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Doruk Ãœlgen Elite user 466 Posts |
Hi all,
Like some of you may noticed, I'm really focused in the business aspects and here is a subject that I know which has been talked a lot about, but I'd like a recap and I have spesific question. I'll be having my own theatre show on october (300 seated) and I'm doing it on my own budget. And I don't have a crouded, talented team, unfortunatly doing everything myself. (sundays 16:00 to family, on fridays 21:00 to adults) So, I need to sell some mass tickets like 100 to every show to be comfortable and safe in budget. I need to be focused and hit the target well because I don't have the luxury in budget wise to try a lot of marketing campaigns at the same time. What spesific ways would you advice for me to get like 50-100 groups? and please keep in mind that I'm doing every work so I have limited time and energy to spend, and don't have a large budget. The way would be best if it could be done over phone or mailing, I don't have much time to go to places. Having a 50-100 guarantee of group tickets every show will really help. best, Doruk |
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Benji Bruce Special user 930 Posts |
Radio Radio Radio. Having radio stations sell your event is what they do best. Call them up and tell them you will barter for radio time. You will perform at a couple of their events in exchange for plugs about your show. The best way to get in with a radio station is to just go to an event where they are at and perform for the guys to build a relationship. But since your event is coming up, I would probably just call or stop by the station.
I witnessed the power of radio first hand by having the number one station come out to a trade show style event I was doing (not exactly a trade show but similar) and the hotel wanted me to bring people. I brought the radio station and they brought TONS of people by doing a live broadcast. Any publicity stunt will work but if it ties in with your show then that will be much better than doing a random stunt. |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Wow oops. This may have been the truth before you were born, but radio has not been the best method for getting the word out about live performance for a few decades at least.
As for bartering anything, they feel as if you owe them for being ON THE RADIO and getting sort of free advertising. 9 out of 10 times they want you to buy a block of advertising in order to plug anything. Crashing events at radio broadcasts is just not going to work. My feeling is that you have never dealt with radio advertising before. It is expensive, and it is not easily bartered. At least in large cities, or where it will do any real good. It is a nice thing to have in an overall mix but radio stations do not make money by barter. They don't NEED what you can do! That is the key to barter. Radio stations get so much for free just because of plugging things that they have no need to barter. It costs money to use radio advertising. Advertising for live shows is tough simply because of how many times it has to be heard, before it is understood. How many times have you done the radio advertising/ barter thing Benji? Sounds like you had an odd one off experience and you think that is the way things go. It is a good way to end up with a slow house.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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Benji Bruce Special user 930 Posts |
Doruk as I said earlier...radio is great for "events." TV is great to be perceived as an expert. Newspapers are great for events as well...But whenever a local event needs to be publicized, radio gets great results.
And Danny, I don't pay for radio time because I get it for free. They put me on their website even though I didn't ask them to (yet) and I can get on the radio anytime I want. http://www.989magicfm.com/showdj.asp?DJID=44071 And if you want a couple of reviews from the guys then here is a video... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nFvqN3X8og (I know how you like proof) But wait...theres more (infomercial time) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDXXJDRhDOY (radio appearance 1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agTe6SaTaGw (radio appearance 2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgjGxfAmXV0 (another review) Danny if you would like, I can have the director of marketing for the radio say hi to you in a personalized video |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
I would be more interested in the net result of all of that. How many seats to a theater show did it sell? That IS what we are talking about right? Not about how many marketing directors at radio stations you know, or how many free appearances you do on radio. How many seats to a theater show did you sell with this campaign?
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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jazzy snazzy Inner circle run off by a mob of Villagers wielding 2109 Posts |
Print the most eye-catching handbills you can afford and post them everywhere you can. Get your friends and family to help.
