If you're an event organiser in the UK tired of handing over 10% of your revenue to ticketing platforms, this guide will show you exactly how to take control of your ticket sales, own your audience, and keep upwards of 97.5% of every pound you earn.
The Hidden Cost of Traditional Ticketing Platforms
Let's start with the brutal mathematics that most UK organisers never calculate:
Example: 500 tickets at £40 each = £20,000 revenue
- Traditional platform at 10% fee = £2,000 gone
- Presso Ticket Links at 1% + Stripe fees ≈ £500 total
- You keep an extra £1,500
That's not just margin. That's the difference between breaking even and actually profiting from your event.
Why Payment Links Beat Locked-In Platforms
Traditional ticketing platforms don't just take your money — they take your control. Here's what you lose with locked-in systems:
Revenue Control
Every ticket sold through their platform means 8-10% disappears into their pocket. For a mid-sized event, that's often more than your entire marketing budget.
Audience Ownership
Your attendees become their customers. They control the data, the follow-up marketing, and the relationship you've built with your community.
Marketing Freedom
You're forced to drive traffic to their branded pages, building their audience while paying for the privilege.
Payment links flip this entirely. You sell tickets directly through your own channels while still getting secure, managed payments.
How to Use Presso Ticket Links in Your Marketing Strategy
1. Website Integration
Instead of redirecting visitors to a third-party ticketing site, embed your Presso payment links directly:
Best practices:
- Place prominent "Buy Tickets" buttons on your homepage
- Create dedicated event pages with embedded ticket links
- Use clear, action-oriented copy: "Secure Your Spot" or "Get Your Tickets Now"
- Keep visitors on your domain throughout the purchasing journey
Result: Your brand stays front and center, and you capture all the SEO value from ticket-related searches.
2. Email Marketing Mastery
Your email list is your most valuable asset. Don't waste it by sending subscribers away to someone else's platform.
Strategy:
- Include ticket links directly in your email campaigns
- Create early-bird campaigns with exclusive pricing
- Send targeted follow-ups to non-purchasers
- Use your email footer for ongoing ticket sales
Pro tip: Track which email campaigns drive the most sales since you own the entire customer journey.
3. Newsletter Sales That Convert
Whether you're running a weekly newsletter or quarterly updates, ticket links let you sell without disrupting the reading experience.
Implementation:
- Soft-sell approach: "PS - tickets for our May event are selling fast" + link
- Content-driven sales: Write about upcoming speakers, then naturally include ticket access
- Exclusive offers: "Newsletter subscribers get early access" + private link
4. Social Media Without the Redirect
Every time you send followers to an external ticketing site, you risk losing them. Payment links solve this.
Effective approaches:
- Instagram Stories with ticket links in bio
- LinkedIn posts with direct ticket purchase options
- Facebook events that link to your payment page
- Twitter threads that conclude with ticket access
5. QR Code Magic for Offline Marketing
Print marketing doesn't have to end at awareness. QR codes connected to your payment links turn physical materials into instant ticket sales.
Applications:
- Flyers and posters with "Scan to Buy" QR codes
- Business cards for networking events
- Merchandise that promotes upcoming shows
- At-event sales for future events
Technical note: QR codes linking to Presso payment links work seamlessly across all devices and don't require app downloads.
The Security Question: Why Managed Payments Matter
One concern organisers have about moving away from big platforms is payment security. Here's why Presso Ticket Links actually offer better protection:
Stripe Integration
All payments flow through Stripe, the same system used by major companies worldwide. This means:
- PCI compliance handled automatically
- Fraud protection built-in
- Reliable 7-day payout cycles
- Full transaction transparency
No Platform Risk
When you're locked into a ticketing platform, you're vulnerable to their policy changes, fee increases, or service outages. With payment links, you control the infrastructure.
Real-World Implementation: A Step-by-Step Example
Let's walk through how a London venue might implement this strategy:
The Venue: Independent music venue hosting monthly indie nights
Challenge: Currently losing £800 per event to platform fees (200 tickets × £20 × 20% total fees)
Implementation:
- Website Update: Replace third-party ticketing widget with Presso payment links
- Email Campaign: Monthly newsletter now includes direct ticket access
- Social Strategy: Instagram posts link directly to ticket purchase
- Print Materials: Posters around London include QR codes for instant buying
- At-Event Sales: QR codes on receipts for next month's show
Result: Monthly savings of £760 per event (keeping 97.5% vs 80% previously)
The Competitive Advantage for UK Organisers
The UK events market is saturated with venues and organisers competing on thin margins. Payment links give you three distinct advantages:
Price Flexibility
With 9% more margin per ticket, you can:
- Offer competitive pricing while maintaining profit
- Run more aggressive promotional campaigns
- Invest savings back into better talent or production
Audience Building
Unlike platforms that silo your customers, payment links help you build a direct relationship with every ticket buyer, creating long-term value beyond single events.
Cash Flow Control
7-day payouts through Stripe mean your ticket sales fund your event preparation instead of sitting in someone else's account for weeks.
Getting Started: Your First 30 Days
Week 1: Setup and Testing
- Create your Presso Ticket Links account
- Set up your first event and test the payment flow
- Integrate links into your website
Week 2: Marketing Integration
- Add ticket links to existing email campaigns
- Update social media profiles with direct ticket access
- Create QR codes for any printed materials
Week 3: Optimisation
- Track which channels drive the most sales
- A/B test different call-to-action copy
- Gather feedback from early customers
Week 4: Scale and Expand
- Apply learnings to future events
- Experiment with exclusive offers through different channels
- Calculate your total savings vs. previous platform
The Bottom Line
Payment links aren't just a cheaper alternative to traditional ticketing platforms - they're a fundamentally different approach that puts organisers back in control.
When you sell tickets through your own marketing channels, you're not just saving on fees. You're building a sustainable business that doesn't depend on external platforms to survive.
For UK organisers serious about profitability and growth, the choice is clear: own your ticketing, own your audience, own your future.
Ready to keep 97.5% of your ticket revenue? Start with Presso Ticket Links today at pressotickets.com or contact our team for a personalised demo.
Presso Ticket Links: Simple payment links. Secure payouts. No platform prison.