The Science of Getting
People to Show Up

The No-Show Problem is Bigger Than You Think

Event planners consistently underestimate no-show rates. Research from Eventtia and Evant shows that free events lose 40-60% of confirmed guests. Even paid events see 10-20% no-shows.

This "intention-action gap" costs event organizers thousands in wasted catering, empty seats, and lost momentum. But the research also shows a clear solution: personalized reminders reduce no-shows by up to 35%.

*Eventtia, Evant, Journal of Consumer Psychology

Why Text Messages Win for Event Reminders

The data is overwhelming: SMS achieves 98% open rates compared to email's 28-43%. But it's not just about opens—it's about speed.

Text messages get responses in 90 seconds on average, while emails take 90 minutes. For time-sensitive event confirmations, that difference is everything. When you need to know who's coming tomorrow, you can't wait hours.

The winning strategy? Use SMS + Email together for 429% higher conversion than email alone. Text for urgent reminders, email for detailed event information.

*Sender, Mobile Marketing Association, Campaign Monitor

The Science-Backed Reminder Sequence

Not all reminders are created equal. Research shows that the 24-48 hour window is the highest-impact moment—reducing no-shows by up to 30%.

The optimal sequence starts 7 days out (builds anticipation), continues at 72 hours (creates commitment), peaks at 24-48 hours (maximum impact), and ends 2-3 hours before (logistics and last-minute saves).

Each message should be personalized with the guest's name—generic "Dear Guest" reminders see 26-50% lower response rates than messages using first names.

*Eventbrite Research, Campaign Monitor, Journal of Marketing

Why Different Generations Prefer Different Channels

Your guest list probably spans multiple generations—and they have very different communication preferences. Understanding this can dramatically improve your response rates.

Gen Z and Millennials prefer text (69-74%)—they grew up with smartphones and find email formal and slow. Gen X is split about 50/50. And Boomers prefer email (63%), viewing text as too casual for event invitations.

The smart approach? Use both channels. Send detailed information via email, urgent reminders via text. With Hit Em Up, you can reach everyone on their preferred channel.

*Pew Research Center, Eventbrite 2024 Survey

Wedding RSVP Statistics: What the Data Says

Planning a wedding? The numbers might surprise you. 80-83% of invited guests RSVP yes, but that still leaves 17-20% declining—so plan your invite list accordingly.

The good news: wedding no-show rates are remarkably low at just 3-5% of confirmed guests. This is because personal relationship strength is the biggest driver of attendance. Your closest friends and family will be there.

Destination weddings see lower acceptance rates (60-75%) due to travel costs and logistics. The average cost for a guest to attend a wedding was $580 in 2023—factor this into your expectations.

*The Knot, RSVPify, Hitchswitch Wedding Survey

Why Early Bird Pricing Increases Attendance by 48%

Early bird pricing isn't just about revenue—it's a commitment device. Research shows that events with early bird tiers see 48% more ticket sales than fixed-price events.

The psychology is powerful: paying early creates sunk cost that makes people more likely to attend. It also triggers loss aversion—people hate missing out on a deal more than they like getting one.

Pro tip: Use personalized text reminders when early bird pricing is about to expire. "Hey ::firstname::, early bird ends at midnight—don't lose your $50 discount!" converts significantly better than generic emails.

*Eventbrite Pricing Study, Journal of Consumer Research

How Hit Em Up Makes Event Messaging Personal

The research is clear: personalized messages get dramatically better results. But manually texting hundreds of guests? That's not realistic. Hit Em Up bridges that gap.

Write your message once using tags like ::firstname::. Hit Em Up sends individual 1:1 texts to each guest—not a group message, not a blast. Each person sees "Hey Sarah!" not "Hey everyone!"

Schedule your entire reminder sequence in advance: 7 days, 3 days, 24 hours, 2 hours. Then collect private replies and track who's confirmed—all from your phone.

Works with iMessage, SMS, and email on iPhone, Android & Mac