Have you ever wondered just how far in advance should you start telling people about an event?
What’s the appropriate amount of promotion for an upcoming opening, festival or happening?
Especially if it’s a long way off, you may wonder, “How many times should I email them about the event without getting on their nerves?”
Do any of these sound familiar when you start to think about it?
“I don’t want to be a newsfeed hog.”
“I don’t want to look like I’m bragging.”
“I don’t want to look like an ego maniac BUT I’ve got a lot of events coming up.”
Here’s the deal…
If people have signed up to your mailing list or are following you on social media, they WANT TO HEAR about the events you’ve got coming up, no matter how far in advance.
They’re busy people and will likely forget about your fun event that they’d like to go to without your gentle and friendly reminders.
This means that if you were just juried into a show, registered for a craft fair or are hosting a workshop, start telling people about it, even if it’s more than a year away.
You don’t have to be shy about it.
Instead of letting unhelpful thoughts flood your brain like, “I don’t want to hit people over the head with this stuff”, refocus by thinking about how excited you are to do this event. And, how proud you are that you’re at THIS point in your life where doing THIS event can happen.
Oh, and think a little about how excited your friends and family will be to hear that you’ve gone and done it! They are going to be so happy for you!
Oh, and all the great stuff you’re going to make for the event!!
The key to promoting your event a year in advance?
Bring your mailing list subscribers and social media followers along for the ride. Let them know what you’re doing to get ready, each month before the event. Even multiple times a month especially as the event gets closer.
Show work in progress.
Share a failed attempt.
Share a win.
Share a surprise.
Ask them to be a tie-breaker between two pieces for the announcement image.
Get your followers understanding all the decisions and work that goes into preparing for an event. When you do, they’ll not only cheer you on but they’ll show up because now, after following your updates for months, they’ll be invested in seeing how things turned out for the event, too.
Take Action:
Write down all of the dates of when you’d like to email your ideas and sketches as they relate to your specific event between now and when your open studio, reception or pop up market happens.
Then add each one to your calendar so you won’t forget to get the word out.
Plus It:
Be sure to leverage the hard work you put into creating the emails by sharing that same text on social media, too!
If you’ve got questions, leave me a note in the comments. I’ll get you answers.
Keep on making, sharing and having fun!
Cheers,
Kate