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SMS Marketing for Events: The Ultimate Guide to Driving Ticket Sales

Learn how SMS marketing can dramatically boost your ticket sales. Discover why SMS has 98% delivery rates and 90% open rates, and how to use it effectively for event promotion.

January 20, 2025
SMS Marketing for Events: The Ultimate Guide to Driving Ticket Sales

The Power of SMS Marketing in Event Promotion

In today's digital age, event marketers are constantly seeking innovative ways to connect with their audience and promote their events effectively. SMS marketing has emerged as a powerful tool, offering unparalleled reach and engagement rates.

Unmatched Delivery and Open Rates

One of the most compelling reasons to incorporate SMS marketing into your event promotion strategy is its exceptional delivery and open rates. The average SMS delivery rate stands at an impressive 98%, ensuring that almost all your messages reach their intended recipients. This high delivery rate is coupled with equally impressive open rates, with 90% of people opening a text within just three minutes of receiving it.

To put this into perspective, SMS open rates are nearly five times higher than email. Furthermore, SMS messages boast an average 97% read rate within 15 minutes of delivery.

Use Cases for SMS in Event Marketing

As an event organiser, it's crucial to use SMS marketing strategically to maximise its impact while managing costs. We recommend limiting your SMS messages to the following key types:

1. Event Announcements

Send short announcements to subscribers who have explicitly agreed to receive new event information. These messages should include the new event title, date and venue, and a link to register or learn more.

2. Ticket Links

Utilise SMS for both presales and general ticket sales. For presales, emphasise the exclusivity of the link and clearly state when tickets go on sale. For general sales, highlight the success of the presale to create urgency.