How to Set Up Your First Event in 90 Seconds
No software to install. No design skills required. No guest database to import. Three steps, 90 seconds, and your event is live.
You have an event to run. Maybe it's a Saturday morning yoga class, a midweek running group, a neighbourhood book club, or a team offsite. You need people to say "I'm in" and you need to know the final headcount before the day arrives.
Most event platforms ask you to create an account, navigate a dashboard, configure ticketing options you don't need, and wrestle with a form builder. By the time you've finished setting up, you've spent more time on the tool than on planning the event itself.
Who's In works differently. Three steps. Ninety seconds. Your event is live with a shareable link, automatic headcount tracking, and a waitlist that manages itself. Here's exactly how to do it.
The 90-Second Overview
Name It
Title, date, time, location
~10 seconds
Detail It
Description, capacity, deadline
~40 seconds
Share It
Link, WhatsApp, email, QR
~40 seconds
Name Your Event
About 10 seconds
Tap "Create Event" and you'll land on a clean, single-page form. The first four fields are all you need to get going:
Event Title
Keep it clear and specific. "Saturday Park Run" beats "My Event". A good title tells guests what they're signing up for in five words or fewer.
Date
Pick the day from the date selector. For recurring events, you can set a repeat pattern later — start with a single date for now.
Time
Set start time and optional end time. Guests see their local time zone automatically, so there's no confusion if your group spans regions.
Location
Type an address or venue name and autocomplete fills in the rest. Guests get a tappable map link in their RSVP confirmation.
That's it for the essentials. Four fields, ten seconds. Your event already has enough information for guests to decide whether they're in.
Set Your Details
About 40 seconds
Now add the details that turn a basic listing into a well-organised event. None of these are required, but each one makes your event more professional and easier to manage.
Description
A few sentences covering what the event involves, what to bring, and who it's for. Keep it conversational — this isn't a corporate memo. Something like "Casual 5k around the park. All paces welcome. Meet at the south gate. Bring water." works perfectly.
Capacity Limit
Set the maximum number of attendees and an automatic waitlist kicks in once you hit capacity. This is essential for events with physical constraints — yoga mats, trail permits, table seats, court bookings. Guests see how many spots are left, which creates a natural urgency to RSVP quickly.
RSVP Deadline
Set a cutoff date and RSVPs close automatically. This gives you a final headcount in time to plan logistics — ordering food, booking rooms, printing name tags, or simply knowing how many mats to lay out. A deadline 48 hours before the event is a good default.
Cover Image
Upload a photo that represents your event. It appears on the event page and in social media previews when you share the link. Events with cover images get up to twice as many RSVPs compared to text-only listings — a phone snap of the venue or activity works great.
Forty seconds of work, and your event is ready to publish. Tap "Create Event" and your shareable page is live instantly.
Share Your Link
About 40 seconds
Your event is live. Now get it in front of people. Who's In gives you a single, clean link that works everywhere — and several ways to share it.
Copy Link
One tap copies your event URL to the clipboard. Paste it anywhere — a text message, a Slack channel, an email, a community forum, or a social media post.
WhatsApp Share
Tap the WhatsApp button and a pre-filled message opens in your chat, ready to send. Your group sees the event title, date, and a direct RSVP link. No typing required.
Email & Social
Share via email with a formatted preview, or post to Instagram, Facebook, X, or LinkedIn. The link generates a rich preview card with your cover image, event title, and date.
QR Code
Generate a QR code to print on flyers, display at your venue, or share on a screen. Guests scan and RSVP from their phone in seconds. Perfect for in-person promotion.
Pro tip: Share across multiple channels for maximum reach. Post the link in your WhatsApp group, email it to your mailing list, and pin it in your community's social media page. Events shared on three or more channels consistently see higher RSVP rates.
What Happens Next
Once your event is live and shared, the platform handles the logistics so you can focus on the event itself.
Live Dashboard
Watch RSVPs arrive in real time. Your dashboard shows the current headcount, who has confirmed, who's on the waitlist, and how many spots remain. No spreadsheet required.
Instant Confirmations
Every guest who RSVPs gets an instant confirmation with the event details — date, time, location with a map link, and the option to add it to their calendar. No manual follow-up from you.
Automatic Waitlist
If you set a capacity limit and all spots fill up, new guests are added to a waitlist automatically. When someone cancels, the next person in line is notified and can claim the spot — all without you lifting a finger.
Reminders
Guests receive automatic reminders before the event so they don't forget. Research shows automated reminders reduce no-shows by 29% — which means fewer empty spots and better turnout for your event.
Pro Tips for Your First Event
Add a Cover Image
Events with a photo get up to 2x more RSVPs. It doesn't need to be professional — a quick snap of the venue, the running trail, or your yoga setup works brilliantly. The image appears in link previews when shared on WhatsApp and social media.
Set a Capacity Limit
Even if your venue can hold more people, a visible capacity limit creates urgency. Guests see "12 of 20 spots taken" and are more likely to commit quickly instead of putting it off and forgetting.
Share on Multiple Channels
Don't rely on a single channel. Drop the link in your WhatsApp group, email it to your regulars, and post it on social media. Each channel reaches different people and boosts your total RSVP count.
Set a 48-Hour Deadline
Closing RSVPs 48 hours before the event gives you time to finalise logistics — booking, food orders, equipment — while still giving guests a fair window to respond. It also prevents last-minute chaos.
What Your Guests See
The guest experience is designed to be as frictionless as possible. Here's what happens when someone taps your event link.
They See Your Event Page
A clean, mobile-friendly page with your event title, cover image, date, time, location (with a map), and description. No clutter, no ads, no distracting sidebar navigation.
One-Tap RSVP
They tap "I'm In", enter their name, and confirm. That's it. No account creation, no app download, no password to remember. The entire process takes under 10 seconds.
Instant Confirmation
They immediately see a confirmation with all the event details and an option to add it to their calendar. Before the event, they'll receive a reminder so they don't forget.
Why this matters: Every extra step in the RSVP process loses people. Requiring account creation, app downloads, or payment details for a free event can cut your response rate in half. By removing all friction, you get more "yes" responses and a more accurate headcount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do my guests need to create an account to RSVP?
No. Guests can RSVP with a single tap — no account, no app download, no password. They just enter their name and confirm. That's the whole process.
Is it really free to create an event?
Yes. Who's In is completely free forever for unlimited events with full features including RSVP tracking, waitlists, shareable links, recurring events, custom branding, and advanced analytics. No credit card required. As of March 2026, every feature are completely free.
What happens when my event reaches capacity?
An automatic waitlist kicks in. New guests are added to the waitlist and notified instantly if a spot opens up when someone cancels. You don't need to manage any of this manually.
Can I share my event on WhatsApp?
Absolutely. Who's In generates a WhatsApp-ready share button with a pre-filled message including your event title, date, and RSVP link. One tap sends it to any chat or group.
Create your event now — it really does take 90 seconds
Three steps. One shareable link. Automatic headcounts, waitlists, and reminders. Free forever for free events.
