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The Way Forward?
PROMOTE YOUR CLUB ---- A Way To Increase Attendances
It is always sad to hear of organ clubs and societies closing or struggling to remain open – and there are others who would have discontinued but for last-minute rescue operations. Reasons for demise are varied but the ultimate overriding need is for attendances to be raised to, or maintained at, a viable level.
The Weyhill Society is one of the youngest clubs in the UK – having started out as recently as 2002 – yet, despite the fact that it has so far been successful, it is ever-mindful that publicity is an essential and integral part of its operations. In essence, it is not a traditional ‘organ society’ – more of a ‘music club’ – and there are very few players (less than 5%) amongst its regular group of supporters.
The audiences do not consist of ‘organ enthusiasts’, but of people who simply enjoy musical entertainment and who are not particularly interested in the technical aspects of the instruments being played. However, each person certainly appreciates the individual skills of the performers and the capabilities of the electronic organs and keyboards. Nevertheless, the ‘key’ words are ‘entertainment’ and ‘enjoyment’ – so, as far as they are concerned, if the concerts include other instruments or a little comedy, so much the better! To them, flexibility of mind is a healthy attribute.
The Club suggests there are numerous ways of promoting or advertising – why restrict the scope to customary methods or sources when other avenues can be explored? A little imagination is extremely useful. Perhaps a recent example of their experiences – involving a little initiative and effort – will provide ‘food for thought’ and a little encouragement to one or two clubs ….. after all, Weyhill began from ‘scratch’ at a time when the popularity of electronic organs was declining and they have been obliged to work for whatever they have achieved.
Last year, they agreed a reciprocal publicity arrangement with a local pub restaurant; as a consequence, they now promote for each other by way of posters and leaflets. The manager of the pub was invited to attend concerts (as a guest) and on several occasions the Society has been supplied with discount vouchers and various offers. The pub increases its business ... the Society sells more tickets for its concerts ... no 'middleman' or additional expenditure involved ... everyone benefits!
The relationship between the two parties has developed and, as an example, the Society has just received a quantity of vouchers for discounted Sunday lunches and reduced price ‘pensioner’ weekday meals. At the Society’s February concert the audience was informed that a voucher would be made available to each person who bought a ticket in advance for the March concert ... and 20-30 more tickets than usual were sold!
Similar arrangements have been made with other local businesses – and even one or two theatres have kindly donated raffle prizes (e.g. complimentary tickets for shows) in exchange for publicising their programmes from time to time ... to a 'captive' audience. In addition, the Club regularly exchanges posters and leaflets with organisations who are staging events in the area. The bonus, of course, is that the Weyhill Society is providing a service to their audiences by keeping them informed of other local entertainment, etc.
The Club adopts a pro-active approach and is continually seeking ways to promote and publicise: it feels this is vital to ensure continuity and development. Unlike most organ clubs, it does not charge annual membership subscriptions – therefore, everyone is involved and nobody feels excluded. To date, they have not felt the need to introduce membership, yet it has a happy and satisfied ‘family’ of supporters whose loyalty is fully recognised and rewarded. They say they are not in competition with other organ societies … they just try to stage regular inexpensive, top-class concerts for the benefit of as many local people as possible – and to provide entertainment that would otherwise be inaccessible to them. A few social outings and events serve to supplement the monthly concerts and help to cement allegiances.
The Society has often been asked how it manages to be successful in this ‘day and age’, particularly after a relatively brief existence – and although it is far from being the largest such club. It is no secret ... 'The WEYHILL Way' is quite simple ... amongst other things, they continually aim to:
· Have due consideration for the welfare and interests of artistes and audiences alike
· Seek new avenues for the promotion of the Club and its varied activities
· Explore new ideas and have an open-minded attitude towards change and progress
· Engage with the local community and support charities whenever possible
· Avoid complacency … effort and enterprise equals reward
· Aim not only to survive ... or simply to stay alive ... but to progress and thrive!
Having fun at Weyhill
The Weyhill Website
Thanks to WEOS for sharing their thoughts and experiences – let’s hope that this article will be useful in some way to those clubs who need a little help.
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EDITORIAL NOTE - The Weyhill Electronic Organ Society was one of four
nominated for the most popular and best run societies in 2006
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