How Is Early-Bird Registration Phased Out?
Typically, there are a few ways in which early bird registrations should be structured so long as phasing it out is concerned. First, event organizers can put a specific time period until the offer lasts. For e.g., ensure that the early bird offer is only limited for a week from its announcement. Another way to plan these registrations is to limit the number of early bird tickets to sell. For e.g., be specific in ticketing communication and mention that early bird passes are only applicable to the first 100 applicants!
Giving early bird discounts only to members or subscribers is another tact to propel
registrations. It provides prospects added incentive to sign up. However, factoring in your expected profit and estimated attendance is an absolute must before deciding on the time limit or the number of tickets you will make available in the early bird ticketing capacity.
Early Bird essentially offers event organizers a solid platform to build their ticketing campaign and this impetus should be carried forward relentlessly.
What Are the Different Kinds of Early-Bird Registrations?
Early bird offers can be of various kinds, but they all essentially revolve around one theme – providing a unique proposition, a benefit or a discount. So, let’s take a look at some of them:
Rewards
Discount is often associated with early bird registrations. While is the reward quite often, all early bird tickets don’t necessarily contain a discount. Some event organizers offer promotional items, exclusive event merchandise, coupons and even discounts on other events they are hosting in the near future. Organizers should be watchful that these discounts and rewards are exclusive in nature to build credibility and avoid attendee displeasure and confusion. Make sure that the discounts offered on the early bird tickets are lower than any offer over the course of the event registration campaign.
Restrictions
Apart from deadlines, organizers can include various restrictions for early bird registrations. Restrictions can be limited considering the geographical and demographical contexts of the event. For example, organizers can opt to offer early-bird discounts to only those who are residents of the same country where the event is being hosted and not to others who travel to the event, or vice-versa.
Prioritize Repeat Attendees
This is a registration hack! When announcing early bird tickets, organizers should consider announcing them to last year’s attendees before others. Attendees who were present at your previous events or last year’s edition of the same event would be much easier to convert than those who haven’t experienced your event at all.
Speaker-Led Approach
One unique method to push for early bird registrations is to leverage the presence of keynote speakers and experts at your event. Their expertise and past sessions amplify the hype and anticipation around your event, and promoting them along with the event in one go could lead to more prospects enrolling for your event!
Play the Referral Card
Referrals make a big difference, and event organizers should not just acknowledge but also integrate and utilize this particular tactic to boost ticket sales. Ensure that those attendees who have already signed up for the event let their other peers know the benefits of early bird tickets and persuade them to sign up as well. In return, organizers can offer referral fees or discount coupons on paid in-event activities to those referring.