Selling raffle tickets can be a great way for organizations to raise money, but it can also be challenging. The key is having an effective sales strategy in place. Some quick answers to common questions about selling raffle tickets include:
Who should sell the raffle tickets?
Recruit a team of volunteers who are outgoing, enthusiastic, and comfortable asking people for money. Make sure they understand the cause and can promote it effectively. Offer incentives like prizes for top sellers.
Where should you sell raffle tickets?
Identify high traffic areas in your community. Set up booths at events, festivals, busy public places, etc. Go door-to-door in neighborhoods. Ask supportive businesses to allow sales on their premises.
When should you sell raffle tickets?
Start sales as early as possible to allow time to sell all the tickets. Do most sales in the 4-6 weeks leading up to the raffle drawing. Schedule shifts to cover high traffic times.
How much should raffle tickets cost?
The price per ticket will depend on your target sales amount and the perceived value of prizes. Typically $1-5 is reasonable for community fundraisers. Higher priced tickets often sell better than more tickets at a lower price.
How can you motivate your sales team?
Offer incentives like prizes for top sellers. Provide training on sales techniques. Set individual and group sales goals and track progress. Recognize achievements. Make it fun!
How should you handle the money?
Carefully track sales and keep cash/checks secure. Have sellers turn in money and record tickets sold after each shift. Require two people to count and verify funds collected.
Preparing for a Successful Raffle Ticket Sale
Selling a large number of raffle tickets requires careful planning and execution. Here are some key steps to take in preparing for a smooth and successful ticket sale:
Select appealing prizes
The quality of the prizes you offer will directly impact the number of tickets you can sell. Offer prizes that appeal to your target audience like popular electronics, gift baskets, trips, etc. The grand prize should seem attainable but still valuable.
Price the tickets strategically
Consider your sales goals, audience and prize values when pricing. Typically $1-$5 per ticket is standard. Higher priced tickets often raise more funds if the prizes are worth it. Make sure the price is printed prominently on the tickets.
Plan the ticket logistics
Work with your printer to create consecutively numbered raffle tickets that include important details like organization name, drawing date, prize descriptions, and contact info. Manage ticket distribution.
Recruit a sales team
Identify enthusiastic volunteers willing to take on the challenge. Aim for diverse representation of your organization and community. Provide training on sales techniques and talking points.
Promote effectively
Spread the word about your raffle through print and digital marketing, social media, email blasts, word-of-mouth, etc. Advertise the prizes prominently. Share stories of past winners.
Establish a sales process
Create systems to keep ticket distribution, sales locations/times, and financial accounting organized. Have a plan for collecting and securing funds as tickets are sold.
Motivate your sellers
Incentives like prizes for top sellers can boost motivation along with individual sales goals and team spirit. Recognize achievements and have fun together!
Consider sales booth logistics
For sales booths in public locations, plan for needs like tables, chairs, signage, ticket boxes, change/cash boxes, receipt books, promotional materials, schedules, weather contingencies, etc.
Promote across social media
Leverage your full social media presence with posts about the raffle prizes, ticket prices and availability, motivation to support your cause, and stories of winners once the raffle occurs.
Provide ticket seller training
Arm your ticket sellers with information on the organization/cause, key talking points about the prizes and importance of fundraising, tips on asking for sales, how to respond to questions and objections, record keeping protocols, etc.
Announce sales cutoff date
Promote a final ticket sales date to create urgency. Stop sales 1-2 days before drawing date to allow time to collect and account for all tickets.
Maximizing Raffle Ticket Sales
The success of your raffle depends heavily on selling as many tickets as possible. Here are some proven tips for maximizing your ticket sales:
Leverage networks
Tap into existing networks like your email list, member/donor base, volunteers, etc. Personally reach out asking for sales/support.
Offer ticket bundles
Encourage bulk sales by offering bundles like 5 tickets for $20. People may buy more when presented with a bulk option.
Add bonus draws
Sweeten the pot by holding bonus draws throughout the sales period for those who have already purchased.
