Submission to committee June 2014
(1) This draft plan is based on internet research, information from other choirs and personal experience selling books and arranging events for the choir.
(2) The promotion group met recently and agreed to pass the plan to the committee for its comment. The promotion group would welcome ideas and suggestions. There are gaps in some of the information.
(3) Of all the selling methods, direct selling is the most powerful and yet difficult for many. The two-page list (pages 2 and 3) of suggestions on direct selling is meant to be supportive and helpful. It is proposed, with the support of the committee, that copies of these two pages be made available at rehearsal for those who are interested. Further, one or two weeks later, could there be space in the rehearsal for feedback from choir members as to their thoughts and feelings on these suggestions?
(4) It is proposed that this plan be published on the choir website, again for interest, comment and suggestions.
(5) Liz Coombes has volunteered to manage press publicity with the help of Steve Flynn. The rest of the plan, given the choir commitments of promotion group members, seems to be down to me. Perhaps this could be brought up at the time we mention direct selling at rehearsal? A pair of helping hands would be nice.
(6) The timing for executing the plan is not clear. We would welcome guidance.
The best methods of selling tickets are:
- Active Selling
- Telephone calls
- Targeted email
- Involving other groups
- Press
- Websites
- Radio and TV
- Leaflet drop
- Posters
Active Selling.
When approached face to face, it is very difficult to say no. It is the most effective way of selling concert tickets, but can be the most difficult. We do not have an army of salesmen. We rely on choir members, friends and relatives, and the good will of groups up and down the valley. We do not intend to be patronising or cause offence by suggesting these few hints and tips on active selling. Most of the promotion group is not sales trained. But, if you are offended, please read no further.
Selling may be alien to choir members. There are probably over 50 reasons why we may be resistant to doing something with which we are unfamiliar. Some may reject selling on principle. We imagine the majority feel some form of discomfort when they try to persuade someone to buy something they don’t want. After all, male voice singing is not everyone’s cup of tea.
Readiness – Whilst your feelings are fundamental, can they be placed in a corner whilst bringing to the fore feelings of helper and adviser? With your feelings of being a nuisance in mute, you can indulge in being a benefactor and friend? How do you like to be served? Even if you are not going to buy, you appreciate courtesy and a smile and some regret that you are going to miss a great meal, book, cd or concert ticket. It is even possible for us to miss a sale with someone who really wants a ticket if we do not treat others how we like to be treated. “Develop empathy. Put yourself in the customer’s shoes and try to put forward a proposition that you yourself would like to receive.” Apparently, this is an often-quoted sales tip, which is often take for granted, but is rarely practised well. Empathy requires focusing on the other person’s needs – not your own – which in today’s pressurised times takes a lot of concentration.
Passion about the concert – We are a competent choir at worst and great a lot of times. Who would not want to come and listen? The sound is spine-chilling. You listen to it with all your body. A group of men singing is part of our heritage. It connects us to our past. The repertoire is varied – something for everyone – show tunes, popular songs, opera, hymns and traditional male voice music. If you don’t like a piece, one you do will soon come along. If that is not enough, what about our guest? Sir Willard White, the world’s foremost bass-baritone. This is singing at its best. If you like music, male voice singing, a top guest and a celebrity, this is for you. If you like none of these things, you will still like the atmosphere and sense of occasion. Take your wife/husband/partner out for dinner and come to the concert for pudding.
Personal contacts – Can you write down 10 people to whom you could sell? Assess their needs for music, male voice singing, a star guest, a celebrity or a good night out, or all of them. Get people to really understand what is on offer. Something really special. Stress the benefits – how they will feel so much better for the experience. Use positive language such as “are you doing anything on the 31st” and “have you got your tickets for the concert yet?” followed by “how many do you want” rather than “do you want tickets for the concert?” (Too easy to say no!) Then ask if they know anyone else who doesn’t want to miss out on such a fun packed evening! Be positive in the approach have the tickets with you and take the money!
Important – remember the person you are selling to has a spouse or partner and children. Could the purchase be a present to celebrate an event? Your contact may be the one with the money, but who really makes the buying decisions, and who are the people who influence how the cash is spent. Discuss the range of ticket price options to meet their needs. Explain with a town hall plan. If they do not buy straight away, make it easy for them to get tickets by leaving your contact details. If you are feeling strong, why not phone them up and ask how many tickets they have finallydecided on.
They can say ‘No’ but what a night they will miss.
Other opportunities – Have a supply of flyers and/or tickets on you at all times, just in case you come across a potential buyer. It’s about remembering, for the next 3 months, to sell. Having the idea in consciousness, awareness. Remember to leave your contact details at least.
Email – Why not email an attached flyer and some text about the benefits of attending the concert to your personal email list.
Groups – Are you a member of a workplace group, sports club/association, other leisure group, church and so on? Put up a flyer/poster and leave your contact details.
Repeat custom – It’s said it is much easier to sell to previous buyers rather than getting new customers. Keep a note of who you have sold to. Ask them if they would like to join a database and receive regular information about concerts.
