Consider this a supplement to my traditional resume. Hopefully, I have established my credentials and previous experience by this point. So, let's look at what I can bring to the table for your future objectives!
The purpose of this blog is to showcase my ideas on how to reach out to a younger audience to fill seats and create long term customers. The first way to accomplish this is to take the symphony to your intended audience. Tailor the performance to what they want instead of trying to convince them to be interested in what you're already doing. Once you have their interest, make it easily accessible and SHAREABLE online. The internet is an untapped marketing medium that you can harness. Let others do the work for you!
Events and Promos
- Cocktail Receptions before or after a concert
- Discount Ticket Prices for desired age group - BSO had huge success with this (Friends under Forty):http://joelewi.wordpress.com/2009/03/02/monday-marketing-monologue/
- Creative Collaborations with main-stream music genres/performers:
- Turntablists and VJ's (video dj's), Hip Hop Violinists, and Step Shows
Online Content
- Social Networking: Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, Myspace, etc... Announce events, invite followers, stay on people's radar!
- InstantEncore.com: Social Networking site specific to Classical Music fans and artists - Currently the North Carolina Symphony is the only area symphony participating.
- Mobile Apps: Create a shortcut to the Event Calendar for people to download straight to their mobile phones.
- Take advantage of YouTube and podcasts (e.g. video clips from concerts, interviews etc.)
- Widget: Create a calendar widget for patrons to embed in their own blogs and websites as well as their pc desktop.
- Free downloads from the FSO website: podcasts, streaming music, program notes, etc...
- MP3 downloads. Provide a free download once a month to keep people checking back
- Place links on the website for people to easily click and share a story, concert schedule, or video on their blog or website.
- Have people volunteer their information to be included on a mailing list. Never require it for downloadable content - it doesn't work.
- Create a page on your website and allow patrons to upload their own pictures and experiences at the symphony directly to the FSO page! Content would be subject to approval of course, but this is a great way to show appreciation. Don't most people skip to the back of a community magazine to see if their picture made it to print for an event? Those would be the people who would utilize this feature. The best part - you don't have to do a thing. Here is a great example: http://www.kiawahmoments.com/
Respectfully,
Kellie Artis
keliliz@msn.com
- As an added bonus for you, I have decided to send out this blog to friends of mine with the instructions to comment on how they view a symphony orchestra. Consider this a mini focus group with the intention of demonstrating just how useful this medium can be! Enjoy.
