Advertising Meeting Minutes (sort of)
in attendance- Jeremy, Miggy, Justin, Chris T, Andy C, joined by Jill, Phil, Doug, and Greg.
Opening Comments
- Jeremy says he wants to spend all the money afforded to the Adv. committee whenever possible.
- Chris Trew mentions that there will soon be two venues and that that will affect the advertising. He suggests a weekly kickback to the AIC until shows are on their feet. Jeremy says this is part of a bigger issue that needs to be bandied at a general body meeting or an Exec Board Meeting.
2 new runs of postcards
- Jeremy will get with show producers for TNA, 3fer, Double B. and Cagematch to determine graphics and content of flyers to be printed. Should be completed by mid-October and will eat up around $500 of the current $700 this committee has.
- In the meantime, decent black and whites will be printed for an attack on First Thursday in October.
Press Stunts
- We're looking for positive, eye catching ideas from the collective.
- No one in the committee wanted to head this up right now so it will be a November / December thing.
Contacting Radio
- owned by Justin York.
- He's going to do his best to track down the right people to help promote via radio with ticket giveaways and possible appearances.
Flyer Distribution
- Look for a big First Thursday flyering extravaganza forum post next week. it was decided that more incentive needs to be provided to get people out to flyer more often. we will work on this.
Web site maintenance
- It was decided that one person needs to be the official watchdog of the web site, doing occasional updates and deletes of outdated info.
- Phil volunteered to update the show calendar every two months and to keep on eye on the stuff that might be outdated. He will have the calendar updated with the new sked. within the week.
- A highly visible link needs to be added to the Hideout site so that people looking for AIC info can find it easily rather than looking in the Hideout calendar which can be confusing sometimes.
- This is a general call to anyone who wants to take the reigns and officially be the webmaster for the austinimprov site.
Distributing Free Tickets
- It was mentioned that Wes might still be owning this. This is on hold until we find this out.
Videotaping Shows
- Doug and Greg are going to tag team taping nearly every show for one month so as to build up a library of clips we can use for the internet and maybe a television loop in the box office. They will need help with getting a camera and the Adv committee will be buying tapes for them to use.
Other ideas or comments
- Check with Andy about an AIC email list. Is it being used and can we use it more? Jeremy will do this.
- Check with museums to see if they want any more improvised art tours much like the ones that happened at the Blanton opening. Jeremy will do this.
- Send out an open mic poetry Away Team to improvise poems and drop off flyers at the various open mics. Ego's, Ruta Maya, Hideout. Jeremy will assemble this team.
- Set up a YouTube login for AIC and befriend other online videoheads.
- Look into cable access shows that might want content, either live or on tape. CAN ANYONE DO THIS? It wasn't assigned.
- FREE FRIDAY promotion. Check with Andy and Coordinate with scheduling committee to see if it is possible to do one FREE FRIDAY of shows each month. Something like the first Friday or each month and then push the hell out of it at First Thursday the day before. Jeremy will do this.
- Placards. It was decided that Anne and Phil, the current house managers for Friday and Saturday, would change out the "performing tonight" placards in the display case out front as they start their evening.
- Media Day to coincide with the November General Body Meeting. Adv committee will bribe a photographer or two to set up at the Hideout a couple hours before the general meeting and many pictures will be taken either as portraits, headshots, or action shots on stage. Jeremy will do this.
And then the meeting ended.
Adv Meeting Minutes
Anything about the AIC itself.
Moderators: arclight, happywaffle
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- beardedlamb Offline
- Posts: 2676
- Joined: October 14th, 2005, 1:36 pm
- Location: austin
- Contact:
Re: Adv Meeting Minutes
There's some stuff I've learned by trial and error with the video cameras that I can share.Videotaping Shows
- Doug and Greg are going to tag team taping nearly every show for one month so as to build up a library of clips we can use for the internet and maybe a television loop in the box office. They will need help with getting a camera and the Adv committee will be buying tapes for them to use.
The most important things are:
1) white balance. Some cameras do this very well on their own, but my XL-1 does a shitty job of it in the theater space.