After-sales – It’s important to deliver what you have promised.
Telephone calls
You can get to people further afield or that you don’t normally see by this method. Be positive in your language, it’s easier for them to tell a white lie on the phone! Could be the best way of following up a potential sale – see active selling.
Targeted emails
The internet has opened up a new very cost effective way of advertising. A positive email and not too long as people will only read what they immediately see. Why not ask for their help and get them to send to say ten people who may be interested.
Many of these targeted emails also involve groups. Ask the recipients to post an attached flyer on to a notice board. Some of these groups are organisations and venues where we have sung. Maybe a quick reminder in the text would be helpful.
The list is potentially endless
Holmfirth arts festFiona Goh fiona@holmfirthartsfestival.co.uk
Keith Griffin revdkg@tiscali.co.uk
Liz Heywood heywood.l.j@gmail.com
RotaryHolmfirth Mike Dovemike.dove@dhp.org.uk
Denby Dale M Tagg jandmtagg@btinternet.com (540050)
Mirfield Paul Cusworth paulcusworth@ntlworld.com (518741; 17976605670)
Holmfirth probusKen Parkin mandkparkin@talktalk.net(682973)
Neil and family, Birkstnbirks@gmail.com(683322)
Ronald and Jane, Bower-Roebuck(682181)
New Mill Club
Parish Council(councillors Cropper and Walker)(222462)
clerk@kirklees
Christ ChurchSean Robertshaw revsean@tiscali.co.uk (683375)
churchwardens J Howitt (689794) K Valentine (685154)
Holmfirth HS PTAc/o Geoffrey Lockwood (his wife is PTA)
editor@newmillpc.org.uk (688487)
Holmfirth HS Governorsc/o Malcolm Galloway (691602)
Holmfirth HS headmasterc/o Malcolm Galloway
Holmfirth Civic SocBrian Hinchliffe brimargt@hotmail.co.uk (683242)
Holmfirth History SocPam Cooksey g.cooksey@btinternet.com (683280)
Catherine Williams/Jaybellesc/o Rita Paskell jrpaskell@hotmail.com(603338)Sheila Asquith
Team Spirit (688839)
Stephanie Ball stephaniesball@hotmail.com
Thom Meredith (651342)
Ex choir membersprevious people who have booked us
Previous guestsParkinsons Hx
Previous venues GC Woodsome
Red Lea, Scarborough
Low Moor
Young Opera Venture
Involving other groups
Brainstorm a list of all the groups in the area who maybe able to assist. This may include schools, clubs, Women’s Institute, Resident and Community associations, churches, other charities, business groups, the Lions, Round Table, Masons, political groups, music groups to name but a few. Above all don’t be frightened to ask, most people love to be helpful.
Holmfirth High Jim Morgan Head of Community Music office.holmfirth@edukirklees.net
Greenhead College B Askew- Head of Department college@greenhead.ac
Shelley College mainoffice@shelleycollege.org
Kirklees Music School Thom Meredith enquiries @kirkleesmusicschool.org.uk (H651342; 426426)
Honley High
Huddersfield University Dr Lisa Colton Music leader (472401)
University central students flyers
University staff portalflyers
Lions
Mothers Union
Holmfirth CC
WI
Phoenix women
Holmfirth Owls
Other schools
Other churches
Valley Sinfonia
New Mill bowling club
Brockholes sports club
Shelley over 60s
Almondbury Ladies ChoirCathryn Burrow almondburyladies.choir@ntlworld.com (321593)
Denby Dale Ladies Sylvia Fell sylvia.fell@virgin.net (01924 280950)
Honley LadiesJenny Kershaw jenny@jennykershaw.com (642670; 07799636700)
Vocal Expressions enquiries@vocalexpressions.co.uk
Honley Male VC http://www.honleymvc.co.uk
Huddersfield Parish Ch huddspc@btconnect.com (427964)
Huddersfield Peoples ChJude Burton (450054)
U3A ChEric Cooper eric@coopernac.F9.co.uk (543982)
Marsh LadiesHilary Robertshaw chair@marshladieschoir.co.uk
Skelmanthorpe MVC John Bexon enquiries@skelmvc.co.uk(862659)
HV SingersChrissy chrissy@holmevalleysingers.co.uk (077348 31748)
Holmfirth ChoralCarol Hamer carol_hamer@hotmail.com (661397)
Huddersfield VoicesLynne Rhodes ???? hdas@btinternet.com (542257)
Hepworth BB http://www.hepworthband.com
Steve Hopwood (667213; 07828120929)
Matt Tinker (07709326893)
Hade Edge BBMargaret Turnbull robertturnbull@ntlworld.com (361671)
Holme Silver http://holme-band.co.uk
Lindley Band http://thelindleyband.com Neil Jowett (07764 221899)
Yorks Tract/Honley BandLiz Illidge liz.illidge@hotmail.co.uk (304754)
HV Orchestra adrianpaula@sky.com (07706 669615)
Local Press
Community newspapers especially those run by resident groups are well read. get to your target market very easily. Watch cut off dates carefully and make sure we get on well with the editor! The What’s on section of local papers are also useful but again make sure we give plenty of notice and keep badgering. Be very wary of paying for advertising in local papers – the cost can quickly eat into our budget.
