To host the party you have planned can take a lot of time, money and effort. Knowing how many people you expect to have at your event is an important part of setting up a party. But in today's times, it can be difficult to get people to actually return an invitation with even a simple “yes” or “no”. However, there are many ways you can increase your chances of getting the RSVP you want to make your party run smoothly.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Sending Invitations with RSVP
Step 1. Translate the French to minimize the possibility of misunderstandings
Initials R. S. V. P. is an abbreviation of Réspondez, s'il vous plait which means please reply in French. Unfortunately, some people may not be familiar with this expression and its meaning. By changing the wording of your invitation, or adding the words “please reply,” there will be less chance that a guest will misunderstand your request.
Another option you might consider: “Please send your RSVP reply to…”
Step 2. Give your guests a reason that their reply is important
When an e-invitation pops up in your email, it can be easy to throw it away to open at a later date or glance at it without realizing all the planning and effort that went into throwing the party. You can communicate this to your guests by saying:
- To ensure there is enough food and drink for everyone, please send a reply to this invitation.
- So that we can prepare a seat for everyone in advance, please reply whether you can attend or not.
Step 3. Make your invitation information clear
If there is too much text or confusing words, your guests may misinterpret the purpose of your invitation. This can make him think you're just telling him about the event, and not asking for an RSVP. To keep the invitation to the point, you can:
Limiting invitations to essential information, such as who is hosting the event, what the event is for, where the event will be held, when it will be held, and why the event will be held
Step 4. Set a deadline for a reply to your invitation
Make sure you draw attention to the RSVP deadline on your invitation so it's impossible to miss! You can also use “soft” deadlines on invitations, as some slackers generally reply shortly after the deadline has passed. To draw attention to this information you can:
- Use eye-catching designs to attract attention.
- Use text that is all capitalized, italicized, underlined, or a special typeface.
Step 5. Verify your contact information
A simple typography error or an unupdated autofill setting in your web browser could result in you directing people to a surprise party at someone else's house! Check and double-check your contact information before sending out invitations.
Step 6. Emphasize on RSVP “only those who don't come” to avoid confusion
In many situations, the event owner may request that the RSVP be returned “only” if an invited guest is unable to attend the event. Make sure the words “RSVP only those who don't come” are prominent and clear so that no guests misunderstand the purpose of this type of RSVP.
Part 2 of 2: Ensuring Replies to Invited Guests
Step 1. Send out invitations as early as possible
You might consider emailing a request so guests can “save the date of the event.” This will increase the chances of your event being recorded by invitees on the calendar, which will alert them every time they check the schedule.
Step 2. Use strategic timing when sending out invitations
This is especially useful when sending electronic invitations. If you send an e-invitation to a personal email account, you can wait until late afternoon, which is when you leave work, and are more likely to see a “new email” notification.
Sending out e-invitations early in the morning or late at night is also a strategy to consider. This way, your invitees will have a greater chance of being at the very top of your invitees' inboxes, making them more visible
Step 3. Include different ways for invited guests to reply
Some invited guests may feel most comfortable communicating via email, while others may like the convenience of replying via SMS. By considering the guest list and the guest's preferred medium, you will increase the chances of a reply being sent.
For large events that use physical invitations sent by mail, such as invitations, anniversaries, and reunions, you may also need to include a reply envelope with the RSVP you sent
Step 4. Try to reciprocate by using scarcity
Research shows that the human brain responds to perceived scarcity, and you can take advantage of this. On the invitation, you may need to write:
- “Please reply that there is no shortage of cupcakes for your children.”
- “Seats are limited in our house, so please RSVP so we can prepare to cater for everyone at our party.”
Step 5. Send the gift with your invitation
By including even a small gift with the invitation, you can increase the likelihood that your guests will RSVP. Your gifts don't have to be extravagant for you to get the results. With a simple paper invitation you can include:
- Safety pins from the one-price shop.
- Balloon.
- Decal.
Step 6. Offer a bribe
The chance to win a free item can be a powerful motivating factor, and it can help your event be remembered by guests. Along with the invite, you can inform guests that when they RSVP they will be entered into a raffle on items such as:
- A bottle of wine.
- Voucher Rp75.000
Tips
- Make sure your handwriting is neat and easy to read if you're writing invitations with.
- Make a beautiful border around the entire invitation. A personal touch can add character to an invitation and make it more memorable.
