Proven strategies to sell fundraiser event tickets

As every fundraiser event organizer knows, the pressure to sell out is immense.

The stakes are high because the number of fundraiser tickets sold directly translates into vital support for the cause you care deeply about. With the right strategies and techniques, you can successfully sell fundraiser tickets and turn the process from a daunting task into a rewarding experience that generates funds for your charity or non-profit.

In this guide, we share valuable insights and practical tips to help you sell charity event tickets and fill your venue. Learn how to communicate your mission, engage with your community, utilize diverse marketing channels, and select the right non-profit event ticketing software for your organization.

Plus, we’ll explore how choosing the right ticketing platform can boost your chances of success and how Checkout Page can support your fundraiser with its low-cost event ticketing features.

Let’s dive in and turn your fundraising goals into reality!

10 tips for successfully selling charity and fundraiser tickets

#1: Be clear on the fundraiser mission and impact

When promoting your nonprofit fundraising event, it's crucial to communicate the event's purpose and how the funds raised will support your cause. Successful charity events should resonate deeply with people on an emotional level.

📚 Utilize storytelling techniques to convey the significance of your cause.

An engaging narrative about your event's purpose can captivate potential attendees and motivate them to purchase tickets. This might include sharing personal anecdotes and illustrating how contributions have driven meaningful change.

#2: Set clear goals early on for your charity event

Fundraiser ticket sales numbers hinge on careful planning and strategic marketing—well before the event. It's essential to give sponsors and potential attendees sufficient time to prepare, so sending out save-the-dates and making tickets available early is key.

🎯 Before launching your ticket sales, it's crucial to set clear goals for your fundraiser. Identify the number of tickets that need to be sold to meet your financial goals and articulate how the funds will benefit your cause.

By developing a detailed plan, you not only guide your team towards achieving success but also build confidence and capture the interest of potential ticket buyers.

#3: Offer tiered pricing, early bird discounts, and group rates

Using a tiered pricing strategy will give you the maximum chance of selling out your nonprofit fundraising event by appealing to various donor levels. Offering diverse ticket options accommodates a range of budgets, helping you attract a broader audience. You should consider:

1. Tiered pricing: Create multiple ticket levels with increasing benefits:
   • General admission for budget-conscious attendees.
   • Premium tickets for those seeking added perks like priority seating.
   • VIP access for those willing to invest more in exclusive experiences, such as meet-and-greet opportunities.
2. Early bird discounts: Promote early ticket sales by offering discounts for attendees who purchase ahead of time. For example, provide a 20% discount for tickets bought a month before the event to drive initial sales and build anticipation.
3. Group rates: Encourage attendees to bring friends and family by offering discounted tickets for groups, such as a ‘Buy 4, Get 1 Free’ deal or reduced pricing for larger parties. This fosters community support and increases overall attendance.

By adopting a multi-faceted approach, you can enhance ticket sales while ensuring that attendees feel included and valued—regardless of their budget.

#4: Seek fundraiser sponsorship opportunities

Involving local businesses and approaching organizations as sponsors is integral to a successful event. Sponsorship boosts revenue and helps reduce expenses—meaning more ticket sales can go directly to your cause.

🤝 Consistent outreach is key to building new partnerships—developing these relationships takes dedication and time.

To improve team accountability, consider using a shared spreadsheet to keep track of outreach activities. This approach ensures that potential opportunities won’t be missed!

#5: Offer incentives for fundraiser donations

Encourage attendees to contribute beyond the ticket price! Offer an array of incentives to excite and strengthen their connection to your cause. Consider ideas such as:

• Sell raffle entries: Offer raffle tickets for the chance to win exciting prizes, such as gift certificates, experiences, or donations from local businesses.
• Offer exclusive merchandise: Provide branded merchandise or limited-edition items that attendees can purchase, showcasing their support for the cause.
• Auction unique items: Organize a silent or live auction featuring unique experiences, artwork, or services donated by local artists and businesses.
• Special event recognition: Highlight contributors during the event with:
  • Personalized shout-outs
  • Dedicated signage acknowledging their support
• VIP experiences: Offer exclusive access to VIP areas, meet-and-greet opportunities with special guests, or reserved seating at the event.
• Donation matching: Encourage larger contributions by pairing with sponsors who will match donations made during the event.

Incentives motivate higher donations, foster a sense of community, and create a buzz among attendees.

#6: Marketing your non-profit fundraiser effectively

Effective marketing plays a vital role in selling tickets for non-profit fundraisers. Since most ticket sales happen online, establishing a strong online presence is key to your fundraiser’s success. Use a blend of online and other marketing approaches by approach by incorporating the following methods:

• Create an engaging website: Develop a dedicated website that serves as the central hub for all event information. Ensure it includes all key details about the fundraiser, ticket purchasing options, updates on the organization’s impact, and testimonials from previous supporters.
• Leverage social media posts: Leverage platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to reach a broad audience.
• Make the most of word of mouth: Encourage attendees to spread the word by offering incentives such as referral discounts or entries into a giveaway. Creating an exciting buzz around your event will boost ticket sales and build excitement around the event which ripples out.
• Send email newsletters: Send personalized emails to your mailing list, emphasizing the impact of their contribution.
• Distribute flyers and posters: Use eye-catching designs to attract attention at local businesses such as cafes, studios, and community centers.

#7: Build community engagement around your fundraiser event

Engaging with your community broadens your reach and helps to build lasting relationships. Attendees who feel welcomed, included, and more connected to the charity’s cause are more likely to participate and encourage their friends and family to do the same.

