Right on Target for a Perfect Event!

 A good game of darts is a social sport that brings friends together in the spirit of competition. A throwing game, commonly played in pubs, the goal of darts is to get an arrow as close to a specific target as possible.  Whether the goal is fun or professional play, participants have a great time over a game. When you’re charged with hosting a darts championship, you’re sure to have as much fun planning as playing.

Australian Darts Legends Association

In early November, the Australian Darts Legends Association held its annual championship at Central Coast Leagues Club, Gosford NSW. Founded in 1997, after the World Cup, the Australian Darts Legends Association was created for players over the age of 45.

“The Australian Legends Championships had a teams’ event, singles event, doubles event and mixed doubles. Each event was divided into four graded divisions in men’s and in ladies’ events,” Connie Spinks of the Australian Darts Legends Association explained to me.  The championship is a graded competition where players choose to play at their own level. Over 360 players from Australia attended.

A Championship, a Celebration

The Association chose to have tickets professionally printed for this event.  Custom collateral can create a professional feeling and set the tone for an event. Having paper tickets on hand made it easy to distribute them “to the state groups so that the players could attend the opening ceremony and presentation dinner.”

For the current championship, the Association chose to go with one ticket, but upon evaluation, Connie said she felt that it might be beneficial to print tickets of different colors to represent the separate events in the competition.

“The tear off stubs allowed us to have Lucky Draws,” Connie said. This meant the fun and competition didn’t end when the games of darts did. For the championship, “the prizes were trophies in each division for winners and runner up. The lucky door prizes were alcohol and gift sets.”

“The service we received from your Ticket River was excellent. I was amazed at how soon you had the tickets printed and to us. Also, I found it quite easy to design the tickets with your templates.”

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Event Tickets for a Different Scene

[Ticket River] assured people our event was real and attracted even more customers. Tickets get passed around to a lot of different people. If we did not use Ticket River we would have a smaller crowd.

~Marla Hunter, Pretty Like Money

Friday 28^th October, the Hip Hop Halloween 2 Costume Party took place at the Beach House in Garden City. The event was promoted by Pretty Like Money. “Our organization is based in Brisbane. We do night club events based around urban music; we also have merchandise,” Marla told me.

“Our event was a Halloween costume party attracting uni students and urban music lovers looking for a different scene. Unfortunately, we have not branched out into fundraising just yet but hope to do so in the near future.”

For the event, Marla’s team chose the Halloween General Admission Ticket. The black and white ticket features a spooky, haunted mansion with the full moon rising behind it. A freaky font proclaims the title of the event and all its information. With a detachable stub and individual numbering, the ticket makes it easy to keep track of attendees and manage door prizes and raffles.

“We use tickets to create more awareness of our events. We use them to pre-sell and also to give away to people who have not heard of our organization. It is another way to assure our consumer after they have seen posters and posts on the net. They have proven to work very well. We use them for every event.”

Marla and her team recognize the importance of professionally printed tickets and collateral. They lend legitimacy to the event and raise its profile with attendees. The tickets are printed with the event information and the name of the promotion company, so that attendees will remember who created the event. If they have a good time at the original event, attendees are more likely to purchase tickets for others put on by the same organization.

To promote their event, Pretty like Money turned to the web. They used net posters on their website and social networking. Facebook Events allowed the company to share news of the Hip Hop Halloween 2 party with a wide audience.

For those planning similar events, Marla offers this advice, “Stay positive, and stay focused.”

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Zen and the Art of Stand Up Comedy Ticket Sales

TicketRiver tickets give people the illusion that I’m a big professional outfit.

~ Jimbo, Australia’s Crudest Comedian

When you know you have the talent and the moxie to put on a show, and you want the audience to believe it too, you need to have a professional edge. Entertainer, Jimbo, who describes himself both as Australia’s Crudest Comedian and The Homeless Comedian, has taken that lesson to heart. Professionally printing custom tickets in advance of his shows, he is able to raise his profile with those who come to see them.

“I’m a stand-up comedian who lives on the road touring Outback Pubs. The purpose is to make people laugh!” Jimbo told me. The tickets, in addition to self-marketing, help draw those people in.

