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How do we better market WWWD?
Tue, 04/03/2007 - 23:01 — Jim
WWWD seems to be turning into something really special. More people should come to see this show. They are really missing out.
So, what are your ideas for increasing the exposure of WWWD? How can we advertise, on the cheap, and get across the message of what we are doing?
Unless otherwise stated, the music on What Would Woody Do is provided under a creative commons license. Haven't decided which CC license yet, but it will allow you to play and share these songs with anyone. The content responsibility of the poster of the content and, of course, WWWD can't be held responsible.
co-sponsor with songwriter's circle
I think the two organizations have very different focus. We need to market both better, but they will not attract the same audience. I would hate for songwriter's circle to be seen as just for folks with our progressive political bent and I would not be happy to see the circle viewed as just for political songs, of whatever persuasion. Hard as it is to believe, there are people who do not have our passion for politics and some of them are in the Circle. In short, I think joint events would hurt both organizations.
I think a better bet is for wwwd to do what we did at jccc, by working with a local group whenever we can. That might bring us more audience. The Circle will not, simply because most wwwd players are circle members.
So, i vote for no on co-sponsorship with the Circle.
co-sponsor with songwriter's circle
I guess it depends on what the "rules" are for Circle sponsorship. If we can still say that it's a political songwriter event, it still has DFHA as it's primary sponsor, and Cross Currents/KC Songwriter Circle doesn't have a problem with that, then I'm not sure that I see a problem. Perhaps we can talk more about this in person on the 20th?
co-sponsor with Songwriters Circle
Jim,
I see no problem with Songwriters Circle co-sponsoring a WWWD event, especially since the Circle's goals are met by the event. It would increase exposure as well.
David
David Hakan
www.DavidHakan.com
wwwd marketing
Matt is on the right track, I think. The event we do now is great [i will put a post on that thread, too] but there are a lot of other opportunities. The KCITF people have used music occasionally. We could try to make it a part of every rally, at least in the summer. Playing outside in the cold weather is a bitch.
When Woody was doing a lot of these events, in the early 40s, the movement people did not see music as important at all. That changed and by the time I got involved there was music everywhere. We need to keep that going. If we do it right, people will come to events to hear the music. There will be some (ahem!) personal politics to work through, regarding play time, since we all want to perform, but that will be worth it.
WWWD Marketing
I like the idea of having performances in different regions. Each venue could contribute to the whole. If we build audiences regionally, could we then possibly draw them to come to KC somewhere for a larger venue and event? Would smaller performances in the outskirts draw larger audiences downtown? Does that work?
Invite national activists and high profile Dems as keynote speakers, people like Jim Hightower, Amy Goodman, Patch Adams, Cindy Sheehan, Nancy Boyda, Dennis Moore, Emmanuel Cleaver etc....
Al Gore? (he he)
Can we create a buzz on the blogs?
What about merchandising? WWWD tee shirts, buttons, stickers.
Can we partner with venues? The Uptown Theater? Just off Broadway Theater?
Can we partner with organizations? Unions? Campaigns? Student organizations? Veterans for Peace?
Can we play at the River Market on weekends?
We should start performing at the rallies on the plaza.
Maybe there needs to be a promotion team, a core group, volunteers who will put in the time to find venues, sponsor partners, help get things organized, etc...
Endorsement by the Guthrie Foundation.
We should participate in as many rallies and events happening in the area as we possibly can.
How can we make the WWWD posters ubiquitous.
WWWD spots to play on KKFI and KJHK.
Start inviting local media to our events. Perhaps partner with other events and fundraisers. Let the community know that if you need performers, "some real folk singers", you contact WWWD.
Get a feature story into the Pitch and other media outlets.
WWWD Marketing
These are all great ideas. I like the idea of having larger events. We need to build the movement, and get a huge mailing list. I suppose we also need to build the "brand recognition" through all these marketing suggestions you've made.
I really like the suggestion of different teams to handle different aspects of the events. A Location Team that would handle venues and making sure we have adequate PA, and a Marketing Team that would be focused on getting the word out.
Is one of your suggestions having more, smaller, WWWD events at lots of different places? I think I'm OK with that. Like anyplace where two or three or more political folk musicians play together could be a WWWD event? We would probably need to come up with other names for the event, like mini-WWWD, or something like that to distinguish it from the larger events.