What is the best way to sell concert tickets?

How to Price Your Concert Tickets

One of the most important factors in successfully selling concert tickets is determining the right price. There are a few key things to consider when pricing your tickets:

The artist’s popularity – A well-known artist with a big following can command higher prices than a smaller, up-and-coming act.
Venue size – Larger venues that hold more people tend to have lower ticket prices since there are more tickets to sell. Smaller, more intimate venues can charge more.

Location – Tickets for shows in bigger cities like New York or Los Angeles will be priced higher than shows in smaller towns.
Day of the week – Weekend shows are more in demand than weeknights, so you can charge more for Friday and Saturday concerts.
Tour status – Newly announced tours or ‘hot’ tours with lots of buzz can start off with higher pricing.

Production costs – The more elaborate the stage show and production, the higher the ticket prices need to be to cover expenses.

It’s a good idea to research the ticket prices for comparable artists playing similar sized venues in the same city. This will give you a benchmark to price your tickets competitively. You want the prices to be high enough to maximize your profits, but not so high that they deter people from buying. It’s a delicate balance!

Where to Sell Concert Tickets

Thanks to the internet, there are now more options than ever when it comes to selling concert tickets. Here are some of the most popular platforms:

Ticketmaster – As one of the largest ticket sellers, listing on Ticketmaster gives you wide exposure. They charge service fees and take a commission on each sale though.
eBay – eBay has a large user base already actively shopping for tickets. You’ll have to contend with their fees but can set your own prices.
Craigslist – The advantage with Craigslist is there are no fees, but you’re limited to local buyers only. Still a good option for selling last minute tickets.

StubHub – Similar to eBay, StubHub connects buyers and sellers online while taking a commission. Tickets tend to be pricier here.
Facebook – Marketplace and local Facebook Groups can be great places to sell as you can target nearby fans. Just be careful about scams.
Outside the venue – If allowed, selling tickets outside the venue on the day of the show is a quick and easy way to get rid of extra tickets.

Consider listing your tickets across multiple platforms to maximize your sales reach. Just be sure to keep your prices consistent on each one.

When to Sell Concert Tickets

Timing is also key when you’re looking to offload concert tickets. Here are some tips on when you should put your tickets up for sale:

As soon as the concert is announced – Fans snap up tickets quickly when a tour is first announced. Capitalize on the initial rush by selling early.

When the show starts selling out – As the concert date approaches and tickets start selling out, remaining seats become more valuable. Adjust prices accordingly.
Right before the concert – Demand and desperation increase leading up to the event. Last minute buyers will pay premium prices.
After the concert sells out – Even after it sells out, fans will still be looking to buy tickets from scalpers and resellers online.

Day of the show – If you want to unload tickets quick, deeply discounting them on the day of the concert ensures a fast sale.

Aim to sell the majority of your extra tickets as early as possible. But holding onto a handful to sell last minute when demand peaks can also be a smart strategy.

Tips for Selling Concert Tickets

Follow these tips to successfully sell your concert tickets:

Take clear photos – When listing online, include quality photos showing the tickets’ details and seat locations.
Describe the seats – Note important info like section, row, and distance from stage so buyers know what they’re getting.
Mention restrictions – Disclose any obstructed views or age limits that could affect the tickets’ value.

Highlight perks – If the tickets come with VIP perks like meet and greets, make sure to advertise this.
Offer safe payment – Accept secure payment methods like PayPal to protect yourself and buyers from scams.
Respond promptly – Answer buyer inquiries and questions quickly to complete sales faster.

Price competitively – Research current rates for comparable tickets and price accordingly.
Sell in pairs – People usually buy 2 or 4 together, so try selling multiple tickets at once when possible.

Properly marketing your tickets with good photos, descriptions and competitive prices will give you the best chance at selling them quickly and at fair market value.

Is Reselling Concert Tickets Legal?

Reselling concert tickets is legal in most states, though some impose restrictions. Here are some key facts on the legality of scalping and reselling tickets:

First sale doctrine – This federal law allows people to resell lawful goods like tickets after initially purchasing them.
Price caps – Some states limit how much sellers can markup tickets over face value, usually 10-20%.

Restricted zones – Many venues and cities ban ticket resale within a certain distance to discourage scalpers.
Anti-scalping laws – A minority of states have laws prohibiting the resale of tickets altogether above face value.
Ticketmaster transfer – Ticketmaster now allows ticket transfers between buyers which offers an alternative to scalping.

So long as you are transparent about seats and pricing, reselling tickets in moderation is generally legal. But be sure to check your local regulations first before endeavoring to sell concert tickets.

Risks of Reselling Concert Tickets

While reselling tickets can be lucrative, there are also some downsides and risks to be aware of:

Large upfront costs – You need capital to purchase tickets before being able to sell them.

No guarantees – There’s no guarantee all your tickets will sell, or at the price you want.
Stiff competition – You’ll be competing against professional scalpers and resellers trying to sell the same tickets.
Cancellations – If the event is cancelled, you can be stuck with useless tickets and lost revenue.

Scams – Some buyers looking for tickets are scammers aiming to steal money.
Restrictions – Venues are increasingly using paperless tickets and other restrictions to fight scalping.

While profits can be significant for in-demand shows, reselling tickets also carries financial risks you need to be prepared for. Have realistic expectations, and use reputable sites to avoid being scammed.

Alternatives to Reselling Concert Tickets

If you decide that reselling concert tickets is not for you, here are a couple alternative options:

Return or relist tickets – Many primary sellers allow you to return or relist tickets for a fee if plans change.
Ticket exchanges – Some teams and venues run exchanges for season ticket holders to swap tickets.

Give away tickets – You can give unwanted tickets to friends and family or donate them to charity.
Eat the cost – Chalk it up as a loss. This avoids the risks and efforts of reselling.

While you won’t recoup your money, avoiding the hassles of reselling may be worth it for some people. You have to judge if the potential profits are worth your time and risk tolerance.

Is Reselling Tickets Ultimately Worth It?

Whether it’s worth it to resell concert tickets depends on your personal situation:

If you have limited time – Reselling is time consuming, so not ideal if you’re very busy.
If you’re risk averse – The financial risks may outweigh potential profits if you’re risk averse.

If you need extra income – This can be a great way to make extra money with a small upfront investment.
If you enjoy sales – Haggling and negotiating pricing can be fun and rewarding for some.
If you don’t mind competing – The ticket resale market is competitive, requiring strategy and dedication.

Analyze the pros and cons and decide if the revenue potential warrants the time commitment for your needs. For some, reselling provides a flexible side income. For others, it’s not worth the hassle.

Conclusion

Reselling concert tickets offers an opportunity to profit from high demand for hot events and shows. To maximize your chances of success, price tickets competitively, list them early across multiple platforms, and accurately represent the seats you’re selling. Be aware of applicable laws in your area, competition from other resellers, and risks like cancellations and scams. With some luck and good business sense, reselling tickets can be quite lucrative, but it also requires time and tolerance of financial risks. Look at your personal goals and temperament to decide if the resale market is a good fit for you.