Writing Performance To-Do List
I’ve hosted many writing performances over the last few years. I realised it might be useful to share my to-do list here.
Hope it inspires you to organise your own event.
Suggestions welcomed in comments, & I’ll add them.
TIMELINE FOR ORGANISING EVENTS
1. Confirm venue details, time, price, capacity.
2. Check date against major world events/festivals/football trophies etc.
3. Set up event ticketing (eg WeGotTickets.com)
4. Set up Facebook event (through a group such as Portsmouth Writers’ Hub or your own author page) including a single image carrying all the information, easier for social media
5. Invite participants.
6. Be clear on date, theme, timing, limit for performances.
7. Publicity:
a. post on listings sites (Here in Portsmouth these are 93.7 Express FM, Go On Go Out in Portsmouth, All About My Area, The News)
b. tweet local heroes (I have a list)
c. invite journalists, radio, specific people, That’s Solent TV
d. share via FB, to Portsmouth Writers’ Hub, New Writing South, & wider groups
e. offer article to Star & Crescent, The News, Portsmouth, Southsea Lifestyle, wider magazines
f. leaflets/poster worthwhile to spread word in cafes, libraries etc? Asher Print do short runs.
8. What equipment?
a. Mic
b. PA
c. Extension cord
d. Lighting
e. Reading stand/lectern & light
f. Set dressing, atmopsheric contributions
g. Appropriate float for tickets on door (change available at Clarence Pier)
9. Talk through with venue any possible obstacles: sufficient chairs, sound, refreshments, parking
10. Plan order: strict on time. Everyone overruns.
11. Summon helpers to sit on door, answer queries, solve technical hitches.
12. Confirm participants, when you want them to arrive, costumes etc.
13. Check ticket sales. If you need to sell, more nudge participants to share again.
14. Print programme print for the night, including performers’ names, links etc.
15. Take pictures: recording what you’ve achieved helps for future.
16. Ask participants for quotes; ask them to blog, write, help organise next year’s event.
17. Encourage audience to feed back to you and to performers.
18. Try to enjoy it.
This has worked for me doing Day of the Dead, VicSTORYous, Premature Articulation, Valentine’s Day Massacre, Dark Songs and my own book launches.
I’m off to spread the word for Typewriter Tales and Guide to Victorian Sex in Portsmouth Bookfest.
Please Feel Free to Share:
Hope it inspires you to organise your own event.
Suggestions welcomed in comments, & I’ll add them.
TIMELINE FOR ORGANISING EVENTS
1. Confirm venue details, time, price, capacity.
2. Check date against major world events/festivals/football trophies etc.
3. Set up event ticketing (eg WeGotTickets.com)
4. Set up Facebook event (through a group such as Portsmouth Writers’ Hub or your own author page) including a single image carrying all the information, easier for social media
5. Invite participants.
6. Be clear on date, theme, timing, limit for performances.
7. Publicity:
a. post on listings sites (Here in Portsmouth these are 93.7 Express FM, Go On Go Out in Portsmouth, All About My Area, The News)
b. tweet local heroes (I have a list)
c. invite journalists, radio, specific people, That’s Solent TV
d. share via FB, to Portsmouth Writers’ Hub, New Writing South, & wider groups
e. offer article to Star & Crescent, The News, Portsmouth, Southsea Lifestyle, wider magazines
f. leaflets/poster worthwhile to spread word in cafes, libraries etc? Asher Print do short runs.
8. What equipment?
a. Mic
b. PA
c. Extension cord
d. Lighting
e. Reading stand/lectern & light
f. Set dressing, atmopsheric contributions
g. Appropriate float for tickets on door (change available at Clarence Pier)
9. Talk through with venue any possible obstacles: sufficient chairs, sound, refreshments, parking
10. Plan order: strict on time. Everyone overruns.
11. Summon helpers to sit on door, answer queries, solve technical hitches.
12. Confirm participants, when you want them to arrive, costumes etc.
13. Check ticket sales. If you need to sell, more nudge participants to share again.
14. Print programme print for the night, including performers’ names, links etc.
15. Take pictures: recording what you’ve achieved helps for future.
16. Ask participants for quotes; ask them to blog, write, help organise next year’s event.
17. Encourage audience to feed back to you and to performers.
18. Try to enjoy it.
This has worked for me doing Day of the Dead, VicSTORYous, Premature Articulation, Valentine’s Day Massacre, Dark Songs and my own book launches.
I’m off to spread the word for Typewriter Tales and Guide to Victorian Sex in Portsmouth Bookfest.
Please Feel Free to Share:
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