How to Sell Tickets Online for Your Event

Create an events page (no design or tech skills required!) through which people can buy tickets and get event details. Your event platform will handle the transaction and issue digital or printed tickets to guests. Once payment is processed, money will be deposited into the bank account you’ve indicated dring set up.

Offer discounted ticket bundles and promotional ticket codes. This will enable you to offer special flash discount codes, reduced pricing for groups of tickets, and more.

Oversee ticket sales and marketing campaigns from one place. You’ll be able to promote your event and sell tickets through social media and other online channels. Additionally, you may order printed marketing materials such as postcards and posters with QR codes (this last feature is depends on your event platform).

Go hybrid. A combination of an in-person and virtual event, a hybrid event widens your audience and thus ticket sale potential (our How To Create a Hybrid Event video shows you how to create one). Additionally, by adding the option to virtually attend via livestream, you’re making your event more accessible. Forum Magazine’s 5 Areas to Make Your Hybrid Event More Accessible & Inclusive has additional information about creating an accessible event for in-person and virtual guests.

Access powerful analytics that can help you track ticket sales and learn what marketing efforts are most effective.

Manage check-in the day of your event. The execution of this feature depends on your event platform. Using Eventgroove, for instance, your event staff will not need an app. They can simply use their mobile phone’s browser to sign into your event dashboard and then use their phones to check in guests.

Use an event platform—for all the above reasons!

Start selling tickets early. Doing so will help build excitement for your event. Offer early-bird discounts or other incentives to encourage people to buy tickets in advance.

Offer multiple ticket types and discounts. An exclusive reduced price or time-sensitive deal on tickets is a great sales incentive. Create discounts or promotional codes for groups such as students, seniors, or members of associations or clubs related to your event—this will help you reach a wider audience and thus increase ticket sales. You can also offer a limited number of tickets at a highly discounted price, which will incentivize attendees to buy tickets early and increase your chance of a successful event. Event Ticketing Strategies: Variable Pricing by Robert M. Brecht of TSE Entertainment has a terrific breakdown of all sorts of ticket types.

Create a marketing strategy. When used effectively, social media is a great way to reach potential customers and smotivate online ticket sales. Use hashtags, post engaging content, run social media ads, and partner with influencers in your industry who can help promote your event. Remember to build in other marketing media such as email, physical mail, partnering with community businesses, and connecting your event with a cause. The Seattle Times’ 5 Steps for an Essential Event Marketing Plan  lays out a basic event marketing framework.

Sell tickets at the event. Don’t miss out on any protential ticket sales! Develop a process for selling tickets at the door. This is another area in which printed event tickets come in handy! Depending on our ticketing platform, you may also be able to process credit cards using your mobile device.

Choose an event ticketing platform and set up an account. You may also want to consider ordering a batch of custom printed paper tickets. There will be ticket buyers who prefer paying in cash and/or having a paper ticket in hand as opposed to a digital ticket.

Create a dedicated event page for your event. Your event page’s purpose is to sell your event to potential attendees! Add great pictures and all the information someone interested in attending might need. Your event description, or value proposition, should be detailed but concise. As you write it, place yourself in your attendees’ shoes and express your event’s value in a way that appeals to them. Hubspot has a great article on how to write a strong value proposition that resonates with your audience.

Build your ticket pricing strategy, including promotional or bundled tickets.

Start promoting your event! Remember to always include the link to your event page.

Track ticket sales. Keep an eye on what promotional strategies work best. Double down on what works and roll back on what doesn’t.