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Advice on Performance Arts Center Marketing

by sammyg1043
4 replies
I'm a college graduate who has been dabbling with internet marketing for the past 2 years. I recently got a job as a marketing coordinator at a performance arts center for my college. That means I'll be the head of marketing for the performance arts center (they never had the position and felt it could help with ticket sales).

All in all its actually a pretty damn good theater that hosts unique shows and some popular artists in their respective genres. But most of the shows are also niche like ukranian orchestra, bollywood show or a salsa music with an artist mainly known by older puerto ricans.

I have developed several strategies that I plan to implement to increase ticket sales but am still looking for unique ways to reach more people and sell more tickets. Some strategies I have are handing out flyers in communities pertaining to the the show's culture (go to ukranian community for ukranian show). Hand out flyers after a similar show. Liven up the facebook account cause it is really dead and even use facebook ads to target people who are interested in things pertaining to the show im promoting.

I have some others but would really like to hear what ideas you guys may have in mind. Thanks
#advice #arts #center #marketing #performance
  • Profile picture of the author DABK
    Go to Ukrainian churches for Ukrainian shows, and get the head honcho to back your show.

    Are you doing classics? If yes, go to schools and persuade them to get their next field trip for 6 graders to see YOUR versions of Shakespeare's whatever...

    In my area, once a year, schools have theater field trips.


    Originally Posted by sammyg1043 View Post

    I'm a college graduate who has been dabbling with internet marketing for the past 2 years. I recently got a job as a marketing coordinator at a performance arts center for my college. That means I'll be the head of marketing for the performance arts center (they never had the position and felt it could help with ticket sales).

    All in all its actually a pretty damn good theater that hosts unique shows and some popular artists in their respective genres. But most of the shows are also niche like ukranian orchestra, bollywood show or a salsa music with an artist mainly known by older puerto ricans.

    I have developed several strategies that I plan to implement to increase ticket sales but am still looking for unique ways to reach more people and sell more tickets. Some strategies I have are handing out flyers in communities pertaining to the the show's culture (go to ukranian community for ukranian show). Hand out flyers after a similar show. Liven up the facebook account cause it is really dead and even use facebook ads to target people who are interested in things pertaining to the show im promoting.

    I have some others but would really like to hear what ideas you guys may have in mind. Thanks
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    • Profile picture of the author sammyg1043
      Originally Posted by DABK View Post

      Go to Ukrainian churches for Ukrainian shows, and get the head honcho to back your show.

      Are you doing classics? If yes, go to schools and persuade them to get their next field trip for 6 graders to see YOUR versions of Shakespeare's whatever...

      In my area, once a year, schools have theater field trips.
      Yes! That is something I could definitely do. Phenomenal idea considering this performance arts center is in the Bronx, New York and schools always have to travel to manhattan for shows... not knowing that our school has some great ones as well. So this is truly a great idea. We can also give them group discounts as well.
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  • Profile picture of the author savidge4
    Just being honest here.. you got a new position, that I would say based on what you are writing comes with little to no budget... I would be hitting "groups" within facebook. I would be trying to get into the Friday what to do section of the local paper - feature the current show, and list a few to follow. I would be getting into the school paper on a weekly basis. I would find the outdoor digital signs on campus and get your most current show on there. I would be seeking ethnic organizations that match the talent coming in, and see about getting a freeby listing in a newsletter or e-mail or whatever else they can offer.

    I would write up a editorial piece speaking of the diversity of the community and college, and the diversity of talent the performing art center has in this years show schedule - and then send this off to the local paper. I would find the local papers arts writers and offer free tickets. I would be contacting local radio stations that match ethnically and offer free tickets to give away in trade for promotion.

    I would have a printed business card with all of the booked shows you have for the season to be handed out with every ticket purchased, as well as having the ability to hand these out as you have said within the community. I would be reaching out to the performing arts alumni with your schedule.

    If I had your job... I wouldn't be sleeping! LOL - need more just ask

    Originally Posted by sammyg1043 View Post

    I'm a college graduate who has been dabbling with internet marketing for the past 2 years. I recently got a job as a marketing coordinator at a performance arts center for my college. That means I'll be the head of marketing for the performance arts center (they never had the position and felt it could help with ticket sales).

    All in all its actually a pretty damn good theater that hosts unique shows and some popular artists in their respective genres. But most of the shows are also niche like ukranian orchestra, bollywood show or a salsa music with an artist mainly known by older puerto ricans.

    I have developed several strategies that I plan to implement to increase ticket sales but am still looking for unique ways to reach more people and sell more tickets. Some strategies I have are handing out flyers in communities pertaining to the the show's culture (go to ukranian community for ukranian show). Hand out flyers after a similar show. Liven up the facebook account cause it is really dead and even use facebook ads to target people who are interested in things pertaining to the show im promoting.

    I have some others but would really like to hear what ideas you guys may have in mind. Thanks
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    • Profile picture of the author sammyg1043
      Originally Posted by savidge4 View Post

      Just being honest here.. you got a new position, that I would say based on what you are writing comes with little to no budget... I would be hitting "groups" within facebook. I would be trying to get into the Friday what to do section of the local paper - feature the current show, and list a few to follow. I would be getting into the school paper on a weekly basis. I would find the outdoor digital signs on campus and get your most current show on there. I would be seeking ethnic organizations that match the talent coming in, and see about getting a freeby listing in a newsletter or e-mail or whatever else they can offer.

      I would write up a editorial piece speaking of the diversity of the community and college, and the diversity of talent the performing art center has in this years show schedule - and then send this off to the local paper. I would find the local papers arts writers and offer free tickets. I would be contacting local radio stations that match ethnically and offer free tickets to give away in trade for promotion.

      I would have a printed business card with all of the booked shows you have for the season to be handed out with every ticket purchased, as well as having the ability to hand these out as you have said within the community. I would be reaching out to the performing arts alumni with your schedule.

      If I had your job... I wouldn't be sleeping! LOL - need more just ask
      Great advice man. And yeah I won't be sleeping once I start which is tomorrow lol. I want to go there completely prepared with a plan of attack. Only thing with the local paper idea is that I live in the bronx, new york city and everyone here gets the big newspapers (new york post, new york times, daily news). So I'm not sure getting on the bronx local newspaper would make a big difference. Great idea nonetheless and I will still be looking into it. And I will DEFINITELY be looking into ethnic organizations related to the shows I will be seeing.

      Its awesome that I live in New York City considering theres so many people so there is a lot of potential for growth. But that also means that there is a lot of competition and also high costs for advertising (in radios for example). But our performance arts center is actually well reputable in the bronx so I will see what strings we can pull. Definitely wouldn't hurt to try to get in contact with the paper, radio and ethnic organizations.

      Thanks again for the awesome advice!
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