2) watch the exposure constantly. I pretty much adjusted the exposure nonstop when filming the OOB shows. With the stage lights, it's way too easy for the performers to get totally washed out or for the stage picture to be too dark/bright when the lighting changes
3) use a tripod.
4) frame shots. For festival submissions, some have claimed that one static view of the whole stage is preferred, but I find that you lose way to much detail in terms of facial expressions, physicality, etc. Especially for clips online, it's much more satisfying to zoom in closer.
5) Speaking of zooming, lay off zooming/panning unless you need to move quickly to get all the action in frame. Try to find a good spot to be at the top of the scene and make minor adjustments from there. I'm still learning how best to do this.
6) try not to laugh too loud.
Yep.
PGraph plays every Thursday at 8pm! https://www.hideouttheatre.com/shows/pgraph/
He's going to do his best to track down the right people to help promote via radio with ticket giveaways and possible appearances.
I tried some of this with the last round of free tickets. Non-profits like Koop and UT student station loved tickets, but corporate radio (KLBJ, etc) wouldn't even take free tickets for giveaways without an advertising deal. That's not to say that it can't be done or maybe I was just in touch with the wrong people, but there's a little history for you.
Oh, most would accept tickets for DJs and said that what DJs talk about on-air is usually up to them. So, maybe they'd come see a show and talk about it, but they didn't want to do official giveaways.
Distributing Free Tickets
- It was mentioned that Wes might still be owning this. This is on hold until we find this out.
I lost ownership of this a long time ago, though I did take a chunk of the tickets from the recent batch (1 box) to send out to press people and radio (that accepted them last time) and other such things. The rest are for the rest of the AIC to use as the AIC deems fit.
I wish I could have made the meeting because a lot of these things have precedents that were tried. I also am working on some stuff on my own, or rather for Pgraph, that hopefully will help raise awareness of the entire community.
I tried some of this with the last round of free tickets. Non-profits like Koop and UT student station loved tickets, but corporate radio (KLBJ, etc) wouldn't even take free tickets for giveaways without an advertising deal. That's not to say that it can't be done or maybe I was just in touch with the wrong people, but there's a little history for you.
Oh, most would accept tickets for DJs and said that what DJs talk about on-air is usually up to them. So, maybe they'd come see a show and talk about it, but they didn't want to do official giveaways.
Distributing Free Tickets
- It was mentioned that Wes might still be owning this. This is on hold until we find this out.
I lost ownership of this a long time ago, though I did take a chunk of the tickets from the recent batch (1 box) to send out to press people and radio (that accepted them last time) and other such things. The rest are for the rest of the AIC to use as the AIC deems fit.
I wish I could have made the meeting because a lot of these things have precedents that were tried. I also am working on some stuff on my own, or rather for Pgraph, that hopefully will help raise awareness of the entire community.
-
- ChrisTrew.Com Offline
- Posts: 1828
- Joined: October 31st, 2005, 1:29 pm
- Location: Austin/New Orleans
- Contact:
If the AIC wants to pay the money to the Austin Cable Access people to make me a producer, I will head this up. From what I understand, you pay the money, you put stuff on air.
Although I can't be in charge of what's on the tapes or filming, I CAN play a role in getting footage to the station and working out whatever with them. I've already begun this process for getting my own projects on cable access.
I live 1 mile away from the station and have already attended the necessary orientation meeting. The cost to be a producer for a full year is $100. For one season is $40. The next season starts October 1st and runs til January.
I move we spend $40 on this, get started, and then see if it's worth another 40 in 4 months.
Although I can't be in charge of what's on the tapes or filming, I CAN play a role in getting footage to the station and working out whatever with them. I've already begun this process for getting my own projects on cable access.
I live 1 mile away from the station and have already attended the necessary orientation meeting. The cost to be a producer for a full year is $100. For one season is $40. The next season starts October 1st and runs til January.
I move we spend $40 on this, get started, and then see if it's worth another 40 in 4 months.
