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MARKETING & PRESS

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Stacy Jones Hill
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PRESS REQUESTS

 Managing Press Requests at Hollywood Fringe

1. Handling Press Requests:

  • Press Passes: Press representatives can request free passes to your show. If you receive such a request via email, reserve a complimentary ticket immediately on your project page and inform the press representative.

2. Stay On Top of Communication:

  • Email Monitoring: Regularly check your email for communications from HFF staff and press inquiries. It's crucial to stay updated on these messages to manage press requests and opportunities effectively.

3. Pitching Your Show:

  • Self-Promotion: While HFF provides press credentials, they do not pitch individual productions. It’s your responsibility to attract the press to your show.

4. Press Kits:

  • Create a Press Kit: Prepare a press kit to provide to press representatives at the door. This should include articles, resources, and other relevant materials about your production.
  • Resource: Research how to construct an effective press kit to ensure you provide comprehensive and engaging information.

5. Useful Tips:

  • Regular Updates: Keep track of all press-related communications and requests.
  • Engagement: Actively engage with press representatives to maximize exposure for your show.

 

PRESS RELEASES

Crafting an Effective Press Release for Hollywood Fringe

1. Catchy Title and Opening:

  • Title: Create a compelling and attention-grabbing title.
  • Opening Sentence: Start with a strong, engaging sentence to hook the reader.

2. Clear and Concise Message:

  • Brevity: Communicate your message clearly and succinctly. Aim to convey the essence of your show in as few words as possible.

3. Unique Pitch:

  • Highlight Uniqueness: Focus on what makes your production stand out. What makes it special or different from others?

4. Essential Details:

  • Event Information: Include all critical details:
    • Time: When is the show?
    • Date: What is the date of the performance?
    • Location: Where is the show taking place?
    • Ticketing Info: How can people purchase tickets?
    • Festival Mention: Note that the show is part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival.

5. Visual Appeal:

  • Image: Add a captivating image to enhance the press release. A visual element helps to attract attention and makes the release more engaging.

By following these guidelines, you can craft a press release that effectively promotes your show and captures the interest of journalists and potential audiences.

 

While we don’t provide direct contact information on press, we suggest pursuing the following outlets:

All About the Stage, Backstage, LA Times, LA Weekly, Discover Hollywood, Variety, EyeSpyLA, Stage and Cinema, ArtsBeatLA, LAist, LA Theatre Review, StageSceneLA, Culture Spot LA, Stage Raw, Park La Brea News, Tolucan Times, BroadwayWorld, EdgeLosAngeles, OnStageLosAngeles, Los Feliz Ledger, Mike Check, Nerds of Color, OC Register, KCRW, KPFK, KXLU, NoHoArtsDistrict.com, Toluca Lake Patch, Grigware Blogspot, Blog Critics, Daily Bruin, Campus Circle, LA Daily News, Santa Monica Mirror, Huffington Post, Jewish Journal, Entertainment Weekly, Greater Long Beach, OC Weekly, Theatre Theater Podcast, TheaterMania, TheaterTimes,  Glendale News Press, Stage Struck Review, Larchmont Buzz, Melpomene Blogs Back, Shakespeare in LA, Pasadena Star-News, Daily 49er, VC Star, VC Reporter, The Hollywood Reporter, LA Downtown News, Thomas Hampton Reviews, Valley Scene Magazine, Gia on the Move, Living Out Loud-LA, ShowMag.com, No Proscenium, South Pasadenan, Total Theatre, LA Theatre Bites

(Hint: A Google search will turn up many of the above contacts.)

 

Submitting Your Press Release to the Hollywood Fringe Website

To streamline the process for press covering the Hollywood Fringe Festival, you can easily post your press releases on our website. Here’s how:

  1. Login to your account on the Hollywood Fringe website.
  2. Navigate to your project’s page.
  3. Click on the “Press” tab located beneath your project’s title.
  4. Select “Add Press Release.”
  5. Enter a compelling title for your press release, followed by the body of the release.
  6. Include contact information for your press representative.

Your press release will be available on the Hollywood Fringe press tools page: www.HollywoodFringe.org/press, where it will be accessible along with other submissions.

Important: While posting your press release on our site is a great start, you should also send your releases directly to local press outlets to maximize visibility.

