• A customer purchases a product or service from a participating merchant through Ticket to the Town.
• Each qualifying purchase generates a unique ticket number.
• Ticket numbers are entered into a monthly drawing (or a non-time-bound drawing, if preferred).
• One or more winners are selected to receive prizes such as free meals, experiences, gift cards, or bundled offers.
• Winners are announced publicly (with consent) to build trust, visibility, and excitement.
• Non-competing merchants may contribute additional prizes, creating bundled experiences and cross-promotional value.

• Higher conversion and average order value: Customers are motivated to spend more per visit.
• Customer acquisition and retention: New customers discover your business, while repeat customers return for future drawings.
• Brand differentiation: Transparent, community-focused promotions stand out from traditional discounts.
• Actionable insights: Aggregated ticket data helps inform future offers and campaigns.
• Social proof and referrals: Winner announcements and prize experiences encourage sharing.
• Expanded reach: Cross-marketing with non-competing merchants amplifies exposure for everyone involved.

Restaurants and Cafés

• Promote bundled offers (appetizer, entrée, dessert, wine).
• Create themed drawings tied to seasons or local events.

Amusements and Activities

• Encourage upgrades to premium or bundled experiences.
• Use drawings to increase midweek or off-peak attendance.

Vineyards and Wineries

• Offer tastings, tours, or private experiences as prizes.
• Align drawings with wine releases or harvest events.

Retail and Specialty Merchants

• Highlight new arrivals or slow-moving inventory.
• Cross-promote complementary businesses in a single drawing.

Cross-marketing allows merchants that do not directly compete to collaborate on prize bundles, creating more compelling offers for customers.

• Expanded audience reach for each participating merchant
• Higher perceived prize value through bundled experiences
• Lower marketing costs due to shared promotion

Best practices:

• Define clear non-compete boundaries.
• Publish simple prize and fulfillment terms.
• Highlight partner spotlights across blogs, email, and social media.
• Ensure all partners approve branding and prize descriptions.

1. Define objectives (sales, acquisition, retention).
2. Set the drawing cadence and prize structure.
3. Ensure Ticket to the Town purchases generate entries.
4. Publish a rules and terms page.
5. Create a promotion calendar.
6. Train staff and participating partners.
7. Launch a pilot and gather feedback.
8. Promote winners and prize experiences.

• “Buy through Ticket to the Town and get entered into our monthly drawing.”
• “Support local businesses and win memorable experiences.”
• “This month’s prize includes offerings from multiple local merchants.”

• Social: “Shop local and enter to win with every Ticket to the Town purchase.”
• Email: “Win this month—support local, enter automatically.”
• In-store: “Buy. Enter. Win. It’s that simple.”

• Average order value increase
• Repeat purchase frequency
• New vs returning customer entries
• Prize redemption rates
• Social engagement and referrals
• Cross-merchant referral impact

There are no setup or monthly fees for merchants to participate in the monthly drawing when customers purchase through Ticket to the Town. Cross-marketing prize bundles are optional and governed by partner agreements, keeping the program accessible for small and mid-sized businesses.