Documentation Index
Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.fanfare.io/llms.txt
Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
Distribution Types Overview
A Distribution is the method that controls how consumers gain access to purchase your products. Different distribution types suit different business scenarios — from high-demand product launches to exclusive VIP events.
Available Distribution Types
Fanfare supports six distribution types:
| Type | How It Works | Best For |
|---|
| Queue | Consumers wait in a virtual line, served first-come-first-served | High-demand launches where order matters |
| Draw | Consumers enter a lottery and winners are randomly selected | Fair allocation when demand exceeds supply |
| Auction | Consumers place competitive bids | Unique items, collectibles, price discovery |
| Appointment | Consumers book specific time slots | In-store pickups, consultations, services |
| Timed Release | Instant access at a scheduled time | Flash sales, member perks |
| Waitlist | Captures interest, notifies when available | Pre-launch signup, overflow handling |
How Distributions Work
Every distribution follows a similar pattern:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ THE CONSUMER JOURNEY │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
│ ┌───────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ ┌────────────────────┐ │
│ │ JOIN │ │ PARTICIPATE │ │ GET ACCESS │ │
│ │ │───►│ │───►│ │ │
│ │ Consumer │ │ Consumer │ │ Consumer receives │ │
│ │ enters │ │ waits for │ │ access to checkout │ │
│ │ │ │ their turn │ │ │ │
│ └───────────┘ └─────────────┘ └────────────────────┘ │
│ │ │
│ ▼ │
│ ┌────────────────────┐ │
│ │ COMPLETE PURCHASE │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ Time-limited │ │
│ │ checkout window │ │
│ └────────────────────┘ │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
1. Join
Consumers enter the distribution. Depending on the type, this might mean:
- Joining a queue
- Entering a draw
- Placing a bid
- Selecting a time slot
2. Participate
Consumers actively participate according to the distribution method:
- Queue: Watch their position move forward
- Draw: Wait for the selection
- Auction: Monitor bids and place new ones
- Appointment: Confirm their booking
3. Get Access
When it’s their turn, consumers receive access to checkout. This includes:
- A limited time window to complete their purchase
- Clear instructions on next steps
- Real-time countdown
4. Complete Purchase
Consumers complete their purchase within the access window. If they don’t complete in time, their access expires.
Distribution Lifecycle
Each distribution goes through three phases:
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ │
│ ╔═══════════════╗ ╔═══════════════╗ ╔═══════════════╗ │
│ ║ SCHEDULED ║───►║ OPEN ║───►║ CLOSED ║ │
│ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ │
│ ║ Countdown ║ ║ Consumers ║ ║ No new ║ │
│ ║ displayed ║ ║ can join ║ ║ entries ║ │
│ ╚═══════════════╝ ╚═══════════════╝ ╚═══════════════╝ │
│ │ │ │ │
│ Opens at Active Closes at │
│ │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Access Windows
When consumers receive access, they get a time-limited window to complete checkout:
| Setting | What It Controls |
|---|
| Access duration | How long consumers have to complete checkout |
| Expiration behavior | What happens if they don’t complete in time |
- 5-10 minutes for simple checkouts (one item, saved payment)
- 15-30 minutes for complex purchases (multiple items, new payment info)
- Always set an expiration to ensure fair access for waiting consumers
Guest vs. Verified Access
You can control whether consumers need to verify their identity:
| Setting | When to Use |
|---|
| Allow guests | Low-friction entry, maximize participation |
| Require verification | Higher-value items, prevent abuse, enable notifications |
| Distribution | Guests Usually Allowed? | Why |
|---|
| Queue | Yes | Low friction for high-volume |
| Draw | Yes | Maximize entries |
| Auction | No | Need payment capability |
| Appointment | No | Booking accountability |
| Timed Release | Yes | Quick access |
| Waitlist | Yes | Lead capture |
Capacity Controls
Different distributions have different capacity options:
Queue
- Queue capacity — Maximum people waiting at once
- Admission rate — How many people access checkout per minute
- Total admissions — Maximum total people who can purchase
Draw
- Entry capacity — Maximum entries accepted
- Winner count — How many winners to select
Auction
- Typically single-item (winner is highest bidder)
Appointment
- Slot capacity — How many bookings per time slot
- Time slots — Available booking times
Choosing the Right Distribution
Here’s a decision guide:
Is there more demand than supply?
│
├── YES
│ │
│ └── Should order matter?
│ │
│ ├── YES (first-come fairness) ─────► QUEUE
│ │
│ └── NO (everyone gets equal chance) ─► DRAW
│
└── NO
│
└── Do consumers need specific times?
│
├── YES (scheduled access) ─────────► APPOINTMENT
│
└── NO (instant access) ────────────► TIMED RELEASE
Queue
Best for: High-demand product launches where first-come-first-served feels fair
Consumer experience: Join the line, watch position update, get access when it’s their turn
Example: Sneaker drops, concert tickets, limited edition products
Draw (Lottery)
Best for: Situations where demand far exceeds supply and random selection feels most fair
Consumer experience: Enter the draw, wait for selection, winners notified
Example: Exclusive collaborations, oversubscribed events, fairness-focused brands
Auction
Best for: Unique items where price discovery is important
Consumer experience: Place bids, monitor competition, highest bid wins
Example: Art, collectibles, one-of-a-kind items
Appointment
Best for: Services or pickups that need scheduling
Consumer experience: Browse available times, book a slot, receive confirmation
Example: Store appointments, consultations, pickup scheduling
Timed Release
Best for: Simple access at a specific time without queuing
Consumer experience: Countdown to release, instant access when it opens
Example: Flash sales, member-exclusive access, promotional windows
Waitlist
Best for: Capturing interest before launch or handling overflow
Consumer experience: Sign up, receive notification when available
Example: Pre-launch interest, sold-out items that may return, overflow from other distributions
Next Steps
Learn more about each distribution type:
