Austin Improv

Help me understand what's going on.

We just kicked off our new schedule. Our new, risky, balls-to-the-wall schedule.

The 1st Thursday before the first weekend of our shiny new schedule, six people showed up to distribute flyers on S. Congress. Four of them were from my troupe. None of the six people handing out flyers had shows that weekend.

Today was the Rose Bowl Event at the UT stadium. I scrambled before and after a rehearsal to get 2000 flyers made. Zero people showed up. To their credit, none of the zero people who showed up have shows this weekend either, so bully for them!

What the hell am I missing?

Was there a collective decision that flyering is not a good idea?
Or is it that no one reads the board, where the last 2 flyering events were announced?
Or is it that everyone is of the opinion that "Yes, flyers are a great idea (as long as someone else does it)"?

If we don't band together as a *community* and try to promote our shows, we are going to have fewer people in the audience. Simple as that. Simply playing shows will not make people appear in the seats. Magic pixies aren't going wisk away your show schedule on a cloud of fairy dust and sprinkle it in the ears of potential audience members.

If we don't want to hand out flyers to promote Austin Improv, fine. Just say so. I'll spend my time and energy focusing on promoting only those shows that I am directly involved in.

If we all do want to hand out flyers, then what do I need to do to make people help? What's the piece of the puzzle that I am missing? Do people just not know when events are happening or what?

dood that sucks kareem. i'll be sure to be exrta nice to you. CALL ME to remind me about flyers epsecially if no one shows up. was there a clear and present time & place to meet at? it sucks that you have to beat it over people's heads, but you do. i really shouldn't speak as i totally fogot about flyers tonight. i was lost in a strange book in a stranger place.

i suck kareem, and for that i offer my most sincere apologies. i'm afraid i can't reimburse your money and more importantly your time, but i can offer you my honest pledge of service for future flyer raids.

I am guilty of saying I'd be there, then not following through. I apologize to everyone! but especially to you, Kareem. I agree with Kareem and others who pointed out that the Nat Champ Party/Event would be a perfect opportunity to hand out improv flyers.

I think flyer-ing is a good marketing strategy. I know there will be other opportunities. This missed opportunity will generate motivation for me *and hopefully others* to make the next flyer-ing event.

We had a church gig over at Hideout that lasted until 8pm when the event was already over. The Thursday fliering had a last minute Tight show paired with ColdTowne. I wonder if we can schedule two troupes (not performing) on Thursday's to hand out fliers and then anyone else who show's up is bonus ?

Kareem, I'm sorry you were completely unsupported with the flyering.

I agree that we all have to come together and attack the public with improv awareness if we are going to get the attendance up and keep this ball rolling. I certainly don't believe that someone else is going to do it for me, and I don't expect to not flyer simply because I don't have a show in the coming week. I think the flyering is more for awareness of improv and of the Hideout. Definitely flyer for your own team if you want, but ANY flyering is for the benefit of all improv. Unfortunately I've been completely inundated with work and improv commitments during the last two flyering times (Rose Bowl and 1st Thursday) and have been unable to attend either. I will absolutely be at the next flyering event that doesn't coincide with a show or when I'm out of town for work.

I can flyer the West Mall on my lunch breaks this week. Anyone who can join me between 12:30-1:15 is happily encouraged to do so.

K, let's schedule a time to hand out flyers on campus next week.