What is a Raffle Ticket? The Nuts & Bolts
A raffle ticket is simply a numbered stub people buy for a shot at winning a prize. It is like a fun game of chance, often used by groups to gather funds for a good cause, project, or event. You sell tickets, collect the money, and then draw a lucky number—the winner gets the goodies.
This article, updated as of April 2025, will walk you through the essentials you need to know to get started with your raffle events. We’ll cover 7 quick ways to sell raffle tickets online, how to make printable raffle tickets using software like Word, find free raffle ticket template generators, discuss setting your raffle ticket price effectively, offer some raffle ticket box DIY ideas, and even help you find a free raffle ticket spinner.
7 Quick Ways to Sell Raffle Tickets Online
Running a raffle is about reaching that fundraising goal, and you can’t do that without selling the tickets. Here are seven quick and easy ways to get those digital tickets flying off the virtual shelves quickly and easily.
1. Create a Compelling Fundraising Story
People connect with stories, not just transactions. Why are you running this raffle? What difference will the funds make? Clearly explaining the purpose behind your raffle is important. Share a heartfelt story that connects emotionally with potential participants. Whether supporting a local animal shelter, funding a school trip, or helping a community project, clarify the ‘why.’
Paint a picture of the positive impact their contribution will have. Use photos or short videos if you can. When people understand and believe in the cause, they’re much more likely to buy a ticket or several and even share your raffle with their own networks.
2. Use Social Media Smartly
Social media is your megaphone for reaching a massive audience. With around 45% of the global population active on social media, it’s a space you need to be in. Create eye-catching graphics or short, engaging videos about your raffle – showcase the awesome prizes and remind people of the cause. Share these across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).
Tailor your message to each platform. Keep it short and snappy for X, visually focused for Instagram, and more detailed for Facebook. Encourage your followers to share the posts, and don’t forget to include a clear, direct link to where they can buy tickets.
3. Offer Early Bird Incentives
Everyone loves feeling like they got a special deal. Offering an early bird discount or a bonus entry for tickets bought before a certain date can create a sense of urgency and encourage people to buy now rather than later. This gives your sales an initial bump and helps build momentum.
Make sure the offer is genuinely attractive – maybe a slightly lower price per ticket or an extra ticket thrown in for purchases over a certain amount. Promote this limited-time offer heavily in your initial announcements. Double-check your local regulations first, as some areas have rules about tiered pricing for raffles.
4. Build Local Partnerships
Team up with local businesses. It’s a classic win-win. Ask businesses if they’d be willing to promote your raffle – maybe by sharing it on their social media, putting up a flyer, or sending an email to their customer list. In return, you can offer them promotion on your raffle page, social media shoutouts, or perhaps logo placement on the tickets.
You could even get creative and offer their customers an exclusive discount if they buy a raffle ticket through a special link. This would extend your reach into new networks and add credibility to your raffle. Choose partners whose values align with your cause for the best fit.
5. Run Targeted Email Campaigns
Email remains a surprisingly effective tool. Studies have shown email marketing can offer a fantastic return, sometimes averaging $42 back for every $1 spent. If you have an email list like past donors, members, or event attendees, use it. Send out targeted emails announcing the raffle.
Keep your emails short, visually appealing, and to the point. Remind people of the cause, highlight the top prizes, state the ticket price clearly, and include any deadlines like early bird offers. Most importantly, have a big, obvious button or link that takes them directly to the purchase page.
6. Make Buying Tickets Super Easy
Friction kills conversions. If buying a ticket is complicated, people will give up. Your online purchase process needs to be smooth, fast, and secure. Offer multiple payment options – credit cards are standard, but also consider adding digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay for quick checkouts, especially on mobile.
The purchase page should be clean, clear, and mobile-friendly. Ensure buyers receive instant purchase confirmation along with their digital ticket numbers. A seamless checkout experience can drastically reduce abandoned carts and make people happier to participate.
