You don’t necessarily need a massive event marketing budget or a team of promoters to fill your events seats. With a few smart strategies, you can build buzz, create a sense of urgency and make your event the one that everyone wants to attend. This guide will walk you through practical steps to increase event registration and ensure your hard work pays off with a full house.

TL;DR: How to increase event registration

A sold-out event starts long before the doors open. Here’s a quick summary of the steps necessary to boost your sign-ups.

Step	Action	Why it matters
01. Build a great page	Create a dedicated, clear event landing page.	This is your digital front door; it needs to be inviting.
02. Offer early bird deals	Provide a discount for the first wave of registrants.	Creates urgency and rewards your most eager attendees.
03. Start email marketing	Send targeted announcements to your subscribers.	Reaches an audience that is already interested in what you do.
04. Get social	Create shareable content and use event hashtags.	Builds organic buzz and expands your reach.
05. Partner up	Collaborate with speakers or sponsors to promote.	Taps into their networks and adds credibility.
06. Make it easy to sign up	Simplify your registration form.	Reduces friction and prevents people from dropping off.

How to increase event registration in 6 steps

Ready to see those registration numbers climb? Follow these six steps to build momentum and turn your event into a must-attend experience.

1. Create a compelling event page

2. Launch with early bird pricing

3. Leverage your email list

4. Build buzz on social media

5. Partner with speakers and sponsors

6. Streamline the registration process

   
   

01. Create a compelling event page

Your event landing page is the most important part of your marketing strategy here. It needs to do more than just list the date and time, it needs to sell the experience. Start with a headline that clearly states the value for the attendee. So instead of "Annual Tech Conference," try "The Conference That Teaches You to Build an App in a Weekend."

Make sure all the essential information—what, when, where, and why—is easy to find. Use high-quality images or videos from past events to show people what they can expect. Include speaker bios, a detailed agenda and glowing testimonials.

Your page should answer every question a potential attendee might have, making the decision to register an easy one.

You can use a landing page builder to help you with this part.

02. Launch with early bird pricing

Everyone loves a good deal and so offering an early bird discount is a classic and effective way to kickstart your registrations. It creates a sense of urgency and rewards your most enthusiastic followers for acting fast. The initial surge of sign-ups also provides social proof—when people see that others are already registering, they’re more likely to feel like they might miss out if they wait.

Set a clear deadline for the early bird pricing, like "Register by November 15th to save $50." Then add a countdown timer on your event page to visually reinforce the deadline and motivate people to act now rather than later.

03. Leverage your email list

Your email subscribers are a captive audience. They’ve already raised their hand to say they’re interested in what you do, which makes them prime candidates for your event. Don’t just send one announcement and call it a day, you should plan a sequence of emails.

Start with a "Save the Date" announcement, followed by the official launch with the early bird offer. As the event gets closer, you can send emails highlighting specific speakers, agenda sessions, or unique networking opportunities. Make sure every email has a clear, bold call-to-action button that links directly to the registration page.

04. Build buzz on social media

Social media is where you can let the personality of your event shine. Create a unique and memorable hashtag (e.g., #WixelSummit2025) and use it in all your posts. This makes it easy for you and your attendees to find all event-related content in one place.

Then tease post behind-the-scenes content, speaker introductions, and countdowns. You can also run a contest or a giveaway where people can win a free ticket by sharing the event post. Encourage your speakers and sponsors to share the event with their own followers, which instantly expands your reach to new, relevant audiences.

05. Partner with speakers and sponsors

Your partners have a vested interest in the event’s success, so turn them into your biggest advocates. Create a promotional toolkit for them with pre-written social media posts, email copy, and branded graphics. This makes it incredibly easy for them to spread the word.

You can also offer them a unique discount code to share with their audience. This not only tracks where your registrations are coming from but also gives their followers an exclusive incentive to sign up. When a respected speaker personally invites their community, it adds a powerful layer of trust and credibility.

06. Simplify the registration process

You’ve done the hard work of getting someone to click Register so don't lose them now with a long, complicated form. On this type of form only ask for the information you absolutely need. Name and email are usually enough. Keep in mind that every extra field you add is another chance for someone to get frustrated and abandon the process. Your form design is everything here so do it well.

Use Wixel's form builder to simplify this step even more.

Check your form is mobile-friendly, as many people will register on their phones. Offer multiple payment options, like credit cards and PayPal, to make the transaction as smooth as possible. A frictionless registration experience shows respect for your attendees’ time and gets them excited for the well-organized event to come.

Learn more about how to create an online form.

How to increase event registration FAQ

How far in advance should I start promoting my event?

For a large conference or paid event, start promoting at least 3-4 months in advance. This gives you time to build momentum with early bird pricing. For smaller workshops or free webinars, 3-4 weeks is usually enough lead time.

What should I do if registrations are slow?

It's important not to panic. First, review your event page—is the value clear? Second, try a limited-time flash sale or offer a new incentive, like a free piece of digital content for the next 20 people who sign up. You can also send a personal email to a segment of your list asking why they haven't registered, which can provide valuable feedback.

Is it a good idea to create a Facebook event page?

A Facebook Event page makes it easy for people to see who else is going, share the event with their friends, and receive notifications and reminders. It works in tandem with your facebook marketing strategy, your main landing page and serves as a social hub for your community before the event even starts.