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How to Design a Marketing Plan for a Play

You can generate ticket sales and create buzz for your play by developing a comprehensive marketing plan. The plan should include both traditional publicity generating tactics and more creative methods. Performers should be willing to assist you by making themselves available for promotion. For even more exposure, cooperate with other arts organizations in your community to keep advertising costs low and promote goodwill. Here is how to design a marketing plan for a play ahead of time to ensure a packed house.

Instructions

    • 1

      Write a series of press releases and send them to all of your local media. The first press release should include all of the pertinent information, including location, times and ticket availability. Subsequent releases should introduce the actors and include their head shots and bios.

    • 2

      Arrange interviews with television, radio and print reporters. Invite media arts and entertainment reporters to rehearsals.

    • 3

      Place display ads in newspapers. Include vital information like show times, dates and ticket pricing. Check local radio stations to see if they have segments devoted to announcing happenings.

    • 4

      Offer discounted tickets to students and seniors. Mention this in all of your advertising, your press releases and interviews.

    • 5

      Approach elementary and high school personnel about performing a scene from the play for students, or make the actors available for question and answer sessions. Have fliers available for the students to take home to their parents.

    • 6

      Give complimentary tickets to people who can help generate buzz for your play like civic club members and other members of the arts community.

    • 7

      Create a web page devoted to your play. Keep costs low by using one of the free web hosting companies and mention the URL for your website in all of your publicity.

    • 8

      Contact the society page editor or writer for your newspaper after the play. Send her photos from the production with cut lines or captions.

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