7. Choose the Right Online Platform
Using a dedicated online raffle platform can make your life much easier and boost sales. Look for platforms that offer features designed explicitly for raffles. Some things to look for include easy creation of shareable links for promotion, secure payment processing, instant ticket confirmation and delivery via email, and automated, transparent winner drawing features.
Some platforms are designed for non-profits and offer lower fees or integrate well with donor management systems. Using a platform that automates tasks like sending tickets and notifying winners frees up your time to focus on promotion and engaging with your audience. Zeffy, RallyUp, and GalaBid are examples of platforms offering these kinds of services.
How to Make Printable Raffle Tickets on Word?
Microsoft Word might not be the first tool you think of for graphic design, but you absolutely can create decent, printable raffle tickets using it, especially if you need sequential numbering.
It takes a bit of setup, particularly using the Mail Merge feature, but it’s doable if you don’t want to use specialized software or online tools. The real trick is getting those unique numbers onto each ticket stub automatically.
Here’s a step-by-step way to get it done:
- Design Your Basic Ticket Layout: Open a new Word document. Use tables or text boxes to create the structure for one raffle ticket. Include all the essential information: your organization’s name, contact info, the prize details, draw date and time, ticket price, and space for the ticket number. Remember to create both the main part of the ticket and the stub the buyer keeps. Make sure all required legal information for your area is present.
- Make it Look Good: Add your logo, maybe a simple border, or use some color to make the ticket visually appealing. Keep the design clean and make sure the text is easy to read. Leave clear spaces where the ticket numbers will go.
- Duplicate for Multiple Tickets per Page: Once you’re happy with the single ticket design, copy and paste it multiple times onto the page. Depending on their size and orientation, you can typically fit several tickets on a standard sheet. Adjust spacing and margins as needed.
- Prepare Your Number List in Excel: Open Microsoft Excel and create a new spreadsheet. In the first cell, type a header like “TicketNumber.” In the cell below it, type your starting number. In the cell below that, type the formula
=A2+1and press Enter. Now, click cell A3, grab the small square at the bottom-right corner, and drag it down for as many rows as you need tickets. This will automatically generate a sequential list of numbers. Save this Excel file where you can easily find it. - Connect Word to Your Excel List: Go back to your Word document. Click on the “Mailings” tab. Click “Select Recipients” and choose “Use an Existing List…”. Navigate to and select the Excel file you just saved. Confirm the sheet that contains your numbers and make sure the box for “First row of data contains column headers” is checked.
- Insert Number Placeholders: Place your cursor in Word exactly where you want the first ticket number to appear. Still on the “Mailings” tab, click “Insert Merge Field.” Choose the header name you used in Excel. A placeholder like
<<TicketNumber>>will appear. Repeat this process for every spot you need a number. - Add the “Next Record” Rule: This is the magic step for multiple tickets per page. After inserting the number placeholders for the first ticket on the page, place your cursor after the last placeholder. Go to the “Mailings” tab, click “Rules”, and select “Next Record”. A
<<Next Record>>placeholder will appear. Repeat this after each complete ticket on the page, except for the last ticket. This tells Word to pull the next number from your Excel list for the next ticket design on the same page. - Preview and Merge: Click “Preview Results” on the “Mailings” tab to see how the numbers look. You might need to adjust spacing around the
<<TicketNumber>>placeholders. Once satisfied, click “Finish & Merge” and select “Edit Individual Documents…” Choose “All” and click OK. Word will create a new document containing all your numbered tickets, which is ready to print. Save this merged file.
Are There Free Raffle Ticket Template Generators?
If fiddling with Mail Merge in Word sounds like too much of a hassle, you’re in luck. Plenty of websites and apps offer free raffle ticket templates and generators. These tools often provide pre-designed layouts that you can quickly customize with your event details, saving you time and effort, especially if design isn’t your strong suit. Many offer drag-and-drop interfaces and options specifically tailored for events and fundraising.
Here are a few places where you can find free raffle ticket generators and templates:
Canva
Canva is a super popular online design tool known for its user-friendliness. It offers many templates for almost anything, including raffle tickets. You can find numerous free raffle ticket templates with different styles, themes, and layouts.
