============================================== FIVE SECRETS TO SELL-OUT SUCCESS by Ian McGregor ==============================================Proven Guerrilla Tactics To Create A Stampede Of People To Your Event
Most independent theatre and film companies have to get creative if they want to draw
kind of huge crowds that guarantee a decent pay cheque at end of season for everybody. We all would love to access to resources used (to great effect) by mainstream entities like State Theatre Companies and Distributors. But there are ways to get noticed and create a stampede of punters to your events by successful use of a few simple ideas.
In this article you'll learn...
* What your IMAGE says about you
* How to get people TALKING about your work
* Who to get guaranteed media LEADS from
* How to create a media VIRUS
* OUTRAGEOUS measures to stand out from crowd
Many people are blatantly unaware of potential publicity goldmines that lay hidden at their feet. Utilising some cost effective means to generate kind of buzz you need to draw a crowd is easier than you think. Valuable implementation of print media, electronic highways and viral benefits of word of mouth will increase you profile quickly and with great results. At recent MEAA conference, "Getting It Up", Lyn Wallace, Director of B-Sharp at Belvoir St, hit nail on head...
"Despite leaps and bounds in state of communications, and in a sector full of young people where 21st century skills are rife, we are still relying heavily on same old methods to reach audiences. Wildcard did same things for this show that I did 20 years ago and results are - pretty much same. In an age of creative hydroponics we are still using old McDonald's tractor."
By implementing these guerrilla tactics, you'll realise more creative you are at telling people to see your work, MORE people will come along. You can start with a few tried and true methods and move on to downright outrageous campaigns that have shocked even their creators by just how successful they are!
GET AN IMAGE
Any dummy knows that postcards are a good idea, it feels good to whip one out at an opportune moment and give it to right person but be careful to avoid common pitfalls; make image multi-purpose and use it as a poster, email flyer even stickers. You can 'brand' your image onto retinas of potential punters by keeping themes consistent, simple and striking. Get words on it as clear as possible and have it read by several people as you'd be surprised to see what sometimes slips through. Get enough… a couple of thousand is fine and you want to avoid unnecessary wastage at end. If you've got access to a colour printer, top up ink and print your own. Plus for bonus points, make image something that would stimulate discussion or get a reaction. As an exercise, stand in front of a rack or table of promotional cards and flyers close your eyes for a moment, clear your mind then open them. Which one do you see FIRST! Collect ones that work for you and find out why.
CREATE A BUZZ
By telling people about what you are doing or planning to do without sounding like a broken record over and over again works - word of mouth spreads fast! Most people need to be told 3 to 4 times before they'll come along. If they get word form several different people they are even more likely to get along to show or screening etc. It may sound airy-fairy but a vibe about something can have a strong influence as to why people go and see stuff. Keep it ENTERTAINING. One way of doing this is to have your email do work for you, but more on email later.
