How a pre-registration campaign works
A pre-registration campaign is a page that goes live before your real campaign. It tells people what's coming and when, shows a countdown, and asks them to sign up so they hear from you on launch day.
The sign-up form works like any other Scratcher form. You ask for what you need — often just an email — and a newsletter permission. With the Email module (included on Professional, or as an add-on), you can schedule an email for the start date that tells everyone on the list it's live, so they come straight back. Or send it from your own email tool.
Pre-registration is most often used in front of campaigns that run over several days or weeks, like a Christmas calendar, an advent calendar or a campaign calendar. The first day of a calendar is often the busiest, so it pays to have people ready.
When to use pre-registration
Use pre-registration whenever you know a big moment is coming and want people to be ready for it. It's a way to turn interest into a list before you've even started. It's a good fit when you want to:
- Warm up a Christmas campaign in November, so 1 December starts strong.
- Build a waitlist for a product launch and let people know when it's out.
- Fill up an event or store opening with people who have already said they're coming.
- Get more out of your ads by sending traffic to a page that collects sign-ups from day one.
- Test interest in a new idea before you spend time building it.
It works for webshops, retail chains, brands with a launch coming up, events and festivals, sports clubs and B2B companies with a big announcement.
5 ideas for your pre-registration page
- Christmas countdown: let people sign up in November to be first in line when the calendar opens.
- The launch waitlist: tease a new product with a picture and let people sign up to hear first.
- Opening day: count down to a new store and give everyone on the list a welcome gift.
- Early bird prize: everyone who signs up before launch gets an extra entry in the prize draw.
- Black Friday list: collect sign-ups the week before, and send the best deals to the list first.
Tips for a pre-registration page that converts
Tip #1: Tell people what they get
Nobody signs up for "something". Be clear about what's coming and why it's worth waiting for.
- Show the date and what happens on it.
- Mention the prizes or the offer people can look forward to.
- Use a picture that hints at what's coming.
Tip #2: Keep the form short
People are signing up for something that hasn't started yet. Make it easy.
- Ask for an email and a newsletter permission — often that's enough.
- Save extra questions for when the campaign is live.
Tip #3: Give a reason to sign up now
A small bonus for signing up early gives people a push.
- An extra entry in the prize draw.
- A small discount code on launch day.
- Early access before everyone else. Read more about prizes.
Tip #4: Promote it in all your channels
A countdown page only works if people find it.
- Send it to your newsletter list.
- Point to it from a pop-up on your website.
- Share it on social media and in ads.
- Put a QR code in your store or on packaging.
Tip #5: Follow up on launch day
The list is only valuable if you use it. Schedule an email for the day your campaign goes live, and a reminder a few days later for those who haven't played yet. Send the sign-ups straight to your email tool with our integrations.
Tip #6: See which channels work
Keep an eye on where your sign-ups come from while the countdown runs. If your newsletter brings in more people than your ads, or the other way around, you still have time to adjust before launch day. What you learn here also helps you plan the promotion of the campaign itself.
- Look at sign-ups and visits in analytics.
- Try a new headline or picture if few visitors sign up.
For more on getting ready before a big day, read our pre-event marketing tips and our Christmas campaign ideas.
