WHERE
On Demand
Part of the Expanding Timer Revenue Series
This special edition of Timer Tip Tuesday, we dive into innovative and practical strategies timers are using to grow their revenue and strengthen their businesses.
This interactive session is designed to spark ideas and foster collaboration within the timing community. RunSignup’s Soren Larson will kick things off by sharing some of the creative techniques we’ve seen timers use to generate new income streams.
Then, we’ll open the floor to attendees, offering a platform to share your own revenue-boosting tips.
What to Expect:
- Real-world revenue strategies from fellow timers
- Ideas for expanding your service offerings
- Open discussion and Q&A with industry peers
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and walk away with ideas to help grow your timing business.
Summary of Webinar
Overview
This webinar focuses on creative, low-overhead ways timers can expand revenue beyond basic race timing. Drawing on timer survey data and real-world experience, the session emphasizes that timing is often just the starting point—and that most timers are already well-positioned to offer additional services that improve race quality while increasing profitability.
The discussion centers on services that leverage what timers already have: results data, timing hardware, operational expertise, and deep familiarity with race-day workflows.
Key Context & Series Recap
This session builds on earlier Timer Revenue Series topics:
Track Meets & Ticketing
Maximizing RaceJoy Revenue
Upcoming: Registration as a Service, Marketing as a Service
A key data point from the Timer Survey:
81% of timers already offer services beyond timing
This confirms that:
Timing is rarely the only value timers provide
There is significant opportunity to formalize, price, and scale these services
Common Non-Timing Services Timers Already Offer
From survey responses, the most common add-on services include:
Registration setup & management
Race directing & event management
Check-in management
Course certification & setup
Event marketing support
Item rentals (equipment, displays)
Custom shirts or bibs
Key insight:
These services sit squarely within the timer’s expertise—timers see more races than almost anyone else and understand what works and what doesn’t.
Guiding Framework for Add-On Services
Every service discussed is evaluated through three lenses:
Participant benefit – Does this improve the race-day experience?
Organizer benefit – Does this increase engagement, professionalism, or revenue?
Timer benefit – Does this generate revenue, reduce risk, or increase retention?
If all three benefit, it’s a strong candidate for an add-on service.
Revenue Idea #1: Announcer Feeds & Announcer Lines
What It Is
Providing real-time participant name feeds to race announcers at or before the finish line.
Participant Benefits
Hearing their name announced
Increased cheering and recognition
Enhanced emotional finish experience
Organizer Benefits
Higher engagement around the finish
Stronger sponsor activation via PA announcements
Timer Benefits
Easy upsell using existing timing data
No extra staffing if integrated at the finish
Acts as a backup timing data stream
Pricing Ideas
$150 – Basic announcer feed at finish
$300 – Dedicated announcer line ~150 ft before finish
Bonus:
Announcer lines can double as a timing backup with delayed offsets, increasing redundancy at minimal cost.
Revenue Idea #2: Result Displays & Result Receipts
What It Is
Interactive ways for runners to immediately see and share results:
Digital display boards
Printed result receipts
Participant Benefits
Instant feedback
Shareable moment post-race
Tangible takeaway
Organizer Benefits
Social media amplification
Sponsor placement on displays or receipts
Professional race presentation
Timer Benefits
Early error detection (“my time looks wrong”)
Uses existing results data
Premium service without heavy lift
Pricing Ideas
$250 – Result display board
$50 – Result receipt print station
Revenue Idea #3: Results Kiosks & Device Rentals
What It Is
Using spare or existing hardware as:
Results kiosks
Check-in stations
POS devices
Information hubs
Participant Benefits
Immediate access to results
Reduced confusion post-race
Organizer Benefits
No need to source extra tech
Improved runner experience
Timer Benefits
Monetizes idle hardware
Leverages technical expertise
Can bundle internet access (e.g., Starlink)
Pricing Concepts
Per-device rental
Per-kiosk setup
Internet access as a premium add-on
Revenue Idea #4: Photos, Videos & Certificates
What It Is
Offering:
Finish line photos
Course photos
Finish line videos
Digital certificates
Participant Benefits
Shareable content
Personal keepsakes
Organizer Benefits
Free marketing via social sharing
Sponsor logo placement
Higher perceived event quality
Timer Benefits
Uses RunSignup’s built-in tools
Acts as timing backup
Reinforces premium provider positioning
Pricing Ideas
Setup fee (e.g., $150)
Per-runner fee (e.g., $0.25/runner)
Markup on third-party photographers
Important Principle:
If you don’t assign value to a service, the race won’t either.
Revenue Idea #5: Introducing Your Customers to Each Other
What It Is
Facilitating connections between race organizers:
Series creation
Shared marketing
Volunteer exchanges
Race director meetups
Why It Matters
Stronger local race ecosystems
Increased participation across events
Long-term timer retention and growth
Examples
Seasonal race director meetups
Educational + networking events
Case study sharing between races
Indirect Revenue Impact
Higher race participation = higher timer revenue
Increased “stickiness” with organizers
Positioning yourself as a community leader
Selling These Services Effectively
Timing Matters
Avoid pitching new services one month before race day
Budget decisions are already made
Best Opportunities
Post-race recap emails
Invoices with usage metrics
Year-over-year planning conversations
Smart Strategy
Trial services at low or no cost
Show the value first
Price it properly next year
Community-Driven Growth
Timers are uniquely positioned to:
Share best practices
Normalize premium race experiences
Introduce tools like RaceJoy, announcer feeds, and photo tagging
Hosting local gatherings:
Builds loyalty
Creates peer pressure (in a good way)
Helps smaller races visualize what’s possible
Key Takeaways
Most timers already provide more than timing—many just aren’t pricing it
Add-on services should benefit participants, organizers, and timers
Existing data and hardware can be monetized with minimal overhead
Assigning value is critical to adoption
Community building drives long-term revenue growth
Timers who position themselves as experts win more business