One Producer in the City

Save the Date

So it's been awhile since I've been on a panel, but I just was asked to speak on a marketing panel for TRU.

I'll be there on the 23rd, with a team of other great marketing minds and we'll be talking about how to sell your show when it's in a festival. Hope you'll be able to join us. Info is below.

Excelsior!

SAVE THE DATE:
Wednesday, June 23rd, 7:30 (doors open 7pm)
Marketing Your Showcase:
Finding Your Audience, Punching Up Sales, Getting Reviewed

Though the Fringe, Midtown International Theatre Festival and other festivals offer many advantages to a producer, and have strong marketing initiatives in place for the festival itself, it often surprises a producer to discover how much work they must do promote their individual show. Is it easier to market a showcase in a festival than to market a showcase you produce on your own? How do you tap into the festival audience for your own show? Or do you really have to build your audience on your own, as you would for an independent showcase? In or out of a festival, what is the timeline for press releases? How do you get reviewed? Panelists will talk about this and more, including case studies of showcases that have been successfully marketed, and filled the houses. What were their secrets?

Panelists to include: Sarah Kate O'Haver, marketing consultant Midtown International Theatre Festival, consultant on Broadway Market Research for ERM; Michael Roderick, Small Pond Enterprises LLC, marketing consultant, Fringe and festival producer; Katie Rosin, Kampfire Films PR; Paul Siebold, Off Off PR; Akia Squitieri, Rising Sun Performance Company, production consultant, producer in the Frigid Festival; others tba. Co-moderated by Sherry Eaker, editor-at-large of Back Stage.

Doors open at 7:00pm for networking and refreshments, panel starts promptly at 7:30pm. FREE for TRU members; $12 for non-members. Please call at least a day in advance for reservations: 212/714-7628; or e-mail [email protected]

The Players Theatre, 115 Macdougal Street, Mainstage Theatre

Take this five

I have spoken before on this blog about Seth Godin's advice and how it crosses over into the producing world. His latest blog post is probably one of the best I've read, and it's very short. It reads:

Simple five step plan for just about everyone and everything

The number of people you need to ask for permission keeps going down:

1. Go, make something happen.

2. Do work you're proud of.

3. Treat people with respect.

4. Make big promises and keep them.

5. Ship it out the door.

When in doubt, see #1.

I can think of no better advice for a producer. I was actually out with an aspiring producer last night, and we were talking about raising money. She voiced some concerns about finding the right project and then even if she found it, not being sure how to ask.

The simple truth is, you have to get out there and do it.

As Godin says, ship it out the door. 

Nothing you see will ever be exactly what you want. Theatre is NOT perfect, so you will always have some doubts.

To those doubts I say...

See #1.

Excelsior!

The number of people you need to ask for permission keeps going down:

1. Go, make something happen.

2. Do work you're proud of.

3. Treat people with respect.

4. Make big promises and keep them.

5. Ship it out the door.

When in doubt, see #1.

I can think of no better advice for a producer. I was actually out with an aspiring producer last night, and we were talking about raising money. She voiced some concerns about finding the right project and then even if she found it, not being sure how to ask.

The simple truth is, you have to get out there and do it.

As Godin says, ship it out the door. 

Nothing you see will ever be exactly what you want. Theatre is NOT perfect, so you will always have some doubts.

To those doubts I say...

See #1.

Excelsior!

Flirting to Fundraise?

So it's always cool when I get the chance to watch something develop from an idea to a full blown project, and today I got that chance.

I met a few months back with a young comic by the name of Michelle Slonim. We chatted about the fact that she had an idea for a show and that she was looking to get that show off the ground. I suggested she check out some of the great producing programs out there and offered to connect her to a few producers who I thought would be helpful.

Fast forward to this article.

Wow. I really am a fan of new ways to fund raise and I really was impressed with this. It combines the ideas of a speed dating night, with the fun of a party, and it benefits the creation of a show. It also brings up some interesting ideas about fundraisers.

When I am planning one I always ask what it is about the event that makes people want to come. Is it free drinks? free food? Sexy people? Prizes?

Then I look at how I can promote that element to  the community who wants it. 

Michelle's model does this in a new way and that is intriguing. The clients are coming not only for what's at the event itself, they are also coming in teams. You have people going with a single friend and trying to help them get connected with someone. That means your attendance is always couples which is a great way to build a crowd for an event.

