Promoting a Crafts Event
Get the Highest Attendance Through Well-Planned Promotion
Before people can attend an event, they need to know about it. There are tried-and-true ways to go about promoting any craft event.
The best planned craft event won’t have a high attendance unless people know about it. Other than word of mouth, there are tried-and-true ways to go about promoting any craft event.
Promotion Material
Publicizing your event will ensure a good turnout. It is extremely helpful to develop a press release and to create a simple flyer. Flyers and small posters are worthwhile investments; the more that are posted, the more interest is created.
Press Release
Determine the media, the groups or individuals the committee feels should be alerted about the event and should receive a release. The media list should include not only daily newspapers, but weeklies and large-circulation state dailies, local radio stations, TV, city and state magazines.
Ask if volunteers in the group have friends or contacts in the media. Connections are always important, and there is no exception for arts and crafts. Compile the list, preferably on a database, mail the release and follow up to answer any questions anyone might have.
Personally contact other groups or individuals who share the love of arts and crafts and alert them to the event. Not only will they want to attend, but they may volunteer to help.
Posting Flyers
Contact local retail stores and ask if they will allow event posters and flyers in their stores. Shops are generally happy to help non-profits in their endeavors. Ask if they would like to have a table to display their information. Especially propose these ideas to yarn/craft stores. They will be a big topic of interest at the fair.
Other places to consider asking are colleges, schools, recreation facilities, libraries, book stores, gathering places around town, and of course the event site itself. Libraries and bookstores are wonderful places to promote an arts and crafts event. Suggest a special display of craft titles near the display of the flyer.
These suggestions should help the group get started. It’s certain that others will come up with ideas, as well. “Over-Promotion” is not possible, so keep the ball rolling.
