The Secret to Compelling Text Message Invitations

Are text message invitations viable, or should you consider a different method when asking people to an event? 

Text messaging is one of the most common forms of communication worldwide. Research shows that 4.2 billion people send and receive text messages, while trillions of messages are sent and received every day! 

There are many ways to send text messages and lots of reasons to use this form of communication. And inviting people to a special event is as good a reason as any to text. 

But as with anything, you shouldn’t just fire out a random message to tell people about an event you’ve got coming up. You need to think carefully about what to include in the message and how to make the invitation stand out. 

So, with this in mind, we explain the secret to compelling text message invitations and reveal how to get people to say yes to your special request. 

What are text message invitations? 

A text message invitation is a way of inviting a person to an event. All mobile phones can send SMS (text) invitations, and many people receive free texts as part of their monthly bundles. 

Today, smartphone users may also use messaging services like WhatsApp or WeChat to send event invitations, depending on who they’re reaching out to.  

Text message invitations are a great way to invite people to so many different events and occasions, including: 

• Birthday parties or anniversary engagements.
• Formal, work-based events. 
• Weddings (particularly for save-the-dates). 
• Funerals. 
• Social gatherings. 
• Sporting events like golf days or football matches. 
• High school reunion. 
• Fundraiser for charity.
• Community meet-up.

Of course, text message invitations to a birthday party will be very different from a formal invitation to a workplace event or conference. But, provided you take the necessary steps to customize your invite, you can use text messages to invite friends, colleagues, and families to practically any event.

The benefits of text message invitations over other options 

Now, before we explain what to include in text message invitations, let’s look at some of the benefits of using this type of invite: 

⭐Cost effective 

One of the best things about using SMS for invitations is that it’s cost-effective. Research shows that in the US, the average cost of an SMS is just $0.01, significantly cheaper than other forms of online communication. What’s more, you probably receive free SMS as part of your monthly phone bundle. If you don’t, you can connect to Wi-Fi and send your messages via WhatsApp or another app for free. 

Sending out invites via SMS is much cheaper than using traditional stationery. After all, you don’t need to worry about buying paper invites or meeting delivery fees, making things much cheaper for you when planning your event.

⭐Instant feedback 

When you invite someone to an event via SMS, you can expect instant (or fairly quick) feedback. Most people have access to their phones throughout the day, so it’s much easier to plan your event when people respond in a timely manner. 

If you rely on emails or sending letters, you have to wait for the recipient to check for the invitation. They will then need to reply, which could take a few days to reach you. So, if you’re keen on quick responses, SMS is hard to beat. 

⭐Easy and convenient 

While it can be fun to create a detailed, graphic invitation to send to friends for specific events, it’s not always necessary. Text message invitations are easy and convenient by definition. 

Simply write the text, add a few emojis, and send it out to your contacts. Also, you can copy and paste the message to as many contacts as you like, saving even more time. 

While there are lots of ways to send out invitations, few methods are as convenient as sending them via SMS.

What you must consider before sending out text message invitations 

So, how do you ensure your text message invitations are on the money? What should you include in the message? And how do you get the tone right? Here are some things you should always think about before inviting someone to an event via SMS:

Tone of voice 

Tone of voice, or voice for short, refers to how you present information. Specifically, it’s the way that you express yourself. When preparing text message invitations, considering your tone of voice is crucial. 

So, it’s not about what you say; it’s about how you say it. 

Consider these examples where you’re inviting your boss to a personal function: 

Example 1: Hey man. Fancy chilling at my place for my buddy’s BDAY drinks this weekend? BYOB!

Example 2: Hi Gareth, I hope you’re well. Just wanted to invite you to my friend Adam’s 50th birthday celebration this weekend – you met him at the Golf Day last month. It would be great to have you there if you can make it, but no pressure if you can’t. Best, [Name].

