If you think online registration is an option these days, think again. Event attendees expect to be able to register using a web based form.
Most membership management programs offer the ability to provide online event registration, so if you currently don’t use association software, the expectation of web based registration is another items to justify your purchase.
Online event registration may seem like just one more thing you need to offer members, but the good news is it will benefit your organization as well through increased attendance. Here are three ways using online event registration will improve turnout.
3 Reasons for Online Event Registration
Easier to Register = More Sign Ups
The easier it is to register for an event, the more attendees you are likely to get. Let’s examine the reasoning behind this phenomenon.
Once members have made the commitment to attend the event, they will feel more obligated to actually go. Who hasn’t skipped an event after a tiring day at work, when you kept attendance as a maybe in your mind?
But the likelihood someone beg offs is diminished if they have committed to going to the meeting. Add pre-payment and their attendance is pretty much guaranteed.
So, logic dictates that if you want more attendees, you need more people to sign up. And to get more people to sign up, the registration process needs to be fast and painless.
Online event registration can be as simple as typing your name and email address into a form and clicking submit. If you require someone to handwrite and fax or mail a form, many people just aren’t going put forth the effort.
Links Are Easy to Share
An event registration link can easily be forwarded to colleagues and friends of members, allowing it to have a larger reach for potential attendees.
Do you really think a member will make 5 photocopies of a paper registration form and hand deliver it people scattered all over their office? Odds are low.
Just as you want to make the actual process of registration easy, the ability to promote the event also needs to be simple.
Consider adding a share via Facebook or email option within the emails you send to members and on the registration web page itself.
Ability to Remind Attendees
Having link makes it easy to send reminders of the upcoming event. Days before meeting, you can send out an email to those who have already signed up to remind them of their commitment.
Also, you have the ability to send another invitation to members who have not registered yet.
Your membership management software or email provider should make it straightforward for you to divide your list depending upon their current response.