The Prize Raffle is really a “Chinese Raffle.” This is how it works:
Ask for donated prizes from family/friends and local businesses. i.e. - Gift certificates from restaurants, gift baskets from Mary Kay, Avon, etc. I would recommend at least 5 donated prizes. This works like a silent auction. Each donated prize needs an enclosed container of some sort that allows people to put their ticket(s) into. An hour before the dinner ends, have the drawing for each prize. People need not be in attendance because their name and number will be on the back of the ticket.
At the door, ask people to purchase tickets for the prize raffle or “Chinese Raffle” items. You will need a single roll of tickets. Each person will have to put their name and phone number on the back of the ticket. Charge $.50 - $1.00/ticket. (We charged $1.00 per ticket, $4.00 for 5 tickets, $8.00 for 10 tickets, etc.) Make sure they get a discount for every 5 tickets they buy.
Allow people at their own leisure to participate in this raffle. Make sure each prize has a detailed description of what the prize is and who/where it came from. Don’t forget to tell people the time of the drawings (an hour before the end of the dinner).
You can also Google “Chinese Raffle” to obtain a much better description.
The 50/50 can be done multiple ways. We did it this way:
People had the option of buying their tickets when they first came into the door. Most people didn’t buy their tickets until right before each raffle.
You will need a double roll of tickets- one for the person and one to go into the drawing container. Name and phone numbers are not needed for the 50/50 unless they will not be in attendance for the raffle. We had a raffle every hour. You could have a raffle every half hour (depends on the amount of people present). You’ll want to make 2 announcements before each raffle. The first will be made in order to allow people a last chance at buying tickets for the raffle. The second announcement will be made in order to warn people that the raffle is about to take place. During each raffle, announce the amount the winner will receive. Choose random people to draw the ticket and read off the ticket number (for added excitement). You’ll find that most people will donate their winnings to you or will use their winnings for the next 50/50. In the end, you usually end up with most, if not all of the 50/50 money.
There are of course different ways of doing each of these types of raffles. You could also consider auctions/silent auctions.
I'd like to have raffles (much like the "Chinese Raffle you mentioned) at our Zumbathon we're hosting next month. My issue is how do we get items to raffle off? I don't know if it's a pride thing or what, but I have a real issue with asking for "handouts". What do you suggest? Or how can I get over this?
ReplyDeleteamiyourmother-
ReplyDeleteThe only way to ensure you raise money is to ask for items to raffle. If you provide all the items it will be difficult to come out in the positive. The "pride thing" can be overcome if you have something to offer in return to businesses/friends that you ask for donated items or services from. We offered advertising at our event. We had 2 restaurants that donated gift certificates and we gave them free advertising at our event. We let them choose how they wanted to advertise. One just wanted their name near the raffle items and the other gave us their place settings with coupons on them to put out on the tables. The restaurants were more than happy to give a gift certificate in exchange for advertising. If you get things lined up with donated items to raffle far enough in advance, you can also advertise for the businesses/individuals on your flyers/letters for people promoting your event (Zumbathon). If you don't have any connections to small business owners or are still unwilling to swallow that pride and ask for donated items, people have had a lot of success asking local distributors of home-based business for donated items. For example: Mary Kay, Avon, Herbalife, Monavie, Pampered Chef, etc. Even if you have to let that person be at your event so they can advertise by mingling with people, DO IT! They are offering you free items in order for you to make money- in exchange let them advertise how they want. Most will not want to be at your event, just maybe a business card offered or something similar. If you are not willing to ask local home-based business owners for their help, you are going to have to brainstorm people you know that own their own business or have unique services to offer. Even if they are not close friends, contact them and tell them what you are trying to do and offer them advertising of their choice (within reason of course). You'll actually be suprised at how many businesses even individuals would be willing to offer something to be raffled off. Do you have friends that have a hobby like knitting, sewing, cooking... ask if they would mind creating something to be raffled off at your event. Do you know anyone that likes to babysit? Ask them if they wouldn't mind raffling off a few hours of free babysitting. You could do this yourself! You can even purchase small things to raffle that you would probably create a decent return on. You yourself can purcase a restaurant gift certificate, movie gift certificate, a manicure/pedicure gift certificate and raffle it off. Most likely you will come out in the positive after the raffle. However, the only way to ensure you are in the positive is to have your items donated. So swallow that pride sister and go for it. The worst that will happen is that people will say "no thank you" and as long as you have a grateful attitude even toward them listening to what you had to say you will have no problem moving on to ask next business or friend for help.
Think about your area and what interests people the most. For us, we approached our father inlaw for a something to raffle and he owned at contracting company. He didn't really have anything to offer except for some clothing with his company's name on it, so he went out and purhcased a hammock and we simply put a sign up that said, "Donated By..." and this by far raised the most money at the Chinese raffle. In all honesty, most of our money was raised through the 50/50 raffle! Lets face it, people want to win money!! ;-)