Advice on publicity for local productions

[GRB]

I have been asked to take on the publicity for our local amateur dramatic open air production next summer . There will (as usual) be five performances in a garden theatre and has been an annual event for many years. This will be the first time I have done something like this and would be grateful if anyone has some pointers or perhaps some innovative ways of doing this.

[pg]

Social networking (Facebook) is a good way to get the word around. Email marketing with a number of newsletters leading up to the performance is another option. Performers in costume (or theatre t-shirts) giving out leaflets can sometimes yield dividends a bit closer to the event. Trying to involve every cast member in boosting sales is definitely effective!

Plenty of press releases! Try to find different "human" stories - local press tend to really like these - and make sure there are photographs available or arrange for photocalls. If you have a local free paper they may be very happy to include an article about the company well in advance of the show as well as nearer the time.

You could also consider on-line sales if the company does not already do this. I'm currently working for a company with a new system called iBookedIT which has on-line sales with no booking fee for people booking tickets (hooray), there is just a very modest charge to the company to set up the ticket sales/auditorium which can either be allocated (where audience can choose their seats as they pay for them) or unallocated. It gives you lots of flexibility. If you'd like to know more you can have a look at the website (which is an interim site - it's quite a new system) or let me know if you'd like to know more. http://www.ibookedit.com. The system can be linked to the theatre company website if the company has one, or tickets can be sold via the iBookedIT site.

The system was used by 24:7 Theatre Festival in Manchester and by Underground Venues at the Buxton Festival Fringe.

(ps - I'm not on commission, I just think it's a good system!)

[GRB]

Thanks for those thoughts. I will definately check out that website - sounds like a great idea if costs aren't prohibitive. How lovely to get such a quick response

[aliceinwonderinc]

Hi GRB!
I was an assistant producer for an amateur youth production recently, so I had to do a lot of the marketing for it. As pg says, Facebook is a great way to get the word out, but you should also think about using Twitter and perhaps starting up a blog. If you do more personal things like that, such as blogging about a rehearsal or whatever, then it makes people connect with the company and want to come because they feel that they know a bit about you.
Anyway I hope that helps, it worked really well for us!

[GRB]

Another good idea about the blog It's going to be a steep learning curve.....

[Welsh Mum]

Local radio is also good, they may even do an interview, but should at the least give you a good plug

And despite new technology, don't forget the old fashioned "flyer2 - every where, shops, libraries, newsagents, schools etc It's suprisinh how many peole hear about stuff this way even now.

[francescasmum]

Some of the 'big' supermarkets have notice boards or stands for flyers specifically for local events, as do pubs (our local always has posters in the foyer for local events ).