1. Get personal

Mobile event apps allow you to provide customized content on a level that is almost impossible for an event manager using traditional methods. This is one of the major advantages of having an event app, so be sure to make full use of it. Having relevant content gives your participants a solid reason to use the app; you are providing them with highly valuable information that is directly applicable to them.

Additionally, you can customize what different types of attendees can see. With personalized content types, make sure you are letting people know that personalized content will be available to them in the app. If they understand that the app is so much more than a digital copy of the paper agenda, people are more likely to see the value of the app and use it.

2. Play games

Simply put, gamification is providing small rewards to drive particular behaviors. Because your app allows you to track attendee behavior, you have the power to reward the behavior you want. With a little bit of planning, gamification can significantly increase your app ROI. With a badge game, you can specify a list of tasks and provide a badge for each attendee who completes one of these tasks. You can have a badge for logging in, one for exchanging contacts with someone, another for checking in at a sponsor table and still another for completing a survey or for posting a photo. Attendees can view a leaderboard in the app, which shows who has earned which badges. The huge advantage of this tool is that it allows you to incentivize the particular actions you want attendees to take.

3. Super-charge agenda details

Speaker notes can be uploaded to a session, as well as links to areas of research or more information. A Speaker Portal allows your speakers to log in and upload content to their sessions directly, without needing to go through you. Provide an in-app to-do list before the event. This lets people know what they need to do and as they check items off on their list, it allows you to see if anyone is falling behind on preparation. Attendees can take notes in the app and then have those notes emailed directly to themselves. Advertise this feature so attendees know they have a green and hassle-free option for notes.

4. Interact and crowdsource

One advantage of using an event app is the ability to interact with your attendees and crowdsource parts of your conference. Use live polling for a Q&A session for large crowds. Instead of asking people to walk up to a microphone (intimidating) or you having to run around the room with a microphone in hand (a hassle), just ask the attendees to open the app and type in a question for the presenter. The polling moderator can see the questions as they come in and display the most appropriate ones. Use discussion boards to crowdsource. Work with your speakers to develop questions and topics for discussion; then schedule a time to feature some of the best responses. Put a get to know you survey in the app a few weeks before the conference and ask attendees to fill it out before coming.

5. Promote your mobile app

Your attendees need to know that you have an app, why they should use it, how to download it and how to log in. Include a checkbox on your registration and send a separate email announcing your app at least a week before the conference. If personalized information is provided in the app, it is very important that you communicate this to your attendees. Have a placard on display at the registration or sign-in table with instructions for downloading and logging into the app. Be sure to include Wi-Fi information as well! Have a laptop at the registration desk with someone who can login to your app dashboard in case an attendee experiences problems.

Use these ideas, and others sparked by them, to increase your mobile event app usage and engagement.

One way to effectively connect with your audiences is through an event technology solution that helps empower event professionals to connect with attendees at every stage of an event, before, during and after the event. Certain’s Engagement Mobile App fosters greater engagement, participation, while facilitating 1-to-1 meetings that connect audiences around the world and maximize event value for all participants.

Contact us for a free consultation with one of our event experts.