Château le Bomb - #3
In this post we're going to look at how to write the dreaded press release. I really like this bit as it's about how you turn your blood, seat and tears into a compelling story. It's also about putting yourselves in the shoes of your audience and the journalists who will hopefully be getting the word out for you.
Press Release structure
- Header image. Features the CLB logo and strap line. Saved as a PNG file so it can be easily dropped into a Word document.
- Headline. The one line summary of your event and why anybody should give a hoot.
- Event copy. The meat and potatoes of the Press Release. Roughly split as:
- Summary of what the night is about, what can the audience expect.
- Further information about the specifics of the night, who is playing.
- A quote about the night, straight from the horses hole.
- Key details. Summary of the where, when, how much of the night.
- Contact. Who can they get in with touch with for a follow-up.
- Notes to editor. This is the section where you pull together any other additional points which will help sell the night. Your previous experience and special skills and coordinates to a buried bit of pie.
Below you'll find my first stab which I put together in Indesign and sent to my friend for checking. He works in a big fancy PR agency in America and over there they shoot people. His feedback was really useful and I've included the final version for you to compare.
Tips for writing your Press Release
Keep it in Microsoft Word to it's easy to copy and paste quickly.
Don'y add the attachments to the email and clog up their inbox with your shitting megabytes. Instead, set up a Dropbox link where they can download the files.
Make sure all the tenses match up, putting everything in the 3rd person.
Tone down the jokes. You're looking to be taken seriously even though we're peddling giggles. Nothing worse than spending 3 hours in a car with someone on the way to the gig who keeps doing 'bits'.
In other news
Committed to spending a little bundle of money with The Skinny to list CLB on their December activities. The jury is out on whether this will directly shift any tickets but it's an acceptable sum to part with and it's the right publication to appear in.
We've decided that for all future Delightful Sausage meetings it will be mandatory to have a delicious sausage platter to nibble on.
- Manchester is not like the Edinburgh festival and you cannot flyer on the street without a license which can cost you up to £2,500 if fined. That's good because if it doesn't come easy to you flyering is hard work. That said - how are we meant to get the word about CLB out to the masses?
Château le Bomb - #2
It's been a busy week at The Delightful Sausage as we're cracking on with preparations for the first episode of Ch(Alt + 0226)teau le Bomb Here's what's been completed:
- Flyer & poster designs completed.
- 1000 flyers printed & distribution commenced.
- Facebook group established.
- Link for tickets built with Wegottickets.
- Began piecing together the line-up and structure.
Designs
Honestly, in my heart I know we've not found the CLB look with these designs. The colours are too garish. I'm not sure the lead illustration really conveys the concept and I don't think it all gels together. The truth is that I spent a week longer than I should have done looking at a blank page and doodling an endless versions of sausages.
In the end we had to crack on and print because we'll start missing deadlines and opportunities to distribute the flyers.
Even though I'm confident that these designs are not the end point for CLB, I think think they do a few things well. Firstly, you've got all the key details you need to get yourself a ticket. The text used is also pretty tight, getting across what the night is about and a dash of the type of humor.
Here are the designs:
Printers checklist
Here's a list of things you'll need to check out before you head to the printers to fork out your cash. Always get someone else to review what you've produced. With these flyers I had read them through several times but it was only until a friend pointed it out to me that it was missing the dates but I was sweating so much I'd lost perspective a bit.
- What is the night all about and what can a punter expect?
- Does it have the dates and times included?
- Is it going to cost me anything?
- Where can I get my hands on a ticket?
- Where is the venue?
No ticket?
Look like all this chat about promotional marketing has got you excited. Well, I'm happy to say you can now get your tickets right here.
Next up
We've still got to take a run at the press release as well as getting out on the street and flyering. I hate flyering.
Château le Bomb - #1
Bonjour. I'm kick starting a new comedy with some other folk in Manchester. Below is breakdown of what it is and where we're at.
Welcome to Château le Bomb
The North West's newest alternative comedy new material night featuring stand up, storytelling, music, video and possible an other-worldly gypsy playing a tin whistle.
The issue with new material is that it tends to be dreadful and make an audience want to slit their wrists the long way down so there's no chance they'll work up back in the room.
So, we're looking to create a safe environment for acts to develop new bits as well as a funny and memorable night for the punters.
"How you going to do that, mate?"
Scroll down, you filthy trolls.
How it works
How we're going to make it useful for the acts yet fun for the civvies is by limiting acts to 3 minute segments to try a couple of new ideas. This will inject a snappy pace into the night and if someone has mistaken a big steaming pile of poop for a joke then we won't have too long to wait until it ends.
Between the acts we'll showcase short videos, musical interludes and challenges for the audience. There will be prizes because studies have shown that nobody will do a God damned thing for anyone else unless there's an incentive.
Where & when
We've locked down the Northern Quarter's Castle Hotel for 3 dates as a trial run with a view to developing it as a long term prospect. The first show is booked in for December 16th followed by January 20th and February 16th.
How much nut?
We're looking at £4 waged and £3 if you're currently drowning in your own fluids thanks to David Cameron's government. Less than a pint, more than a sausage roll.
What is The Delightful Sausage?
Okay, so CLB is being presented by The Delightful Sausage, an umbrella organisation which is looking to produce and host uniquely oddball Alternative Comedy nights. We'll select prime cuts of meat you're unlikely to find in your local supermarket pumped full of salted water. CLB is the first night we're turning our little clawed hands to, there will be more.
Munch munch.
What's next?
Here's a quick list of all the things which need doing...
- Develop the logo and design assets.
- Design posters, flyers and Social Media assets.
- Contact local press and publications.
- Set up a link to get some tickets.
- Beg friends and family to put their bus on some seats.
- Book the acts, write some jokes, draw some slides.
Read more
I'm planning on covering the whole process of setting up a night here. There are huge gaps in my knowledge so I'll keep you up to date with how obstacles are tackled. Click the tag 'Comedy Night 101' to read more.