How to Sell More Dance Recital Tickets (Without the Last-Minute Stress)

Every dance studio owner knows the pattern.

Tickets go live. There’s a rush of sales in the first 48 hours. You think, “Brilliant — this is going to sell out.”

Then… nothing.

Weeks pass. You check sales far more often than you’d like to admit. And then, right before the show, everyone suddenly remembers they need tickets.

It’s frustrating. And stressful.

But, it doesn't have to be this way. Not with Stage Stubs...

The Simple Fix: Early-Bird Discount Codes

An early-bird discount gives families a reason to buy now instead of “sorting it later.”

It doesn’t have to be huge. Even 10% off or £2 per ticket is enough to nudge people into action. The key is the deadline.

When there’s an expiry date, people make a decision.

And when they buy earlier, you get:

• Money in the bank sooner
• A clearer idea of audience numbers
• Less anxiety in the weeks leading up to the show

It's not about adding discounts; it's about creating a ticket purchasing urgency to make your life easier in the long run. But it's not as complicated as it may sound. In fact, it's easy.

How to Set It Up

If you’re using Stage Stubs, which is one of the easiest ways to sell your tickets, it’s straightforward:

1. Publish your event as normal
2. Go to the Discount Codes tab
3. Click Create
4. Add a simple code like EARLYBIRD or RECITAL2026
5. Choose your discount (10–15% off or something like £2 off per ticket)
6. Set the expiry date for 3–4 weeks before the show

Once the deadline passes, the code switches off automatically. No chasing. No awkward reminders. No manual changes.

A Few Ways to Make It Work Even Better

Tell your studio families first

Give them access before the general sale opens. It feels exclusive, and you’ll often see a strong early boost.

Send one reminder

A simple “One week left to use your early-bird code” email can make a big difference.

Create separate codes if needed

Want to reward cast families? Or offer something slightly different to VIP supporters? You can run multiple codes with different expiry dates.

Keep it simple. One clear offer works better than lots of complicated deals.

Ready to Try It?

If you’re not already using Stage Stubs for your ticketing, now’s the perfect time.

You can set up your event, create discount codes in minutes, and start selling straight away — without spreadsheets or manual tracking.

👉 Head over to StageStubs.com and create your next event today.