 

 Engaging the Press for Your Fringe Show

You don’t need a professional publicist to attract press to your show, but finding the right journalists and reaching out effectively can make a big difference. Here are some tips to help you engage with the press:

  1. Target the Right Journalists: Research who covers your type of production or content. Focus on journalists who have an interest in or have written about similar shows.
  2. Personalize Your Approach: Avoid sending generic emails or copying your press release directly into the body of an email. Instead, introduce yourself, pitch your show in a personal and engaging manner, and offer complimentary tickets.
  3. Follow Up Thoughtfully: Follow up with journalists, but do so sparingly. Persistent spamming can deter them. A polite, brief follow-up can remind them of your show without overwhelming them.
  4. Provide Essential Information: Make it easy for journalists to write about your show. Prepare a production summary, cast and crew listings, relevant biographies, and high-quality photographs. These materials should be readily available in your press kit and upon request.

By making your outreach personal, targeted, and convenient, you’ll improve your chances of getting press coverage for your show.

 

FRINGE FLYERS & BRANDING

Distributing postcards, posters, and/or other creative marketing products is a great way to market your show. Here are some rules (and tips!) regarding your printed goods. 

 

Fringe Flyers & Branding Guidelines

You Must:

  • Include the Hollywood Fringe Logo: Ensure the Fringe logo is printed on all your promotional materials. This is required for placement in Fringe-run venues. Download the logo from Hollywood Fringe Branding. If you forget, you can use stickers to add the logo later.

You Must Not:

  • Post Without Permission: Never leave or stick your promotional materials in public places without authorization. Unauthorized posting can lead to fines.

You Should:

  • Be Creative: Design your materials to stand out and attract attention.
  • Ensure Legibility: Make sure the main text is easy to read from a few feet away.
  • Include Essential Details: Clearly provide information about what the event is, where and when it is happening, and ticket pricing. Avoid overloading the flyer with text.
  • Spell Check: Carefully check for spelling errors to maintain professionalism.
  • Engage with People: Distribute your materials by making engaging conversation with potential audience members.
  • Coordinate with Venues: Place your materials in other Fringe venues and popular spots, with permission from venue managers. They will guide you on where you can display your materials.

You Should Not:

  • Disrupt Others' Materials: Do not move or cover other people’s flyers. Consult with venue managers if you need space for your own materials.
  • Litter: Dispose of materials responsibly and avoid leaving flyers in inappropriate places.
  • Intrude on Audiences: Do not distribute postcards to people leaving other shows unless you have their permission.
  • Overprint: Avoid printing more materials than necessary to reduce waste.

NOT JUST PRESS, NOT JUST PRE-FEST

Don't let your marketing efforts drop off when the festival begins. Start 6-8 weeks before your run and keep pushing people to come until it's over or you've sold out your run. 

Remember not to focus so much time and effort pitching your show to the press that you forget to market to potential audience members. In a festival atmosphere, producers and participants from other shows are a great place to start! There are many pre-festival networking opportunities that you can take advantage of, plus you should make sure to schedule some time during the festival to hand out flyers, go to other people's shows, or hang out at Fringe Central.

 

Ongoing Marketing During the Festival

Stay Active Throughout the Festival:

  • Start Early: Begin your marketing efforts 6-8 weeks before your performance dates and continue promoting your show until the end of the festival or until your run is sold out.
  • Balance Your Efforts: While pitching to the press is important, don’t neglect direct marketing to potential audience members. Engage with festival-goers and participants from other shows to build your audience.

Festival Networking and Promotion:

  • Network Pre-Festival: Utilize pre-festival events and networking opportunities to build connections and spread the word about your show.
  • Promote During the Festival: Distribute flyers, attend other performances, and spend time at Fringe Central to maintain visibility.
  • Engage with the Community: Interact with fellow participants and festival attendees to generate buzz and encourage word-of-mouth promotion.

Keep your promotional efforts consistent and interactive to maximize your audience engagement throughout the festival.

 

OTHER RESOURCES

We publish a Participant Packet every spring with specially-priced promotions from partnering companies, advice about marketing and much more. 

You should also check out our upcoming Town Hall & Workshop series, which features a number of events that focus on marketing & press. 

 

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