File puptcrit/puptcrit.0911, message 369


Date: Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:19:01 -0500
To: Pupcrit <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
From: Kat Pleviak <katburglar1-AT-hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Facebook


I have some experience with facebook and was one of the instigators 
in getting the PofA involved this summer. I am also=A0in the process of 
researching/writing an article about facebook for the puppetry 
journal, look for it later this year. I have not got my own company 
up yet, but have helped a number of the regions get up and going so 
here is some of my suggestions.

Facebook is a giant web of connections, so to kick start traffic=A0to 
your page=A0you need to connect yourself to pages that are already 
getting traffic that=A0would appeal to your company as well. Use your 
page to friend/fan=A0people in these=A0four groups. The first two hit 
close to home and you will get support because they know you. 1) 
Other puppet pages, start with other companies you like and the PofA 
pages for sure, puppeteers like to support their own and we clearly 
care about puppets=A02) Your friends and family. They know you so of 
course they will give support and this exposes you to their extended 
networks who don't know you. Now three and four reach out of your 
current communities. 3) Other local organizations: search for 
non-puppet=A0organizations in your area such as businesses, libraries, 
schools, community institutions ect. This will put you on the radar 
of people close=A0enough to actually come see your work. 4) General 
organizations/groups that might like puppetry but don't really have a 
reason to obviously connect. Musicians, artists, educators, and 
hobbyist are a world of non- puppeteers whom might have an interest. 
Depending on what=A0kind of puppetry you do=A0this can vary. If you 
mostly do=A0library shows try book clubs, renaissance fairs, or bird 
watching society=B9s. If you do late night adult material, try coffee 
houses, bars,=A0bands, or TV show fan pages. These examples are very 
random but the=A0point is we all have extra interests and it's likely 
if something intrigues you, the people who do that might be intrigued 
with puppetry. Once you get it going it will snow ball. But to keep 
it growing I would say keep finding new groups to connect with. Maybe 
decide to once a month look for new people to friend, or find one new 
page/person every time you log in. A little work will go a long way.

Now that you have put yourself out there you need to post info to 
keep people interested. So check in with your page once or twice a 
week and add photos, video, company news, press releases, publicity 
material, spotlight another company you like (they will likely return 
the favor), info for your upcoming shows and how to see you, 
interesting stories about your members and projects they are doing, 
ect. These are just some suggestions, you don=B9t have to do tons. 
Everyone uses facebook in different amounts depending on their time 
and comfort level. I personally find if things are updated to 
frequently, such as daily with news like " Our company had bagels for 
breakfast today" I tune out and don't pay as much attention, However 
you need to post stuff weekly or bi monthly to keep people interested 
and updated. Think of facebook like a plant. It mostly take care of 
it's self, but you have to spend a little time to water it. No one 
wants a brown shriveled facebook page. Hope this helps some, see you 
on the net.

Kat

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