How to Sell Out Your Event in 90 Days: The Complete Step-by-Step Plan
How to sell out your event in just 90 days? It’s possible with the right plan. Whether you’re planning a retreat, conference, or summit, this proven strategy will help you fill every seat, boost engagement, and maximize visibility.
Month 1: Foundation + Lead Generation (Days 1–30)
The first month sets the tone. Your focus here is building infrastructure and generating early interest. Open ticket sales as soon as you finalize your core details. According to Eventbrite, early bird pricing increases total ticket sales by creating urgency.
1. Finalize Logistics
Before you market anything:
- Lock in your event date, venue/platform, and capacity
- Set clear goals for ticket sales, sponsors, and attendees
- Define your target audience
This allows you to confidently launch registration with clarity.
2. Open Registration Early
Don’t wait. Open ticket sales even if only basic info is available. Many buyers want early access. Early-bird sales often generate 20–30% of total ticket revenue.
3. Build a Lead Magnet
Create a free resource tied to your event theme:
- A checklist, planner, or guide
- A short email course or challenge
- A mini masterclass
Make sure it solves a relevant problem and is highly valuable. Gate it behind an email form.
Example: A coach promoting a wellness retreat offered a free 10-day workout challenge. Hundreds signed up, and when she opened retreat enrollment, she sold out 50% of spots in week one.
4. Grow Your Email List
Use your lead magnet to:
- Build a targeted list of warm leads
- Promote across Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and email
- Start engaging new subscribers with a welcome email series
5. Plan Your Content Calendar
Create a 90-day content plan:
- 2–3 posts per week per platform (Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
- 1 email per week (to start)
- Include stories, countdowns, testimonials, FAQs
This ensures your promotion is consistent and strategic.
Month 2: Content, Community & Conversion (Days 31–60)
Month 2 is about warming up leads, building trust, and starting to drive conversions.
1. Show Up Consistently
Use a multi-channel approach:
- Instagram: Reels, carousels, BTS clips, countdowns
- LinkedIn: Speaker spotlights, industry insights, value posts
- Facebook Groups: Polls, Q&As, casual event updates
- Pinterest: Event mood boards, promo pins
Tailor your content to the platform but stay consistent.
2. Build a Community
- Start a Facebook or Slack group
- Encourage discussions, polls, and early engagement
- Use a branded hashtag
- Reward referrals with bonuses or prizes
People are more likely to register when they feel part of something. According to Gleanin, 74% of attendees trust peer recommendations over brand content.
3. Send Weekly Emails
Stay in front of your list:
- Highlight speakers or sessions
- Share FAQs or behind-the-scenes planning updates
- Offer insights tied to your event theme
- Promote limited-time offers or early-bird deals
Keep emails short, visual, and personal.
4. Promote Early-Bird Offers
Offer:
- Discounted pricing until a set date
- VIP upgrades
- Bonus content or gifts
Make sure to communicate deadlines clearly and send reminder emails at 72, 48, and 24 hours before cutoff.
5. Run a Giveaway
Host a low-barrier contest to increase reach:
- Example: “Tag a friend who should come with you for a chance to win two free tickets.”
- Prize: Free ticket, VIP upgrade, hotel night, etc.
This expands your visibility while attracting qualified leads.
6. Get Speakers and Partners Involved
- Provide promo graphics and captions
- Ask them to share with their networks
- Host joint Instagram Lives or LinkedIn posts
They have built-in trust with their audiences—leverage that.
Month 3: Hype + Final Conversions (Days 61–90)
The final month is where most ticket sales happen—up to 50% of total sales can occur in the last two weeks.
1. Increase Email Cadence
Go from 1 email per week to:
- 2–3 per week in Weeks 9–11
- Daily emails in the final 5–7 days
Each email should have a clear focus:
- Urgency: “Only 5 VIP passes left”
- Social proof: “1,200 professionals already registered”
- Final push: “Last day to join us!”
Segment your list (e.g. clicks but no purchases) for tailored messages.
2. Amplify Social Proof
- Share registration milestones: “400+ signed up”
- Post testimonials from past attendees
- Feature speaker shoutouts
- Use countdown timers in stories
People trust social proof more than sales copy.
3. Leverage Video
- Daily countdown Reels
- Behind-the-scenes setup clips
- Live Q&A sessions
- FAQ videos
Short-form video builds anticipation and makes the event feel real.
4. Use Retargeting (Paid or Organic)
If budget allows:
- Run Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn ads targeting:
- Page visitors
- Lead magnet downloaders
- Email list lookalikes
If no ad budget:
- DM people who commented or inquired
- Use stories to answer objections and remind them to register
5. Enforce Urgency & Scarcity
Use real deadlines:
- “Price increases tonight at midnight”
- “Only 20 seats left”
- “VIP dinner is almost full”
Avoid fake scarcity—be transparent but firm.
6. Drive DMs and Personal Outreach
Encourage 1:1 connections:
- “DM us your question about [event]”
- “Not sure if this is for you? Let’s chat.”
Conversion rates skyrocket with personal touchpoints.
Example: A tech conference sold out their final 50 spots in 72 hours after announcing limited capacity and doing a final Instagram Live with speakers.
Top Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Waiting Too Long to Start Promoting
Start building buzz at least 90 days out. Don’t expect people to buy with one announcement or in the last 2 weeks.
❌ Relying on One Platform
Don’t rely on just Instagram or email. Use a multi-platform approach for reach and repetition. (Need help? Try our Event Marketing Services.)
❌ Skipping Lead Generation
You need an email list. Start growing it from Day 1 with a targeted lead magnet. No list = cold audience = poor conversions.
❌ Not Following Up
One post or one email isn’t enough. People need multiple reminders and different angles to commit.
Pro Tip: Use a Lead Magnet to Fuel Ticket Sales
A high-value freebie warms up leads long before you start promoting your event.
✅ Tied to your event topic
✅ Solves a specific problem
✅ Delivered via email, creating a nurture funnel
Example: If your event is a marketing summit, offer a “30-Day Marketing Plan” or “5-Step Sales Funnel Checklist” to capture and qualify leads early.
Once people download, continue engaging them. When ticket sales open, they’re ready to buy.
Final Thoughts
Selling out your event in 90 days is achievable—with the right strategy, systems, and consistent effort.
Here’s your action plan:
- Set your foundation (logistics + lead magnet + content calendar)
- Nurture with value (content + email + community)
- Convert with urgency (deadlines + scarcity + proof)
🎯 Want help executing this plan?
👉 [Book a Free Strategy Call with our Team]