The Rise of Mobile Ticketing in the Event Industry
Back in the day, if you wanted to attend an event, it meant you had to stand in line at the box office and show your ID to get tickets. Around the year 2000, print-at-home tickets became popular, but they came with the inconvenience of having to find a printer, and worrying about losing your folded-up paper ticket on your way to the venue. And if you wanted to bring a friend to the event last minute, well, good luck.
When iPhones burst onto the scene in 2007, mobile ticketing came along with it and changed the entire ticketing landscape of events. Today, when someone wants to attend an event, they can pull out their phone, buy a ticket, and scan into the event with just a few taps of their thumbs. If they want to be spontaneous and invite a friend an hour before, it’s a breeze unless the event is sold out.
Much like the transition from landline phones to smartphones, the transition to mobile tickets has become the new norm.
Benefits of Mobile Ticketing
Mobile ticketing is ubiquitous and advantageous. Consider some of the benefits it provides to both attendees and event organizers.
Last Minute Access
One of the most significant perks of mobile ticketing is that it provides last-minute access. Imagine it’s Friday morning, and a few of your coworkers invite you to join them at a concert that night. Instead of scrambling to get to an office supply store or trying to discretely use the work printer, you can buy tickets on the train home from work. This is the kind of last-minute access all of your attendees want.
Better Security
Another benefit of mobile ticketing is the enhanced security. Physical ticket holders have to be scrutinized for fake IDs, counterfeit tickets, and photocopied papers, all of which bottleneck entry and still do little to reduce the risk of unauthorized entry. Mobile tickets, on the other hand, are equipped with individualized QR codes and NFC technology that protect your attendees from fraud while facilitating smooth entry.
Easy Ticket Changes
Let’s say you have plans to attend a comedy show with a good friend who gets hit with the stomach flu the week of the show. There’s no need to go alone or endure the hassle of sending tickets in the mail; just transfer the mobile ticket to another friend.
It’s important to note that even with mobile tickets, not all platforms offer ticket changes. Choose platforms like TicketSpice that make it easy to transfer or edit tickets.
How Does Mobile Ticketing Work?
The first step begins with a ticket purchase process through a dedicated event app or ticketing platform. Attendees choose their preferred ticket option, seat, and desired add-ons, before completing the transaction.
With TicketSpice, once the purchase is finalized, the attendee is sent to a confirmation page. From there, they have the option to store their digital ticket in Apple Wallet and add the event to Google Calendar. The issued ticket and personalized QR code will also arrive via confirmation email.
When it's time for the event, attendees present their mobile tickets at the venue and use the QR code to gain entry. These unique codes, akin to digital fingerprints, are scanned by event staff using specialized devices or smartphones equipped with scanning apps. If details change, you can update the attendees in real-time through text messages or mobile ticket updates.
Popular Mobile Ticketing Apps
When it comes to mobile ticketing apps, each app boasts its own set of unique features. Ticketmaster is a giant in the industry and sells nearly 500 million tickets per year. That said, make sure to read the reviews before you jump in. The app averages 1 star on Consumer Affairs, and it collected over 3700 complaints on the BBB website in the last year. Eventbrite is another popular choice, but their prices keep climbing and show no signs of stopping.
TicketSpice stands out as a versatile and user-friendly option. With customizable ticketing solutions, it empowers you to tailor your ticketing process to suit the specific needs of your event. Moreover, the transparent pricing model and robust customer support have garnered ample praise from users who appreciate the platform's reliability and flexibility. Whether you're hosting a niche art fair or a large public concert, TicketSpice offers the tools and support to elevate the ticketing experience for attendees.
The Future of Mobile Ticketing
Today, the landscape of mobile ticketing has become the standard across all industries, from entertainment and travel to sports and beyond. As we peer into the future of ticketing, the trajectory of mobile ticketing appears poised for continual technological evolution.
Beyond ticketing, mobile features will enhance an attendee’s experience whether they want to use their phone to buy icecream, post a quick story to Instagram, or search for their favorite vendor.
Additionally, technological innovations such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are on the brink of revolutionizing the event experience through immersive events and interactive elements that transcend physical boundaries. From 3D art shows to multi-sensorial rainforest exhibits, the possibilities are endless.
Mobile Ticketing in the Entertainment Industry
Beyond the obvious convenience factor, mobile ticketing offers additional game changing benefits to the entertainment industry. For starters, they reduce environmental impact and enhance data collection.
Take music festivals, for example. By leveraging mobile ticketing data, event organizers gain invaluable insights into attendee demographics and preferences that allow them to tailor future lineups and marketing campaigns. Equipped with these insights, each year’s festival has the potential to get better and better.
Mobile Ticketing for Events and Venues
Mobile ticketing for events and venues offers a host of practical benefits that streamline the ticketing process for both organizers and attendees. With instant ticket delivery directly to their smartphones, attendees can bypass the hassle of waiting in long queues and jump right into the fun. For event organizers, mobile ticketing provides real-time access to insights, including attendee traffic patterns, vendor purchasing patterns, and entry behavior. This data can help you design your event flow and structure your venue to maximize revenue.
FAQs
Below are some of the most common questions we get from our customers.
Q: How does mobile ticketing work with TicketSpice?
A: Mobile ticketing with TicketSpice is a breeze. Once attendees purchase tickets, they’ll receive a confirmation email with mobile tickets. From there, they simply open the email and click the link on their smartphones. No printing necessary.
Q: Are TicketSpice mobile tickets secure?
Yes! We prioritize the security of your tickets. Each mobile ticket is uniquely generated and encrypted to prevent unauthorized duplication. Plus, our ticketing platform is designed with robust security features to safeguard your personal information.
Q: Can I transfer my mobile tickets to someone else?
A: Absolutely. Simply use the built-in ticket transfer feature and edit the ticket within the TicketSpice platform.
Q: What if I lose or break my smartphone?
A: We’ve all been there. While we can’t help retrieve your phone from the bottom of the ocean, we can help you retrieve your tickets. Log in to your TicketSpice account from an alternative device, and you'll be able to access your mobile tickets instantly.
Q: What kind of events can I use mobile tickets for?
A: All kinds of events! Whether you're organizing a concert, festival, farm tour, or any other event with TicketSpice, you can offer mobile tickets to your attendees.
Final Takeaways
Mobile ticketing has revolutionized the way we access events by providing a seamless and eco-friendly alternative to traditional paper tickets. Mobile ticketing has become ubiquitous, offering benefits such as last-minute access, enhanced security, and easy ticket changes. It’s time to say goodbye to paper tickets and hello to mobile tickets with TicketSpice. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our support team.
We’re here to help you have the best event ever!
— The TicketSpice team
