns. Your platform’s analytics and reporting tools can be used to monitor delivery, open, and click rates of your messages, analyze responses, feedback, and conversions from recipients, compare the results of different segments, campaigns, and messages, as well as identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement. Additionally, the data and insights from your text message marketing can be utilized to inform and optimize future conference planning and marketing strategies.
Tracking and measuring text message results are vital steps to optimize engagement at your conference. Leverage analytics provided by your marketing platform to assess open rates, click-throughs, and audience response. Use this data to refine future campaigns, identifying what resonates most with attendees. Real-time insights enable agile adjustments, ensuring that your text message marketing strategy evolves to meet the dynamic needs and preferences of your audience, ultimately maximizing engagement at your conference.