Selling tickets is no longer the finish line, but it’s the starting point. As more events embrace hybrid and digital formats, revenue opportunities have expanded beyond traditional admission. From premium livestreams to behind-the-scenes content and downloadable experiences, virtual add-ons are giving organizers new ways to engage audiences and generate support. Platforms like Brown Paper Tickets, a ticketing service offering digital tools for flexible and inclusive event planning, help make this shift manageable, by supporting multi-tier access and simplified add-on options that fit a wide range of event styles.
What attendees want is changing. They’re no longer only looking for a seat, instead they are looking for choice, connection and value. As more people tune in from home or across time zones, digital extras are becoming essential, not just for reach but for revenue. Here are several overlooked virtual add-ons that can bring new energy and income to your next event.
Premium Livestream Access
While many livestreams offer a general feed of mainstage content, premium streaming packages open the door to deeper engagement. Organizers are creating tiered virtual passes that include features like speaker Q&As, alternate camera angles, curated chat access or real-time commentary from moderators and hosts. Some events provide a backstage view, where virtual attendees get exclusive interviews or session wrap-ups. Others offer live-only bonus content, a special performance, a behind-the-scenes walkthrough or a closing discussion that’s not recorded or replayed.
These extras don’t make the free version less appealing. They’re about offering something tailored for those who want more. By creating tiers of access, organizers give attendees options and generate new income, without adding significant cost.
Digital Merch and Download Bundles
Merch doesn’t have to ship to be meaningful. Organizers are bundling digital content, such as custom wallpapers, printable posters, event playlists, art from featured creators or access to e-books, as part of virtual event packages. Some events offer recorded guided meditations, recipes, templates or speaker handouts as downloadable extras. Others create a digital “swag bag” filled with sponsored gifts, discounts or trials relevant to the event’s theme.
These bundles can be sold separately, offered as part of a premium ticket tier or used as incentives for early registration. They cost less to deliver than physical merch and can still reflect the tone and experience of the event.
Replays and On-Demand Libraries
Many events are beginning to offer session recordings as part of post-event access, but replays can also be positioned as a paid add-on. Organizers are creating on-demand libraries that include extended content, bonus interviews or full conference replays with searchable segments. These libraries serve attendees who couldn’t join live or want to revisit the material at their own pace.
Certain events create urgency with time-limited access, while others provide tiered replay options, such as one-week versus full-year access. Additional features like timestamped notes, highlights or downloadable guides enhance value and support pricing. This approach works particularly well for educational events, where the content remains relevant beyond the live event and supports ongoing learning.
Pay-to-Participate Interactive Features
Audience participation can also generate revenue, when offered with care. Some events are creating paid breakout sessions, small-group workshops or limited-capacity meetups that offer more direct access to speakers or facilitators. Others use this model for interactive activities, such as craft kits, meal prep sessions or wellness experiences, where attendees can pay for both access and supplies shipped in advance.
These moments aren’t about excluding the general audience. They’re about offering higher-touch experiences to those who want a more immersive format. When positioned well, they feel like value, not an upsell.
Exclusive Post-Event Extras
Organizers are finding new ways to continue engagement and revenue after the event wraps. One approach is to offer post-event digital content that isn’t available to general attendees, such as recorded panel debriefs, extended Q&A, attendee discussion recaps or highlights from chat conversations.
Some events include digital certificates, badges or storytelling kits that encourage attendees to reflect on and share their experience. Others collaborate with sponsors or educators to provide continuing education credits or include trial subscriptions and bonus tools related to the event’s theme. This approach not only extends the revenue opportunities but also strengthens engagement and builds loyalty for future events.
Tiered Access That Reflects Audience Choice
Virtual audiences aren’t one-size-fits-all. Some people want access to core content only, while others are happy to pay for a more tailored, connected or extended experience. Tiered pricing reflects this reality. By offering clear levels, general access, premium packages and all-access passes, organizers let attendees choose what they want and support the event in a way that fits their interests.
Brown Paper Tickets supports this structure with tools that allow for easy customization of ticket types, add-ons and donation prompts, all while keeping communication streamlined and clear. This kind of flexibility matters, especially for small teams or community organizers trying to meet varied needs, without overwhelming their systems.
Making It Meaningful
Revenue shouldn’t come at the expense of trust. The most successful virtual add-ons are designed with intention, not pressure. They offer genuine value and reflect the tone of the event. That might mean delivering content with a personal touch, limiting access to preserve intimacy or offering group discounts for community members. The focus isn’t on selling, but it’s on sharing. Organizers who prioritize their audience’s preferences often achieve better outcomes. Attendees are willing to pay for extras that feel relevant, valuable or enjoyable. When the experience honors their time and choices, both satisfaction and revenue increase.
Building for the Long Term
Digital revenue strategies aren’t just about one event. They create infrastructure that can support future offerings, year-round content, community subscriptions or virtual-first event series. Organizers are learning which extras resonate, which bundles convert and how to refine their approach over time. That data, paired with tools that make experimentation easy, opens the door to sustainable digital models. Platforms like Brown Paper Tickets play a key role by making it easy to manage access, track performance and adjust pricing, all without requiring custom development or external systems.
More Than Screen Time
Virtual events may take place on screens, but the best ones leave a real impression. With the right add-ons, they also leave behind stronger financial support. Whether through curated replays, premium access or thoughtful extras, organizers are finding new ways to serve their audiences and keep their events financially healthy in the process. It’s not about adding more. It’s about offering better. Often, what’s most overlooked is what attendees would be happy to support, if only they were asked.