I have a few thoughts to share that have popped into my mind.
- Be very careful with the decision of your ticketing software and make sure the person who knows the most about ticketing software is present during the decision.
When it comes to choosing a ticketing system for nonprofit events, it is super important to choose one that has robust enough features to accommodate all you need.
- Make sure you can take donations with a ticket order and that this feature is free to use. You will be surprised how many ticketing companies do not have a donation add-on. Choose wisely, since you will get some donations this way. Every donation counts!
- The software should be able to pull reports on everything you need data on. Make a list of what you will need for data and double check that their reporting system can handle all that you require. If not, you might have to go through a spreadsheet nightmare each time.
- Is the software user friendly for the patron as well as for the organization using the back end. I am currently using a ticketing system that is not user friendly on the back end. It is forcing me to have to produce a key to the events due to only listing dates and times. Or forcing me to memorize all the details, which is inconvenient.
- Be sure to test the software well before agreeing to the system. You will see the “bugs” and the shortfalls fairly quickly. It will help to avoid some pain in the near future.
- Understand all the details on how to check attendees in before agreeing to the system. If they do not have a time saving solution for scanning people in at the door, the ticketing system is behind the times.
- Lastly, make sure you like the customer service at the ticketing company. There have been times I have worked with a ticketing company’s customer service, and they were very condescending. Better to find this out ahead of time too. Will they listen and believe you are having a certain problem? Do they not only help troubleshoot if they know the solution, but if they do not know the solution, will they work on updating their software?
2. A reminder to go the extra mile with your patrons and co-workers too!
I don’t know how often it is when I ask for some information, and what is sent is, “You need to click on the link on the certain page,” but they do not provide you the link. How easy is it to copy and paste a link into an email. It will save time for the other person, and it will make you look like a helpful hero.
3. Always have a dedicated person for answering questions for an event, or maybe even more than one for different roles! You will have ticketing questions, location questions, and other event related questions before an event. It amazes me how often an organization may not have a dedicated person.
4. Once you do dedicate roles for patron services, make sure your website and ticketing pages also have the information about who and how to contact. Makes too much sense!
5. Something I admit has fallen by the wayside during Covid times, keep sending out content and communications even if you have had to cancel and cutback on events. The non-momentum does signal inertia or even thoughts that you have permanently closed. Most of you are doing well on this front, but I recently saw a social media account for a nonprofit that the last tweet was 2015!
I hope my random thoughts get your random thoughts going. It is always a good idea to think everything through to make it easier for your patrons and for you and your staff.
Cheers to happy and loyal audiences,
Shoshana
Shoshana Fanizza
Audience Development Specialists
