What is The Big Sell?
Sign up for The Big Sell and get entrepreneurial raising funds for people experiencing homelessness. Then take to the streets on 8 August in an all-out competition to see who can sell the most copies of The Big Issue, in a single day.
The Big Sell is an annual event raising funds for the hard-working vendors of The Big Issue.
When does it take place?
The Big Sell 2024 will be on August 8, during Homelessness Week.
Who can participate?
Anyone with guts, grit and a drive to do good can register to sign up for The Big Sell! You can sign up as an individual or a team of two.
If you sign up solo, you'll be paired with another Big Sell leader on the day. But to really hit the ground running and get a competitive advantage, pick your teammate in advance and sign up together.
All registered participants can encourage their network, friends and family to donate to their Big Sell fundraising page.
Can I join up in a team?
You can join up in a team of two. Each team member must raise a minimum of $1,000 to take part, and every cent will help give meaningful work to people experiencing homelessness.
If there are more than two people in your organisation who want to take part, you'll compete across multiple teams. But you'll come together as a group, too! We're having a kickoff event at the start of your shift so you can egg each other on, and at the end you'll come back together to compare notes. Your organisation's total will also be displayed along with your individual and team totals on our digital leaderboard.
Can I join from anywhere?
In 2024, The Big Sell will be fully supported in Melbourne and Sydney.
If you'd like to participate in another city, please contact us at thebigsell@bigissue.org.au
Where does the money go?
Donations will help vendors of The Big Issue through innovative programs. For example, funds raised will support a special 2-for-1 offer for vendors, where, over the course of a fortnight, vendors will be able to purchase two magazines for the price of one to maximise their earnings.
How can I join The Big Sell?
You can register now to be on our early access list for the 2024 campaign by clicking the button above. If you have any questions, you can contact us directly at thebigsell@bigissue.org.au.
Will The Big Issue assist participants to help raise funds?
Absolutely!
We'll provide motivation and tips along the way.
And we provide all participants with a Toolkit, which will include lots of tips, tricks and assets that can be shared on social media to encourage your network to support you!
Does it cost to participate in The Big Sell?
There is no cost to register to take part in The Big Sell, whether you are participating as an individual or team! To participate in the Big Sell, we ask participants to meet a fundraising goal of $1,000.
If you have any further questions please email thebigsell@bigissue.org.au
What happens on the Big Sell Day?
- In Melbourne and Sydney, the event will be on a set morning: 8 August, from 7:30am to 11:30am.
- Melbourne participants meet at The Big Issue office right in the heart of the city 227 Collins St Melbourne. Sydney participants meet at The Big Issue office, 476 Pitt St Haymarket.
- You'll hear selling tips from a vendor, find out where your pitch (selling location) is, don your iconic fluoro vest, and hit the street to Sell, Sell Sell!
- You and your team mate (if you’ve signed up with a colleague) will be guided to your pitch by one of our friendly volunteers. We’ll set you up with your own Big Issue sign, and if you’ve registered solo, we’ll pair you up on the day with another team mate to sell with.
- Then you’ll compete in a team of two to sell as many copies of The Big Issue as you can. Make sure you take a photo to share!
- You'll be competing with others over two hours, before it's back to base for a celebration of the Top Sellers.
- This year, the event will be fully supported in Melbourne and Sydney but if you or colleagues wish to participate in another city, please contact us at thebigsell@bigissue.org.au
- You need to raise a minimum amount before the day to take part. Colleagues, family or friends can sponsor you and we have lots of resources to help you along the way!
Our business has previously participated in The Big Issue's CEO Selling event – is The Big Sell the same?
The concept is similar in that the aim is to help support hard working Big Issue vendors. You will still have an opportunity to don the fluoro vest and try your hand at selling The Big Issue magazine at the end of the campaign (similar to CEO Selling). However, we are also asking participants to help us raise funds that will go back to supporting our vendors.
How do I register for next year's Big Sell?
Let us know if you're interested in joining The Big Sell 2025 - click here!