Ideas for boosting attendance at your PTA events
22 Oct 2024 - Ticketize Team
Countless volunteer hours go into organising school fairs, cake sales, and discos, yet attendance often falls short. To help increase attendance and ultimately raise more funds, consider these suggestions.
1. Marketing has a key role in boosting attendance at PTA events
People are busy, and PTAs compete with many other events and commitments. Keeping parents and caregivers informed well in advance can significantly enhance turnout.
- Social media - use platforms like Facebook and Instagram to spread the word quickly. Create excitement with dynamic posts, stories, and event pages. Regular updates during your planning process can encourage engagement. Don’t forget to share on local community pages to broaden your reach.
- School newsletters - Communicate essential event details directly to parents through newsletters. Adding your PTA Yearly Planner at the start of the school year can keep everyone informed. Consider including your events in local community newsletters as well.
- Posters - Create eye-catching posters and display them in prominent locations around the school and community. Visual reminders help keep your events top-of-mind.
- Engage local businesses - partner with local businesses for sponsorships or prize donations. They can promote your event through their networks, providing valuable exposure in return.
By combining these marketing strategies, PTAs can create a cohesive promotional approach that reaches a wider audience. This increases attendance and fosters a stronger sense of community involvement.
2. Benefits of selling tickets online to PTA events
If your PTA events are attracting fewer attendees, it may be time to consider how you sell tickets to your events. Selling tickets online offers several advantages:
- Convenience for parents - online ticket management eliminates paperwork and cash handling, making it easier for busy parents. Buying tickets with a few clicks is far more appealing than fumbling for exact change at the school gate.
- Better tracking and planning - use online ticket platforms like Ticketize for real-time tracking of ticket sales. This feature helps you anticipate attendance, guiding food and activity planning, as well as volunteer coordination.
- Marketing opportunities - Ticketize provides unique QR codes and URLs that link directly to your event webpage. These can be easily shared on social media, WhatsApp, and other communication tools within the school community.
Transitioning to online ticket sales not only boosts attendance but also makes event planning more manageable and less stressful. Ticketize is designed to be user-friendly and cost-effective.
3. Highlight the benefits of your PTA to the school community
Clearly communicating the benefits of your PTA is essential. Here are key strategies to engage the school community:
- Create informative materials - Develop brochures and newsletters that outline how the PTA supports school initiatives, including funding programs and improvements.
- Share success stories - Highlight specific projects funded by the PTA, showcasing the positive impact on students and facilities through visuals and anecdotes.
- Create a yearly impact report - Summarise your PTA’s achievements annually, detailing money raised and projects completed. Share this report to celebrate successes and inspire future participation.
Boosting attendance at your PTA events is about more than just numbers - t’s about fostering a strong school community. By integrating effective marketing strategies, utilising online ticket sales, and communicating the PTA’s benefits, you can encourage greater parental involvement and create memorable experiences.
Why not try Ticketize today…