Automate High School Drama and Musical Ticketing

Key Advantages of an Automated Ticketing System

The assumption that the introduction of an automated ticket system entails a heavy expenditure along with complicated technology is wrong. Folks who successfully automate ticketing for high schools find that the automation can simplify the process tremendously, delight your ticket buyers and reduce errors. Key advantages include:

• Smooth administration for your customized event
• Automated processing.
• A 24/7 viable alternative to the erstwhile telephone and volunteer system.
• Flexibility in design and customization.
• Enhanced reporting capabilities.
• Centralized monitoring system.
• Accuracy.

Seven Steps to Automate Ticketing for High Schools

Here are seven steps that every high school would do well to consider:

1) Identify the event characteristics: What type of event are you organizing and what will be the ticket selling process?  Every event has its own set of requirements. For example, a dance may be a one-time general admission event, but the musical theatre performance may occur on several dates and involve reserved seating.

2) Plan your ticketing requirements: The next step is to evaluate your ticketing requirements like the number of shows to be held, the type of seating arrangements, and the methodology of ticket sales (e.g. online only? phone orders? box office orders? refunds allowed?  Not doing so could create huge confusions at the very last moment.

3) Select a system: After having considered the type of event and its ticketing requirements, you’ll need to select a system. You will want to consider factors such as your total budget, the scale of event, target audience, reputation, etc.  Building a good rapport with all potential suppliers could be a good start, as you could get important tips on purchasing an affordably priced system. Also, remember that an expensive automated system does not always mean that it’s the best.

4) Implement: The fourth step to automate high school drama and musical ticketing into an integrated system. This step may require you to train those in charge of ticket handling at the box-office so as to ensure smooth, accurate processing. These days, there are a number of automated systems that obviate the need for training because of their ease of use, accuracy and excellent data collection/integration/reporting capabilities.

5) Sell Tickets! Accepting online orders is important if you plan to automate ticketing for high schools. Online ordering allows ticket buyers to select the event, the date and time, and their seats (for reserved seating events) through your customized web page.  If you plan to take box office or phone orders, your system should enable that as well.

By the way, you will find that selling and administering tickets takes a lot less time than before you had the ticketing software system. If you were previously selling tickets via volunteers, you will have an opportunity to re-allocate that volunteer time to something more productive.

6) Conduct the event: The next step involves the unfolding of the actual event. If previous steps have been put into place, you can conduct and enjoy the event without worrying about ticketing issues. A favorite quote from one of our clients is “Thank you! This is the first year that I did not have to work through Spring Break to administer and solve ticket issues.

7) Improve: Regardless of how well the use of technology went, it is a good idea to conduct an introspective meeting after the conclusion of the event to seek creative ways of improving the system for future events.