What’s the best way to get people to show up Live instead of just signing up and watching the replay?

Encouraging live attendance is all about making it feel valuable, personal, and easy to follow through. Here are a few ways to do that:

• Offer a live-only bonus. This could be something like an exclusive resource, a live-only giveaway, or extra time for open Q&A at the end. When people know they’ll get something special by showing up live, they are more likely to make it a priority.
• Send multiple reminder emails. Start with a confirmation right after sign-up, then follow up the day before, the morning of, and one hour before you go live. Keep your tone warm and personal so they feel genuinely invited, not just notified.
• Use public commitment to your advantage. Ask registrants to reply to your email or drop a comment on a social post to confirm they’re planning to attend live. That small act of commitment helps increase follow-through.
• Make the live experience feel different than the replay. Let them know they can ask questions, interact in the chat, and be part of a shared moment , not just watch a recording later. People love feeling like they’re part of something unfolding in real time.

Showing up live may feel like a big ask, but when the experience feels special and supported, more people will say yes.