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.
I love your ideas, Kellie! I know I would attend the Fayetteville symphony with any of these ideas. This town really needs more to do that is different and energetic. Sounds like a great date with my husband or a fun night out with the girls. It really has me excited just from seeing your blog!
ReplyDeleteEmily, 30 yrs old
What great ideas! It truely takes a younger person to know how to reach the intended target group. If the FSO implements your suggestions, they will be front and center on the under 40's calendar of events. Best of all, this is free advertising! With a more upbeat venue, I'd be interested in checking them out!
ReplyDeleteTeresa
Kellie, I love all your ideas. I think these would be perfect for drawing in a younger crowd, especially for people in their late 20's and 30's. I know if I lived closer, I would definitely consider this a fun night out with friends! Great job!
ReplyDeleteHey thanks for the page. I was unaware of the existence of the Fayetteville Symphony until I saw this page. One problem Fayetteville tends to have is a lack of good advertising. I do not subscribe to the Observer, and rarely get a copy of the "on the town" magazine. I hope that more organizations go digital like this. There is a different type of professional crowd here with FT Bragg, but I think there is a place for a symphony here. I just wish I would have known it was here a long time ago.
ReplyDelete-Ben
Great ideas Kellie. I think that most young people view the orchestra/classical music as something their parents or grandparents listen to. I think one of the best ways to expose this genre to a younger audience would be to make it more familiar and approchable via collaborations. Especially since this area is starved for interesting music events. I know plenty of people who have moved here from larger cities that would love to find that kind of culture. (Coctail hour wouldn't hurt either!) A strong online presence is crucial to an organization trying to build a younger audience. Especially in a city with such a transient population...people move here and check online to find out what's going on in town. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteRachel
This sounds great! I know that mixing a younger more modern genre of music with the classics of the symphony is an instant head turner for younger generations, like me. I would love to have somewhere to go that is meaningful but also fun and energetic. It would definitely be something I would continue to attend as well. Great idea, Kellie!
ReplyDelete