You know that moment when you’re this close to buying something, but then—ding!—a notification pops up, your phone rings, or your cat knocks over your coffee? Suddenly, that purchase is history.
The same thing happens on your event website.
Potential attendees land on your page, check out the details, maybe even hover over the "Register Now" button… and then—poof—they’re gone.
😱 The Harsh Reality: 90% of Visitors Leave Without Registering
- Not because they’re not interested.
- Not because your event isn’t amazing.
- But because life happens.
As an event organiser, you can’t afford to let those potential attendees slip away.
That’s where retargeting comes in.
🎯 What is Retargeting (And Why Does It Work)?
Ever searched for a new pair of trainers, only to see them everywhere—on Facebook, Instagram, and even inside your email? That’s retargeting.
And for events, it’s a game-changer.
👉 Retargeting lets you re-engage people who visited your event website but didn’t sign up.
👉 It works by displaying targeted ads on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Google to remind them to register.
👉 It nudges people back to your event when they’re ready to take action.
Think of it as your second (or third) chance to win them over—because let’s be honest, most people need a few reminders before committing.
🔥 How to Use Retargeting to Sell More Tickets
Want to turn abandoned visitors into confirmed attendees? Follow these four retargeting strategies:
✅ 1. Target People Who Visited But Didn’t Sign Up
These visitors already showed interest—they just need a push.
Retargeting ad ideas:
🟢 "Still thinking about joining us? Here’s why you shouldn’t miss out!"
🟢 "Spots are filling up fast—secure your ticket now!"
🟢 "You checked out [Event Name]—let’s make it official!"
💡 Pro Tip: Use eye-catching visuals—speaker highlights, behind-the-scenes footage, or VIP perks—to create excitement.
⏳ 2. Use Urgency & FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
People act when they feel like they have to. Make them feel the urgency.
Winning messages:
🚨 "Last chance for early-bird pricing!"
⏳ "Only [X] tickets left at this price!"
📆 "Registration closes in [X] days—don’t miss out!"
💡 Pro Tip: Countdown timers in your ads work wonders. If they see time running out, they’re more likely to act.
🔄 3. Retarget Past Attendees
Someone who attended last year is your best lead for this year.
How to re-engage them:
🔄 "Loved [Last Year’s Event]? This year is even bigger & better!"
🎟️ "Welcome back! Here’s your exclusive past-attendee discount."
🔥 "Remember the energy of [Event Name]? Don’t miss it again!"
💡 Pro Tip: Personalisation works. Use dynamic ads that mention their past attendance for a tailored approach.
📢 4. Test Different Ad Creatives
Not all ads perform the same. Experiment to see what works best.
Creative variations to try:
✅ Speaker highlights—People love knowing who’s on stage.
✅ Testimonials—Social proof builds trust.
✅ Video ads—Short clips grab attention faster than static images.
✅ Special offers—Discounts or VIP upgrades create extra incentive.
💡 Pro Tip: Run A/B tests on different messages and visuals. Small tweaks can make a huge difference.
🎯 How to Set Up Retargeting Ads (Step-by-Step)
Ready to put this into action? Follow these steps:
1️⃣ Set Up a Facebook Pixel or LinkedIn Insight Tag
→ These tracking codes help you target past visitors with ads.
2️⃣ Create a Custom Audience
→ Use Facebook, LinkedIn, or Google Ads to retarget website visitors.
3️⃣ Design Your Retargeting Ads
→ Use compelling visuals, clear CTAs, and urgency-driven messaging.
4️⃣ Launch & Monitor
→ Keep an eye on your ad performance. Adjust creatives and budgets as needed.
5️⃣ Refine & Scale
→ Double down on what’s working and cut what’s not.
💡 The Bottom Line: Retargeting = More Attendees, Less Missed Opportunities
Retargeting isn’t about being annoying—it’s about being present when someone is ready to commit.
Most people don’t sign up on their first visit. And the best event organisers don’t hope people come back—they make sure they do.
🚀 Need help setting up your retargeting ads? Let’s chat—email Kristian at kristian@pressonetwork.com.