Great Event Ticket Sales Start with Great Planning

Last week we discussed the initial phase of planning your fundraiser, but before you can start selling tickets to your big primary school fete, you’ll need to create the magical world of the fete on paper, sketching out all the important details.

Step 3: Advance Planning

Some big things to think about:

• Location: Knowing which activities you wish to include and how many tickets you expect to sell allows you to determine how much space you need. If your fete won’t fit on the school grounds, you’ll have to find a bigger space!
• Insurance: Be prepared for any eventuality. You may need to purchase additional insurance to the school’s coverage for this event.
• Electricity: Play it safe. Hire a qualified professional.
• Rides: There are plenty of companies to choose from. Do your research and book well in advance. Remember, other schools are planning their own fetes.
• Entertainment: An emcee will help keep the program moving. Showcase your kids’ talents, local groups, emerging bands, and anyone else who can hold the students’ interest. They may like to see a demonstration by firefighters, martial artists, or acrobats.
• Publicity: Let the world know! Print posters and flyers, send out print invitations, and send press releases to local papers, radio stations, and televisions stations. Post frequent reminders on your website, email newsletter, and social networks.
• Tickets: You can print your event tickets in advance and sell them in the days leading up the fete as well as at the gate. You can print raffle tickets as well, and even food and drink tickets, to keep accounting simple.
• Security: Find trustworthy people to man the gates, count the money, and keep the fete safe and fun.
• Games: What sort of booths will you include? Games of chance and skill for all ages help increase your take. You can hire a company or create them yourself.
• Food: Whether you hire outside vendors or cook it yourself, a fete requires lots of food, which helps you earn more money. Think fried and sweet!
• First Aid: Accidents happen. Be prepared.

Step 4: Attract a Sponsor

Find a local business willing to underwrite your fete in exchange for some free publicity. Do any parents own restaurants or shops willing to donate food or prizes? Are there businesses near the school? Perhaps a local politician would be willing to help you. You can add their names and logos to all your printed publicity.

You can also increase the power of donations with a raffle. Use money to purchase prizes, or use interesting donations as prizes. Print raffle tickets and sell them in advance, and up to the day of the fete.

Don’t forget to thank everyone who helps out. Having children hand write thank you notes is a lovely idea.

Next week: Momentum