📊 Use surveys or social media polls to gather current insights directly from your audience and consider hosting pre-event activities or contests to generate interest. Create a dedicated event hashtag to encourage attendees to share their experiences and excitement— helping to amplify your reach organically.

#8: Utilize multiple sales channels to sell fundraiser tickets

To expand reach and attract a broader audience, consider a mix of sales channels:

1. Online Sales: Simplify your ticketing process by integrating your ticket sales platform on your website and promoting it through social media. Utilize engaging content and consider targeted ads to attract potential ticket buyers. Ensuring the online ticket purchasing experience is user-friendly is vital for conversions.
2. In-person sales: Gain local support by selling tickets at community events and partnering with local businesses. This face-to-face approach not only encourages immediate purchases but also strengthens community ties and visibility for your event.

By using a range of sales methods, you enhance accessibility for potential attendees and increase the likelihood of reaching your sales targets. Each channel offers unique opportunities to engage with different audience segments and maximize ticket sales.

#9: Engage influencers, advocates, and peer organizations

Influencer marketing can significantly boost ticket sales by drawing their audience's attention to your cause. Reach out to bloggers, well-known community figures, and influencers who have a connection to your charity’s mission and ask them to promote your event. Their endorsement can extend your reach and attract new attendees who were unaware of your fundraiser.

👥 Seek partnerships with peer organizations and look for cross-promotional opportunities that can help tap into new audiences who may already be interested in similar causes.

#10: Post-fundraiser event follow up

It may seem early to think about this now, but effective follow-up is very important for the success of current and future events. After the event, reach out to attendees with a heartfelt thank-you message. Offer updates on how their contributions have made a difference.

🙏 Additionally, take the time to express gratitude to your planning team and conduct a thorough review of the event. Analyze what worked well and identify areas for improvement.

By cultivating a culture of appreciation and continuous improvement, you’ll set yourself up for even greater successes ahead. 🎉

How to choose the best fundraising event software?

Choosing the ideal software for nonprofit event management and ticket sales is crucial for ensuring a seamless and successful sales process. Here are some key features to consider when making your selection:

1. User-friendly interface: The platform should be straightforward to use for both organizers and attendees to avoid deterring potential buyers with frustrating, unnecessary steps or poor user experience.
2. Customization options: Look for flexibility in branding, ticket tier creation, and promotional codes to tailor the ticketing experience to your event.
3. Integration capabilities: Ensure the platform can be integrated with your key tools, like CRM systems and email marketing, for better data management and promotion.
4. Data analytics and reporting: Being able to review sales performance and attendee demographics can help you improve future events, so select a platform that offers reporting tools.
5. Customer support: Reliable 24/7 customer support is vital, during platform setup and particularly during ticket sales and the event day.
6. Accepting donations: Confirm that the platform allows for easy donation acceptance, enabling attendees to contribute beyond ticket purchases in a few clicks.
7. Affordability and pricing structure: Evaluate the platform’s fees, whether flat-rate or percentage-based, ensuring they align with your budget, and consider costs for optional features. Check what the platform's payout terms are too - you don’t want to be left waiting for your funds!
8. Ticket type support: Check if the platform can handle the various ticket types you plan to offer at your fundraiser, including tiered pricing, or special packages.
9. No or low fees for charities: Some platforms do not charge fees for charity events or offer reduced rates for non-profits, maximizing the funds that go directly to your cause.

How to sell event fundraiser tickets with Checkout Page

Step 1. Create an event page for your fundraiser

After clicking ‘create page’, select an ‘Event’ page type from the list:

Step 2. Add your charity event details to the page

Input your event details as prompted, including event name, dates, location, and capacity:

Step 3. Add ticket types for your fundraiser

Choose a page type and layout, depending on whether you want a hosted page or to embed the page onto a website:

Step 4. Choose a layout for your event page

Add as many types of tickets as your event requires, each with its price and quantity.

Step 5. Add a description for your fundraiser event

Let people know more about what to expect by filling out the event description field:

Step 6. Add an image to your event page

Add a main image to your event page:

Step 7. Add additional event ticket types

Create further ticket types if necessary, including donation and raffle tickets:

Step 8. Customize your event page colors to match your branding

Step 9. Preview your charity event page

Use the preview function to see how your page is looking at any time:

Step 10. Share and embed your fundraiser ticketing page

Choose from several options, including sharing a link to a standalone page, generating embed code, or generating a QR code:

Conclusion

We hope we’ve demonstrated that with effective planning and creativity, you can make your fundraising event a memorable experience with a significant positive impact on your cause. By implementing the tips and strategies outlined in this guide, you can create a sellout event that resonates deeply with your community and generates funds.

From clearly communicating your mission and setting goals, to offering tiered pricing and irresistible incentives, each tip plays a vital role in driving interest and participation. Utilizing both online marketing tools and ‘on the ground’ community engagement will elevate your event's visibility, as well as having great sponsors, influencers, and well-known peers on board.

Choosing the right event ticketing platform is a key ingredient of a successful ticketing strategy. We may be biased but Checkout Page ticks many boxes when it comes to serving non-profit and charity events. Its specialized event pages, highly competitive pricing, zero fees, and numerous customization options make it a powerful ally in your ticketing campaign.

Find out for yourself if we could be a good fit for your next fundraiser by taking advantage of our free 7-day trial — no card needed!

We offer a host of event page templates to get you started in a few clicks and our founders are on hand to offer exceptional support and advice to ensure your organization gets the most out of Checkout Page.