PUBLICITY:

Checklist for Clubs/Dance Teams/Groups

Photos

Make sure you have a library of interesting and attractive pictures with people smiling and enjoying themselves. Make sure the pictures are not too big to prevent them being uploaded easily. ALWAYS send a picture (or two) with any item you send for publication

Timing

If you are publicising an event, set the date, and tell people well in advance. Most people plan their lives! You can always remind people nearer the event

Web site

You must have a web site! But only if it is up to date – a site with information that is two years old is worse than useless and will put people off you. Make sure someone monitors enquiries and replies swiftly – if not again worse than useless. A common problem here is that someone sets up a web site (easy to do and free with Wix and other providers) and then leaves without sharing the passwords/log on data etc. Or purchases a web domain and then fails to renew.

Posters

Easy, free, and very effective to put posters on community noticeboards close to where you meet. All the evidence is that people are reluctant to travel far these days. Ideally make them no bigger than A5, colourful, and change the design/renew the poster regularly, take your own drawing pins!

Mailing list

Very powerful and free. Collect e-mail addresses and do a regular mailing with news and events. Use a free service like Mailchimp (other providers are available), otherwise your e-mails go straight into the junk folder. Make sure you comply with data protection regulations. Be on mailing lists yourself.

Newspapers & Magazines

Even with the demise of the local daily newspapers, there are still good opportunities. There are free advertising magazines and newspapers which will often print free news items like Cheltenham News. Most Borough Councils send a regular newsletter to every household. Parish magazines/Community newsletters can be useful. It is often possible to get a free mention, if you send in a brief item. However you need to plan ahead – copy dates are often months ahead.

Social Media

Many sides/clubs use Facebook. Good value, but not everyone uses it, so do not restrict yourself to this alone. Retain control over postings, or you may get overwhelmed with dodgy postings (this applies to other social media platforms as well)

MP and Mayors

Your local MP, and District/Borough/City/Town Mayors are often glad to attend special events. Their attendance often attracts positive publicity and builds up good contacts for the future.

Who will do all this work?

Two points: (a) share the load, many hands make light work! (b) publicity could be a job for a wife/husband/son/grand-daughter/granny of an active member.