Should You Run a First Card Ad or an Email for Your Pickleball Tournament?
Tournament directors often ask whether they should run a First Card Ad or send an email campaign to promote their event. The best strategy is to use both. Running both channels expands your reach, increases visibility, and creates multiple opportunities for players to discover and register for your tournament—without doubling your commission costs.
What Is a First Card Ad or Email Campaign?
Both First Card Ads and email campaigns are marketing tools used to promote tournaments and drive registrations.
Each channel reaches players in a different way:
• First Card Ads highlight your tournament directly within the platform experience.
• Email campaigns deliver tournament announcements directly to players’ inboxes.
Using both creates multiple touchpoints with potential participants.
Instead of relying on a single message, your tournament appears in more places where players are already paying attention.
How Do First Card Ads and Email Campaigns Work Together?
Affiliate campaigns use a single tracking link across all marketing channels.
Because the same tracking link is used:
• Registrations are tracked accurately
• Commissions are only applied once
• Multiple promotional channels can work together seamlessly
This means running both a First Card Ad and an email campaign does not double your commission costs.
Instead, it simply expands the number of players who see your event.
Step 1: Launch a First Card Ad
First Card Ads place your event in a prominent position where players browsing the platform can easily discover it.
These ads help capture attention from players already searching for tournaments.
Step 2: Send an Email Campaign
Email promotions allow you to reach players directly in their inbox.
This approach can remind players about upcoming events and encourage them to register quickly.
Step 3: Use the Same Affiliate Tracking Link
Both marketing channels operate under the same affiliate tracking system.
Because the link is shared:
• Only one commission is applied
• Registrations are attributed accurately
• Your tournament benefits from increased exposure
The result is broader promotion without additional commission costs.
Why Should Tournament Directors Use Both Channels?
Running both campaigns increases the number of opportunities players have to discover your event.
Key advantages include:
Benefit #1: Increased visibility
Your tournament appears in multiple places where players are already looking for events.
Benefit #2: Multiple player touchpoints
Seeing the event more than once increases the likelihood of registration.
Benefit #3: No duplicate commission
Even with two promotional channels, the 20% commission is applied only once per registration.
Does the Commission Apply to All Registrations?
No. The affiliate commission only applies to registrations generated through the tracked campaign links.
Registrations generated through your own marketing efforts are not subject to commission.
Examples of grassroots promotion include:
• Flyers and local advertising
• Word-of-mouth promotion
• Social media posts
• Partnerships with local clubs
These registrations remain entirely yours without any commission applied.
Common Questions About Tournament Promotion
Will running both promotions double my commission?
No. Because both channels use the same tracking link, the commission is applied only once per registration.
Do I have to choose between a First Card Ad and an email campaign?
No. Running both is recommended because it increases exposure and player engagement.
What if players find the tournament through my own marketing?
Registrations generated through your own efforts—such as social media or club promotion—do not incur affiliate commissions.
Why do multiple marketing touchpoints matter?
Players often need to see an event more than once before registering. Multiple promotions increase the chances they’ll sign up.
Key Takeaways
• First Card Ads and email campaigns are complementary marketing tools.
• Both channels use the same tracking link within affiliate campaigns.
• The 20% commission only applies once per registration.
• Grassroots registrations from your own marketing are not subject to commission.
• Using both channels expands your tournament’s reach.
Ready to Maximize Your Tournament’s Reach?
Run both a First Card Ad and an Email campaign to increase visibility and drive more registrations.
Pickleball Play Solutions is here to amplify your event and help connect you with more players—so you can focus on delivering a great tournament experience.
