#1 Guide to SMS Marketing and Automation for Event Marketers

SMS is a powerful channel for reaching your customers without having to battle a crowded inbox. With most phones sending a push notification for new texts, it’s no surprise that 90% of SMS messages are read in the first 3 minutes. Here's how you should leverage SMS in your event marketing strategy.

The Benefits of SMS Marketing for Events

WHY YOU SHOULD CARE ABOUT SMS AS AN EVENT MARKETER

It’s no secret that SMS marketing is a must-have tool for event marketer’s looking to reach their audience, sell more tickets and drive revenue. With over 65% of consumers doing most of their shopping on their phones and more than 61% of businesses having increased their SMS budgets in the last year, now’s the time to hop on the SMS bandwagon.

" 90% of SMS are read in the first 3 minutes.

Here's why you need to be leveraging SMS in your strategy:

  • SMS has a 30% higher conversion rate than email

  • Over 65% of consumers are doing most of their shopping on their phones

  • SMS has a 36% CTR

  • Over 61% of businesses have increased their SMS budgets in the last year

  • When have you received a text you didn't read?

Growing Your SMS List

How to collect phone numbers and SMS opt-in

How to Grow Your SMS List

How to collect phone numbers and SMS opt-in

To leverage SMS, you first need to collect phone numbers and opt-in from your audience! Here are the best ways:

Update your current signup forms

Add a phone number field to your current signup forms so you can collect both email and SMS opt-in from subscribers.

Use pop-up signup forms

Set up a signup form that pops up when your audience is browsing your site, or when they’re about to leave (called an exit intent signup form). This offers a more seamless experience, while ensuring your signup form isn’t missed! Offer an incentive to sign up and you’re guaranteed to add a new phone number to your list.

Landing pages for pre-sale SMS notifications

Set up a landing page where your audience can subscribe to be notified by text when pre-sale begins. Make it even more enticing by offering your SMS list early access.

Run a contest with landing pages

Whether it’s VIP tickets or limited edition merch, give your audience a chance to win cool stuff by signing up with SMS.

SMS Campaigns for Events

Whether you run an annual festival or manage multiple venues, these are the must-have SMS campaigns to engage your audience and maximize ticket sales.

SMS Campaigns for Events

SMS STRATEGIES TO MAXIMIZE EVENT REVENUE

Whether you run an annual festival or manage multiple venues, these are the must-have SMS campaigns to set up to maximize ticket sales and engage your audience.

Pre-sale event reminder SMS

Leverage the immediacy of SMS to send a text before tickets go on sale. Simply schedule your SMS campaign to send a 10-30 minutes beforehand, with a link to buy tickets.

Day-of event reminders SMS

Schedule an SMS campaign the day of your event and include a link for attendees to easily access their tickets.

Merch drop SMS

Announce new merch to your SMS list with a link to shop. Offer exclusive collections or early-access to limited edition stock to drive higher conversion and sales.

Event announcement SMS

Send targeted event announcements based on past ticket purchases (using venue, artist, or genre data) to ensure your subscribers don’t miss out on events they’d love to see. Segmenting your SMS sends this way will drive higher ROI, ticket sales, and effectively cross-sell your events.

VIP loyalty SMS

Your VIP purchasers are your bread and butter — they spend the most money and are likely to splurge on more. Send SMS campaigns to your VIP segment offering exclusive promos, merch, and experiences they won’t be able to resist.

Last minute event change SMS

The immediacy of SMS makes it the perfect channel for updating attendees about important changes to their upcoming event. Whether you’re announcing a time, venue or line up change, sending an SMS campaign is the quickest way to keep your attendees in the loop.

SMS Automations for Events

Make your SMS marketing work for you, with these essential SMS automations for event marketers.

Automated SMS for Events

SMS AUTOMATIONS YOU NEED TO SET UP TO DRIVE REVENUE

SMS automations run in the background, helping you engage subscribers at exactly the right time with hyper-targeted SMS messages that drive engagement and revenue.

Welcome SMS Automation

Welcome new subscribers to your list with an automated text that sends right when they sign up. Include a discount code to drive sales right away.

Birthday SMS Automation

Show your subscribers you love them with an automated text on their birthday! Include a promo code to celebrate.

Abandoned Cart SMS Automation

Recover revenue with a cart reminder SMS sent to subscribers who added tickets or merch to their cart but didn’t complete a purchase. This automation can drive over 20x revenue, so it’s one you don’t want to miss.

New Customer Thank You SMS Automation

Thank subscribers who’ve just made their first ever purchase with a promo code to show your appreciation. This is a great way to build brand loyalty and customer retention.

High Value Customer SMS Automation

Send an SMS to your highest-spending customers with an exclusive invite or offer that makes them feel special.

Explore the power of Hive SMS for your event marketing ROI

SMS Marketing