Technically, both examples served their intended purpose. But the tone of voice in the first example is way off. You would probably insult or upset your boss if you sent that message, and it could even get you in trouble. The second example is much more formal and more appropriate for the occasion. 

These examples illustrate just how important tone of voice is when creating text message invitations. So, don’t just focus on what you want to say; make sure you say it appropriately, too. 

Spelling, grammar, & punctuation

From how you say something to what you say. 

Getting your spelling, grammar, and punctuation right when sending out test message invitations is fundamental. Helpfully, you don’t need an English Language major to get it right. 

Arvin’s AI Grammar Checker picks up grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes that you might have missed when writing your invitations. It’s completely free to add to your browser and will help you craft error-free invitations. 

If you’re struggling for a start, you can also check out our Writing Improver, which can help with prompts and ideas when putting together your invitations. 

Emojis 

Today, emojis are an accepted part of online communication. They can help to break up your writing in text message invitations and make things a bit less formal, which can help you nail the tone of voice. 

Consider these two contrasting messages, one with and one without emojis, to see which you might like to send to your friends and family: 

Example 1: Hi [Name], Will you join us for Teddy’s second birthday party next Sunday? There will be a bouncy castle, a delicious cake, lots of music, and fun parlour games. Can you respond to this text message or send me an email [add email address] to confirm your attendance by Monday? Thanks—I hope to see you next week! 

Example 2: 

🎈TEDDY’S SECOND BIRTHDAY🎉

Hi [Name], 

Will you join us for Teddy’s second birthday party next Sunday? There will be:

🏰A bouncy castle 

🍰A delicious cake 

🎶Lots of music 

🎲Fun parlour games 

📧RSVP: Can you respond to this text message or send me an email [Address] to confirm your attendance by Monday? Thanks – I hope to see you next week!

Both example invitations convey the same invitation, but the second is much more personable and easier to read, thanks to the inclusion of emojis. 

Event & RSVP Details 

The secret to compelling text message invitations is being as specific as possible. It’s helpful to provide as much relevant information as possible in the initial message so the respondents don’t need to seek more information from you. 

After all, if you’re inviting 20 people to an event and forget some crucial information, you’re going to have to field questions from most people who aren’t clear on an aspect of the plans! 

So, use this non-negotiable checklist of things you must include when inviting someone to an event: 

✅The date and start time. 

✅Give the event a title which clearly describes what it is [David’s 21st Birthday or Sue’s Retirement Drinks].

✅The venue, including details of how to enter. You may also provide a map or a link to Google Maps. 

✅Information about dress code (if relevant to the event). 

✅Details about further actions. This is important if someone needs to register for the event or provide further information to confirm their place. 

As for the RSVP details, you also need to be clear about what you expect. Include: 

✅A deadline for when they should confirm their attendance. 

✅How to get in touch with you. It’s best to offer a few options. Keep things simple and ask them to respond to the SMS or send an email. 

✅Offer details about what to do if a guest has more questions. 

SMS v WhatsApp (or another messaging app) 

There are many ways to send text message invitations. The obvious method is via SMS, which sends a message directly from your phone number to the recipient. 

But this might not be the most convenient way of contacting your guests, particularly if you’re sending invitations to international phone numbers. 

Using an Internet-based messaging service like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger could be easier for you. In fact, if you use WhatsApp, you could even create a group for the event. You could then drop the invitation into the group directly, saving you time. 

It’s up to you which method you use to send your text message invitations, but consider the most suitable and convenient options for reaching your intended recipients. 

Recap: Sending out text message invitations like a pro

Sending out text message invitations doesn’t need to be complicated. In fact, it’s one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to invite family, friends, and work colleagues to an upcoming event. 

As we’ve revealed in this article, you need to spend some time getting the tone of voice right. You should also consider what you want to say and what information must be included. This will help to quicken things up and will prevent people from coming back to you with lots of questions. 

All that’s left is to craft the perfect SMS invitation. Explore how our AI Chat feature can help you with invitations, writing, and other posts online. 

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