The Cold Spring Area Maennerchor

The Maennerchor would be pleased to provide the entertainment for your event.

Below are some tips for selling out your event that we have found to work over the years. To help make your event as successful as possible, enclosed are samples of posters and advertising inserts you may use for your local newspapers, newsletters or any way you see fit.

• Write articles about your upcoming event. Local newspaper postal rates are set by the ratio of news articles to advertising. Most small town newspapers welcome articles and are happy to publish them free, especially for non-profit organizations.

• If you live in a small town, ask your local bank if they will include an envelope sized stuffer in their bank statements, many times they are happy to do this, especially for non-profits. Are there any other businesses, civic groups or organizations in town you can use to get your message out?

• Whether it’s direct mail or print advertising, experts say you need to get your message out at least three times to have the most impact.

• Does your local radio station offer a local events program? They are happy to interview you and promote your event.

• In the case of the Christmas holidays, advance advertising is a must to compete with other public and private events being planned during the busy season. Many times, people may use your event to get together with their friends or family instead of holding private parties in their homes.

• Your first advertising should be started at least one month in advance of the event. Posters should be posted wherever possible. The newspaper inserts work extremely well over ads placed in the newspaper because people will keep the insert as a reminder after they have thrown the paper away.

• Offering them the opportunity to order tickets from the insert by mail creates the impulse to order early especially in the case of limited ticket availability. If you have the capacity to offer phone or credit card purchasing, do it.

• Depending on your type of business or organization, newsletters also work very well. Again, always offer them the opportunity to order the tickets early to beat the rush.

• If you’re event location lends itself to reserved seating, offering such creates the desire for early ordering.

• In the case of dinner concerts, people especially like to reserve complete tables for their groups. They become your best salespersons when they call their friends to fill a table. Be sure to indicate the seating size of the tables so the people can choose the appropriate table if you are offering different sizes. Limiting the minimum table size to 8 chairs encourages people to call more friends. Let people know that if they are a small group or a couple, they may be sharing a table with others, but they will still get priority for the best available seats. Always make it a first come, first serve basis.

• Offer priority seating or tables for early ordering. People ordering complete tables get top priority. This really helps to encourage early orders. The drawback is that it takes more time and planning but the results are worth it.

• If volunteers are available, use call committees to telephone members, friends or groups. Divide your area into sections; appoint section leaders to help your volunteers make the phone calls. Giving them small areas to call helps to prevent them from feeling overwhelmed. Create a contest for your callers, make it fun.

• Setup a contest for your members to sell tickets, the person who sells the most tickets gets a free dinner or prize and recognition.