
If you work in events, you know the importance of RSVP (“Repondez s’il vous plait” or “Reply if you please”). It’s a great way for you to know beforehand how many people are attending the event; calculate costs, staff to hire, and so much more. In this article, we’ll explore how to do text message RSVP for an event. So you, as an event organizer, can incorporate a powerful tool to your event organization.
If you’ve ever considered using text messaging for events, the first thing to look for is the right texting software. Trumpia offers the most complete SMS marketing platform in the industry, with the widest range of features and capabilities. Our software is also incredibly intuitive and easy to use for you or anyone in your team.
Get started by trying out our platform for FREE for 14 days. No coding or credit card information required! Just login and start using our texting software right away. If you have any specific questions or want to clarify anything, call or text 1-888-707-3030.
How to Do Text Message RSVP for an Event
The first thing you can do is send your usual email or printed invitations to your guests. In those invitations, you should add the text keyword and the short code you want them to text it back in order to RSVP. So for example, your invitation and RSVP card should include the usual information plus something like this:
“Reply by texting “hello” to 123.456”.
The great thing about text keywords is that you can choose many different words that fit your event and guests’ style or needs. Once they start replying, you can also use an automated text message to thank their RSVP and even provide additional information of the event: parking situation details, dress code, any important show at the event; or you can even reward RSVP with promo codes or special pricing. The possibilities are endless.
Learn how to create a text keyword in this video tutorial!
An Alternative to Text Keywords: Yes/No Responses
Text keywords are featured in most texting softwares in the market. And that’s a great thing! But Trumpia goes beyond that by offering a Yes/No response feature. With it, you can gain immediate feedback on your event’s RSVP by asking to respond with a simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. Keep in mind that this will work if your guests already opted-in to your SMS marketing list prior to the event.
Text Messaging RSVP Etiquette
The RSVP etiquette can be applied on text messaging by keeping three aspects in mind:
When Should You Send Invitations
Guests need some time to RSVP so sending your invitations earlier can give them enough to reply. Text messaging is great in these cases because the time it takes guests to reply back by mail or any other media is drastically shortened; as they can just text the RSVP keyword back in a matter of seconds. A time frame of 6 to 10 weeks before the event would be more than enough.
Auto Reply with Specific Instructions
As we mentioned before, you can automate a reply to confirm that you received the RSVP. One of the things you can add to that reply is information on who they need to respond to. This is usually like that because, in an event organization, the person sending the invite is not always the same receiving their responses or greeting them at the event.
Set Reasonable Deadlines for You and Your Team
Taking the time frame you’ll use to send the invitations, you should also calculate the time it would take to gauge responses and plan ahead. Usually, a reasonable RSVP deadline would be 2 to 6 weeks before the event. That time frame will depend mostly on the number of guests and the size of the event.

Text Messaging Ideas for Events’ RSVP
Use SMS Appointment Reminders
Even though people confirmed their RSVP, that doesn’t guarantee there won’t be no-shows. Text message appointment reminders are a great way to engage those who have already confirmed; remind them about their RSVP and even give them a way to update their status if they have to.
Ask for Preferences via Text Messaging
Meal preferences is a great example of this. After receiving the RSVP confirmation, you can text back offering different options to cater your hosts’ needs. You can set different keywords they can reply to; for example:
- Beef
- Chicken
- Vegetarian
With Trumpia, you can refine these answers even more by offering open replies. So, let’s say, the RSVP is for a couple in which one person eats meat but the other doesn’t, that person can reply something like “one beef, one vegetarian”.
Use Text Blasts for Last-Minute Communications
In the event of a last-minute change, cancellation, re-schedule or even an unwanted emergency, you can have your guests informed right away with a text blast. These are general, mostly impersonal messages that are sent to a massive number of subscribers to share specific information.
You can have these SMS messages preset on your texting software, and trigger them to deliver to the RSVP confirmed lists. You can only imagine how much time (and headaches) you can avoid your guests and yourself by solving a last-time situation in a matter of seconds!
Do you want to learn more about SMS marketing? Check out our Ultimate SMS marketing guide! Download the PDF version for free here:
