Using the internet can be an effective way of reaching out to people who don't know our type of concerts even exist. These days many people who are just about to retire are familiar with looking for information on search engines such as google (other search engines are available) and quite possibly will look for local 'notice boards' for to see what is going on in their local area. Please let us know of your experiences of using social media etc., or if you have a website of your own perhaps you could share the benefits you have found from this. Comments will be posted on this page.
General Suggestions
- OrganFax is an excellent source of publicity which can benefit every club that subscribes to the website and is a real 'must' for all clubs that want recognition.
- List your concerts in Organ and Keyboard Cavalcade, clubs will find it's now easy to enter these online. (there are links to these 2 websites on our links page)
- Contact your local newspaper, they should be able to tell you some websites you can advertise on (quite often for free), or facebook groups you can join.
- Do a general search on google for local websites e.g. 'MyTown Notice Board', 'MyTown Community Group', 'going out in MyTown' which will allow you to post an event.
- Create your own website and include concert reviews, links to players websites, links to players video clips on youtube, photos, special notices. Apart from a relatively small annual fee there should be no extra cost involved - if your audience numbers are dropping do it before the funds drop too low to be able to risk the investment.
Include a link to your website on all your publicity material, especially when posting on local information websites.
Some clubs have already done this and we would love to hear from you with advice and tips please. - Create a facebook page and post details of upcoming events and a short review of the concert you have just had. Include photos and any video clips of players you have and links to their websites. You can then join local facebook community groups and share your posts in order to advertise your concerts etc. You can regularly post copies of your posters, yearly calendars etc. on these public facebook pages. Include a link to your OrganFax page and any other appropriate website on your shared posts to increase the opportunity of letting more people know of our 'community'. Include video clip links of players from their websites.
Ask for email addresses of members who are willing to give them to you, to be able to remind them when the next concert is approaching and any other information you want to give them between concerts. When sending emails to multiple addresses don't forget to type only one address and then blind copies (bcc) for the rest, that way addresses are kept out of view to other members, therefore conforming with the latest data protection laws.
Perhaps we could set up a YouTube channel for clubs to put up videos of visiting artists (with their permission) to get more exposure.
Should we have a group twitter account to advertise what’s on?
Is there other modern media we can use for the same purpose ....
(would somebody be willing to take on the work to do it?)
How many clubs are on Twitter, I don't think there are many, but it's easy to set up an account, quick short posts, occasional photo, job done.
Many venues/halls have their own websites/social media so make sure your concerts are promoted on them.
Specific Examples from clubs:
'We are now on the Discover Letchworth web site for clubs and organisations (a free service by the town)'
'We contacted the local newspaper who told us they had 2 facebook groups we could join and then be able post on their pages. We've since found several other local facebook groups where we can advertise our events - and it's all for free! We just had to create a page of our own, so knowledgeable son came to the rescue. Given time we hope our name will be seen regularly enough for people to want to find out about us.
If you are on facebook you should be able to see our page, here is the link
www.facebook.com/norwichelectronicorganandkeyboardclub/ '
'Social media dominates the communications these days and it seems natural to join them. I am suggesting at my club that we organise a “Facebook” page for the club and then try to post it through local area facebook groups. I appreciate that many older club members, who make up the larger portion of our audience, are not generally into sites such as Facebook but we must continue trying to attract additional members.'
From Pete Shaw:
I spend a lot of time promoting my up coming concerts on Facebook
Earlier in the year I was playing at an organ club & through the Facebook post got an extra 15 people there all paying the £8 entrance fee on the night
It doesn’t work every time but on a regular basis it brings awareness that a concert is taking place ..
I’ve seen some clubs do a Facebook page but then don’t use it to promote the shows,
That is no good at all as it needs regular weekly updates about what is coming up with pictures/dates/times/address etc
Hope that’s of some help & best of luck for the future !!
