You’ve secured the perfect venue, locked-in your first choice keynote speaker and curated a mouth-watering catering menu. The words you choose to convey this information are critical to your attendees. Each event element will require a different approach. Venue directions require clear, to-the-point instructions. Catering menus need enticing but short descriptions. A speaker session needs a mix of bold and impressive bio details mixed with a focus on why the session is a must-attend i.e. the benefits.
Your event app will house all the information your attendees need. But to enable them to get the most from your event you must choose your event app copy carefully.
General Rules of Online/Mobile Copy
Attendees will mostly view your event information on a mobile device. This means limited space. To maximise engagement follow these guidelines for great event app copy:
* Concise writing is key. That’s not the same as writing less or reducing the amount of information. Ditch surplus words and write in the active voice to give your information punch and clarity.
* Try and keep information to a single screen. The less need to scroll or swipe, the better.
* Keep paragraphs short. Lengthy paragraphs on mobile screens test readers’ patience. Short paragraphs are easier to digest plus the addition on ‘white space’ increases readability.
* Make headlines and opening sentences short and strong for easy scanning. What’s ahead needs to be made clear but don’t be afraid to grab attention with bold statements and call-to-action.
* Videos and visual images break-up text and encourage engagement. Use them where you can to support your message.
Event App Copy Specifics
While there are consistent rules underpinning your event app copy, you need to vary style and delivery according to each different event app element.
Event Features
Your event features are the drawcard to the event. Promoting the benefits of each feature will encourage attendees to make the most of them. Simply put, benefit promotion is less about the ‘what’ and more about the ‘why’.
Focusing on the why means appealing to attendees’ personal interest. What’s it in for them? What will they gain from attending a particular speaker session?
Make language emotive and appealing. Adjectives and descriptive language work well here (but keeping in mind general rules on mobile copy).
For example:
The what: Tech industry leader, Joan Hardy, will deliver our keynote address
The why: Energise your business by finding out what makes the tech start-up of today become a world-recognised brand.
Push Notifications and Alerts
Push notifications and alerts pop-up on an attendee’s mobile device screen. They are used infrequently and only when event organisers need to draw attention to something pressing. It could be an agenda change, session commencement or emergency call-out.
Brevity is absolutely critical here. Make the communication clear and short. No long sentences or unnecessary words. One or two sentences is all you should need. If you need attendees to take immediate action, think of your alert as call-to-action. Use specific detail to leave no room for confusion or ambiguity.
Example:
Call-to action/specific: ‘Kylie Minogue is about to take the stage! Make your way to the ballroom.’
Informative/non-specific: ‘Kylie Minogue will be providing this evening’s entertainment in the ballroom.’
Instructions and Directions
General information about venue directions, transport and logistics needs clear language. Provide information in easy to follow steps. Keeping text to a single screen is important (where possible) here.
A good test of copy clarity to ask someone who is unfamiliar with the event location and venue to proof read. Can they easily work out where they need to be? Are they confident they can navigate their way around the venue?
Takeaway
The words you choose for your event app are important to help attendees get the most out of your event. Understanding the basic rules of mobile copy and how that can be applied to each event element will make sure attendees fully engage with your event and the event app.
