Promotion Thoughts
I just realized that most of the work I do promoting things could not possibly have a huge impact on attendance.
Attendance at Pagan events tends to come from three sources; the general public (the people I deal with), the core group (every gathering has its core group of people who are most likely to show up), and other groups (the true X-factor). When you look at it like that it makes it obvious that it only takes a few groups to bring in as many people as a huge promotion to the general public. Also the core group is people who are already more likely than average to show up, so rallying them really gets the most bang for the buck. But the general public are the least number and not especially likely to show up.
Most organizations should already have mechanisms in place to bring in the core group and the general public, but recruiting groups is really the most savvy part of this promotional plan, and that has not been something I have focused on in much of my promotional work. Ideally this should require working behind the scenes with group leaders.
I've heard event organizers complain that their event was not well attended because other groups had events at the same time, but most groups aren't so huge that they can't reschedule if most of their members are going to do something else. Also, very few events are so well attended that they detract from every other event. So I don't really believe that excuse. It's far more likely that the core group was not rallied, groups were not enticed, and the general public was not solicited.
I like this view of a three fold promotional system. I think I'll have to share this with my friends who promote events and see what they think. It also means that event organizers should be at the Group/Seeker Meet & Greet to do some networking this Saturday.
Attendance at Pagan events tends to come from three sources; the general public (the people I deal with), the core group (every gathering has its core group of people who are most likely to show up), and other groups (the true X-factor). When you look at it like that it makes it obvious that it only takes a few groups to bring in as many people as a huge promotion to the general public. Also the core group is people who are already more likely than average to show up, so rallying them really gets the most bang for the buck. But the general public are the least number and not especially likely to show up.
Most organizations should already have mechanisms in place to bring in the core group and the general public, but recruiting groups is really the most savvy part of this promotional plan, and that has not been something I have focused on in much of my promotional work. Ideally this should require working behind the scenes with group leaders.
I've heard event organizers complain that their event was not well attended because other groups had events at the same time, but most groups aren't so huge that they can't reschedule if most of their members are going to do something else. Also, very few events are so well attended that they detract from every other event. So I don't really believe that excuse. It's far more likely that the core group was not rallied, groups were not enticed, and the general public was not solicited.
I like this view of a three fold promotional system. I think I'll have to share this with my friends who promote events and see what they think. It also means that event organizers should be at the Group/Seeker Meet & Greet to do some networking this Saturday.