10 tips for more ticket sales for your event

Do you want to sell more tickets for your next event? The difference between a half-empty venue and a sold-out show rarely lies in one big action — it is precisely the small, smart choices in your online ticket sales that make the difference. Ten practical, proven tips to boost your sales figures immediately.

1. Open ticket sales well in advance

Many organizers wait too long to open their ticket sales. Start at least 4 to 8 weeks before the event . This gives visitors time to clear their schedules, convince their friends to go, and get their budget in order. Moreover, it gives you leeway to adjust if sales are disappointing.

2. Work with early bird tickets

An early bird rate (for example, a €5 discount in the first two weeks) does two things at once: it encourages people to buy now rather than later, and it creates urgency ("only 3 days left at the early bird price!"). Set a clear end date and a maximum quantity — both act as a trigger.

3. Make your sales page irresistible

Visitors make their decision in 5 seconds on your sales page. Ensure:

• A strong, horizontal event photo (not a blurry snapshot from last year).
• A catchy, one-sentence description at the top.
• Date and location large and clear.
• A price overview at a glance.
• Optional social proof ("Sold out last year" / "200 guests already registered").

4. Use discount codes strategically

Discount codes are more than just price reductions — they are marketing tools. Create different codes for different target audiences:

• VRIEND2026 for word-of-mouth advertising via your community.
• SPONSOR COMPANY NAME for sponsors (this way you can see which sponsor works best).
• NEWSLETTER exclusively for your email list.
• VOLUNTEER as a thank you to the team.

This way, you get free insight into which channels generate the most sales.

5. Place your sales link everywhere

A ticket shop without visitors sells nothing. Place the link on:

• Your website — prominently above the fold.
• Your Instagram bio and as "Link in bio" in stories and posts.
• Your Facebook page (optionally as a "Tickets" button).
• WhatsApp status updates.
• Your email signature.
• QR codes on flyers and posters.

6. Send at least 3 newsletters

Your email list is the most underestimated sales channel. Send:

1. Announcement — as soon as your ticket sales open.
2. Reminder — 2-3 weeks before the event.
3. Last call — 3 days ago ("12 tickets still available!").

Open rates for "last call" emails are often twice as high as regular mailings.

7. Make scarcity visible

People are quicker to buy if they feel they are going to miss out on something. Communicate scarcity honestly:

• Early bird tickets almost sold out — 8 left.
• The hall is 75% full.
• Sold out within 4 days last year.

Never lie about scarcity — visitors see right through it and you lose trust for your next event.

8. Leverage social proof

A few concrete forms that work:

• Photos from last year in your event description.
• Quotes from visitors of previous editions.
• List of well-known performing artists / speakers.
• Mention the number of tickets already sold (only if it is impressive).

9. Use mobile-friendly payment

More than 70% of your visitors buy on mobile. iDEAL | Wero via app-to-app works seamlessly on smartphones — visitors tap, open their banking app, confirm, done. Apple Wallet for receiving e-tickets is a must: visitors then don't have to search through their mailbox at the door. Both are included as standard with Kaartjie .

10. Ask for name per ticket

With group tickets, the entire order often arrives at a single email address. By asking for the attendee's name with each ticket, you establish direct contact with all your guests — ideal for a reminder, dietary requirements, or a follow-up email after the event. That sows the seeds for your email list for your next event.

Bonus: measure everything, learn everything

The greatest gain lies in repeating what works. After every event, keep track of:

• Which discount code is used the most.
• Which period generated the most sales.
• Which type of card was the most popular.

Kaartjie 's dashboard shows all of this in real-time. That makes your next event immediately more successful than your previous one.

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