Re: Adv Meeting Minutes
Please see my post in AIC General Discussion titled "AIC branches out of the Hideout -- IMPORTANT"beardedlamb wrote:- Chris Trew mentions that there will soon be two venues and that that will affect the advertising. He suggests a weekly kickback to the AIC until shows are on their feet. Jeremy says this is part of a bigger issue that needs to be bandied at a general body meeting or an Exec Board Meeting.
"Every cat dies 9 times, but every cat does not truly live 9 lives."
-Bravecat
-Bravecat
As Wes is stepping down from doing the free ticket thing, I can volunteer to manage that and get them to anyone who's volunteered to distribute them, and also do some targeted distributing myself. (Would like to get a download from you Wes, though, about what's been before, what worked/didn't).
I also like Chris Trew's suggestion for Cable Access, but suggest we wait until we have a little footage from Doug and Greg that we can actually use (plus opening it up to troupes how already have filmed material). I also said last night that I'm happy to donate a small television that's collecting dust in my closet - we could use it to run a looped tape in the corner of the box office to give customers / random people going to the batroom an idea of what improv is. The volume would either have to be low or muted so perhaps micetro games with lots of physicality.
Also, a woman named Holly Jackson runs a media-centered networking group ( www.howdyholly.com ) which is open to all and has consistent twice weekly e-mail reminders on events going on in Austin. I'm on it and Improv used to be posted every week, I think by Andy, but isn't anymore. Is there a reason - or did we just let it drop?
Also... there's a workshop (below) that's in there that seemed very appropriate if anyone can go and feels like paying for it (sadly I cannot). It brings to mind though that we don't have to reinvent the wheel. Does anyone know of any good books that focus on non-profit, theatre or maybe even improv specific media strategies/tactics?
Workshop- Effective Media Strategies for Nonprofits
Submitted By kwagner@austincc.edu <Kelly Wagner>
Start Time Friday, Sep 22, 2006 09:00 AM
End Time Friday, Sep 22, 2006 04:00 PM
Type Contact
Educational
Speaker
Event For All
Kid Friendly No
Pet Friendly No
Name Kelly Wagner
Email kwagner@austincc.edu
Phone 512-223-7111
Location
Location Name ACC Highland Busines Center
Location Address 5930 Middle Fiskville RD
Location Phone 512-223-7111
Description
Event Website http://www.austincc.edu/npo/development/current.php
Cost $60 includes lunch & materials
Effective Media Strategies for Nonprofits- staff, volunteers, and boards will want to attend this full day workshop on media communications. The agenda includes, "Why Does My Organization Need Media Coverage" and "Where to Begin When Crafting a Strategic Communications Plan", etc.
Hosted by ACC's Nonprofit Center and led by Tamara Bell of Bell Media Group. Online registration required.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I also like Chris Trew's suggestion for Cable Access, but suggest we wait until we have a little footage from Doug and Greg that we can actually use (plus opening it up to troupes how already have filmed material). I also said last night that I'm happy to donate a small television that's collecting dust in my closet - we could use it to run a looped tape in the corner of the box office to give customers / random people going to the batroom an idea of what improv is. The volume would either have to be low or muted so perhaps micetro games with lots of physicality.
Also, a woman named Holly Jackson runs a media-centered networking group ( www.howdyholly.com ) which is open to all and has consistent twice weekly e-mail reminders on events going on in Austin. I'm on it and Improv used to be posted every week, I think by Andy, but isn't anymore. Is there a reason - or did we just let it drop?
Also... there's a workshop (below) that's in there that seemed very appropriate if anyone can go and feels like paying for it (sadly I cannot). It brings to mind though that we don't have to reinvent the wheel. Does anyone know of any good books that focus on non-profit, theatre or maybe even improv specific media strategies/tactics?
