Ticketometer (www.ticketometer.com), an online service that allows artists to create shows that only happen if a minimum number of tickets are sold, has been released in beta version. The site is fully functional and is targeted toward up-and-coming artists who would like to expand their touring presence into new cities without the risk of playing to empty venues. Local and touring artists can also take advantage of ticketometer by preselling tickets to shows and using guaranteed attendance to increase their clout with venues.
Artists, managers, promoters and booking agents who sell tickets through ticketometer specify a minimum number of tickets that must be sold for the show to take place (the “setoff point”). If the setoff point is reached, the artist reconfirms the event before the show becomes official. Fans will only be charged for their tickets once the show is reconfirmed and will be fully re-funded in the event the show does not happen. Having already presold tickets, the artist then selects a venue (guaranteeing a sizeable crowd for the venue) and plays the show.
Ticketometer provides a unique way for artists to connect with their fans in any city throughout the world and gives them a newfound leverage in their negotiations with venues. “The reason why I love this idea is that we are giving so much power to the guys who don’t have it right now,” says co-founder Jaron Lukasiewicz. Co-founder Ardon Lukasiewicz adds, “Ticketometer also gives artists the ability to promote themselves in creative new ways. For instance, an artist can pit two cities against each other–the first to reach the setoff point wins the show.”
The ticketometer team will be adding additional features to the site over the coming weeks and plans to have its full-scale launch later this summer.