Provide seller incentives
In addition to prizes for top sellers, consider perks like special raffle entries, gift cards, or parties. Friendly competition can boost motivation.
Allow online sales
Make it convenient for people to buy tickets online through your website, social media, or email outreach. Promote the online ticketing prominently.
Visit high traffic areas
Setup booths at busy community hubs like markets, festivals, malls, sporting events, etc. Look for opportunities where large crowds will be.
Partner with businesses
Ask supportive businesses to allow ticket sales on their premises or donate prizes in exchange for print/social media recognition. This expands your reach.
Share success stories
Promote raffle wins from the past to show people that they have a real chance. Feature past winners in your marketing.
Offer ticket payment plans
Allow buyers to purchase now and pay later. Many will follow through who may otherwise resist an upfront cost.
Hold early bird draws
Boost early sales with special draws open only to those who purchase tickets by a certain date. Promote the deadline.
Have a presence at events
Look for relevant community events, festivals, fundraisers, etc. where your target audience will be and have ticket sellers working the crowd.
Add games to your booth
Use games like spin the wheel with ticket purchase to draw people in. Hand out fun prizes or raffle entries.
Partner with local restaurants
Ask restaurants to print a blurb about your raffle on receipts or table tents in exchange for public recognition.
Effective Raffle Ticket Sales Strategies
The key to maximizing raffle ticket sales is having an organized and multi-pronged sales strategy. Here are some of the most effective tactics to drive sales:
Leverage Online Promotion
– Promote the raffle actively across your website and all social media channels with compelling prize promotion, calls to action, and reminders of the sales deadline.
– Send regular email blasts to your full contact list highlighting new prize reveals, early bird bonuses, and approaching deadlines.
– Run social media ads geotargeted to your community to expand reach.
Plan Strategic In-Person Sales
– Cover high foot traffic events, busy street corners, popular businesses, etc. with short frequent shifts.
– Greet everyone who passes your booth with enthusiasm. Don’t just wait for them to approach you.
– Have contactless payment options available to remove friction in purchase moment.
Recruit an Army of Sellers
– Get commitments from at least 20+ sellers willing to do regular short shifts.
– Leverage existing networks like volunteers, members, donors, etc. to build your seller base.
– Provide plenty of training and support materials to set them up for success
Create Urgency and Excitement
– Offer early bird bonuses and special entries for early buyers.
– Do weekly bonus draws for those who have already purchased.
– Share stories and testimonials of past winners.
Make Ticket Purchase Easy
– Provide multiple purchase options like in-person, online, phone, text, etc.
– Offer bulk ticket bundles and payment plans to reduce barriers.
– Accept all common payment types – cash, check, credit/debit, mobile pay, etc.
Incentivize Your Sales Team
– Offer fun non-cash prizes like gift cards, vacations, parties, etc. for top sellers.
– Foster a team spirit with seller events and sharing progress updates.
– Share a portion of proceeds raised with them or their cause.
Maximize Booth Visibility
– Use large signs, banners, music, activities to attract attention.
– Take credit cards with mobile readers to enable more purchases.
– Keep booth area neat and organized.
Market Across Demographics
– Vary where you sell to reach different groups – neighborhoods, workplaces, events etc.
– Use different messaging and prizes to appeal to various groups.
– Leverage existing networks focused on particular demographics.
Raise Awareness with Local Businesses
– Ask to post flyers, leave promotional materials, host booths, or endorse through their channels.
– Offer public thanks and digital promotion for any support.
– Provide them with a packet of tickets to sell on your behalf.
Promote Scarcity and Exclusivity
– Print a fixed number of tickets and promote when they are selling out.
– Create exclusivity with higher priced VIP ticket options.
– Remind people of the unique opportunity with a cutting off final sales.
Raffle Ticket Sales Tracking & Accounting
Careful tracking and accounting of raffle ticket sales and funds is crucial. Here are some tips:
Issue numbered tickets
Print tickets with a sequential numbering system for tracking distribution. Monitor blocks of tickets provided to each seller.
