The number of religious events in the U.S. is growing every year — and we’re not just talking about traditional services. Special religious events include all different types of gatherings, from spiritual retreats to religious rock concerts.
Special events are a great way to celebrate a common faith, strengthen bonds, and renew individual commitment. They also help you reach a bigger audience, grow your following, and spread the word of your organization. We asked religious event goers to tell us why they attend special events. Almost half of followers said they would be more inclined to invite non-members to a special event than a regular service.
Indeed, a fun, low-key setting like a concert, dinner, or special guest lecture can seem more enticing to those outside your organization than a worship service. In fact, over a third of the people we surveyed said they’d like their congregation to hold more events. And 43% of those who already go to events would like to go to more.
So the interest is there, but how to get the word out to the right audience? Word-of-mouth is great, but to better entice non-members, arm yourself with the following facts:
1. Younger audiences like diverse events
According to our survey, Millennials like food and drink events, and retreats. They also love events that include special guests — 53% of those we surveyed checked this off as a “Yes, please!” They flock to events with a charitable component (44%) and dig music (42%).
2. People love a good deal
One in five people want a discounted pricing option. Consider offering group discounts and student discounts for your next event to draw bigger crowds.
You can also offer discounted “early bird” tickets to people who buy before a certain date. This limited pricing creates a sense of urgency, inspiring event-goers to snag tickets right then and there. Early sales help you drum up buzz around the event, as ticket holders express their excitement to friends and family on social media.
3. Reserved seating is a lure
More seating options mean happier event goers. Offering reserved seating for a spiritual documentary screening allows your followers to pick a group of seats next to one another. Also, let’s say you’re hosting a concert featuring a choir from Botswana. You can sell tickets to a VIP section that put ticket holder closer to the stage — and possibly a meet-and-greet after the show!
4. Leverage social networks to reach a wider audience
Provide easy ways for your existing congregation and potential members to share across all social media platforms and say, “Yes! I’m going!” This social proof can be the driving force that turns prospective ticket buyers into attendees. Consider an event technology like Eventbrite that has “built-in” features that allow attendees to share your event on their social feeds.
5. People want an easy way to buy tickets and get into your event
Sell tickets to your event online so people can buy them wherever they are — whether they’re on a desktop or looking at your listing on their mobile phone. With Eventbrite’s Organizer app, you can scan digital tickets to speed up the entry process. No more paper tickets — participants can just flash their mobile proof of purchase. And if someone shows up without a ticket, you can easily sell them one right from your phone or tablet.
For more ways to attract more newcomers to your next religious event, or to help you plan a great one, read The Religious Events Guide to Using Eventbrite.
