You could dive straight into planning your next event, but don’t miss the crucial step of sending a post-event thank you message. At Sickening Events, we’ve seen that contacting attendees within 24 hours of your event is key to maximizing this opportunity.
Here’s how to craft an effective ‘thank you for attending’ email, from choosing the right subject line to closing with style. Our guide includes various templates and tips to help you make the most of this important communication.
Thank You Message Templates
- The ‘Classy and Professional’ Thank You MessageThis approach is ideal for formal events like seminars or networking functions. It reflects respect and professionalism, making it suitable for events organized by entities like CCEF, known for their national conferences.
- Tone: Polite and sincere
- Content: Keep it brief and to the point. Professional attendees appreciate a direct message that respects their time.
- Pro Tip: Use a ‘soft prompt’ instead of a direct call-to-action (CTA). For instance, you might include a social media link subtly within the text, which encourages engagement without being overtly promotional.
- The ‘Welcome to the Community’ Thank You MessageMake your attendees feel like they’re part of something special. This approach is great for events that aim to build a community or network.
- Tone: Warm and inclusive
- Content: Highlight the benefits of being part of your community and encourage continued interaction.
- Pro Tip: Include a CTA that invites attendees to join a group or follow your brand on social media to maintain engagement.
- The ‘Event Highlights’ Thank You MessageRemind attendees of the memorable moments from the event. This type of message reinforces the positive experiences and can be very effective for events with significant highlights or unique experiences.
- Tone: Reflective and enthusiastic
- Content: Recap the key moments of the event and express gratitude for their participation.
- Pro Tip: Use photos or videos from the event to visually reinforce the experience and keep the attendees engaged.
- The ‘Distinctive Brand’ Thank You MessageStand out by emphasizing what makes your event or brand unique. This approach is great for events where the brand identity is a significant part of the experience.
- Tone: Bold and distinctive
- Content: Highlight what sets your event apart and how attendees were part of something unique.
- Pro Tip: Incorporate a CTA that directs attendees to your website or a special feature related to the event’s uniqueness.
Why Act Within 8 Hours?
Research shows that most people forget new information within eight hours, according to the Ebbinghaus forgetting curve. By sending your thank you message within this window, you reinforce the emotional impact of the event and increase the likelihood of converting attendees into loyal supporters.
Pro Tip: Focus on creating a personal connection rather than a hard sell. Use your thank you message to make attendees feel appreciated and valued, and include a CTA that offers real value, such as following your social media accounts or checking out more content related to the event.
Benefits of a Thank You Message
- Encourages Repeat Attendance: A thoughtful thank you can motivate attendees to return for future events, helping you build a loyal audience.
- Keeps Engagement Going: Use email to continue the conversation, share additional resources, or provide updates about your organization.
- Gathers Feedback: Post-event messages are an opportunity to request feedback, which can help you assess the event’s success and improve future ones.
Pro Tip: Consider using an event marketing platform like Sickening Events to streamline your follow-up process. With AI-powered tools, you can easily segment your audience, personalize messages, and automate your communication.
By crafting a well-considered thank you message and acting quickly, you enhance attendee satisfaction and strengthen your brand’s relationship with its audience.
After the event is over, and everything is packed away, it’s time to focus on a crucial follow-up step: sending a compelling thank you message to your attendees. At Sickening Events, we know that reaching out within 24 hours of your event is key to capitalizing on this opportunity.
Here’s how to create an impactful ‘thank you for attending’ email, from selecting the right subject line to a memorable sign-off. We’ll walk you through different message types and provide a step-by-step guide to ensure your follow-up is effective and engaging.
Thank You Message Templates
- The ‘You’re One of Us Now’ Thank You MessageThis warm and inclusive message makes attendees feel like part of a community. It’s ideal for workshops or classes where fostering long-term relationships is important.
- Example Use: Community-driven events like The Monmouth Moms can use this approach to follow up with attendees, address any questions, and encourage future engagement.
- Tips:
- Use inclusive language like “we” to make attendees feel part of your group.
- Add personal touches by recalling specific interactions or contributions from the event.
- Pro Tip: Include a personalized offer or discount code to show appreciation and encourage future participation.
- The ‘Remember How Great Our Time Was’ Thank You MessageThis message is designed to build excitement for future events and highlight memorable moments from the recent event.
- Example Use: Live music shows or food festivals can use this approach to generate buzz for upcoming events.
- Tips:
- Utilize the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) by recalling exciting moments and hinting at future events.
- Recommend upcoming events that align with attendees’ interests.
- Pro Tip: Use an ‘early-bird ticket’ CTA to spark urgency and boost ticket sales.
- The ‘We Aren’t Like Other Event Brands’ Thank You MessageFor a more casual and playful tone, this message breaks away from the traditional format and speaks directly to your audience with a friendly, informal approach.
- Example Use: Music festivals, nightclubs, or raves could adopt this tone to appeal to their energetic, youthful audience.
- Tips:
- Start with a catchy tagline like “Another epic night, are you in?”
- Keep the message brief and engaging.
- Pro Tip: Focus more on exciting future events rather than just thanking attendees.
Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Captivating Thank You Message
- Craft a Winning Subject Line
- Make it attention-grabbing and relevant. Keep it concise and consider using the recipient’s name for personalization.
- Pro Tip: Test different subject lines with A/B testing and include a teaser or incentive to encourage opens.
- Start with a Personalized Greeting
- Address each recipient by name and refer to specific actions or interactions from the event to make the message feel personal and engaging.
- Mention a Notable Event Moment
- Highlight key moments or takeaways from the event to remind attendees of the experience and express appreciation.
- Include a Clear CTA
- Encourage attendees to take specific actions, like sharing their event photos on social media, filling out a feedback form, or signing up for future events.
- Provide Follow-Up Information
- Share details about upcoming events or opportunities for continued engagement, such as webinars or networking functions.
- Showcase Photos or Videos
- Include high-quality photos or videos from the event to let attendees relive the experience and encourage them to share their own content.
- Link to a Post-Event Survey
- Use a tool like SurveyMonkey to gather feedback and insights on what went well and what can be improved for future events.
- Close with a Thank You and Signature
- End with a heartfelt thank you and a professional sign-off to leave a positive final impression.
Data Privacy Considerations
Ensure compliance with data privacy laws by:
- Sending emails only to attendees who opted in.
- Using BCC to keep email addresses private.
- Informing recipients about how their data will be used, especially if tracking engagement.
By sending a thoughtful thank you email, you not only express gratitude but also strengthen connections, gather valuable feedback, and set the stage for future events. With Sickening Events’s AI-powered tools, you can streamline this process and keep your audience engaged effectively.
