Social Media Grows
Social Media is becoming one of the fastest growing future uses of technology for small businesses, according to the Small Business Success Survey. It has become any easy cost effective way of increasing business awareness and promoting continued engagement with customers.
Businesses small and large across all markets are taking advantage of social media and it is no different for the theatrical producer.
Get Your Face Out There
The first step in building a social media presence for your theatre or theatrical production company is building a social network. Right now it is all about Facebook, the #1 social networking site with over 500 million customers.
· Build a Fan Page
o Use your company’s brand
o Include a link to your website and blog
o Update your status regularly
· Upload Social Objects
o Pictures
o Videos
o Audio Clips
o Update, Update, Update
· Build Connections
o Join groups – other theatres and theatrical fan pages
o Invite your staff and patrons
o Keep adding friends and fans
Blog, Blog, Blog
Whether you are leveraging this platform to speak about your upcoming season or a single show, blogging provides a voice for your theatre or production.
Blogging requires that you create content, but that doesn’t mean you have to hire someone to spend forty hours a week writing blog posts. Blog posts can be generated by anyone on your staff, in the cast or even by you.
Some blog post ideas:
· Daily Rehearsal Blog written by a cast or crew member
o This is an easy way to build anticipation about the show opening and it creates a personal connection for your audience giving them a behind the scenes look at the production.
· Artistic Blog from the Director or Artistic Director
o Here is an opportunity to provide some context and advanced artistic information about the production.
- Is there particular historical or social significance?
- Is there a unique production style being used?
- Is it a new work that has never been produced or is it based on existing source material that the audience may be familiar with.
· Personal Feature
o Highlight an artist or member of the staff in a featured post or have them write a post about their career or their approach to a specific production.
Regardless of the type of content you choose, ensure that it is updated often and consistently. This is your digital equivalent to a radio talk show or new broadcast and your readers will come to expect your regular posts.
For a great example, check out Theatrical Producer Ken Davenport. He hosts a blog about his productions and the business of Broadway. As a matter of fact he launched an entire campaign for the first ever crowd-funded Broadway musical through social media.
Tweet, Tweet, Tweetle E Deet
Tweeting is a form of micro-blogging on the site Twitter and as the terms imply they are short blogs or posts of small pictures or links.
Tweets are instant messages, opinions or observations that users share with their followers. For the theatrical community this can act as an instant mini press release.
· Build Your Network
o Join groups
o Promote your Twitter account
· Tweet about milestones or interesting happenings in the production.
o Announce casting
o Links to the reviews
o Progress in rehearsals
o Blog updates
o Announce when tickets go on sale or special promotions
By using these and other social networking channels and platforms you can build a successful integrated digital campaign and you will keep the curtain rising for seasons to come.
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