Facebook events allow hosts to easily create event pages and invite guests. One useful feature is the ability to send reminders to guests as the event date approaches. Sending reminders can help increase event turnout by keeping the event fresh in guests’ minds. Here are some tips on how to best use Facebook’s event reminder system.
Enable Reminders
When creating a new Facebook event, hosts have the option to enable reminders. This feature is turned on by default. To check that it’s enabled, go to your event page and click “Edit Event” at the top. In the settings panel on the left, you’ll see an option for “Reminders.” Make sure the toggle button is switched on to enable reminders.
Set Reminder Schedule
Hosts can customize when reminder emails get sent out to guests. Facebook allows you to set reminders at two intervals: one week before the event, and one day before the event. To set reminders:
- Go to the event page
- Click “Edit Event”
- Open the “Reminders” settings
- Check the boxes next to “1 week before” and/or “1 day before” to enable reminders
It’s recommended to enable both options so guests get multiple reminders as the event approaches.
Customize Reminder Messages
The reminder emails sent to guests contain a default message from Facebook. As the event host, you can customize this message to provide key details and get guests excited about the event. To customize the reminders:
- Go to the event page
- Click “Edit Event”
- Open the “Reminders” settings
- Click “Customize Message”
This will open a text box where you can write a custom reminder message up to 300 characters. Be sure to include important info like the event name, date, time, location, and what guests should bring or prepare for.
Send Additional Reminders
Outside of the automatic reminders, hosts can manually send additional reminder messages about the event. This can be helpful for big events or when trying to boost RSVPs. To manually send reminders:
- Go to the event page
- Click “Send Notification” at the top
- Select recipients – either all guests or individual guests
- Type a message or select a suggested template
- Click “Send” to deliver the reminders
Keep the manual reminders short, simple and focused on new or urgent event details guests need to know.
Change Reminder Settings
As the event approaches, hosts can edit the reminder settings. You may want to add additional reminders or send the final reminder sooner. To edit settings:
- Go to the event page
- Click “Edit Event”
- Open the “Reminders” panel
- Adjust the reminder intervals as needed
Be sure to give guests enough advance notice of any major event changes.
Consider Promoting the Event
In addition to reminders, hosts can also promote the event to draw more attention. Options include:
- Boosting the event – Pay to increase visibility in News Feeds
- Creating an event video – Post a short video promoting event details
- Cross-posting in Groups – Share event in relevant Facebook Groups
- Inviting friends of guests – Grow the invite list
Combining reminders with event promotion provides a multi-channel way to engage with potential and confirmed guests.
Track RSVPs
Facebook Events show the number of guests who have RSVP’d “Yes,” “No,” or “Maybe.” Monitor this to see if reminders are helping boost RSVPs. On the event page, click on the RSVP tab to see a full list of who has responded and their RSVP status.
Follow Up After the Event
Don’t forget about reminders after the event is over! It’s a great idea to send a final reminder or notification thanking guests for attending. Include any relevant links or extras like photos. This provides closure and gets guests looking forward to your next event.
Best Practices for Event Reminders
To get the most out of Facebook event reminders, keep these best practices in mind:
- Enable both 1 week and 1 day before reminders
- Customize the reminder message with key event details
- Send manual reminders in addition to automatic ones
- Promote the event through other channels like Groups
- Adjust reminders as needed leading up to the event
- Follow up with a thank you and recap reminder after the event
Example Reminder Messages
Here are some example reminder messages you can use or adapt for your next Facebook event:
One week before:
“Hope you can make it to [Event Name] next Friday at 7pm at [Venue]! Please let me know if you can attend and feel free to invite friends. Get excited!”
Two days before:
“[Event Name] is coming up this Friday at 7pm! Make sure to RSVP if you haven’t yet. Remember to bring your homemade dessert for the potluck. See you there!”
Day of:
“Today’s the big day – [Event Name] starts at 7pm at [Venue]. Bring your appetites, this potluck is going to be delicious. Can’t wait to celebrate with you all tonight!”
After the event:
“Thanks to everyone who came out for [Event Name]! It was so great seeing you all and enjoying delicious food together. I’ve posted some photos from the event here [link]. Hope to see you at the next one!”
Troubleshooting Reminders
If your Facebook event reminders aren’t sending properly, here are some things to check:
- Make sure reminders are enabled in the event settings
- Check that the reminder intervals are set correctly (1 week and 1 day before)
- Confirm you have the right email addresses for all guests
- Look for any Facebook notifications that the reminders were blocked or undelivered
- Try manually sending a reminder message to test
If issues persist, you may need to have guests double check spam folders or re-confirm their email addresses and permissions. For further help, consult Facebook’s Help Center.
Conclusion
Leveraging Facebook’s event reminder system is an easy way to boost guest turnout. Set automatic reminders, customize messages with key details, send additional manual reminders, promote the event across channels, and track RSVPs. Follow best practices for reminder timing and content. With a few simple clicks, you’ll keep your event top of mind leading up to the big day.