For his acts, Jimbo prints the Purple Two Tone General Admission Ticket. Utilising various shades of purple, the ticket features information about each gig. The tickets are individually numbered and feature detachable stubs, which make it easy to keep track of the attendees. Though the ticket design is simple, a custom printed ticket can add an air of legitimacy to any event.

On the road most of the time, Jimbo takes a laid back approach to advertising. “I simply give posters to pubs to put up in their venue and maybe one down at the local shops. If people turn up, I do a show and if not I have a beer with the staff.”

Jimbo travels non-stop through Australia, performing his act along the way. While he’s out to entertain, he’s also out to have a great time. His advice to others pursuing a similar career? “My advice for anyone wanting to do standup comedy in Outback Australia is be prepared for the lean times and the ride of your life.”

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Australia’s First and Top All Women’s Wrestling Promotion Shows Us How It’s Done

With these tickets, we feel, upon stepping into our venue for a show, people get the same feeling they get when purchasing a ticket to a major artist/band coming to Australia from overseas. Or for a big stage show. And that is the atmosphere we want to create, and can do so with the tickets at Ticket River.

~James McMath, Professional Women’s Wrestling Alliance

Part show, part sport, full spectacle! When James McMath and the Professional Women’s Wrestling Alliance (PWWA) needed to give their events an extra advantage, they turned to TicketRiver to help them up the ante.

A professional wrestling group based out of New South Wales, the PWWA is the sister organization to Australian’s Professional Wrestling Alliance (PWA). The PWWA is “Australia’s First and top all Women wrestling promotion.” It is one of a kind in New South Wales and features local, national, and international talent.

Determined to promote, plan, and pull off events that draw a crowd and feel truly professional, the PWWA uses online templates to design and print tickets. “Having the Ticket River produced tickets give us an edge on a lot of companies. Originally, we were creating our own tickets, but they didn’t look right,” James told me.

For an event this past September, the PWWA chose, the Pink Image General Admission Ticket. The two color ticket features pink and black as part of its design, making it perfect for the all ladies wrestling event. There is also space for the PWWA logo. The ticket has individual numbering and a detachable stub, which are great for tracking attendees.

“The biggest highlight [of this event] would have been the main event match, which was a match pitting three women against each other, Jessie McKay from Campbelltown, NSW, Nicole Matthews from Vancouver, Canada and reigning PWWA and SHIMMER Champion Madison Eagles. These three contested against one another for the SHIMMER Championship, an international championship being defended for the first time ever outside of North America. It was an outstanding match and had the audience in attendance give them all a standing ovation following the conclusion.

How did PWWA attract such a great audience for this event? First they look to their existing customers. “We sell tickets to events at each event we hold. PWA Australia holds one show per month, first Friday of every month (unless stated otherwise) at the Liverpool Masonic Centre in Liverpool. At these shows, you can purchase tickets at a reduced rate for a show upcoming.

“We also sell tickets at the door, with a higher purchase rate. We target those already attending our events, and possibly wanting to bring a friend who may not have experienced Australian Wrestling before, and thus encourage pre-buying the tickets rather than at the door. Pre-buying the tickets also guarantees a seat, as we will reserve seats under the name of the buy upon purchase.” James explained to me.

Presales of tickets at a discount rate have a couple of advantages. Ticket buyers are excited to purchase tickets at a lower cost, and event organizers can better gauge attendance before the event.

To promote its events, the PWWA uses a number of different methods, including “posters and hand out fliers to draw the initial attention of the local surrounding areas to where we will be holding events. On top of that, Facebook and Twitter along with other social networking is great for internet media attention. Alongside, we also produce videos that go on our official YouTube account to promote the shows, featuring the wrestlers themselves speaking about upcoming bouts.”

James advises, “”Make sure to target the correct audience for these kind of events. Do not promote just in one field, experiment with them all.”

And his advice is solid! The event in September “went off without a hitch! We pulled in a stronger audience than originally thought coming to the date, and were very pleased with the entire show.”

