Top 10 Tips on Promoting Your Live Event.
During my years in publishing I have been approcahed many times to provide help promoting a show, effectively by people looking to put bums on seats. Wherever possible I like to help, and my first question will always be: “When is the show?” The answer to this question speaks volumes…
1 Budget
There are things you can do for free but advertising costs money. Be prepared to spend a little bit of money to promote yourself or your shows. The cost of running a show should include a budget, no matter how small, for advertising.
2 Give yourself time
Promote well in advance. A good yardstick is 90 days, anything less and you will struggle.
3 Know your audience
Where do your potential audience hang out, what do they read, what shows do they go to.
4 Prepare a press release
Print and web editors seldom have time to write your story. Make it easy for them, write a press release (always in the third person) and have high resolution images available.
5 Be available
Have a contact number or email address where you can deal with media enquiries, be prepared to talk about your show.
6 Make your show desirable
Write advertising copy that will encourage people to come and see your show. And – make sure there are journalists on your guest list.
7 Print or social or radio/TV?
It is never OR, always AND.
8 Watch what works
You never stop monitoring and cross promoting. If you do a cracking radio interview, promote that on social media.
9 Go beyond socials
There are any number of events listed on social media, be different, climb above all of that and create a website where you are in control.
10 And when the show is over
Get the reviews out there, build your brand for the next show
