How to Maintain Revenue for Your Organization While Closed

During this difficult time, it can be stressful figuring out how to continue to bring in revenue while temporarily closed. While it is difficult to bring in revenue via ticket sales, there are other ways to increase revenue to help your organization reach its goals. One of the best sources of revenue your organization should take advantage of during this time are from memberships. 

By pushing memberships and gift card sales, reliable revenue that you need in a time of uncertainty can be provided. Below are some ideas on how to encourage patrons to join your memberships program.

One of the most effective ways to increase memberships is to create incentives. While your memberships already include many beneficial incentives to join, now is the time to take it up a notch. As your organizations are not currently open, you should not focus on offering immediate benefits. Instead, offer benefits that members can look forward to receiving when you’re back open. For example, offer free or discounted tickets, merchandise, special events/screenings, etc. Be creative—offer a perk that relates to the current outbreak, without being insensitive. For example, you could promise a screening of a fun, light, feel-good movie that members can all enjoy once everything Is all over. Cheer people up by giving them something to look forward to.

There are also some perks you can offer to new members immediately. For example, you can send members weekly lists of movie recommendations. Movie-goers are likely going to want to watch movies at home during this time, so this will be a good way to help them pick out movies. If possible, you could also send them ways to download movies or sign up to streaming services, with any discount code. Brainstorm ways to help members enjoy the theater experience at home as much as possible. Incentive-based referrals are also an idea if you want to gain new members quickly.

The most important thing you can do is to let everyone know your situation. Be transparent and let people understand that you are a small business, some of you even a non-profit, and rely on revenue to continue to operate. During this time, many people are very understanding and want to support small businesses however they can. Let people know the necessity of immediate revenue, and people will more likely buy memberships and/or donate. You don’t need to treat it as a charity. Instead, inform people about both the perks they can receive and how much it will help your organization in the long run. 

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