Papers
Huddersfield Examiner Val Javin val.javin@examiner.co.uk (437711)Submit previous Friday to features with some copy.
Val Javin is no longer working at the Examiner. Features material should be sent to editorial@examiner.co.uk and arts material should be sent to hilarie.stelfox@examiner.co.uk or arts@examiner.co.uk
also stop press
Holme Valley Review Holme Valley Review news@holmevalleyreview.co.uk
www.holmevalleyreview.com Quarterly (07747447023)
Yorkshire Post yp.newsdesk@ypn.co.uk
(It was felt by the promotion group that the above three were the key papers)
Barnsley Chronicle Features rachel.parry@barnsley-chronicle.co.uk
Dewsbury Reporter hannah.ridgeway@ywng.co.uk
Wakefield Express editorial@wakefieldexpress.co.uk
Bradford Telegraph & Argus thetelegraphandargus.co.uk
Halifax Courier newsdesk@halifaxcourier.co.uk (01422 260200)
Magazines
Huddersfield Eye diana@clearview-uk.com ?(01226 321 450)
Diana Durmaz -sales ?dianadurmaz@googlemail.com
(The promotion group felt Huddersfield Eye was the only magazine worth targeting)
HD9 Whats On?www.titomedialtd.co.uk(01226248420)Community News claire@communitynewsmagazine.co.uk (851936; 07762725364)
Yorkshire Life Esther Leach Editor esther.leach@yorkshirelife.co.uk (01132515944)
Around Town Richard Wilson richard@aroundtownpublications.co.uk
(01226771024)
Welcome to YorkshireCarol Cheetham ccheetham@yorkshire.com (0113 322 3539)
Wherecanwego (national) wherecanwego.com
Excelle (Boston Spa)?betsy powell info@excellemagazine.co.uk (01937 581400)
Yorkshire Ridings Anthony Skinner www.yorkshireridinsmagazine.com (01772 761277)
(01253336588)
?Virtual Huddersfield videoevent@virtualhuddersfield.com
http://www.virtualhuddersfield.com/mainframe1.htm
?yorkshire days out, w yorksh
Local parish and village magazines
Honley Flyer
Hepworth Focus Simon Cave simonhelencave@btinternet.com
Shepley Village magazine David Billington, david.billington@mypostoffice.co.uk
Deadline day is always the 12th of the month, so 12th January for the
February Magazine.
Shelley Magazine shelleymag@hotmail.com
on or before 15th of each month
shelleytimes@priestmanj.freeserve.co.uk (contact on website)
New Mill Parish magazineGeoff Lockwood Monday before the last Sunday of the month. The exception is when that week falls on a holiday week, if I’m going away, which is the case this month, so I’m asking for contributions by 17th February for March’s mag.
Honley with Brockholes Parish magazine Simon Dean, simon.dean@ntlworld.com
if you have ongoing concerts we can advertise them as and when space allows.
Thurstonland Barbara Lightowler light.owler@virgin.net
Jenni Wohlman barry.wohlman@gmail.com
We would be pleased to receive your diary items.
Our deadline is usually the 2nd Sunday each month as we work on the editing in the 3rd week then have it printed by the 4th Sunday for distribution. Please submit by email each time to both me at and Jenni Wohlman
Websites
Holmfirth Events Kerry Sykes holmfirtheventsuk@googlemail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Holmfirth.Whats.On.Calendar
Holmfirth web Patrick Brooke www.area5.org.uk (690455; 07941472622)
National association of choirsgeneral.secretary@nationalassociationofchoirs.org.uk
New Mill Choir
Social media – Could we produce an audioblog or videoblog to post on facebook and our website?
(To be discussed with Tom – DW)
Local Radio/TV
They may even allow us to go on the radio and talk about our charity concert. Provided we have a good front person this can be an excellent way to get noticed.
BBC Leeds?Liz Green http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/england/leeds_and_west_yorkshire/
contact http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/20039682
(The group thought some contact with BBC radio was worth a phone call at least)
Pulsehttp://www.pulse.co.uk/local/add/
Capital FMhttp://www.capitalfm.com/yorkshire/contact/
(01133085150; 01133085100)
Kirklees Community TV http://www.kirkleeslocaltv.com
Tom Ashworth 01484 685371 tomind7@yahoo.co.uk
request a cd track for an invented celebration radio 4 classic fm
2valleys radio
Other local radio
Leaflet Drop
Drop A5 leaflets through the doors of local resident’s.
Also shops, pubs, libraries, leisure centres,, community centres, doctors surgeries, dentists, police stations, hospitals, council offices, old peoples’ homes and public notice boards.
Posters.
Putting up a few posters does not sell many tickets. People never notice a well-displayed poster and those that do, don’t act on it. This does not mean we shouldn’t put up posters. They let people know that something is happening and raise general awareness.
