Sounds like you have a lot of great practices going on. I'd be very interested to hear more. We are struggling a bit with the marketing aspect and I'm really trying to build what we have. Some of these ideas are new to me... the Itunes, the Podcast, the blogging, google alerts... can you give me any more information or suggestions on these? I guess just expand on some of these ideas?

Great thread. I'll offer some advice about email marketing to your list.

It's very important you cultivate your list to help it grow. Marketing to people who have already shown interest in your group is much easier than trying to find fresh faces.

It's very important to begin marketing to your list regularly so you can keep your group, top of mind. What's great is that email is extremely affordable and you can set a campaign to work on auto-pilot with any of the email marketing services available today.

So when should you start marketing to your list? I say the minute you know what show you'll be producing. Send out a 'here's what we're doing' email. Then send out weekly updates, one topic per email e.g. Why this play was chosen, info on the playwright, How does it relate to today, what's going on in rehearsal, who are the characters in the play - who are the actors playing them. Ideally you'd want to tie this all together with some backstage video interviews with those involved in the production.

The goal is to start making your list feel like they're part of the production before they've even set foot in the theatre. And by keeping top of mind you'll increase the odds of getting people on your list to the shows during the run.

Also ask for feedback in each email. And also ask that they forward the email to someone who may be interested.

Simply sending an email about the show two weeks before is not enough. It's all about the show before the show. Build awareness, community and buzz leading up to the performance.

There's more of course regarding the list but this is a good way to start thinking about it.

Hope this helps.

D.

Hi jayzehr,

Dave, do you have any other strategies for growing your email list besides just soliciting people who are at your shows?

Sure. First just to clarify, why I stress putting so much attention on your current list. There have already been posts in this thread about the importance of choosing a target audience. When you interact with the people on your current list you can learn a lot about what attracted them to your theatre. This information can help you create a stronger attraction message for your marketing. Which helps you attract others looking for the same things as your original list member (target.) Hope that helps clarify.

Moving to other strategies for building your email list...
One way would be to create a guide for theatre goers in your area or something else that would be of value to your potential audience. (This again takes us back to listening to your current list to find out what would be of value to them. If it's of value to them it'll be valuable to others.)

Offer this guide on your website for free in exchange for an email address. As a bonus they also get a free subscription to your newsletter.

You'll see many websites today offering this type of freebie in exchange for an email address. And is common practice for building your email list.

You could put together some type of coupon book with area businesses, perhaps. Just a thought.

Hope this helps.

D.

We just launched our web site at www.osterregent.org