Workshop- Effective Media Strategies for Nonprofits
Submitted By kwagner@austincc.edu <Kelly Wagner>
Start Time Friday, Sep 22, 2006 09:00 AM
End Time Friday, Sep 22, 2006 04:00 PM
Type Contact
Educational
Speaker
Event For All
Kid Friendly No
Pet Friendly No
Name Kelly Wagner
Email kwagner@austincc.edu
Phone 512-223-7111
Location
Location Name ACC Highland Busines Center
Location Address 5930 Middle Fiskville RD
Location Phone 512-223-7111
Description
Event Website http://www.austincc.edu/npo/development/current.php
Cost $60 includes lunch & materials
Effective Media Strategies for Nonprofits- staff, volunteers, and boards will want to attend this full day workshop on media communications. The agenda includes, "Why Does My Organization Need Media Coverage" and "Where to Begin When Crafting a Strategic Communications Plan", etc.
Hosted by ACC's Nonprofit Center and led by Tamara Bell of Bell Media Group. Online registration required.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As Wes is stepping down from doing the free ticket thing, I can volunteer to manage that and get them to anyone who's volunteered to distribute them, and also do some targeted distributing myself. (Would like to get a download from you Wes, though, about what's been before, what worked/didn't).
Well, it wasn't so much stepping down as getting kicked out. OK, that's harsh, but basically this ticket idea was conceived in the very vein you suggest (target conceirges, bartenders, waiters, etc). Hit up social nexus points and people who could see the product and then recommend it to their customers--generally moving outward concentrically from the Hideout. The concept was fleshed out over many moons (about 7 months). Then when the tickets were finally ordered, the community changed its mind about what the tickets should be for and how they should be distributed. It went from targeted promotion to anyone can take any amount and give them out however they see fit (suggested as tips, etc). I still managed to distribute about 400+ in the original intended manner, to restaurants and bars downtown (some radio and hotels, too) .
However, neither method truly returned a lot of tickets. And worse, I know more than a few simply went to friends, boy/girlfriends, and family members (though even these didn't seem to return a lot, oddly enough).
I'd recommend rethinking both avenues this time around.
Other options:
--I've already taken a box to send to media along with a note requesting they come review shows basically and to distribute in some other targeted ways. Justin can tackle the radio front.
--target people who may want use our product themselves as opposed to just telling others about it (i.e. theater students at UT, St. Ed's, and local high schools, with the hopes they'll take classes)
--use as rewards at Hideout shows (like giving away a pair of tickets to the best Maestro suggestion for the night so they can come back. In fact, I recommend we try that this weekend. This idea was also discussed way back with T-shirts, but it never happened)
--give to special events that generate a lot of eye traffic for limited number of tickets (four tickets in a raffle might be listed as a prize and seen by 300 people. Even if they don't win the tickets, they'll see our name and that we exist. Target charity raffles, auctions, and fundraisers. Also people who's work offers ticket giveaways)
--use explicitly to target non-traditional audiences (minorities, etc)
--use them to reward people that help us in any way (we gave some to the Shivers and rollergirls for playing/donating to the OoB auction. We could give some to the NXNW keg hook-up, etc. Just a little extra thank you)
--experimental marketing (this is what I did when I hid 10 tickets on campus. Try writing a personal note about why you think someone should come see improv, stick it and a pair of tickets in an envelope and mail it to a random address. Set up a stupid trivia booth at 1st Thursday and give them away to people who correctly answer a question. Get creative and put them in people's hands in noticeable, a little weird, and unexpected ways)
--as some troupes are starting to get followings, give an alottment to each troupe and encourage them to be creative in giving the out (hold a fan art/fan fic contest, etc)
--I had some other ideas but it is getting late and my brain stopped working half an hour ago.
Also, to find out what is and isn't working. Mark them in some way so when they come back you know they came back from a hotel or a raffle or whatever. We didn't do this the first time around, we just tried to get the box office to ask the person. This failed on several levels.
Well, it wasn't so much stepping down as getting kicked out. OK, that's harsh, but basically this ticket idea was conceived in the very vein you suggest (target conceirges, bartenders, waiters, etc). Hit up social nexus points and people who could see the product and then recommend it to their customers--generally moving outward concentrically from the Hideout. The concept was fleshed out over many moons (about 7 months). Then when the tickets were finally ordered, the community changed its mind about what the tickets should be for and how they should be distributed. It went from targeted promotion to anyone can take any amount and give them out however they see fit (suggested as tips, etc). I still managed to distribute about 400+ in the original intended manner, to restaurants and bars downtown (some radio and hotels, too) .
