Publicising a niche event in Ireland

[hatgirl]

At every SF/Fantasy/Anime/Comics/Gaming event I go to, people mention really great publicity channels to me. And whenever someone running an event asks for publicity ideas, I can't for the life of me think of anything other than "put up a poster in Forbidden Planet".

So, I hereby dedicate this comment thread to those brilliant ideas. Which is just a classy way of saying "Please help, I have a memory like a sieve."

Comments

[hatgirl.livejournal.com]

On Twitter (https://twitter.com/#!/splinister/status/194104060536815616), Maura McHugh advises "Facebook Event Page, Facebook Page, Twitter. Getting on the @Scifiie Calendar. Flyers at cons. Local newspapers." Regarding getting in local newspapers she suggests (https://twitter.com/#!/splinister/status/194105628132777984) "you write to them."

[mollydot.livejournal.com]

And make sure someone is keeping an eye on facebook and twitter so that any questions are answered.

[mollydot.livejournal.com]

And the email address, of course.

[scorbet.livejournal.com]

Also a normal webpage, if possible, as facebook quite often gets blocked by workplaces. With up to date information and easy ways of getting important info like when and where exactly and how to get there using public transport.

(The page should also be easily findable using google so that if someone reads a poster or hears the name they can find it again without knowing the url...).

[mollydot.livejournal.com]

One of our crowd got in touch with podcast.ie and was interviewed about the bookcrossing con: http://www.podcasts.ie/2012/04/podcasts-ie-showcase-22/
and she arranged an interview between them and the magnificent peadarog, where he mentioned the con too: http://www.podcasts.ie/featured-writers/featured-prose-writers/peadar-o-guilin/

[peadarog.livejournal.com]

Yes, and the page got 45 views in only a matter of weeks... Still, one of those views might have been Jeremy Paxman or something... ;p

[mollydot.livejournal.com]

Ego bait: http://www.ben-norman.co.uk/blog/seo/link-building-seo/what-is-ego-bait-and-how-effective-is-it/

[hatgirl.livejournal.com]

Thank you for your ideas, mollydot, peadarog and scorbet. I shall claim them as my own *nods sagely*

[glycon.livejournal.com]

Posters in libraries is one idea that I'm always having mentioned to me, but always completely fail to actually follow up on. I think you drop in one, and they copy it and pass it on to the rest. But my ignorance on this particular area is profound, so don't take my word for it! To add to Maura's list, there should also be a webpage - which I now see has been mentioned below. If you have guests at the event, ask them to list you on their 'forthcoming events' page, if they have one, or to at least mention once or twice that they're coming along to the event, and will be 'performing.' I would also add 'talking nicely to the people in Chapters' to the 'putting up a poster in FP' idea.

[wyvernfriend.livejournal.com]

I've asked for the official position on posters.

Posters can be handed into individual Dublin City Public Library branches, it is at the discression of the branch (some are a little picky about what they put up, because of sheer volume). Some branches would also have collections that are SF or SFnal and the Central Library has a SF bookclub (which is full). Posters can also be sent into the Development Section, Bibliographic Centre, Cabra Library, Navan Road, Dublin 7 - adding in a press release or some information about the event for staff would also be useful. I would also suggest sending in some information to the Office of Dublin UNESCO City of Literature (http://www.dublincityofliterature.ie/contactus.html?d6f9900c6abf5559408ec51f5523a7ea=a093514a3c14bcea3364f1aadfefedff). They organise a newsletter and the mentioned the recent bookcrossing event!

I have occasionally suggested also sending a free membership to each of the local authorities, adressing them to the respective Readers Services department, with a press pack, these are the people who would ensure that there are copies of the books by the authors on the shelves, they need about a 3-4 month lead time.

Press Packs: Have a This is What we are and what we do puff piece on your website that's printable. Gods know I end up having to explain too much to people and I can see them glaze over. Write it for a non-SF Fan. Define SF, talk up the auctions, mention notable past guests. Link to current fads and possible panel discussions; "this year, with the huge impact of the Hunger Games, we will probably have a few panels on Dystopian futures; adding in the Avengers; there's an oportunity for a panel (or two) on film adaptations etc.," if you don't feed thoughts into the minds of journalists they will make it all up. Include Author comments on the con. If you don't have them, solicit them. Ask them if you can quote from their blog posts about the con (take some of their complaints to heart)

[hatgirl.livejournal.com]

Thanks, wyvernfriend! It's great to have some solid information about the libraries.

[wyvernfriend.livejournal.com]

Also, if you do pass posters into a branch, write it clearly on the packet that it's for distribution to other branches, please and add a note attached to each one to please display in the branch. Particularly if you pass it into the Central Library ILAC centre, otherwise someone may see it and think it's extras, they're swamped and they often get too many multiples of posters. Sometimes explaining that memberships are to cover costs in your cover letters and/or that after paying costs any excess earned is given to named charity can improve your chances of going up (some branches have somewhat arbitary reasons not to display posters)

Discuss the differences and similarity between Irish Cons and other cons.

Oh and when you get the good quotes from authors, also read what they comment about "there weren't a lot of good restaurants around"= info pack for non-local authors the next year about where they can find good places to eat, get coffee early or late, the good places for folks with allergies/specialist diets is also useful. What notice places need for large crowds is also good in case they want to drag a crowd to eat. Display that stuff on a noticeboard but it doesn't need to be with peoples' memberships.

[wyvernfriend.livejournal.com]

Oh and if you have "greeter" type people, make sure they have an idea where they can get coffee for guests on Sunday mornings that isn't too big of a trek...

[hatgirl.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to keep this thread pretty tightly focused on Event Advertising, but hold those thoughts and I may launch a Pre-Event Preparation Suggestions thread later!