Build your guest list and invite plan
Posting a link and hoping isn't a plan. Start with the people who make the night, then widen the circle in waves.
The Valore team · 1 min read
Turnout builds on itself. People say yes to events their friends are going to, and they hesitate over events where they don't know anyone. So the order you invite people in matters as much as who you invite.
Start with the core
Who are the 5–10 people whose presence makes the event work? A speaker, a co-host, a few regulars, the friend who talks to everyone. Ask them personally, first, and make sure they're definitely coming before you go wider.
Personal invites beat broadcasts
A direct message that says "I'm hosting this and I'd really like you there, because X" gets a different response from the same link posted to 500 followers. You can't do it for everyone, so spend your personal invites on the people you most want in the room.
Invite in waves
- Wave one: the core, personally, three to four weeks out.
- Wave two: people who came last time and your wider circle, a few days later. Mention who's already coming.
- Wave three: public channels like social posts, newsletters, community boards and listings, once you know the event will happen.
- Final push: a last reminder to anyone who viewed but didn't answer, about a week out.
Let your guests do the inviting
Your guests know people you don't. Ask co-hosts and early yeses to bring one person who'd love it, and make that easy: a short message they can forward, and a clear note about whether plus-ones are welcome.
