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1. The Curiosity-Piquing Teaser
Psst! Something BIG is coming to [University Name].
Reply YES to be the first to know.
#CampusSecret
This template creates intrigue and encourages immediate responses.
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2. The FOMO Inducer
80% of tickets have already gone for Senior Kickoff!
Don't miss out on THE event of the semester.
Text RSVP to secure your spot before it's too late!
Leverage scarcity to drive quick responses.
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3. The Exclusive VIP Offer
VIP alert! You're invited to an exclusive pre-event mixer for [Event Name].
Limited spots available.
Reply VIP to claim yours and skip the line on event day!
Make students feel special with exclusive offers.
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4. The Countdown Creator
Have you RSVP'd yet?
Text PARTY to get on the list before time runs out
Create urgency with a time-sensitive call-to-action.
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5. The Social Proof Persuader
500 of your classmates have already RSVP'd for [Event Name].
Will we see you there too?
Text YES to join the crowd!
Use social proof to encourage participation.
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6. The Personalized Invite
Hey [First Name]! We noticed you're a [Major] major.
Don't miss [Relevant Event] this Friday.
It's perfect for your interests! Reply INFO for details.
Personalization increases relevance and response rates.
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7. The Sneak Peek Offer
Backstage pass alert!
First 50 to RSVP for [Event Name] get an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour.
Text BACKSTAGE to claim your spot!
Offer unique experiences to drive early RSVPs.
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8. The Flash Discount
Flash sale! Next 30 minutes only:
50% off tickets to [Event Name].
Text FLASH to grab this deal before it's gone!
Time-sensitive discounts can lead to immediate action.
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9. The Friend Referral Bonus
Bring a friend to [Event Name] and you both get VIP treatment!
Text FRIEND to RSVP for you and a plus one.
Encourage attendees to bring others, driving numbers up.
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10. The Post-Event FOMO Creator
Relive the memories from \[Last Event Name]!
Don't miss out next time.
Text NOTIFY to be first in line for our next event tickets.
Use past event success to increase interest in future events.
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9-Point Checklist: Avoid These Common University Event Text Messaging Blunders
While text messaging can be a powerful tool for event promotion, it's easy to make mistakes that can harm your efforts. Here are some of the biggest and most common mistakes to avoid:
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Over-messaging
One of the quickest ways to turn students off is by bombarding them with too many messages. This can lead to them getting annoyed and opting out.
What to do instead: Stick to a strategic messaging schedule. For most events, 3-4 messages (initial invitation, reminder, day-before reminder) should suffice.
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Ignoring Opt-outs
Failing to respect opt-out requests is not just annoying—it's illegal in many jurisdictions.
What to do instead: Make sure your system immediately processes opt-out requests and maintains an up-to-date list of opted-out numbers.
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Sending at Inappropriate Times
Texting students at 2 AM or during class hours can be disruptive and ineffective.
What to do instead: Schedule messages for times when students are likely to be free and engaged, typically between 10 AM and 8 PM on weekdays.
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Lack of Personalization
Generic, one-size-fits-all messages often don't capture students' attention.
What to do instead: Use data Use data to personalize messages with names, majors, or relevant interests when possible.
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Unclear Call-to-Action (CTA)
If students don't know how to respond or what action to take, your message is wasted.
What to do instead: Always include a clear, simple CTA in your messages, like "Text YES to RSVP" or "Reply INFO for details."
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Using Excessive Abbreviations or Slang
Trying too hard to sound "cool" can come across as inauthentic, confusing, or try-hard.
What to do instead: Keep language clear and natural. It's okay to use common abbreviations, but don't overdo it.
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Forgetting to Test Your System
Technical glitches can ruin your entire messaging campaign.
What to do instead: Always test your messaging system and links before sending them to your entire list.
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Ignoring Analytics
Not tracking the performance of your messages means missing opportunities for getting better.
What to do instead: Regularly review metrics like RSVPs, response rates, and personal messages to refine your strategy.
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Inconsistency Across Platforms
Sending conflicting information via text, email, and social media can confuse students.
What to do instead: Ensure all your communication channels are aligned with consistent information about your events.
By avoiding these common pitfalls, you'll be well on your way to mastering university event text messaging. Remember, the goal is to provide value to your students, not to annoy them. Use this checklist with every event you use SMS messaging for, and you will see the best results!
Best Practices for University Event Text Messaging
To maximize the effectiveness of these templates:
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Timing is crucial: Send messages during peak engagement hours (typically Tuesday-Thursday, 10 AM-2 PM).
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Personalize when possible: Use student names and relevant details to increase engagement.
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Keep it concise: Stick to 160 characters or less for single SMS messages.
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Include clear CTAs: Make it easy for students to respond or take action.
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Follow up: Send a reminder text 24-48 hours before the event.
5 Real-World Examples of How Universities Use SMS to Increase Engagement
Why leverage SMS in higher-ed?
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In-Person events
Through SMS, campuses can communicate to families and students about open houses, prospective student events, or Athletic outings. Reminders can be sent to as the event nears. Families and students can be prompted to RSVP with the keyword trigger of the organizers' choice.
Ex: "Hi Friends! Baruch College Latino Student Organization's perspective student mixer is this Thursday, April 22nd! All prospective students & families, as well as current students and families, are invited.
Text Spring Mixer to RSVP!"
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Fees Due
Higher-ed institutions and student groups can remind those who have outstanding payments to check their balances. SMS reminders for due payments are much more likely to be answered than emails or phone calls. Also, it saves a lot more time.
Ex: "Hi, this is Rutgers University, we noticed you have an outstanding payment for a library fee. Please log into your portal to pay the balance. Late fees may apply"
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Opportunities
SMS communications can be sent out to parents of students who are looking for scholarships, extracurriculars, or any other opportunities. With rising higher-ed costs, any opportunities would be extremely beneficial.
Ex: "Hey, it's ALPFA NYC here, we wanted to invite you to apply for our 2024-2025 scholarship opportunities, Recipients will also be selected to join our annual ALPFA convention in San Antonio this Spring!"
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Campus News
Institutions and student groups can send SMS messages to families and students about recent news regarding the college or specific groups. This can increase student pride, thus making students more motivated to take advantage of the opportunity they are presented with. Additionally, parents can feel proud about the investment they are making with their children!
Ex: "Hi there, we are excited to announce that Baruch College was recently ranked as the top public university in NYC according to US News. Additionally, a particular philanthropist just established research grants focusing on STEM students!"
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Survey and Feedback
Various 3rd party groups, such as CollegePulse, leverage SMS to communicate with students and parents about survey opportunities, for potential rewards in return. These surveys and feedback forms help universities get ranked and see what they can better improve on. Moreover, allowing students to voice their opinions and suggestions, is empowering and engaging.
Make Your Campus Events the Talk of the Town: Master the Art of University Event Text Messaging
University event text messaging is a game-changer for campus event promotion. By using these templates and following best practices, you'll see a significant increase in your RSVPs and event attendance.
Remember, the key to success is testing and refining your approach. Try different templates, track your results, and optimize based on what works best for your student body.
Ready to revolutionize your university event promotion? Start implementing these text messaging templates today and watch your RSVPs soar!
Have you tried university event text messaging before? Check out Evant's
Event SMS Software.
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