Why Your Event Needs Push Notifications
Stop hoping attendees check your website. Start reaching them directly.
Common Ground
Tools
A study by Localytics found that push notifications increase app engagement by up to 88%. For event organisers, that engagement translates directly into ticket sales, sponsor visibility, and on-the-day satisfaction. The channel is right there. Most events aren't using it.
That brings the question: how do push notifications actually work for events?
What are push notifications?
Push notifications are messages sent directly to your attendees' lock screens — no email open rate, no social media algorithm, no hoping they check your website. If they have your app installed, they get the message. Instantly.
Unlike email, there's no spam folder. Unlike Instagram, you don't pay to reach people who already follow you.
When should you send them?
The most effective push campaigns for event organisers fall into four moments:
Ticket launch — hit last year's attendees the moment early bird tickets go live
Lineup announcement — "headliner just announced" is one of the highest-converting messages you can send
Day-of updates — stage changes, weather alerts, surprise guests, running times
Post-event — next year's save the date, photo gallery live, feedback survey open
Each of these reaches people who already care about your event. The conversion rate is significantly higher than any cold channel.
How much do push campaigns cost?
Push notification campaigns are typically sold in packs. A single blast runs around £149. A pack of five is around £499. An unlimited annual pass — useful if you want to run campaigns throughout the year — sits around £799.
For most events, five campaigns covers a ticket launch, a lineup drop, a day-of update, and a couple of follow-ups. That's the full marketing cycle for under £500.
How to get started — 3 simple steps
Get your app live — push notifications require a native app with an active install base
Build your audience — promote downloads at checkout, in confirmation emails, and on your socials
Plan your campaign calendar — map out your key moments before the event season starts
Why does it matter?
A 5,000-ticket event with 40% app adoption has 2,000 people reachable for free, any time of year. Most organisers sit on that audience and never use it. The ones who do consistently report stronger early bird sales and higher year-on-year retention.
Push notifications are the closest thing to a guaranteed open rate in event marketing. Use them.
