Hey there. The conversation around Eventbrite continues. If you’re an event creator who happens to be in the ticketing industry for so long, chances are, Eventbrite does ring a bell. They’re a well-known platform that sells tickets, manages registrations, and markets events.
But let’s get to the heart of the matter. Does it cost money to set up Eventbrite? The answer is YES. It may look like it’s free to use, but wait til you start selling paid tickets – the costs kick in!
Event organizers get so surprised by the unexpected fees that pile up with Eventbrite. They say these costs take a big chunk of the event sales, leaving their profits lower than expected.
If you’re planning on organizing an event soon and considering using Eventbrite, think carefully and keep reading.
In this article, I’ll be sharing an exceptional Eventbrite alternative, that thousands of event organizers are already talking about.
Tailored for any type of event, TicketsCandy is definitely a top-notch online ticketing platform, that’s changing the game for so many event creators out there. What’s great about them is that they’re not only affordable but also highly efficient. Just imagine getting all the benefits of a premier ticketing platform – without the hefty price tag. That’s how TicketsCandy works.
Understanding Eventbrite’s Pricing Structure
Let’s take a closer look at Eventbrite’s pricing structure. Just a heads-up, it can be quite complex, especially when it comes to paid tickets.
Free Events
- Zero service fees for free tickets
- Basic features included
- Limited marketing tools
- Standard reporting capabilities
Paid Events: Two-Tier System
Basic Package
- 2% + $0.79 per paid ticket
- Payment processing fee: 2.9% + $0.30
- Access to basic marketing tools
- Standard email support
Professional Package
- 3.5% + $1.59 per paid ticket
- Payment processing fee: 2.9% + $0.30
- Advanced marketing features
- Priority customer support
- Reserved seating options
- Custom branding
The Hidden Costs of Using Eventbrite for Paid Events
Let’s talk about some hidden costs lurking in Eventbrite’s paid ticketing services – fees which aren’t mentioned to organizers upfront.
Essential Package Fee Breakdown:
- Service Fee: 2.5% of ticket price
- Payment Processing: 3% + $0.99 per paid ticket
- Total Fee Impact: 5.5% + $0.99 per ticket
Professional Package Fee Breakdown:
- Service Fee: 3.5% of ticket price
- Payment Processing: 3% + $0.99 per paid ticket
- Total Fee Impact: 6.5% + $0.99 per ticket
Fee Absorption Options & Revenue Impact:
When handling ticketing fees, organizers must face a tough choice: either to pass the fees to attendees or absorb them into their profits.
Pass Fees to Attendees
- Ticket price appears higher to customers
- Risk of reduced sales due to price sensitivity
- Maintains your intended profit margin
Absorb Fees as Organizer
- Lower ticket prices attract more buyers
- Cuts directly into your profit margin
- Example: On a $50 ticket, absorbing $3.74 in fees reduces your revenue by 7.48%
What organizers don’t realize is Eventbrite’s 20% revenue hold policy. If you’re selling $10,000 worth of tickets, $2,000 is tied up in Eventbrite’s system until after your event has ended. This leaves you with limited funds and makes it harder for you to pay vendors or secure vendors in advance.
Why Eventbrite’s Fees Can Make It Costly to Use for Your Events
A 20% hold on your ticket revenue is a large amount of money you could use for venue deposits, marketing, or other essential expenses.
Revenue Holds Impact the Following:
- Inability to access essential operating funds
- Limited flexibility for unexpected event expenses
- Cash flow issues for organizers managing multiple events
- Missed opportunities to earn interest on held funds
In addition, Eventbrite’s credit card processing system makes it more complicated by charging between 2.5% to 3.5% per transaction, depending on your package. These fees add up to the existing service fees, taking a large bite of your revenue.
Hidden Payment Processing Challenges:
- Higher charges for international transactions
- Additional costs for certain card types
- Limited payment provider options
- Limited options for currency conversion
TicketsCandy prioritizes event accessibility and inclusion, making it easy for people to attend and have a frictionless event experience. And for those who are into organizing virtual events, TicketsCandy also offers the tools and support you need to make it a success.
Conclusion
The choice between Eventbrite and TicketsCandy comes down to your financial priorities as an event organizer. If saving money and having access to your funds immediately are important factors for you, then TicketsCandy’s is undoubtedly the most cost-effective option here.
Yes, Eventbrite offers name recognition; it has extensive platform features but its fee structure is just too much and can significantly eat into your profits. TicketsCandy understands organizers who want to maximize event revenue without having to sacrifice essential features or user experience.
So the answer to “Does it cost money to set up Eventbrite?” really goes beyond the initial free setup – it’s about understanding the true cost impact on your event’s bottom line.