The Psychology Behind Ticket Sales

Ever wondered why certain events sell out within minutes while others struggle to fill seats? Or what drives people to pay top dollar for a premium experience? We’re diving into the psychology that goes into making a purchase and exploring consumer behavior because understanding these nuances can be the game-changer in event success.

Selling the Experience

There are various factors that have the power to influence a customer’s purchase decisions:

  • FOMO: Even if you’ve never heard of it, you have most likely experienced it! As an abbreviation for “fear of missing out,” FOMO is that worried or anxious feeling in your gut when you may miss exciting events, or see pictures on your social media of friends having fun at an event without you. Folks don’t like the idea of not being a part of something, and you can use this to your advantage. Combine this with the principle of scarcity and you’ll be selling tickets in no time. Using phrases like “limited tickets available” and offering limited time deals are both great ways to create that sense of urgency that can lead to impulse buying. 

  • Emotional Connection and Nostalgia: Whether it’s a county fair that has been held over over 100 years or a festival celebrating local culture, there are events that are a little extra special to us, and most of the time as consumers we are willing to pay more for that experience. Remind buyers that for a ticket to your event, they can relive fond memories and create new ones with their own family. 

  • Pricing and perceived value: Let’s talk about the psychology of pricing! The initial price you set for a single ticket, known as the “anchor,” will typically have a higher-than-normal anchor price (think of the original prices set at stores like Kohl’s). Then by offering discounts, promotions or bundled packages, customers get the feeling of bagging a great deal. Another factor is in the perceived value of the ticket. Create and market your event in such a way that buyers have the belief that the ticket’s value exceeds its cost, it can heavily influence whether or not a purchase is made. 

Online Ticketing – Convenience & Psychology 

Gone are the days of standing in long queues or making phone calls to secure your tickets. The shift to an online-buying experience has fundamentally altered consumer behavior, changing how we market tickets too!

User Experience and Decision Making

The purchase of tickets now entails more than simply choosing an event to attend. Factors such as ease of access, seamless navigation, security, and trust play pivotal roles in influencing consumer decisions. The interface design, the reassurance of secure transactions, and the ease of the checkout process all shape the psychology behind a successful ticket purchase.

Integrated ticketing systems have emerged as game-changers in this scenario. They redefine the entire process, not just by streamlining ticket sales and distribution but also by harnessing data for personalization.

The integration of such systems deeply impacts consumer psychology in multifaceted ways. Trust and reliability are fostered through seamless transactions and secure platforms. The sheer convenience and efficiency elevate the overall ticket-buying experience, contributing significantly to building customer loyalty.

Understanding and Exploring Integrated Ticketing

Having an understanding of consumer psychology within the realm of ticket sales is paramount. It’s not just about selling tickets; it’s about comprehending the nuances of consumer behavior and leveraging that understanding to enhance the entire process.

 Consider exploring the benefits of what different ticketing platforms have to offer, such as security and support. If you want to see firsthand what an integrated platform can do for an event like yours, sign up for a demo with Saffire

What’s in a Ticket?

Explore all the different options offered by SaffireTix.

How are attendees getting into your event? Are you scanning phones, tapping wristbands or tearing off ticket stock? With different ticket options provided by Saffire, you can choose the type of ticket that’s best for you! 

Different ticket types offer different opportunities and advantages, so consider what could be the best type of ticket (it could be a few) for your fair or event. 

Print-at-home ticket

Online and advance sales are crucial to offer, giving customers a PDF of a ticket that can easily be printed at their house and scanned at the gate. This type of ticket will usually be printed on a standard size of paper and with Saffire’s flexible ticket templates that allow you to promote sponsors on each print-at-home ticket with space to include up to four logos and an advertisement.   

Mobile ticket

Just like the print-at-home tickets, mobile tickets are sent to customers who purchased a ticket online or as part of an advanced sale. If a guest isn’t able to print their ticket, they can easily be stored in their Apple wallet and present either that or the PDF on their mobile phone at the gate to be scanned. 

Hard stock ticket 

These are tickets that are likely going to be sold from a physical location (like the gate) or through partners. You can also facilitate advance sales with hard tickets and we partner with Admit One tickets to provide a stock of printed tickets. Additionally, you can attach a SaffireTix QR code to any hard ticket. 

The Power of the QR Code  

All of Saffire’s ticketing options allow the use of a QR code. Each QR code is unique, allowing you to set whatever parameters you would like, such as single or various redemption locations and limiting the number of scans a ticket is allowed.

For instance, using different QR codes you can create a series of once-per-day tickets, tickets that allow in-and-out for a range of dates or an any day ticket that works one time only. You could also use it for multiple admissions, so one person’s ticket can get them both through the front gate and into the carnival. 

  • One option is to print a small square QR code sticker (1.5” or 2”) and place it on whatever you would like–a card, a lanyard, a ticket, etc. Perfect for creating season.
  • Another option is to use the Dymo ticket printers and blank tickets to print tickets as they are needed, typically at the box office. Size on these tickets are 2×4” and include event and ticket information, a QR code, and an optional note. 

RFID Tickets 

Our latest ticketing introduction has been the BlastPass contactless system. Using RFID technology embedded in either a wristband or physical card, attendees can load their ticket with credits that can be used around the fair or event.

Whichever type of ticket you choose to go with, with SaffireTix you can: manage and maintain what fees are charged to customer; access comprehensive reporting including sales reports, redemption reports, purchases reports, cash pickup alerts, audit reports and a nightly reports; and completely manage your box office. 


Take control of your ticketing and provide your customers and employees with a fun, efficient platform that starts online, streamlines your box office and simplifies scanning and redemption of tickets.