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A Bit of a Party for Team Morale

When it comes to planning an event and ensuring strong attendance, consider the advice of Shane Herbertson of the Learmouth Football and Netball Club:

“Get the tickets out early. Professional looking tickets are a good selling point.”

On 6 August, Shane’s organization held an annual ball for its members. “We’re a football/netball club and each year we have a ball where everyone gets a bit dressed up and has a bit of a party. [It's] good for team morale to have these events,” Shane explained.

For the Annual Ball, Shane’s team had tickets professionally printed by TicketRiver. They chose the “Yellow Image General Admission Ticket.” The ticket is true to its name, incorporating the color yellow with black text and a white background. The ticket has space for an image, and Shane’s team chose to use the logo of a swan.

The tickets included all the important details of the event. Each general admission ticket was individually numbered with a detachable stub, and this came in very handy for the Annual Ball. “We were able to use the numbered ticket stubs as a means to draw a door prize. [This] saved issuing additional door prize tickets. Counting up how many people were there was easy,” Shane told me.

In the case of Learmouth Football and Netball Club having tickets professionally printed paid off. The general admission tickets served several important purposes. This can be a take-away for any organization planning a similar event. Sequentially numbered tickets with detachable stubs provide a secure way to track attendees, and they can serve a dual purpose. If you’re planning a draw as an additional attraction, attendees can use their stubs to claim prizes. Additionally, a high quality ticket bearing the logo of the team or organisation provides a tangible, branded image for attendees.

As for selling the tickets, Sean’s team took a laid back approach. “Ads around the club and word of mouth,” were the basis of the sales strategy. “[We] had good numbers there, so I guess it worked out ok,” Shane said.

For Shane and his team, the highlights of the event were a “relaxed atmosphere, food and drinks, music.” “Not having to clean the place the next day,” also made the list.

With professionally printed tickets in the party portfolio, a well planned event and a stress free venue, it sounds like the Learmouth Football and Netball Club’s Annual Ball was a real success!

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Ego-Driven Competition for a Great Cause!

When you buy a ticket and look at it for the month or so before the show, it is the face of the show; the first image of the show. It’s the first thing they connect with. It has to portray the image the right way.

~Alex Risby, Businessman’s Boxing

On 4 August, Alex Risby’s organization hosted the Businessman’s Boxing event at the Ivy Room. “I hold a corporate boxing event to raise money for a charity and to give myself added income,” he told me. “It also provides a service where ‘slightly ego-driven’ competitive corporate ‘doers’ can have a go in the ring — and have their friends, clients and family support them.

“At the same time I use the opportunity to raise money for a charity. It’s a good deed and many businesses out there love to help when the opportunity is put to them.”

How does Alex sell tickets for the event? He has a very coordinated plan: “I create a few flyers using a graphic designer and campaign, firstly, for fighters by email. I then do the same, once I have the fighters, who I train mostly myself, as a qualified boxing coach, to sell tickets and present the show. I email them to about 300 people and they pass them on. I book a ritzy Sydney location — Ivy Ball Room — and create tickets to give to people once they buy them.”

For the event, Alex chose the colorful General Concert Ticket, which features a pair of images of the event’s logo as well as information about the event. The ticket has a detachable stub and features individual numbering, so it is easy to keep track of guests and sales.

“I get the fighters to sell tickets to their friends, family and clients. I find that there are some guys who pull an amazing interest and some who pull only a few. But it balances out to fill the room. I also put an ad in a magazine for sales. But mostly it’s the fighters who sell the tickets.”

“The highlight to me is the fundraising. I get a ‘hero page’ created, and as we spend the three months training, we alert people as to what’s going on, and they can donate money online to that fighter as they please.

“On our previous show, we raised $62,000 for the Humpty Dumpty Foundation. Amazing.” The Humpty Dumpty Foundation provides support for children in hospitals and health centres across Australia.

“The fights are great to watch too and usually, for the crowd, the highlight is watching their friend/colleague fighting for the good cause.”

For those planning a similar event, Alex advises, “Be methodical. Stay ahead of the tasks. Don’t rely on other people. Know what you need and check everything off. Remain well managed so you can sleep at night.

“Be honest with everyone.”

How did Ticket River’s products help to enhance the Businessman’s Boxing event? “The tickets are part of the Brand.The show, the event, the tickets, the meals, drinks, service and quality of product are paramount. The venue is very swish. I have to stay on top of the crowd so the tickets have to be iconic…as small a factor as a ticket is, it is a very important one I believe.”

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A Dance Event With Purpose!

Ticket River was great! The reason I have used your company is due to the fact that you are efficient in getting the tickets to me, and they are as I had seen in the preview of when I had ordered them. I liked the fact that we could start selling them pretty much within a couple of days from when I ordered them.

~Sharon Magri, Ela Rose Latin Dance Academy

On 20 August, Sharon Magri and EPR productions hosted the ’70s Zumba Party. Sharon explained to me, “Our organisation is called Ela Rose Latin Dance Academy and specialises in Latin dance. The Director Emilio is an experienced and well known choreographer who has also become a Zumba Instructor.

Zumba is a Latin inspired dance and fitness program that encourages participants to get up and move in a fun and inspiring environment.

“The event ’70s Zumba Party’ was developed for the people who enjoyed doing the Zumba classes plus enjoyed the talent of Emilio’s dancing, so we created this event.” The party included live entertainment and live percussion. Participants had the freedom to dance or rest and enjoy the celebratory atmosphere.

For the event, the team chose the black and white general admission ticket, a simple, classic ticket with a detachable stub and plenty of room for event information.

How did Sharon and the organisers sell tickets? “The tactics we used to sell the tickets were through word of mouth, brochures, the website and of course during the Zumba classes. This worked really well.”

“The highlights of the event were the people and the energy they brought with them as they watched, joined in and just has the best time they could possibly have whilst keeping fit. Also the fact that the feedback was positive. Everything went as planned, the main focus of the event was that the people had a great time, which they did, and so, Emilio and his crew were really pleased with the outcome.”

What advice would Sharon share with someone planning a similar event? She and the organisers emphasized the importance of word of mouth advertising. “The advice would be, if you are offering an event with a bit of flair and excitement, be sure to relay that excitement in person with the people, as word of mouth is much stronger than any advertising brochures or flyers.

“People tend to listen to others and remember what opinions they have about an event, they will also tend to talk to each other. Instead of having one or two people from a group come to the event, you may end up with a whole lot more just from people talking about your event.”

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Event of the Week: Yarram Football and Netball Club Queensland Getaway Raffle

The tickets were a hit, made us look professional.

~Michelle Graham, Yarram Football & Netball Club

On 30 July, the Yarram Football & Netball Club held a raffle for a Queensland Getaway. The organizers chose the Beach Raffle Ticket, which features bright blue skies and water and a fantastic white sandy shoreline. Each ticket is individually numbered and has enough space for information about the raffle and a detachable stub on which participants can share their contact information for the draw.

“We are ‘Yarram Football Netball Club,’ a rural Aussie Rules Football & Netball Club in Gippsland, Victoria,” Michelle told me. The club is a part of the Alberton Football league.

How did Michelle and the team sell tickets to the raffle? Everyone got involved. “The tickets were distributed as 2 books per player across our club to sell and most got returned.” There was a healthy spirit of competition among those selling the tickets, which also helped ensure ticket sales. “We offered a prize for the ‘most’ books sold in the senior section and junior section. One of our juniors sold ten books whilst a hotly contested senior race was won by our secretary selling 33 books and one of our players 25.”

How did the players and the rest of the organization find folks to sell tickets to? They took the tickets to the people! “Tickets were sold in pubs on a Friday night, on busy shopping days out the front of our local supermarket, and on our last day at, our football gate.”

“The draw took place at our final end of year home game function which we call ‘Ragin Red.’ Our club colours are red, so the home room was decorated in red balloons and crepe paper and streamers which added a real party atmosphere.”

The main prize for the raffle was a Queensland Getaway to the Majorca Island Resort, but there were other prizes, too. “The raffle was drawn at 9 pm and then straight afterwards we auctioned off a pink football from the Pink Footy Day and a special ‘Beyond Blue’ jumper from events played throughout the year.” Pink Footy Day is an event that aims to raise breast cancer awareness. On that day participating football and netball clubs use pink balls in play. The Beyond Blue jumper is worn as part of a campaign to raise awareness about depression.