So read the article and think about how you are flirting with your customers. You don't have to actually try and hook up, but think  what is sexy about your show?

When you have the answer, get on out there.

The party's just getting started. 

Excelsior!

Email list squatters

I was meeting with a colleague this past weekend and we were discussing email marketing. The conversation went something like this:

Me: So how many people are on your email list?

Colleague: about 3,000

Me: And how many of those people are actually opening the email?

Colleague: Not many. I feel like we have a low open rate and very few click-throughs. I don't understand it.

Me: Have you gone through the list recently to see who is on there and reach out to them individually?

Colleague Hmm. No. I'll bet there are some folks on there who don't even realize they are on the list. I'll have to try that.

It's a simple question, but an important one. If the people on your email list are not responding or doing anything. If they aren't true fans, then how powerful is that email list? Wouldn't it make more sense to have a targeted group of 500 people who anxiously await every email from your company, then 3,000 who are just saying "meh" when it arrives in their inbox? 

Take the time to check in with the folks on your mailing list and see if they actually enjoy being there or if they are just squatters who are hanging out on your list because there's nothing else to do.

The more concentrated that list, the more powerful it is and a strong permission-based tiny list, will beat a nonchalant gigantic list every time.

Excelsior!

Special Saturday Post: Let's hear it for the boy!

Sean Bradford who is in the Broadway-bound The Scottsboro Boys is hands down a great and talented guy. I have had the pleasure of meeting him in person and his demeanor is as impressive as his ability as a performer.

I saw his first solo concert and absolutely was transfixed as he combined all styles of music and sang alongside some incredible talent.

If that weren't enough, he played a certain young king in this show that you may have heard of, and he is the Executive Director of Broadway in South Africa. This group travels to South Africa to provide the children there with a Broadway experience. This is an amazing cause and I applaud them for what they do.

Why would I suggest that if you're a producer that you attend?

The answer's simple. This is a chance to meet the talent of tomorrow and connect with some great people. The show is being done at Joe's Pub, which has turned out a fair share of major stars, and you can bet the the producer of the show, will be around shaking hands and making sure everyone has a good time. Not only will you get to see an awesome show, you can also get in some great networking.

Info is below. If you're a reader of this blog, stop by and say hi!

Excelsior!

Sean Bradford @ Joe's Pub

Date:	Monday, May 24, 2010
Time:	9:30pm - 10:30pm
Location:	Joe's Pub
Street:	425 Lafayette Street

Description 

Following a recent appearance in the sold-out, world-premiere of Kander & Ebb's The Scottsboro Boys at The Vineyard Theatre, SEAN BRADFORD will go solo for an evening at Joe's Pub, Monday, May 24 at 9:30pm.

Billed as an evening of rock, pop, and everything in between, the concert will also feature works by songwriters Ryan Scott Oliver and Jeremy Schonfeld, as well as an original song co-written with Katie Thomspon. Producer Michael Alshooler combines the talent of Broadway with the current vibe of New York City to present a night that will not soon be forgotten.

Special guests include:
Morgan Karr (Spring Awakening)
Tracy McDowell (Rent)
Christopher Spaulding (Curtains)
Frankie James Grande (Mamma Mia)
Lilli Cooper (Spring Awakening)

Sean made his Broadway debut shortly after graduating from Northwestern University as a Simba in The Lion King. He is frequently a guest soloist at venues throughout New York City, and is also the Executive Director of Broadway in South Africa.

Get your tickets now:
http://www.joespub.com/component/option,com_shows/task,view/Itemid,40/id,5156

Don't kill your goose! A business fable

So as I look at all of things I have done as a producer over the past 8 years, I keep realizing daily how the lessons I learned relate to fables. Some of you may remember my post about the water rising, which was my first allusion to Aesop. 

Here's a new one.

The gambling industry depends on people who kill the goose. They give you a little bit and you want to win a little more, then you think that the little more can become a lot more if you only play more and the next thing you know, your buddy is buying you breakfast as you lament the loss of your savings. 

This applies to producing as well as building a business. It's very easy to want it all right away and in today's world there's a lot of temptation.

If I just pay $500 I can send my stuff out to an email list of 35,000 people. I'll make back that money in a heart beat right?