Their platform uses a drag-and-drop editor, making customization straightforward. You can easily change colors, fonts, add your logo, and input your event details. While Canva has a vast library of free elements, some premium templates or graphics might require a paid subscription, but the free options are often more than sufficient for typical raffle needs. You can download your finished design as a PDF or image file for printing.
Adobe Express
Adobe Express is another strong contender, offering a collection of free raffle ticket templates. Coming from Adobe, the templates often have a polished, professional look. Like Canva, it provides an intuitive interface where you can pick and personalize a template.
You can adjust text, swap images, change color palettes, and add branding elements. Adobe Express aims to make design accessible to everyone, regardless of skill level. Once your design is ready, you can instantly download it for printing or sharing online. Like Canva, it has free and premium options, but plenty can be done without paying.
Zeffy
Zeffy is specifically designed for nonprofits and focuses on fundraising tools, including raffles. It offers features to create and manage raffles online, including generating digital raffle tickets. Zeffy claims to offer 100% free services for nonprofits, covering transaction fees so organizations keep all the money raised.
Beyond just templates, Zeffy provides tools to track ticket sales, manage participant information, and even handle online payments. They offer customizable digital raffle tickets, often with unique QR codes for easy tracking. If you’re a registered non-profit looking for an integrated solution beyond just printing physical tickets, Zeffy is worth checking out. They provide templates you can adapt for printable tickets, too, often within their guides.
TemplateLab
TemplateLab gathers various free templates for different uses, including a decent selection of printable raffle ticket templates. These are often available in formats like Word or PDF. The designs are more functional than flashy, focusing on a clear information layout.
While the design variety might not be as extensive as dedicated graphic design platforms, it’s a great resource if you need a straightforward, free template to download and edit quickly. They also often provide helpful tips and information about running raffles alongside the templates, which can be a nice bonus. You can find various styles, including basic numbered tickets ready for printing.
How to Set Your Raffle Ticket Price?
Figuring out the right price for your raffle tickets is a bit of an art and a science. You want to make enough money to hit your fundraising target and cover any costs, but you also need the price to feel fair and accessible to your potential buyers.
Setting it too high might scare people off, while setting it too low might mean you sell out but still fall short of your financial goal. Start by looking at the value of the prizes you’re offering. A higher value prize can usually support a higher ticket price, but always consider what your specific audience is likely willing and able to spend.
A common and effective approach is offering bundled deals. For example, $5 for one ticket, but $10 for three, or $20 for an “arm’s length.” This encourages people to buy more tickets than they might have initially planned. Bundling often increases the average amount spent per person.
Stick to easy, round numbers like $1, $5, $10, or $20 to cover costs, then set a realistic sales target above that to reach your fundraising objective.
Before you finalize anything, check your local and state raffle regulations and pricing. Some jurisdictions have strict rules. For instance, certain areas might require you to sell all tickets at the exact same price point, meaning tiered pricing or early bird discounts wouldn’t be allowed. You also need to make sure you have the necessary permits to run a raffle legally in the first place. Getting this wrong can lead to trouble, so a quick check of the rules is always time well spent.
Consider the overall goal and context. Lower price points with generous bundles might work best if a school fundraiser has smaller prizes. For a gala event with a luxury prize, a higher price might be perfectly acceptable to the attendees.
Raffle Ticket Box DIY Ideas
The raffle ticket box is where all the hopeful stubs go before the big draw; it needs to be secure enough to prevent tampering but also allow for fair mixing. While you can buy fancy rotating drums, making your own DIY raffle box is easy, cheap, and lets you add a personal touch.
Here are a few simple DIY ideas:
- The Decorated Cardboard Box: Grab any sturdy cardboard box. This could be a shoebox, tissue box, or small shipping box. Cut a slot in the top just big enough for tickets to slide in easily. Then, get creative. Wrap it in colorful paper, paint it, cover it in fabric, or slap on stickers related to your event theme or prize. Label it clearly as “Raffle Tickets.”
