We all hope to sell out our events, but we see a lot of events not reach their full potential. It can feel like a daunting task to try and reach maximum capacity, but with the right strategies you can help ensure you get as many people through the door as possible. Here at Ticketlab, we’ve analysed countless events and their ticketing data to uncover powerful insights that can help you maximise ticket sales.
In this blog, we’ll delve into three data-driven tactics guaranteed to boost your event’s popularity and get those tickets flying off the virtual shelves:
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The Early Bird Advantage: People love a good deal. Offering an early bird discount incentivises potential attendees to purchase tickets early. Our data shows that events with early bird discounts tend to sell a significant portion of their tickets upfront, creating a sense of momentum and encouraging others to join the party.
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Tiered Pricing for Everyone: Not everyone has the same budget. Tiered pricing structures allow you to cater to a wider audience by offering tickets at different price points. For example, you could offer a limited number of VIP tickets with premium seating or perks, alongside general admission tickets at a lower price point. This strategy allows you to capture revenue from budget-conscious attendees while still offering an exclusive experience for those willing to pay more.
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The Power of Bundles: People love a good deal, again! Bundled packages combine your event ticket with additional perks, like merchandise, food and beverage vouchers, or access to exclusive events or workshops. These bundles create a perception of increased value, enticing attendees to spend a little more while getting something extra out of the experience.
Data in Action:
Let’s take a look at some real-world examples:
- Outfields music festival offered a 20% discount for tickets purchased four months before the event. This early bird promotion resulted in 40% of their tickets being sold within the promotional period, guaranteeing the event could go ahead.
- VIP tickets for an immersive cabaret event in Weston-super-Mare included reserved seating, early entry, welcome drink and a cast member photo. These VIP tickets sold out within a week, despite the increased cost. These were marketed at £5 more than the regular tickets, so were seen as good value for money, but gave a good uplift to the event’s total takings.
- Film screenings in Wildcard brewery, Walthamstow, offered a bundle that included a ticket and pizza. This bundle gave guests a slight discount on the full price of the pizza, but ensured the kitchen could be prepared for orders in advance. They sold as many pizza tickets as regular ones.
Remember:
The key to maximising ticket sales is understanding your audience and tailoring your offerings accordingly. Experiment with different pricing structures and promotions, track your results, and use data to inform your decisions. By implementing these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to selling out your event and creating a successful experience for both you and your attendees.
Bonus Tip: Promote your early bird discounts, tiered pricing, and bundle packages across all your marketing channels to maximise reach and impact!
Setting up multiple ticket types on Ticketlab is simple, but works slightly differently to other services. You can find our full guide to setting up multiple ticket types on our support site.