Strike a balance
There is a fine balance to be achieved in the creation of invitations. You want to leave invitees wanting to know more, but need to give them enough information to encourage them to attend. Make sure you give guests all of the important details such as venue, times and dates, but leave them with a small hint about the theme/ entertainment/ catering so as to generate interest.
Learn how to cut costs
Invitations can really blow out your budget if you’re not careful. Set yourself a limit and stick to it, after all invitations are just the first step in the event process. A cost effective way to distribute invitations is via email, but make sure it still looks professional and visually appealing with colours and graphics.
Invitation = anticipation
It’s likely that the people you are inviting to your event also get invited to others. The most effective way to ensure guests attend is to make your invitation stand out from the rest, and to create a sense of excitement and anticipation. Tie in your invitation with the event theme and add an element of surprise. For example, if you are running a carbon neutral or ‘green’ event, deliver small potted trees with an invitation attached. The interesting invitation means their curiosity is sparked, and the invitation sitting on their desk will also serve as a constant reminder which means they are much less likely to let it slip their mind!
Drop a friendly reminder
Always contact guests the day before the event to confirm their attendance. People lead busy lives and you will significantly reduce your last minute drop-out rate by adopting this practice. This can be done by phone, which is personal but you cannot always get in touch with the guest. Alternatively you can do this via email, which you can easily theme to the event and reignite their interest.