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Post by Michael Bollow on Aug 2, 2011 10:25:40 GMT -5
I advertised in Red Eye and it got us less than 10 people. I advertised on Svengoolie and other WICU shows and it got us less than 10 people. I passed out thousands of cards and it got us less than 10 people. We grew by 100 people total. The number one thing people said about how they found out about us was WORD OF MOUTH and after that, facebook.
What can we do???
ps: I agree about the importance of the Enthusiasts. They were GOING to come but picked a different con at the last minute. I would pay them to commit to Cyphan and promote it at the other cons.
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Post by Sparrow of WPA on Aug 2, 2011 20:31:19 GMT -5
Network, network, network!
Some things I will cover in my other posts, but here are a few things:
* Improve the website, it is alright but could use some work design wise. As a shameless plug, Vandal (my other half) does design too.
* Start a blog on the website, allow commentary. It might help out.
* Offer smaller linking banners (http://www.simplygraphix.com/banners_sizes.html) Micro buttons and such that can be put in forum signatures. I would have used one but the existing ones would not have fit on our page at all.
* Improve your community. You have so many awesome and enthusiastic members at your disposal; use them. Use this forum as a springboard, link it to the website and invite people to use it as a social gathering as well. As people socialize they will bring in more people just to hang out, and those people will bring their friends too. Never underestimate word of mouth.
* On using your community; offer to send flyers or promotional materials to interested parties to hand out. They can leave them on tables like at the HAA where you met us, at other cons, pass them out to friends.
* Update Twitter more often. It doesn't always have to be directly Cyphan news; if you or someone you know finds a neat article on, say, the Hubble Telescope, link it there. Once every week or two is fine. It keeps you in mind when there are people following you. Then when Cyphan rolls around do more Cyphan related news; link to some of your special guests or vendors, they will return the favor 9 times out of 10.
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Post by erikmoan on Aug 3, 2011 0:27:42 GMT -5
I have to agree with Sparrow, I would also branch out to the outer communities. Out in Rockford there was almost no info on the convention (something I am willing to help with for next year). I know that C2E2 sells advance tickets through local comic shops, perhaps that may help boost numbers.
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kearstin
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Posts: 212
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Post by kearstin on Aug 3, 2011 9:08:45 GMT -5
C2E2 uses the shit out of their twitter. Even retweets things that aren't C2E2 related. I've even gotten retweeted just for costuming stuff. So, I think you should use that more often now before it turns into spam like Facebook and Myspace.
You should open up the Cyphan group to allow people to post in Facebook. I always go in there looking to chat until I remember only YOU can make new posts lol
Agreed on the website. You still using iWeb on that?
Agreed on promo at comic shops. I could help direct you to plenty of people for that.
I still think you should make video/commercials for Cyphan, but keep it social networking online only. Don't pay for TV. You can whore the sht out of Youtube, especially since it's easy to "share" videos (twitter, facebook, tumblr, etc). Even if it's just a video of you with quick updates, name mentions, vendor mentions whatever. Anything that makes people involved go "Oh hey! I'm mentioned in this! I BETTER POST IT TO MY FRIENDS!"
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Post by Sparrow of WPA on Aug 3, 2011 15:35:18 GMT -5
Also: Pictures! Ask people on Facebook who have photos posted, and their subjects, if you can use them in your advertising. Next year have someone assigned to just walk around the con taking photos of people doing con type stuff.
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kearstin
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Post by kearstin on Aug 3, 2011 16:12:56 GMT -5
^ Better pictures need better lighting! The only good lighting photos I've seen were on the dancefloor LOL!
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Post by iam8114 on Aug 8, 2011 13:15:19 GMT -5
You need to work other cons, if that means buying booths at big cons like WWC & C2E2 to spread the word, you might need to. I'd also try looking into small local cons as well, those are much cheaper and you might even get interest from other local vendors that do small shows.
I saw on the WWC site that Capricon is listed this year as a fan group, you might be able to wiggle your way into there similarly.
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Post by skyjammer on Aug 8, 2011 16:37:20 GMT -5
I agree with what everyone else has said, especially the Social Networking aspect. With the tools out there, you don't really have to do much to get everything posted where you need it. For example, Wordpress has add-ons that automatically crosspost to Twitter, Facebook, etc. So if you were to post a blog, not only does that 1) keep your website fresh with content, making people want to come back to the site in the future, it 2) will automatically push that news to FB, Twitter, and other sites for you, saving you the time. Now, you'd also need to keep posting on FB, Twitter, etc. things that AREN'T autoposts so that followers know there's a real live human there. Giving flyers to comic shops is also a good idea -- perhaps give each comic store a code that allows people to get $5 off admission or a free drink ticket -- that gives people incentive to go to Cyphan but also gives people a reason to go to the comic stores as well, making said stores more receptive to advertising for you. And on a personal note, I can offer the services of ASM to promote for you, too. (Being the guy in charge has its perks. ) I could easily give you exposure leading up to the convention, whether it be interviews, ads, or etc. Just let me know what you have in mind, and I can probably make it happen.
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kearstin
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Post by kearstin on Aug 8, 2011 16:42:35 GMT -5
iam8114 - Bollow actually did go to big cons with his stuff. Haven't you see the Cyphan girls!? lol
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Post by Sparrow of WPA on Aug 8, 2011 18:12:23 GMT -5
Could you send me a little bundle of flyers in October and November? I can take them with us to the other two events that we are attending this year to drum up some interest, if you already have dates set for next year.
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River
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Post by River on Aug 10, 2011 5:29:29 GMT -5
iam8114 - Bollow actually did go to big cons with his stuff. Haven't you see the Cyphan girls!? lol Yes, he did go, but as he stated he passed out 1,000's of cards and got only 10 people. I agree with 8114 in regards to getting a booth at a con, maybe concentrating at one or two major cons, at a booth, would be awesome. I'm sure many of us would be more than happy to stand with him and help promote the con? heck i'd don on my outfit and help pass out cards. Perhaps instead of travelling to different cons (Considering gas, hotel, food, con pass) go local. I like the idea of hitting up the comic stores, why stop there? Costuming stores, places like Vogue fabrics/JoAnn, etc. Anything that is related to the costuming community. If you're looking to do a promotional party again this year, let's test these markets to promote the best costuming party of the year! and perhaps do it soon after halloween? Cuz people will get in on the discounts they have after halloween. I would post flyers there like crazy. anyhoo, I love promoting cyphan on my end. From the flyers, to the people who ask me about it. Can we do more with the website too? I think there's a lot of cool things the website can do. -River
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Post by erikmoan on Aug 11, 2011 3:32:20 GMT -5
If you can, send me a packet of flyers, I will canvas the Rockford area!
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River
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Post by River on Aug 11, 2011 4:45:49 GMT -5
If you can, send me a packet of flyers, I will canvas the Rockford area! That's the spirit! Bollow give his man a promotion! LOL -River
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Post by iam8114 on Aug 11, 2011 9:51:30 GMT -5
iam8114 - Bollow actually did go to big cons with his stuff. Haven't you see the Cyphan girls!? lol I have of course, but I'll be honest, that's not going to get me interested in going to a con and I'm sure I'm not the only one.
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Post by Dustin Riley on Aug 12, 2011 8:16:37 GMT -5
As others have said utilizing social networking Twitter/G+/FB/etc is probably going to provide the best bang for your time especially Twitter because word of mouth is what is going to continue to bring more and more people out. Get more and more people to follow you, tweet out sci-fi news and such to keep the account going and people interested.
Joining some of the communities out there on the net for various different niches/series then promoting there would be good as well.
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