If raise all the money for the show myself, I'll get all the credit and look better right?

If I hold on to all the equity in my business and my idea, then I'll be the only one making millions and I won't have to share with anybody right?

If I rent the 200 seat theatre and charge $50 a ticket I'm going to make a lot of money in one night. Right?

I'm here to tell you, that all of these things are killing the goose. Do some of them work out from time to time? Sure. But I can tell you many times this doesn't work out.

If you're not making a ton of money right this instant, don't waste money on any thing that promises to get you riches quickly. Your business, your show, your project (like the goose) is going to give you riches in increments and if you keep nurturing it, then you have a much better chance at success. It's better to have less and get your project off the ground then to sit there dreaming of your riches and never get anything done.

So don't kill your goose. It's got many more eggs to lay.

Excelsior!

I'm a professor!

Well... kinda.

I have just finished an online course for the folks at Fractured Atlas for their Fractured University program.

The course covers a bunch of points about producing. It has worksheets and assignments to help people check their work and really is a marriage of my teaching curriculum and producing knowledge. The best part is that it is FREE for Fractured Atlas members. No charge to enroll and membership at Fractured is a good price for all of the things you get besides my course, so make sure to check them out here.

See you in class.

Excelsior!

Also, don't forget Kevin Daum's book signing today! See you there!

Meet an entrepreneur and ROAR

This is a video about my friend Kevin Daum's new book, ROAR.

Kevin is a really great guy and has been an invaluable contact for me. He has connected me with people who are completely outside of the field of producing, yet are incredibly supportive of the arts. And tomorrow he will be doing a book signing and if you're one of my readers I'd love to see you there. All the info is below. If you prefer to just use the facebook invite, that is here.  Hope to see you.

Excelsior!

Meet and Greet and Tweet

Type:

Party - Mixer

Start Time:	Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at 5:30pm
End Time:	Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 1:00am
Location:	100 Broadway (Btwn Wall and Pine)

Description 

Come to an entrepreneur's book signing and party after!

Hey all,

If you are getting this invite, then you are someone in the industry who I have worked with before and who has expressed an interest in networking and making connections. My friend Kevin Daum has written a great marketing book that I also think has a lot to teach producers. As a result of all of his work in this field he has amassed a great list of contacts from all areas of the entrepreneur community. He is a great person to get to know as he does an amazing job of connecting people. Often times, you'll find people hoarding their contacts and not sharing, if you know me, you know this is not me. I want all of you to know him and make a connection with him. For that reason I am inviting you to this event personally. Feel free to invite whoever you like, but I wanted to start with the people I know who are natural born connectors. You can read all about this event on his blog here:

The basic gist is that it is a book signing followed by a party after where the bar is offering a free drink to those who buy a book.

I look forward to seeing you there!

The danger of "busy"

If you are producing at any level, odds are that you are busy.

Busy making calls, busy checking emails, busy taking meetings, busy seeing shows, and the list goes on and on.

Today I'm going to talk about being "busy" and actually being busy. There is a big difference.

"Busy" is when you make excuses. You're "busy" so you can't answer this call or this email. You're "busy" so that project can be put off until next Tuesday. You have a "busy" day so you can't try that new idea that has been eating at you. It's very easy for "busy" to become the safe haven for every excuse and your alibi for not getting things done. Your time is an investment and if all of your time is spent doing work that's "busy" you may never actually get anything accomplished.

Much better to really be busy.

Busy means that you are doing work that matters. You are investing your time in pleasing your customers and your investors. You are taking meetings with people and making steps towards getting things done. You are delegating when you have too much on your plate and you're never too "busy" to make something happen.

Something to think about the next time you want to say you're busy.

Are you "busy" or busy?

I know which one I'd want you to be if I was your customer.

Excelsior!

Friday Support- Time sensitive How much can happen in 10 hours?

Below is a link to a video about my friend Michael's Kickstarter project. You all know by now how this works. People pledge support for a cause and if the money is raised by a certain date, they get the money.

Michael has always been there for me when my company had a project. He jumped in and helped build sets, paint, clean, etc. So I'm putting out the word about his project as they have very little time and a lot left to raise. How many folks will come to their aid? We shall see. Watch the video and show your support by going here.

Excelsior!