From: Christopher Hudert <heyhoot-AT-mindspring.com>
Date: Tue, 20 May 2008 12:53:09 -0400
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Free Shows, etc


On May 20, 2008, at 12:11 PM, Andrew wrote:

> to help promote our summer shows, we're doing free showcases (15-20 
> minutes long) at well-attended local events a
> couple weeks before each show to help drum up interest and hopefully 
> sell more tickets

Andrew.

   Please clarify. By doing these showcase are you hoping to get more 
bookings, or get more people at your shows, or both?

   IMHO, you are not likely to pick up more bookings that are going to 
happen between the showcase and the couple of weeks before the booked 
show. Most venues are going to need more than a couple of weeks for 
their planning, budget, and promotion. You might, however, build the 
audience for the show that is already booked and, through doing the two 
events, pick up some future bookings.

   If you are trying to pad out your schedule on short notice, you might 
try doing some "paid publicity" events. That's a term I use for a 
deeply discounted showlette (not the regular show - sounds like what 
you mentioned) that I might do at a senior center, day care, children's 
hospital, library or other venue where the press is invited (and likely 
to attend because of the human interest angle) a few days before the 
scheduled event. Work with your venue to send a press release and to 
schedule places that will not conflict with their client base. It's a 
win - win situation. The press comes (sometimes) and covers the event 
plus plugs the upcoming event, you get paid a little bit to pad out 
your schedule, and you get to do an introduction to a venue that might 
book you in the future (at full price, rarely should you do the same 
free venue twice - unless it's at a children's hospital or other place 
you choose to "give back" to).

Christopher

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