- The Classic Fishbowl/Jar: A clear glass fishbowl or a large jar is a traditional and easy option. Participants can see the tickets piling up, which can add to the excitement. Just make sure the opening is suitable – wide enough to drop tickets in, perhaps covered partially to discourage reaching in. You can decorate the outside with ribbons or paint markers.
- Theme-Specific Containers: Make this specific to your event or prize. Hosting a baby shower raffle? Decorate a diaper box. Raffling off tools or hardware? Use a clean, small toolbox or paint bucket. A gardening kit prize? Maybe a decorated flower pot. This adds a fun, thematic element.
- Craft Store Finds: Check out local craft stores or dollar stores. They often have plain wooden boxes, acrylic containers, or sturdy gift boxes that can be easily adapted. Look for boxes with lids that you can securely tape down after cutting a slot. Ensure the slot is wide enough for folded tickets but narrow enough to deter wandering hands.
Where to Get a Free Raffle Ticket Spinner?
Okay, so you’ve sold your tickets, the anticipation is high, and now it’s time for the main event – picking the winner. You need a fair and fun way to do the draw. There are tons of free digital “spinners” and random pickers online that make the process transparent and exciting, especially if you’re streaming your draw or doing it live.
Many websites offer simple, browser-based wheel spinners. You can often customize these wheels by inputting participant names or ticket numbers directly. Sites like Picker Wheel, SpinTheWheel.io, or Wheel of Names let you create a virtual wheel, add your entries, and give it a satisfying spin to randomly select a winner. Most are free for basic use and visually engaging for your audience. Just pop in the names or numbers, hit spin, and let fate decide.
You can also find dedicated random number generator tools or random name pickers online. Websites like RandomPicker.com not only draw winners but can sometimes offer features like generating a public record or certificate of the draw.
Don’t overlook mobile apps either! Search the App Store or Google Play Store for “random picker,” “spin the wheel,” or “raffle generator.” You’ll find plenty of free apps designed for exactly this purpose. Apps like “Spin The Wheel – Random Picker” or similar options let you create custom wheels or lists on your phone or tablet, making it easy to draw anywhere, anytime.
Some fundraising platforms like Zeffy or RallyUp might also include built-in, automated drawing tools if you use their service to sell tickets online, ensuring fairness and integration.
Raffle Tickets in 2025: Final Thoughts
So there you have it – a look into the world of raffle tickets, from figuring out the best ways to sell them online and making your own printable versions in Word, to finding free template generators, setting the right price, crafting DIY ticket boxes, and even locating free digital spinners for the big draw.
Running a successful raffle involves a mix of smart planning, good promotion, and understanding the tools available to make things easier.
Here are a few key takeaways to take with you:
- Storytelling sells: Connecting emotionally with buyers about your cause significantly boosts participation.
- Social media matters: Roughly 45% of the world uses social media, making it a crucial channel for promotion.
- Bundle deals work: Offering multi-buy discounts often encourages people to spend more.
- Easy payments are key: Simple checkout processes with options like Apple Pay reduce lost sales.
- Check the rules: Always confirm local laws regarding permits, pricing, and conducting raffles.
- Digital tools help: Online platforms and free generators can save time and effort.
- Email is effective: Email marketing can yield a high return, potentially $42 for every $1 spent.
Whether you’re a seasoned fundraiser or planning your first raffle, these tips should help you make your next event a success. This content was last updated in April 2025
Raffle Ticket FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about raffle tickets in 2025
What to Write on a Raffle Ticket?
Always include your organization’s name, contact details, the drawing date/time, ticket price, and prize description. Crucially, each ticket needs a unique sequential number for tracking and drawing. You might also need to add a permit number and age restrictions, depending on your location.
How Do I Ask People to Buy Raffle Tickets?
Be clear, friendly, and focus on the cause. Explain briefly what the funds support and mention the cool prizes – highlighting desirable prizes can increase sales significantly. Politely ask directly if they’d like to support the cause by buying a ticket, mentioning the price and any bundle deals. Enthusiasm is contagious, so show yours.