Save some to print a group discount invitation on the back and mail them to every club and organization in the area. If you have time, phone followup to the largest, most likely groups. Post on Myspace Events, Facebook, Twitter, etc. for the younger crowd, and repeat. Hand deliver your info and PHOTOS ( on a CD or on paper as needed) to local media Arts Editors and pitch for an interview. Tell everyone you encounter during the day to invite ten friends. They deserve a fun night out. There are other things you can do as well. I'm not sure how large your city is or what else would be appropriate for your situation. Posted: Aug 14, 2010 11:12pm Probably not enough time but you can often form an alliance with local charities where they sell tickets for a percentage. Don't forget police, fire dept. and city employees.
"The secret of life is to look good from a distance."
-Charles Schulz |
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Benji Bruce Special user 930 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-08-14 23:01, jazzy snazzy wrote: Here is a great website to print bills that look like real money... http://www.dollarcardmarketing.com/ |
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jazzy snazzy Inner circle run off by a mob of Villagers wielding 2109 Posts |
By "handbill", I was referring to a small poster on legal sixe paper (8.5 x 14") that can be mailed, hung on walls, windows, telephone poles, etc. and mailed in a standard envelope. It costs very little to run 1,000, even in full color or on colored stock. The standard paper size makes it cheaper to print.
Make sure it has a BOLD DESIGN that is visible from a distance i.e.: YOUR NAME, the word MAGIC and THE DATES should be the largest type on the page.
"The secret of life is to look good from a distance."
-Charles Schulz |
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Benji Bruce Special user 930 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-08-14 23:25, jazzy snazzy wrote: O woops lol |
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jazzy snazzy Inner circle run off by a mob of Villagers wielding 2109 Posts |
Be aware of conflicting events like the World Series. You may need to adjust your performance times accordingly.
Posted: Aug 14, 2010 11:42pm It's OK Benji. Handbills are an ancient form of media. We used to chip them on canyon walls back in the day, but they still work.
"The secret of life is to look good from a distance."
-Charles Schulz |
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Sam Sandler Inner circle 2487 Posts |
Hi Doruk,
I wish you the best with your shows. I can tell you that jazzysnazzy is right that having a hand bill with all your info will do very well in attarcting people however you do need If possible to back it up with newspaper print ad, radio if possible and maybe some kind of signage maybe at the theatre you are performing they can put up your name and info on the bill board out front 30-45 days prior to the show to help promote it. they want to see you succeed as well as they maybe you will rent the theatre again. maybe printing a large banner with the info and date and h ang that somewhere in town (with permission of course) or ask a local biz if they would let you put it up on there property in trade for h aving there info availble at your show. so print handbills and print posters. handbills can be taken to local pizza places and supermarkets to hand out or h ave ont he counters at the same time each one can have one of your posters in the window. no matter how you look at it you need to advertise!!! I have been doing this for years and it does take some real leg work to get the word out about your show. the last thing I will suggest is you NEED a press release and you need to send it to every newspaper, radio station, and tv station in the area. you need to send it approx 10 days prior to your event this way it becomes "current" news make sure it says "for immeadiate release" at the top! one other idea is to tie in your show as a fundraiser for a local charity. maybe donating 10% of all ticket sales to so and so charity. best of luck sam
sam sandler- America's only full-time DEAF Illusionist
http://www.samsandler.com http://www.deafinitelymagic.com |
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Doruk Ãœlgen, Nothing was said about how much money you have or are willing to replace you time with. If you don't do it yourself, you have to have others do it or shell out money or Euros to cover what you will not do yourself.
