Now and Then: How SMS Saved the Day

The use of SMS (text messaging) has benefited corporate event production drastically. In fact, it has inspired us at Esprit Productions to create a top 3 list of how SMS has saved the day, comparing how tasks were solved prior to SMS and how they are done now:

1. Audience Feedback

Then: Surveys took plenty of man hours: creating questions, printing forms, using employees to administer and retrieve questionnaires and analyzing responses. Most importantly, we would hope for 50% honest participation.

Now: Once an event production team creates their survey questions they are entered into a SMS software service. Questions are text messaged to attendees on the spot and results are messaged back to the provider. Participation is always high and a neat results page is returned to the production team instantly!

2. Question and Answer Sessions

Then: If you had a question for the speaker you would have to wait for the Q&A portion of the event. That meant writing your questions down so you wouldn’t forget it, waiting for the allotted time and hoping that you’re raised hand would be picked by the speaker.

Now: Have a question? Text it in! Your question will be received in real-time and delivered to the speaker. For some companies, if you’re question wasn’t answered during the Q&A portion they’ll message you after the event with an answer!

3. Anonymous Polling for Sensitive Topics

Then: Do you have a topic that may be too sensitive to address in a general session? Well, tough luck.

Now: Sensitive topics can be addressed via anonymous SMS polling. Giving attendees the option to privately respond to delicate issues will not only boost participation but produce more honest feedback.

Do you think we missed an important use for text messaging at corporate events? I’d love to hear it! Just email me your response to: Ron@EspritProductions.com