GETTING INTO THEATRE
Our series for EMERGING THEATRE MAKERS
                                   
4. Connecting with and finding an audience

START YOUR CAMPAIGN EARLY
Get thinking about your strategy before rehearsals begin. You will need to get going at least four to six weeks in advance of opening. Early days are about setting it up and testing the field, then get moving nearer the time. Some companies are relentless, and others hardly bother at all but if you’re looking to gain a following it's generally best to work in waves. Not bombard, but allow some intervals, otherwise your potential audiences might switch off. Think about who those followers might be and choose your platforms accordingly. 

SOCIAL MEDIA
It’s free! The general rule is to only use as many platforms as you can look after. Keep it busy, keep it interesting and you’re likely to get and keep some interest. As soon as you aren’t being vocal, people lose interest.
Essential information
Title, theatre, dates and box office are generally essential info. Your social media can be quite brilliant but lose an audience because the route to buying tickets isn’t clear enough.  
Personalising your campaign
A well thought through social media campaign should give potential audiences a feel for your show and motivate them to come and see it. 
Twitter
An account under the name of the theatre company or show is recommended. Tag the show, for example #ViewFromtheBridge and add any tags which are relevant and might reach your potential audience. Make sure your tweets count, either saying something about the show or something that’s related and always, always, add box office. It’s best to add an eye-catching image connected to your show or a video/gif. However, gimmicks are best avoided. All of this goes out of the window, if you’ve got a novel approach which is fine if you’ve got a plan and can see it through. Artistry is key, and a bold approach can work if you’ve got the courage. 
Facebook
Facebook can be a good addition to your twitter and gives you opportunities to share very much more information about your work and build a network of buddies. But do make sure any page you add has the all important information with links to your show or any upcoming opportunities you are offering. 
Instagram
At London Pub Theatres, LPT reviewers take images reflecting their experience of visiting pub theatres and these often find their way onto our Instagram (give us a follow), as well as images of upcoming shows, aspects of production and our awards.   We want to project a feeling of a theatre community, but each to his own. Perhaps, you are more political, whatever your vibe, don’t be tempted to get off the point of what you are all about. Stick with the image you want to project and show an audience the ethos behind your work. 

ADVERTISING
Theatre platforms
Sounds expensive? Obviously not, if it means you’re getting help to sell your show. If you’re right at the beginning of the show’s development, it might not be a good time to try a commercial campaign, but if you’re beyond that and want to attract an audience, you could benefit from this extra help. 
Bear in mind, that it is also a good route to get yourselves noticed by the publications themselves and how you present yourself is important. But which platform would work best for you?
London Pub Theatres Magazine
At LPT Magazine we have over 110,000 visitors to the site each year and more than10,000 twitter followers; we are the leading platform for Pub Theatres in London. We really care about your show and making a difference. In addition, the income we receive helps us to survive. We would be delighted to work with you and get to know you better. Check out our options here.   You can contact hjwrites@aol.com to place your ad and for further details.
Advertising in other theatre publications 
There are also many other theatre platforms who can help you with marketing but do make sure your campaign is not lost. This can happen in larger scale publications where you may be competing with companies in bigger venues or your ad just isn’t noticeable. Make sure the money you spend really counts.
Social media advertising
It is possible to gain a large number of followers through advertising on Social Media but be very specific about what you want it to achieve, because otherwise you’ll find your large number of followers won’t come to the show. It might be better to gather your followers organically instead.

REVIEWS
See our section on Press, which includes details of where to send your press release.

INTERVIEWS and other coverage
If it is possible to achieve this in a publication, on radio or in a podcast, it can help as part of a campaign to raise your profile. You can really get yourself noticed. Whilst, at LPT we don’t usually cover shows which have less than a two-week run, we do accept Opinion pieces which allows you the chance to write about your work. However, this is competitive as we don’t usually run more than one or two a month, so do get in touch with the editor, Heather hjwrites@aol.com with your idea. It needs to be saying something new and your point needs to be brought home in 600 to 1,000 words max. Also bear in mind, that we will need this in the month prior to the month of your show. 

KEEPING AN AUDIENCE
If you are planning more work in the future, then don’t neglect social media, keep up a skeleton about your future projects and how they are progressing, scripts, casting, any readings you are planning or other related matters. Perhaps you are interested in a collaboration or you want to research a subject or maybe start a campaign. Your enthusiasm linked with a sense of who you are and what you are about can help you to keep a following. 

FINAL WORD
Very much hope to see you on twitter and other social media platforms. All the best with your project and building an audience for your show. 

Contact for press releases is hjwrites@aol.com

For help with marketing please take a look at our options here

All Rights Reserved | London Pub Theatres Magazine Ltd

 © 2024

First pubished June 2019 / Revised May 2023

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