It is not easy and a lot of work, you may be just to late for this October as just the planning takes some months. There are a few things you can do like give free tickets to nursing homes and charities. This will fill up your audience. No money but the theater will be full. Getting the Television stations and radio stations to "Partner" with you and to support some charity organization can help cut done the cost of promotion. This "Partner" thing is a new word used in the promotion business, what it mean exactly, you have to investigate yourself. If you notice Radio Stations do still give free tickets "to the 1st caller" type thing; and if that is one way to get a free radio ad, in exchanger for your free tickets to give away, again you will have to seek knowledge from the these places. I don't know any way to promote a show and you do nothing yourself. That sort of means you take the few free offerings like the newspaper listing of things to do for the weekend or public announcements on television. Television free announcements usually run at 3 and 4 in the morning, not many people up at that time of night. The newspaper events in the city announcements are usually the day of the event, so that will only get you last minute ticket sales if any. I can suggest you purchase Stan Kramien, The Illusion Show Business now on CD here: http://www.stevensmagic.com/index.php?ma......_id=3115 This is a huge book taking you step by step through the promoting of a show. It is a lot to learn in a short time. This will give you a lot of insight to promotion of a show and how to go about it. Much of material is older, and as I said there is new termonology now being used. The "boiler room" phone sales has been crushed in the United States by the No Telephone Laws so that does not get the results that it use to in the past. Most show events start advertising 3 months in advance, so you are kind of behind already. |
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Doruk Ãœlgen Elite user 466 Posts |
Wow, thanks everyone I didn't expect this much replies in this short time.
Benji,Danny, I'm thinking to barter tickets for advertising with radio stations. But let me inform something that I think will affect the overallt subject; I'm living in istanbul . Istanbul is populated more than 20 million people. Its one of the largest metropols in the world. Alltough I believe local tactics to bring in smaller groups would be better, I also think that not every local tactic would work here in the city life and I also do some kind of media activiy which will hit a big croud and create potential customers. Danny hits a nice point. I need to fill the seats, that number 1 priority at the moment,if I can do that and be safe, than I'll be doing everything to get the most potential advertisement and stuff from the show.... jazzysnazzy, All the things you said will be done as much as I can but return of those investments can not be calculated, especially in this complex city. I'm actually looking for more "hit the target" tactics which I can acquire some groups to cover my costs and guarantee myself so that I can invest more in mass marketing. Handbills will be definitly available.. Sam, I'll have small newspaper add especially for the sunday show and the theatre will show my posters inside which I think would be the most effective thing due to nice circulation of the theatre. wmhegbli, I had allready planned things but some really bad situation occured and yes I'm behind the schedule now, that's why I'm trying to hit some certain targets at the moment so I can secure myself.. I have one charity event I think that will help.. |
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Bill Hilly Elite user 449 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-08-14 23:25, jazzy snazzy wrote: Be careful about utility poles. In Pennsylvania it is illegal to put anything on them. Some towns will prosecute this more aggressively than others. Even in this era of bucket-trucks, many times the poles are still climbed by linemen. Even a small standard staple will cause the spike to deflect and throw the climber to the ground. I know first hand. And if (s)he is injured, you could lose everything in a lawsuit. Yes, yard sale people "do this all the time and nothing was said", blah blah blah. But all it takes is once. I've seen it, testified in trial, and saw someone lose their house and go into bankruptcy. Your homeowners insurance will not cover you for an illegal action. My experience, passed on for your consideration. Beano |
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Doruk Ãœlgen Elite user 466 Posts |
Hi Beano,
I'm aware of the legal issues very well, done this work in another sector before. I'm plannin to keep it low profile and only in places where it would be legal to do it. |
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jazzy snazzy Inner circle run off by a mob of Villagers wielding 2109 Posts |
O.K. Istanbul, that's different.
Your time is best spent getting yourself on TV, radio and social media. Do the other things as you can afford them.
"The secret of life is to look good from a distance."
-Charles Schulz |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
I have no idea how that would work there. Unlike some though, I offer no opinion LOL.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
My wife and I have done our large theater show several times over the years at large theaters etc. One thing I always rememebered is that you could have the best show in the world, but if people are not in the seats, then it does not matter how good it is. It really comes down to marketing and doing plenty of it.
