As an independent artist you have some additional challenges as well as some additional freedoms and one area most artist overlook is the ticketing of the events they perform. Ticketing whether it is free or paid can be a huge connector to your audience plus a huge revenue generator. Both are very valuable. Online ticket distribution can be used for free events as well as paid events and the advantages are the same.

· Just the fact that an ‘event’ is ticketed increases the attendance. There has always been something special about having a ‘ticket’. People with tickets “talk up” an event more, and that increases attendance

· Connecting with your audience after the event is always a good thing. Having an email list of attendees when used correctly allows you to grow your social networking, increase merchandise sales and gives the next promoter a contact list of possible future attendees. Plus, if you book your own events then you have a prospect list.

· Online tickets are generally 8 ½ X 11 – this means that you can place information about you on the left hand side of the ticket. Great place for connecting with your audience or offering a coupon for product sales.

Then finally you can use online ticketing to sell just about anything including CD’s and t-shirts, yes really you can. Someone can purchase a “CD Ticket” online and simple present it to the merchandise table at your event. This accomplishes several things such as 1) allows the attendee to use PayPal or credit cards, 2) Shortens the time spent at the merchandise table and finally, lets you know how much product to bring to the event. One last thing that some very creative artists have done is sell a “CD Ticket” for $15-$20 and that includes admission PLUS a CD. This really works well for all the reasons stated above plus it simply increases revenue.

AttendStar is all about creating successful events and there are many things we can do to help you and your events succeed. To learn more visit http://event.attendstar.com/ref/kms

About The Author
As a former promoter for Christian music legend Amy Grant, Gary learned the ins-and-outs of event promotion first-hand and wanted to pass on his knowledge to everyone else in event planning business. In today’s social media revolution, what better way is there to engage the audience while helping the promoter than connecting the two on the world’s most popular communication medium—the internet?