Publicity Guide for Public Shows

Thank you for choosing the Act!vated Storytellers for your special event. You can expect a confirmation form within a few weeks of booking. If you need another copy or are having trouble receiving our emails the confirmation forms are also available here:

• School Confirmation Form
• All others use the Venue Confirmation Form (Library, Theatres, etc.)

Check the schedule to be sure the time and date of your program correct and feel free to use any of the materials available on our site to help promote your show.

Promotion is Key

Because getting the word out is key to getting people to walk through the door, it is vital to focus most of your efforts on promotional activities. The Act!vated Storytellers will prepare diligently for the audience and a top quality program is guaranteed, even if only one audience member is present, but proper promotion helps to ensure good attendance. To help generate excitement use promotional materials provided on this page.

The following techniques are based on years of experience in promoting our show and attracting audiences across the country. These techniques have yielded many packed libraries, school family nights, and bookstore and museum events.

Publicity Materials

Advertising broadly and well in advance will help ensure a standing room only crowd. Post flyers and posters where potential attendees frequent.

Posters & Flyers

Color posters and flyers are great attention-getters. Do not underestimate the importance of posters. Stores that cater to families, students, or tourists are best. Postcards are also available for mailing lists.

IMPRINTING: The posters and flyers contain a white space at the bottom for show specifics. This should include the name and address of the performance venue, dates, times, ticket prices (if applicable), and venue phone number.

• Poster 11 x 17 (PDF / 5.5 MB)
• Flyer 8.5 x 11 (PDF / 3 MB)

Other Publicity Guides

• fact sheet (.doc 23 kb) Print and leave handy for anyone answering the phone or patron questions
• frequently asked questions and answers all on one page
• planning timeline to guide your publicity efforts (.doc 28 kb)
• Ask Me! Spice up your name badges (.doc 76 kb)
• Study Guide for Teachers with activities that can be adapted and used for pre-show excitement builders
• Press Releases/PSA and additional Media Resources. Please feel free to adapt, if a press release is not yet available for your show.
• Show Description to print and distribute among your staff (coming soon)
• Select photos from the column on right to use in your flyers, slides and other promotional materials

Creative ways to promote your event

Computer

Prominently list the event on your organization's web site and on the sites of your community's various arts organizations.

http://www.activated-storytellers.com is a fun-filled, award-winning Internet destination with folktales to read and listen to, background information for the stories, travel journal and much more.

• Link back to Act!vated Storytellers' web site. Link to the folktale section, so kids will be able to enjoy stories while they wait for the big day. Or take them to the kids page.
• Place a notice on marquees around town. Ask local banks and other organizations to donate space.
• Issue special invitations to Friends of the Library, board members, and those interested in the arts in your community, and "talk up" the event.
• Have your staff "talk it up" to your clients/students/patrons, generating excitement in the community a few weeks before the event.
• Morning intercom announcements at local schools. The PSA can be adapted for this and audio files are also available upon request.
• Display Posters colored by storytime/Summer Reading Club participants

Guest Stars

There is an opportunity for 8-12 "Guest-Stars", (outgoing children age 6 and up from your community) to perform small roles on stage in the show. Guest Stars attend a free half-hour pre-show performance workshop to learn their parts.

Use this unique opportunity to generate excitement. There are several ways you can approach this.

1. Hold a contest – i.e. the ones who read the most, get to be in the show.
2. Call and invite the parents of children you think would benefit most from this experience.
3. Hold a drawing to pick the lucky winners.
4. Announce the opportunity in advance and we will cast the roles on a first come, first serve basis.

Demographics

Act!vated Storytellers have a universal appeal to all types of audiences, attracting not just children, but the entire family.

• Families the performers are a family promoting families working, learning, traveling and playing together.
• Homeschoolers Contact local homeschoolers and ask them to spread the word to their groups. Let them know the Goza Family homeschools on the road. They may be interested in scheduling additional workshops or lectures for their groups. This is a great group to tap when looking for volunteers to "guest-star".
• Scout Groups The shows offer opportunities for scouts working on badges in communication, theatre arts, folktales,and reading. These are great groups to tap when looking for volunteers to "guest-star".
• Senior Groups Contact the activity/social directors of retirement centers, inviting them to bring a group from their facility.
• Tourists Leave flyers or postcards at your local chamber of commerce, tourist information center, campgrounds, laundromats, and other locations tourists are likely to frequent.
• Deaf/Hearing-Impaired and ASL Students The shows feature American Sign Language, encouraging hearing audiences to explore the language, in addition to making it more accessible (an interpreter still should be provided). Deaf and Hearing Impaired are also welcome to participate as "Guest Stars".
• Theatre Students and Theatre Lovers of all ages. Contact local theatre classes and drama groups and invite them to participate as "Guest Stars".

Beyond Traditional Media

Front Desk

The front desk should have our flyer posted as well as our show-description sheet; this gives them some quick phrases to give the callers who ask what the show is about.

Lobby /Children's Area / Restrooms

Hang posters prominently in the lobby and put flyers on tables and on restroom stall doors (where they will get plenty of attention).

Newsletters

If you publish a newsletter or brochure, a photo with a blurb about the show always helps.

Marquees

Put Act!vated Storytellers on the marquee in advance; use both words in the title with the event details to maximize draw. Most local banks, shopping malls, schools, and other community organizations are willing to do the same as a service to the community if you ask.

Book/Tape Display

Prominently display books related to the show – stories, folktales, theatre, ASL etc.

Put copies of "Out of the Bag", "Know Fooling" it in a prominent place, readily available for patrons to check out. If you don't already have the CD/ tape you can order copies in advance.

Fun Pre-Show Tie-In Activities

Start setting the stage a month or so in advance by hosting a series of activities that tie in to the upcoming event. (See Study Guide for more ideas)

Act!vate Your Story Time: In the preceding weeks, read the Act!vated Storytellers' feature folktale (available online) aloud at your standard story time. Invite the participants to have fun acting it out.