Below is just a part of what my wife and I did to market these shows alone. It worked but the bottom line is that we made it work through taking direct action to let people know about the show. Hope this helps. - Posted full information about the show and confirmed posting of this information to well over 37 online websites and calendars including newspaper and other media websites. - Created a full website just for the show itself and to promote it.It answers a lot of the common questions people have and out marketing materials is geared at directing people to it. - Created a customized logo and brand identity for the show that is being used on everything to brand the show in the minds of the target audience. - Created posters, 8.5 by 11 flyers and smaller flyers for retail business usage. These flyers are in full color and have the logo as well as the information about the show. - We have set up a full answering machine message service at home to act as a box office for all incoming calls in regards to the show with a turn around time to contact them back in less than 12 hours if not sooner. - I have created library flyers and library book marks which have already been mailed out. We have a total of 200 flyers and book marks going out to about 5 libraries locally to the vicinity of the event location. These will be replenished as we get closer to the event date. - We have over 250 flyers already confirmed and mailed to retail businesses who are not only going topalce the flyers up but will also be placing the smaller flyers on the counters. We are confirming more of these retail businesses in the next few days. - We have over 2250 color flyers going out to a multitude of day cares in and around the area. These already have been started mailing as of a week ago and we are getting close to having all of these mailed out in the next week. - We have also contacted private schools in the area and have over 2500 color flyers going out to them starting in the next week as well. These have all been confirmed ahead of time. - We just got approval to get our flyers into the hands of the entire Public School system where the High School Auditoirum is being held in. This is huge for us as it means a staggering number of fluyers and posters being placed in the direct school district. I am following up with them this week. - We have already posted up posters in the high school itself and gave coupons and tickets to the front office. They are excited about it and more then eager to help us out. - We have also sent flyers as well as e-mail announcements that have gone out to every magic club IBM and SAM in the NJ and PA and NY areas. We have also sent flyers to be handed out at their meetings as well as had them post our information in each of their newsletters. - We have also contacted numerous MOMS clubs in the area of the event. These clubs have been wonderful to us and we have sent over 500 flyers to these clubs. We also have 5 of the clubs post our full color ad in their newsletter for free. - We sent out a formal e-mail invite to our friends, relatives, magic friends and all of our ACT contacts, leads etc. This willalso be given a followup invite in the next 2 weeks. - A good friend of mine who lives closer to the event area, also sent out the invite to his contact list of over 200 people to date. - We are beginning public appearances and so far we performed a paid Blue and Gold Dinner who also let us display and promote the show at the event. This was last weekend and we gave out a lot of flyers to the kids and parents., I alsooffered to sign and autograph the flyers to any kid that wanted one. This got a huge response and now the flyers are signed and peoplewere taking them home. We have already received feedbnack and calls from this first public apperance. - We are also gearing up to do numerous appearances on April 1st in the direct area. We are lined up to perform at an YMCA public festival event they are having that is less then 2.5 miles frothe theater. This is great exsposure for us with large family crowds. We will be able to perform, pass out flyers and do anything we want to publicize the event even more. They were pleased with our offer to them. - We also have calls into 2 other places to do apperances on the same date and will also be posting up flyers and making an appearance at a chuch e cheese typeplace that is geared towards kids and families. This locations is right nesr to the theater. - We also have the full color flyer posted on public access television in the area and will be broadcast now leading up to the event date. - I have a full press release ready to go out but must confirm the information with the media places this week. - We are also going to be posting up posters all through out the town starting the first week in April. This is all we have done for the marketing of those shows and it shows you that it can be done and what can be done to really make it work for you. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
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Decomposed Eternal Order High Desert 12059 Posts |
Wish you all the best. It is a lot of work to do a theatre these days without a promoter. I just entertained at a fundraiser in a huge place and very few tables filled. It was for a great cause also. Fortunately the few there donated to the cause above and beyond.
DC
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
The biggest and single most important aspect of theater marketing is realizing that you have to take a massive active approach to marketing the show. People simply will nto show up if they do not know about it. You need to plan and give yourself enough "head start time" so that you can effectively market and advertise the show the way it needs to be advertised. It is a lot of work, but also well worth the effort you put into it.
Every time I have 4-walled a theater show, I have done extremely well with it. We hit record numbers at 2 locations a few years ago and that is always a great feeling. Also, never assume that any person or group you work with is going to market the show effectively for you. some will but amny will not. tka e a direct active roll in making sure it is done the right way. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
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