SLMC

Jura Shepherd · Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 21 Location: METAHYPE Studios

Hello again Cristalle,
Try the other suggestions in the thread and I think you’ll be in good shape as far as promoting the individual shows. You have a great group system and you’re posting event listings so that’s good. I know it can be frustrating but I think the trick here is that there is no trick. Conscientious musicians (or their management) should already be doing their own promotion. This is especially true when they are playing a lesser-known venue where turnout might be low for them. It’s a combined effort between the performer pushing their show, and you pushing your venue. The venue is where I think you should focus.

Classifieds are fine for services and goods but I can’t really get my head around using them for venues. I don’t really think people search them for live entertainment. I use ad boards which makes some people groan, but I believe in them enough to advertise myself on them. You just have to think about them in the right way to see the benefit. I could go on and on about why but the short version is that I think they have several uses. One is that they have a collective effect in raising brand awareness. If someone sees an eye-catching ad in a mall and see it again in another place they like, it will make your notices and event listings stand out because they’ll think: “Hey! I’ve seen that place”. A good ad will also create a professional image for your venue that can set it apart from some of the half-handed efforts out there. Lastly, ad boards can distribute information like show schedules and special promotions and that info as well as the image can be changed regularly to keep it fresh.

You can also try generating some buzz for your venue in the in-world press or SL related blogs. The simplest way would be to find an entertainment review that you like and contact the author. Make up a schedule of shows and invite them to your venue. Give them the golden treatment. Even if the focus of the review is the performance, the venue will most likely be referenced. Also, SL press is hungry for news content. So-n-so playing a Friday night gig isn’t really news but if so-n-so will be playing with a special guest, then maybe you have something. A venue makeover or charity event may also get you some press. Anyway, you get the idea.

Do this kind of stuff and do it relentlessly. It’s work but you have a great place and you’re a warm host so in time the crowds will come your way.
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METAHYPE: publicist, promotion and advertising services. Contact Jura Shepherd in-world

EvaMoon · Joined: 30 Nov 2007 Posts: 449

I'm more and more impressed with the effect of good staff at events. It won't change attendance at a particular event, but I think it has a cumulative effect. Some places are just simply fun. And it has a lot to do with the room chat. A great, lively host/hostess or two who can actually chat (rather than just bombard the room with chat gestures and endless all-caps pleas to tip) can really make a show click with the audience. Over time, I think people start to remember where they are likely to have a good time.

Not that chat gestures and reminders to tip are not appropriate. It's all about balance.
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EvaMoon Ember in SL

Eva Moon & the Lunatics
Musical mischief after dark
http://evamoon.net
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Lunatalk Blog: http://evamoon.net/blog

Cristalle · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 35

Thanks for the input! Much food for thought. Smile