If you wait until tickets go on sale to start building hype, you’re already behind. To drive strong early sales, you need a list of potential buyers ready and waiting—people who’ve already said “I want in.” The best way to build that list? Combine smart contact collection strategies with pre-sale energy-building tactics like exclusive contests and early-access offers.
In this article, we’ll show you how to collect contact info in ways that feel natural (not pushy), and turn casual interest into confirmed ticket buyers. From embedded forms and giveaways to VIP table reservations, these tactics will help you build a warm audience ready to convert the moment ticket sales open.
1. Set Up an Early Access Form (and Make It Matter)
Don’t just sell tickets—build anticipation first. The buyer’s journey starts long before the sales page.
A simple sign-up form can turn curiosity into commitment. But it needs to feel like more than just a marketing form—it needs to offer value.
Let fans opt-in for early access, exclusive discounts, or presale links. Make it sound urgent and exclusive: “Be the first to grab your tickets,” or “Subscribers get 24-hour early access before the general public.”
Why It Works
When someone enters their email, they’re raising their hand to say, “I’m interested.” That contact becomes gold: you can send reminders, exclusive content, countdowns, and limited-time offers—all before anyone else even hears about the event.
What to Try
- Landing page form: Build a standalone page linked from your ads, Instagram bio, or Linktree. Keep it simple: headline, short description, email field, submit button.
- Embedded site widget: Add a sticky bar or pop-up to your event landing page. Example: “Want tickets before everyone else? Join the list.”
- Social CTA: Share Stories or posts with the line: “First to sign up = first to buy.” Use countdown stickers and swipe-up links (or comments + bio links).
Bonus Tip
Once users submit the form, thank them with something valuable—a downloadable wallpaper, exclusive video, or just a branded confirmation email with the event date and artist lineup.
Want to turn interest into sales before the event launches? Here are 5 ways to use polls to do exactly that.
2. Use Contests to Drive Contact Collection (Without Feeling Like Spam)
A contest isn’t just for fun. Done right, it’s a high-conversion list-building machine. The trick is to make the prize desirable, the entry process easy, and the follow-up automatic.
What Kinds of Contests Work Best?
- Comment-to-enter giveaways: Ask users to comment a specific word (like “rock” or “VIP”) to enter. Then DM them with a form to enter the actual contest. That DM doubles as a soft funnel to collect emails.
- Tag & win: Ask users to tag a friend in the comments. This boosts reach while signaling interest. Then drive traffic to your entry form: “Want to win free tickets? Fill out this form—we’ll contact the winner by email!”
- Email-based raffles: “Subscribe by Friday to enter to win 2 tickets + merch.” Collect emails with a simple form and follow up with exclusive discounts—even for non-winners.
Always include a disclaimer about contest rules. Make it clear that entering doesn’t guarantee a win—but everyone who signs up can get exclusive early access or a special offer. That way, even if they don’t win, they’re still part of your pre-sale campaign.
Turn Contest Entries into Future Sales
Don’t ghost your entrants! Once you have their info:
- Send a “thank you for entering” email that includes an exclusive discount or a link to pre-save the event.
- Set up a sequence to build hype: sneak peeks, early bird reminders, artist clips.
- Use the collected audience for custom ad targeting—they’re already warm.
3. Let People Reserve Their Spot—Before Tickets Even Exist
Give fans a way to commit early.
One of the most underused tactics for increasing pre-sale conversions is letting people signal serious interest through a VIP table request or reservation form. You don’t need to process payment right away. You just need to get them to say, “I want in.”
Why VIP Forms Work
VIP buyers are usually your highest spenders—don’t wait to talk to them. If you have VIP tables, premium seating, or bottle service packages, start taking non-binding reservation requests early.
Even a simple form like:
- “Want to reserve a VIP table before tickets drop? Fill out this quick form.”
- “Book now, pay later. Reserve your premium spot before it’s gone.”
…can help you gauge demand and start segmenting high-interest attendees before sales open.
How to Use It
- Create a short form asking for name, email, phone number, group size, and preference.
- Use tools like Google Forms, Jotform, or Typeform.
- Embed it on your landing page or link it from bio/social buttons.
Follow-Up Is Everything
After someone fills out a VIP form, follow up fast—ideally within 24 hours. You can send:
- A personalized email or SMS thanking them for their interest
- Details on what’s included in the VIP experience
- An invitation to complete their reservation once tickets go live
Want to turn VIP leads into high-spend attendees? Use forms like these to qualify and nurture your most profitable fans.
Want to learn more on how to price VIP tickets? Read the full expert playbook.
Conclusion: Don’t Just Wait—Build Your Audience Before the Launch
Every concert organizer wants a big opening day—but that only happens if you’ve already built a list of excited potential buyers. By using early-access forms, comment contests, and reservation tools, you collect valuable contacts who are warmed up and ready to convert.
More importantly, these tactics give you insight into your demand—who wants what, how urgently, and how much they’re willing to spend.
Don’t rely on cold ads or last-minute hype. Start building your list before tickets drop, and your first day of sales won’t feel like a gamble—it’ll feel like a sure thing.
Ready to launch your pre-sale strategy with expert support? Contact us at Brutal Marketing today.
