Hybrid fundraisers, combining traditional in-person events with digital experiences, are becoming increasingly popular, and raffles are no exception. Hybrid raffles, which blend online and in-person elements, offer a dynamic and versatile way to engage participants, maximize reach, and boost fundraising efforts. Whether you’re a seasoned event organizer or a nonprofit looking to innovate, understanding how to integrate these two formats can help you create successful raffles.
In this blog, we’ll explore the best practices and strategies for combining online and in-person raffles, ensuring your next raffle fundraiser is a resounding success.
What Is a Hybrid Raffle?
A hybrid raffle fundraiser combines the best strategies of in-person and online raffles. They allow organizers to promote the raffle and sell raffle tickets both online and in person.
Why Do Organizations Combine In-Person and Online Raffles?
Organizations combine in-person and online raffles to leverage each format’s unique benefits, enhancing overall engagement and increasing the potential for fundraising success. The hybrid model not only maximizes participation but also ensures a more inclusive and engaging experience for all involved.
- In-person raffles provide a tangible, community-focused experience, fostering a sense of excitement and camaraderie. These events often create memorable moments, driving immediate interaction and participation.
- Online raffles break geographical barriers, allowing organizations to reach a broader audience beyond their local community. Supporters are also encouraged to share your raffle website on their social networks, and our platform provides rewards for digital sharing. Online raffle ticket sales offer the convenience of mobile giving and payment options.
How to Run an Online Raffle with Physical Ticket Sales
Follow these steps for a successful hybrid raffle fundraiser.
Step 1. Procure a Great Raffle Prize (or Prizes)
Let’s face it—a great prize is key to a successful raffle. Your supporters want to donate to your organization, but they’ll donate more and invite others to do the same if you have an enticing prize. You may also opt for multiple raffle prizes; you don’t need to be limited to only one. Think about your demographic here—it’s important to have a prize that resonates with your target audience.
Read more on the 30+ Best Raffle Prize Ideas (& How to Get Them Donated).
Step 2. Determine the Price of Your Raffle Tickets
Once you know your raffle prize or prizes, you’ll be ready to price your raffle tickets. Your ticket prices need to make sense with your raffle prizes, so high-value raffles can charge a higher fee for raffle tickets.
Be sure to consider your fundraising goal as well as your expenses. Raffle expenses are typically minimal but can include raffle prizes or prize investments, raffle ticket printing, and merchandise or marketing collateral. Considering these expenses, how many raffle tickets will you need to sell to reach your goal?
Setup Your Free Raffle Website with DoJiggy
Setting up a donor-friendly raffle website is a crucial step in organizing a successful hybrid raffle. Your website can be customized to reflect your organization’s brand, showcase raffle prizes, and provide essential information about your cause and funds raised. With features like social media sharing, text to donate, secure payment options, and real-time tracking of sales, a raffle website ensures a seamless experience for both organizers and participants.
Use Raffle Sale Entry Levels to Increase Donations
Our platform helps organizations optimize raffle donations by allowing users to set up entry levels, which encourage higher purchase amounts.
Entry levels can include:
- Tiered Pricing: Tiered pricing means higher entry levels have a lower cost per entry, incentivizing donors to spend more.
- Merchandising: Providing merchandise (wristbands, t-shirts, coffee mugs, etc.) at higher donation levels can substantially increase donations.
- Impact Levels: Impact Levels show your donors how their donations directly contribute to your organization’s goals, encouraging them to donate.
- Limited Quantities: Limiting the quantities of merchandise available at different entry levels or limiting the number of donors who can purchase a specific entry level creates a sense of urgency that inspires donors to take action quickly.
- Limited Time: Offering certain entry levels for a limited time is another way to get donors to take action quickly.
Order Printed Raffle Tickets
Printed raffle tickets remain a fundraising staple, providing a tangible and professional touch to any raffle event. They serve as physical reminders for participants, enhancing anticipation and engagement in the event. Ordering printed raffle tickets can add an extra layer of legitimacy and excitement to your hybrid raffle.
Customizable options allow organizations to include their branding, event details, and unique ticket numbers, which help streamline the tracking and management process. Additionally, printed tickets can be distributed during in-person events and sold online, bridging the gap between digital and physical worlds.
Order your custom-printed raffle tickets from DoJiggy.
Start Selling
Selling tickets for your hybrid raffle involves a strategic blend of online and offline sales methods to maximize reach.
Online Raffle Ticket Sales: Start by leveraging your free raffle website to facilitate online sales, offering a secure purchasing experience. Promote the raffle through your organization’s social media channels, email newsletters, and website, encouraging your online audience to buy tickets. Additionally, consider using digital advertising to target a broader audience. Offer incentives to supporters to spread the word via their social media channels as well.
In-Person Raffle Ticket Sales: For physical ticket sales, distribute printed raffle tickets at school or community events, local businesses, and through your network of volunteers and supporters.
When someone wants to pay with a credit card in person, you can sell them a virtual raffle ticket. Just have them scan the QR code or use text to donate on their phone, and donors can make their purchase on your raffle website.
Combining these approaches ensures you reach tech-savvy participants and those who prefer traditional methods. By maintaining consistent branding and messaging across marketing channels, your group can create a cohesive campaign that drives ticket sales and boosts your hybrid raffle’s success.
Add Physical Raffle Entries to Your Raffle Website
If you use DoJiggy to draw your raffle winner(s), you must manually enter any paper tickets sold offline into your experience before the drawing. Even if you want to do a manual draw, you likely want to enter physical entries to reflect total sales on your fundraising page and for your records. You can enter physical ticket sales one by one or via our ticketing import function.
If you plan to sell many paper entries, we recommend downloading our import template when your experience starts. This will allow you to log all sales right into the template and import them into your raffle dashboard later in just a few clicks.
Draw Your Raffle Winner(s)
Now for the exciting part! Your raffle deadline is approaching. How will you draw your raffle winners? Our platform offers three ways to draw your winners and end your raffle. Consider your audience and select the option that works best for your organization.
- Draw raffle winners automatically. The system will randomly draw your auction winners at the date and time you set in the Experience dashboard.
- Have the system draw the winners when you tell it to by clicking a button in your raffle website dashboard. This ensures that all final ticket sales are entered before the draw.
- Export your entries and draw your winners manually without using the DoJiggy system.
And the Winner Is….Your Organization!
In conclusion, hybrid raffles offer a powerful way to blend the excitement and community spirit of live events with the convenience and reach of an online platform. Organizations can effectively combine these two formats to enhance participant engagement, expand their audience, and increase fundraising potential.
When employing a mix of online and offline ticket sales strategies, the key is to create a seamless and inclusive experience for all participants. Embracing the hybrid fundraising model allows your organization to harness the best of both worlds. As you plan your next raffle, consider these strategies to optimize your efforts and achieve your fundraising goals. DoJiggy can help with our free raffle platform.
Related Resources
