Crowdwork vs OvationTix/AudienceView

Written By Nick Armstrong of RISE Comedy

When it comes to running a successful theater, festival, or comedy club, it's easy to focus on the big shiny things like shows, marketing, and community engagement, but let's not forget the backbone of your operation— your ticketing system.

Your ticketing system can make or break you. There are huge differences between vendors, not just in the features they offer, but also the fees they charge.

Today, I want to talk about two ticketing platforms that I've had experience with: OvationTix (now AudienceView) and CrowdWork.

Our venue, RISE Comedy in Denver CO, used to use AudienceView for our ticketing. Here were the things that stood out to me about that experience:

OvationTix/AudienceView

1. Costly: The high setup fees and ongoing costs can strain the budgets of organizations. And if you want to cancel, be prepared to pay!
2. Overly Complex: There is a steep learning curve for theatres which can make it frustrating for teams without dedicated tech support, which leads me to my next point...
3. Support Variability: Their customer service can be slow to respond, or even totally absent - even in emergencies, which was one of the biggest reasons we knew we had to find a new option.
4. Customer Experience: Customer experience on AudienceView is complicated and buggy, taking many screens to get to a purchase. We had many complaints about this at both RISE Comedy and at Westside Comedy when I worked with them as well.

After working and being frustrated with AudienceView, we decided to make a change. We looked for new vendors, specifically searching for one which didn't cost a fortune but still offered a fully-featured platform. Eventually we landed on CrowdWork, and here's why:

Why CrowdWork:

1. Theater-Focused: CrowdWork was designed specifically for theater companies, so it caters to the unique needs of performance venues without unnecessary complexity.
2. Simple Setup: Setting up your box office is a breeze. You do not need to be tech-savvy. You can start selling tickets quickly and easily.
3. Transparent (Low) Pricing: No hidden fees or surprise charges. What you see is what you get, and the fees are lower than any other platform we looked at, which is a huge relief when budgeting.
4. Community Engagement: CrowdWork listens to its users, to the point where they actually ask us what new features we would like. They frequently roll out updates based on direct feedback from theaters.
5. Customer Support: Their support is responsive and helpful, especially in time-sensitive situations, so you won’t be left in the lurch if you need assistance. You can tell that it’s a platform built by people who genuinely care about the arts, and have been in your shoes working at a venue before.

Why CrowdWork is the Better Choice

For most theaters, simplicity, affordability, and ease of use are key. CrowdWork delivers on all fronts, offering a seamless experience for both venues and patrons.

Your ticketing system should be an ally, not an obstacle, and CrowdWork’s straightforward approach is a breath of fresh air. Their commitment to the community means you’re not just buying a ticketing system—you’re joining a supportive network that understands and supports your mission.

In the interest of disclosure, you should know that I eventually joined the CrowdWork team. But I don't think they're great because I joined - I joined because I thought they were great. I'm writing this because they are simply the better option.

With CrowdWork, you get a platform that’s easy to use, fairly priced, no contracts, and designed with your needs in mind.

Finally, a system that lets you focus on what really matters: creating unforgettable experiences for your audience.