Organizers were able to draw participants in with a grand prize, and they were also able to provide a few extras that evoke cherished memories of the team and the season.

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A Dazzling Event

In July of 2011 the Yowah Opal Festival was held in Queensland. Opals were first discovered toward the end of the 19^th century in this part of Australia, and the area is known for two kinds of opals: he Yowah Opal Nut and the Ironstone Matrix Opal. Each year the Yowah Opal Festival is held to promote Australia’s National Gemstone. The festival features catered food, music and dancing. All visitors are encouraged to “talk with a miner.”

I recently caught up with Danny Burnes to learn more about the festival and his experience with Ticket River who told me a little more about the festival and the main event, the opal raffle.

“The tickets we purchased were for an opal pendant that we raffled at our annual Yowah Opal Festival. The pendant is donated by an overseas jeweler with links to the Yowah Opal field.”

For the Yowah Opal Festival, organizers chose the All Purpose Raffle Ticket. The ticket is simple and allows for plenty of room to share information about the event.

How did the organizers spread the news of the festival and share their tickets with attendees? They ordered the books of raffle tickets early and then had individuals sell the tickets throughout Queensland. Though, “not as much profit as anticipated in the raffle [was brought in], nevertheless, apart from this setback and continuous rain on the first day of the festival, opal buyers were not deterred and the festival was still successful according to those people with whom I have spoken.

“The only advice I can offer is a practical approach to issuing tickets only to people who are willing to try and sell them,” Danny told me.

How did Ticket River enhance this event? “Having access to a form that supplied the tickets at a reasonable price and fairly quickly helped myself and the committee to get on with other things that every festival requires.”

The Yowah Opal Festival is already in the works for next year, so if you find yourself in Southwest Queensland next year, you may want to drop by the this friendly opal field and celebrate.

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Keep it Colourful! Keep them Coming! Nu Look Dance and Fitness

When Sara Siniska of New South Wales was ready to plan, promote and host a Zumba dance event for her organization, Nu Look Dance and Fitness, she chose a colourful theme and a colourful ticket from TicketRiver! With music, active people and dance at its center, the event was set to be a success from the beginning. I was pleased to catch up with Sara and discuss her approach to planning a sensational fitness party.

I asked Sara about her organization and the purpose of her event, “We are a dance organization and the purpose of the event was to promote our Zumba dance fitness classes.” Zumba is a dance based exercise class that uses Latin and International music, rhythms, and moves to provide a fun, fit atmosphere to its participants. No matter the skill level of the student, every person involved is encouraged to express him or her self, have a great time and get in shape.

For her event, Sara chose the Colourful All Purpose General Admission Ticket.

This ticket features a bright, eye catching, multi-coloured pattern. With room for all the important information and custom text. This ticket can be individually numbered, so that organizers can keep track of event participants. Sara chose this particular ticket because it fit her event perfectly, “The tickets were bright and colorful which was our theme for the night,” she told me. The shifting colors and patterns on the ticket reflect the rhythm of dance and music. The design is whimsical and fun. It’s sure to turn heads.

The event that Sara held was a promotion that celebrated a year of Zumba at Nu Look Dance and Fitness. I asked her what tactics she used to sell the tickets to her event. Sara planned the promotion carefully and marketed through several channels. She used a number of methods to get the word out. She posted information about the event to Facebook and hung informative flyers around her local area. From shops to libraries to all about town, Sara made sure that her event was highly visible to the public. In order to reach possible participants, Sara also relied on word of mouth. Her best advocates were current students who had attended Zumba classes at the studio and knew how great it is!

Zumba is meant to be a fun, high energy, positive exercise and any event based around it is bound to be fun and high energy, too. Sara told me that her Zumba centered event had a “great atmosphere and great turnout.” Her favorite part was the music and organizing the event, which she felt went very well.

For someone planning a similar event, Sara officers this advice, “Plan in advance and give people lots of notice and brainstorm all type of marketing ideas.”

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