Steps to Build an Event with Tickets

There are 5 basic steps to building out a ticketed event:

1. Creating a New Event or Campaign
2. Setup
   1. Details
   2. Branding
   3. Fee Coverage
   4. Content
   5. Products
   6. Social
   7. Sponsors
   8. Groups
   9. Settings
3. Optional: Edit Your Emails
4. Launch Your Site
5. Optional: Set Up Your QR Codes

We'll break down each step-by-step below. Let's get started!

Creating a New Event or Campaign

Creating a new campaign in Swell is as simple as clicking the green plus sign under your event list. Tip: Anytime you see the green plus sign in Swell, you can use it to create something new in the section you're in.

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Setup

You'll find Setup in the left-hand menu when you're working in your event. There are many smaller steps to Setup, but don't worry, all of the steps are simple.

Note: Each of the guides below start from the very beginning (choosing your event from your event list). However, once you're in Setup, there's no need to back out to that point. Simply continue on to the next item in your horizontal Setup menu.

Details: This is the Who, What, When and Where for Your Event

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Fee Coverage

This is where you choose whether to absorb the processing and platform fees associated with the transactions for your event or pass them along to your donors/guests/purchasers.

There are 3 options:

1. Absorb the Fees- When you choose this option, the processing and platform fee will be completely invisible to your donors/attendees. It will be deducted from the amount distributed to you.
2. Allow Donors/Attendees to Choose- When you choose this option, your donors/guests will see the processing and platform fees and choose whether or not to pay them. This promotes transparency and enables your supporters to directly contribute to helping cover your costs.
3. Require Donors/Attendees to Cover the Fees- When you choose this option, you'll show the processing and platform without offering your donors/attendees a choice. This option ensures that the fee is covered by the donor/attendee.

The option currently selected is indicated by the white "selected" button  under it. Click the blue "select" button  under one of the other options to choose that option instead.

The option you choose will be reflected on all of your checkout pages (donation, ticket, and table).

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Branding

This is where you'll upload the images you created for your site in your favorite image editor. Want to know where these images show up?

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Content

This is where you'll customize your home page and add any additional pages to your site. 

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Need some tips for your content pages? Check out these articles

Content Tips for Your Home Page

January 31, 2024: Content Tips and Tricks

Create a Table That Links to Hidden Content Pages

Social Networks

If you'd like to configure your site's social settings, you can do that here. You can also mark this as done on your launch checklist if you don't want to enable social features.

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Optional: Sponsor Scroll

This is where you highlight your sponsors on your site's pages.

Want to know how to use Swell to highlight and recruit sponsors?  January 17, 2024: Managing Sponsorships in Swell

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Set up Your Products

Since we're talking about ticketed events, you'll want to set up a ticket product.

Click "Next" to move through each of the steps below to learn how to do that. Tip: If you don't see anything in the space below, the Scribe may still be loading. Give it a few more minutes or refresh your browser.

NOTE: If this is a virtual event, make sure to select "virtual ticket" from the product drop-down.

Do you need to create coupons or complimentary tickets (comps)? You may also find this episode of Just 1 Thing from Swell interesting: July 10, 2024: Creating and Using Discount Codes.

While you're in products, set up your tables/teams and sponsorships.

Here's how to set up tables or teams:

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Here's how to set up sponsorships:

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Optional: Groups

 

Not sure if you need groups? This article will help.

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Settings

You don't have to edit these, but if you'd like to, these guides will show you how.

Settings: Donation Page

For more information on donation page settings including a glossary of terms, see this article.

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Settings: Ticketing Checkout Page

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Settings: Sponsorship Checkout Page

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Settings: Table/Team Checkout Page

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Settings: Buttons

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Settings: Leaderboards

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Optional: Edit Your Emails

Swell sends transactional emails on your behalf. If you don't want to edit your emails, you can choose "mark complete" in your event's launch checklist. However, if you'd like to view and/or edit them, you can do that in the Email Editor.

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Launch Your Site

Once you're happy with how your site looks and you're ready to launch it, click on Dashboard in the left-hand vertical menu (Hint: It's just above Setup where you've been working).

If you've gone through the process above. Everything will be checked off like in this image. If you've opted not to edit your social media settings or your email templates, you can mark them as complete now.

Click the big blue I'm Ready button to launch your site! 

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Don't forget about your QR Codes!

Guests can use them to quickly purchase tickets at the door or easily make a donation from their phone. Check out this article for ways to use your QR codes and this one if you want to customize them.

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