(If you can’t see any text below this sentence, it’s because you need to be a performer who is a registered and paid member of this site – please contact us if you think there’s been an oversight!)
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Welcome to the Oxfringe 2009 performers’ area. Below you will find information and advice on how to market your show. Do keep an eye on this page as we’ll be adding more material as the festival gets closer.
Programme listings/ads
Your registration fee includes a free listing (of up to 50 words) in the Oxfringe programme – 30,000 copies of the printed programme will be distributed across Oxfordshire and neighbouring areas throughout the month before the festival itself, making this a great form of exposure. Your listing will also be included in the online version of the programme at this website.
IMPORTANT: The copy deadline for your programme entry is Friday 16th January – this is to ensure we have your details in time for the process of design, proofing and printing of the brochure. If you need to amend your information, you can do so by logging in here and clicking Profile to the right of the dashboard page – remember to click the Save Changes button at the bottom!
If you’d like to attract even more attention, you can buy a eighth-page advertisement in the printed programme for a special performers only rate, as follows:
- Eighth page – £40 (60mm wide x 40mm deep)
- Quarter page – £75 (60mm x 90mm)
- Half page – £140 (130mm x 90mm)
- Full page – £260 (up to A5 plus 3mm bleed)
This can feature more text, or pictures, or whatever you like within the spaces shown.
If you want to supply your own artwork, please send us a 300dpi TIFF or EPS file if possible. If this sounds like gibberish to you, our designer Andrew Chapman will produce your ad from images and text you supply for free. You can discuss this with him via andrew@oxfringe.com.
Note that these eighth-page ads are reserved for performers only. You can also take out a larger ad if you like, of course – please see our ratecard for guide prices, or contact us to discuss things.
Ticket arrangements
Unless your venue is part of the Playhouse/Burton Taylor network, or at the North Wall or Old Fire Station (these all have their own box offices), our recommended ticket provider is Oxford-based (but with national reach) firm We Got Tickets. It’s easy to sign up with them and register your event – find out full details here (there are no set up charges). People attending your events can then simply buy tickets online and you will have access to a spreadsheet of their details before the show. You can also reserve your chosen number of tickets to be available only at the door, and set discounts for concessions or advance bookings.
Make sure you let We Got Tickets know that yours is an Oxfringe event by putting Oxfringe as part of the title. Oxfringe will have its own dedicated page at the WGT site, which effectively provides another free listing for your event!
Note: If a performer sets up an account with WGT, this is a direct contractual relationship between them and WGT and Oxfringe is neither party to that contract, nor liable for compliance with it by either the performer or WGT, nor liable for any failure by WGT to delivery the service promised or to pay out the net ticket receipts to performers.
Online marketing
As well as listing your event at this site, Oxfringe will endeavour to provide details of your event to other listings providers. Sites we worked with last year include Daily Information, the Oxford Mail and the national events listings site RemoteGoat.
Obviously it’s in your own best interests to spread the word about your show, too – do tell everyone you know, use your email list, and send your details to other websites that you know about.
Offline marketing
Without a hit film from the eighties or a 12-week primetime TV show, it is becoming increasingly difficult to get audiences out to live theatre or performances. You can never assume that someone else is selling your show or that your ‘genius’ is already in the public domain. It is hard work and you will need the help of lots of friends to make your production known and of interest to general public.
It is possible this year with your help to make Oxfringe 2009 a much higher profile event. It is down to everyone involved to create an atmosphere and a buzz that makes audiences want to buy into being a part of Oxfringe.
Think about publicity. Think about where your production can best be promoted. Think about where your target audience live, eat and breathe. Then get something in front of them any way you can. Obviously flyers and posters are often the best way of doing this.
These can take any form or size, from business card size to large posters dependent on your budget. Windrush Group, a design and print company based in Witney, are offering special rates to those involved in Oxfringe for the following items all printed in full colour. Smaller digital runs or larger poster sizes are also available. Simply call Joe Graham 01993 772197 to discuss your specific requirements.
Here are some sample prices for single-sided flyers:
BUSINESS CARD FLYERS
1000 = £125
2000 = £145
DL FLYERS (compliment slip size)
1000 = £125
2000 = £145
A5 FLYERS
2000 = £185
5000 = £275
A4 FLYERS/ POSTERS
1000 = £195
2000 = £250
Publicity timeline
Try to think about your show publicity in advance. A suggested timeline might be:
- Late February – Send out press release (see below) and image
- Beginning of March – Give the press a call, tell them who you are and get your event into their diary. Take advantage of their offers (2 for 1s, give a couple of tickets for competitions etc)
- End of March – Send out another updated press release, with news for a feature, confirm they have their tickets or your date in their diary and check that a reviewer will be attending.
- Throughout March – If you have a web page, make sure you keep it updated.
Tips for writing a press release
- Always keep it to a single side of A4
- Have a clear and appealing headline
- Don’t pack too much in: use it to send one main message, and use other releases later if there’s more to say
- Use notes to the editor at the bottom to give contact details, history of your group or whatever (but keep it brief)
- Include a quote which will make sense if it is used without the rest of the info
- Include a picture if you have one – make it high quality (300dpi) and sharp!
- Put the most important message at the top of the release – you can’t assume busy journalists will read beyond the first couple of sentences!
Important logos
Remember to put the Oxfringe logo on all of your marketing material so that people will know you’re part of the festival – with everyone doing this, we can all help promote the whole festival! Download the Oxfringe logo here (right-click – or press Control on a Mac – and choose Save). Please include our main sponsor Brakspear’s logo too if possible (also below):
You can also download our ‘empty belly’ poster which you can add your own flyer/information to.
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