However, neither method truly returned a lot of tickets. And worse, I know more than a few simply went to friends, boy/girlfriends, and family members (though even these didn't seem to return a lot, oddly enough).
I'd recommend rethinking both avenues this time around.
Other options:
--I've already taken a box to send to media along with a note requesting they come review shows basically and to distribute in some other targeted ways. Justin can tackle the radio front.
--target people who may want use our product themselves as opposed to just telling others about it (i.e. theater students at UT, St. Ed's, and local high schools, with the hopes they'll take classes)
--use as rewards at Hideout shows (like giving away a pair of tickets to the best Maestro suggestion for the night so they can come back. In fact, I recommend we try that this weekend. This idea was also discussed way back with T-shirts, but it never happened)
--give to special events that generate a lot of eye traffic for limited number of tickets (four tickets in a raffle might be listed as a prize and seen by 300 people. Even if they don't win the tickets, they'll see our name and that we exist. Target charity raffles, auctions, and fundraisers. Also people who's work offers ticket giveaways)
--use explicitly to target non-traditional audiences (minorities, etc)
--use them to reward people that help us in any way (we gave some to the Shivers and rollergirls for playing/donating to the OoB auction. We could give some to the NXNW keg hook-up, etc. Just a little extra thank you)
--experimental marketing (this is what I did when I hid 10 tickets on campus. Try writing a personal note about why you think someone should come see improv, stick it and a pair of tickets in an envelope and mail it to a random address. Set up a stupid trivia booth at 1st Thursday and give them away to people who correctly answer a question. Get creative and put them in people's hands in noticeable, a little weird, and unexpected ways)
--as some troupes are starting to get followings, give an alottment to each troupe and encourage them to be creative in giving the out (hold a fan art/fan fic contest, etc)
--I had some other ideas but it is getting late and my brain stopped working half an hour ago.
Also, to find out what is and isn't working. Mark them in some way so when they come back you know they came back from a hotel or a raffle or whatever. We didn't do this the first time around, we just tried to get the box office to ask the person. This failed on several levels.
All good ideas Wes, thank you. We're the host troupe tonight so we'll try giving away a couple of free tickets at the beginning of each show... maybe to anyone who's never been to an improv show before... to convince them to come back.
Also, there was a discussion at the meeting the other night of better utilizing a general AIC mailing list (not internal -improvisors, but external audience, groupees). I know Pgraph was collecting names for a while and perhaps still are and then having e-mail blasts. That's what we should be doing as a community and really pushing our show announcements out to the public. We should try and refresh the e-mail list we have and really increase its size and relevancy. Perhaps a sign up sheet at shows and include a blank space to indicate how the audience member heard about our show. It would give us a better idea of what's working and what's not.
Also, there was a discussion at the meeting the other night of better utilizing a general AIC mailing list (not internal -improvisors, but external audience, groupees). I know Pgraph was collecting names for a while and perhaps still are and then having e-mail blasts. That's what we should be doing as a community and really pushing our show announcements out to the public. We should try and refresh the e-mail list we have and really increase its size and relevancy. Perhaps a sign up sheet at shows and include a blank space to indicate how the audience member heard about our show. It would give us a better idea of what's working and what's not.
When I started improv there was always a jar to drop your e-mail address into at the box office. It got moved for space, but we could maybe keep a clipboard hanging on the wall next to the box office.
Anyway, the point was that the sign read "Sign up for our mailing list and you could win free tickets!" I think the goal was to give away two free tickets a month or somesuch to new e-mail subscribers. Andy would know more.
But we could definitely bring this back.
Anyway, the point was that the sign read "Sign up for our mailing list and you could win free tickets!" I think the goal was to give away two free tickets a month or somesuch to new e-mail subscribers. Andy would know more.
But we could definitely bring this back.