It is a great way to raise money for your organization, and can also be a lot of fun.The more you plan, the more successful your event will be.This guide will walk you through the process of setting up and selling a large amount of tickets.
Step 1: There are laws in your area.
Since raffles are a form of gambling, they are closely regulated.In most cases, a permit is required for non-profit organizations like schools, charity groups, and religious institutions to hold a raffle.It's a good idea to check out the local laws before you start.A simple web search for "raffle laws _name of your city or state" will get you the information you need.Call your city government office to find out about the local raffle laws.
Step 2: You must apply for a permit.
You will need a permit to hold a raffle in most areas.These are usually cheap and give your group permission to hold as many as they want over a period of time.Important restrictions are placed on the size of your raffle and the kinds of prizes you can give away.
Step 3: Pick your prizes.
Local businesses and private individuals donate prizes to most fundraisers.These donations are usually tax deductible.They are a great form of advertising for the companies who donate.You should begin soliciting donations at least a month in advance.The better the prizes, the more money you will make.Ask your organization's members to inquire with their friends and family about making donations.Ask the businesses if they would be interested in making a donation.To assure potential donors that you will clearly advertise their generosity at your event, and in any promotional materials you send out, be ready to explain what you are raising money for.While a brand new car or a trip to Hawaii may be exciting for your audience, they are not going to be enough for most small events.More appropriate prize options include gift certificates to local restaurants, stores, car washes, and entertainment options, as well as family-friendly prizes, such as art supply baskets, gardening kits, etc.
Step 4: The price should be set.
Decide on a price for your tickets once you have an idea of how many prizes you will be giving.If you are offering a large prize, like a car, you might go as high as $100, but if you overprice your tickets, less people will participate.$1 per ticket is standard, with discounts for buying multiple tickets, for example $1 for one ticket or 6 tickets for $5.Calculators online can help you price your tickets correctly.If you are buying prizes instead of relying on donations, be sure to set your ticket price high enough to cover your costs and still meet your goal.
Step 5: You can purchase the tickets.
You can purchase them at most local office supply stores.If you are holding a large or high stakes event, you might want to consider printing special tickets.
Step 6: A sales team.
If you want to sell a lot of tickets, you will need a team of people.The more help you have, the more tickets you will sell.Break times are important for your volunteers.If you can, line up enough volunteers so that no one has to man their station for more than an hour; this will allow your volunteers time to enjoy the event as well.).
Step 7: You can advertise your raffle.
Posters and fliers that are sent out for your event should highlight the raffle and the prizes you will be distributing.If the event is advertised on social media, make sure to include raffle information and post updates as new prizes come in.Thanks guys!It's a good idea to make it clear how much the tickets will cost.
Step 8: There is a prize display.
It's a good idea to have the prizes prominently displayed on the day of the event.Make sure that your prize display can be watched throughout the event.It might be a good idea to put out a visual representation of the prize, rather than the item itself, to prevent theft for more valuable prizes.
Step 9: You should set up your sales stations.
Tables should be placed near each entrance.Use balloons, streamers and brightly-colored signs to draw attention to the raffle, and clearly advertise the cost of the tickets, when and where the drawing will take place.Each station should have a locking cash box and plenty of small bills to make change.You will need a fishbowl or large glass jar to hold the ticket, as well as plenty of pens on hand so that people can write their names and phone numbers on the back of the tickets.People involved in monetary transactions should always work in pairs.It's best to have at least two sets of eyes watching the cash box, prizes and ticket stubs at all times because it is unlikely that your volunteers will steal from the raffle or tampering with the tickets.
Step 10: The rules of the contest need to be clear.
Make sure that the time of the drawing is clearly advertised at all the sales tables.If people don't need to be present, you should make sure that they write the contact information on the back of their tickets before they deposit them, and that you have a clear plan for contacting the winners after the fact.Some people get confused about which part of the ticket to keep and which one to put in the jar.Attach an instruction sheet on the ticket receptacle if you want your sales people to give clear directions.
Step 11: Be assertive!
Don't just sit back and wait for people to wander over, have volunteers ask the people they see if they have bought their tickets yet.The event's emcee should make a lot of announcements about the upcoming event.The drawing for the iPad and other fabulous prizes will begin at 8pm.You still have time to get your tickets!Consider sending out volunteers to sell tickets at a sit-down event, or to wander through the crowd with tickets in hand.
Step 12: Markers are used for participants.
If attendees are repeatedly asked to buy tickets, it can be frustrating.A great way to prevent this is to give out a visual marker to people who have already bought tickets.When you buy tickets, give them to people with fun buttons, necklaces, or badges at your local party supply store.It's a great way to increase interest in the raffle among younger children, and signals your sales team to let them be.Can I get a necklace if I have money for a raffle ticket?The cost of your markers should correlate to the costs of the tickets.If you are selling $1 tickets, don't spend more than 25 dollars on markers.
Step 13: The drawing needs to be held.
You should conduct the drawing in plain sight if you advertised it.If you stated that participants must be present to win, be sure to allow enough time for winners to check their tickets and respond before drawing a new ticket.Make arrangements for winners to collect their prizes if they don't need to be present, and contact them immediately after the event to let them know about their good fortune.