Use receipt books
Have sellers log each sale with buyer name, contact info, tickets numbers, amount paid and date in a receipt book.
Collect funds regularly
Require sellers to turn in funds collected on a daily basis. Do not allow large amounts of money to accumulate.
Count funds with 2+ people
Have two unrelated people count cash/checks collected, verify amounts match receipts, and sign off.
Keep funds very secure
Use a cash box, safe, or lock box to secure collected funds until deposit. Do not leave unattended.
Deposit frequently
Make at least weekly deposits to minimize cash held. Do night drops if after business hours.
Maintain detailed records
Carefully log all ticket distribution, sales and financials. Retain documentation after raffle ends.
Conduct inventory audits
Periodically inventory all undistributed tickets to identify any discrepancies with records.
Provide seller reporting
Have sellers submit logs of ticket numbers sold. Confirm against funds collected and receipts.
Identify sales trends/gaps
Track sales data to see high performing locations, seller, times, etc. Identify and correct lagging areas.
Offer payment receipts
Provide buyers with a receipt for tax deduction purposes if applicable. Retain copies.
Report back to stakeholders
Share regular fundraising progress updates with your organization members and participants.
Key Considerations for Raffle Laws & Regulations
While raffles can be effective fundraisers, there are important legal requirements to keep in mind:
Research your state laws
Raffle regulations can vary significantly by state. Research requirements well in advance.
Nonprofit status may be required
In many states, only nonprofit organizations can conduct raffles legally.
Licenses or permits may be necessary
Make sure to apply for any necessary licenses or permits from your state/local government.
Taxes may need to be paid on proceeds
Winnings over a certain amount are often taxable at the state/federal level.
Withholding taxes may be required
You may need to withhold taxes from cash prize winnings over a set amount.
Maximum ticket prices may be established
Some states limit how much can be charged per ticket. Be aware of maximums.
Purchaser eligibility rules exist
In some areas, purchasers must be over 18 or within state boundaries.
Purchase options may be restricted
Regulations could prohibit certain sales approaches like online or credit card.
Prize awarding rules apply
Make sure your drawing procedures and prize awarding meet legal standards.
Advertising disclosures may be mandatory
Things like nonprofit status, license numbers, etc. may need to be on promotions.
Using Technology to Manage Raffle Ticket Sales & Promotion
Today’s technology provides excellent options for efficiently managing the sales and promotion of raffle tickets. Here are some top options:
Raffle ticket sales platforms
Specialized platforms let you easily setup online ticket sales, promotion, collection and accounting in one integrated solution.
Website and landing pages
Create dedicated pages promoting the raffle prizes, costs, drawing dates, and linking to online sales.
Sales & CRM software
Leverage sales features and contact databases in tools like Salesforce to manage the ticket sales process.
Email marketing software
Email is very effective for promoting and selling tickets. Use a service like MailChimp or Constant Contact.
Social media scheduling
Tools like Hootsuite allow you to easily schedule ongoing social media promotion across platforms.
Spreadsheets
Google Sheets and Excel provide ways to track ticket distribution, sales, and finances.
Databases
Managed database solutions like Access help organize contacts and sales/accounting data records.
Accounting software
Link financials into your existing small business accounting platform like QuickBooks.
Graphic design apps
Design engaging graphics and visuals for print and digital promotions using Canva, Adobe Creative Suite etc.
Video creation apps
Create promotional videos talking up prizes and urgency to buy with tools like Animoto or Premiere Rush.
Infographics
Use Piktochart and Venngage to make infographics about your cause and raise awareness.
QR codes
Place QR codes on print materials and booths to drive people to your raffle website/ticketing.
Conclusion
Selling raffle tickets can generate substantial fundraising revenue when done strategically. The keys are providing a compelling prize, reaching your audiences through multifaceted promotion, making ticket purchasing accessible, incentivizing your sales team, and tracking sales diligently. With thoughtful planning and leveraging the right technology, your raffle ticket sales can deliver impressive results. Just be sure to comply with all applicable regulations.
