#1 DISTRIBUTE FLYERS

Why: This is the MOST effective form of advertising that you can do for an event such as this. Use the flyer design that we send you if you can.

Who: The best people to use as the actual distributors are youth from local youth groups. PARTICULARLY youth that look “Extreme” (piercings, tattoos, etc.) Keep in mind that kids we want to reach will not come to something that looks like a Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, or Church kind of event. It needs to look “Underground.” Like a Rave or a Party. A good flyer crew will usually have about 5-15 very active members. They need to be outgoing.

How: We are not talking about just handing out flyers to their friends or to the youth group. (Do that, sure. But do more.)

Where: Hand out flyers ANYWHERE that youth congregate. Particularly at-risk youth.

Places that are usually the best include: 

  • The Cruise (if your city still does that,) the mall (but be discreet), skate shops (SKATE SHOPS, SKATE SHOPS, SKATE SHOPS!)
  • Lifestyle shops (VANS, Zumiez, Hot Topic, Spencer's, etc.) head shops (that's who we want to reach, right? See: Jesus and the Prostitute, John 8,)
  • Pool Halls, Restaurants, Grocery Stores (maybe slipped in the grocery bags), Pizza places (maybe taped on the Pizza boxes), Skate Parks (SKATE PARKS, SKATE PARKS, SKATE PARKS!), High Schools (While still available), Junior High Schools (See preceding)
  • CHURCHES (The more people there, the bigger the crowd. People draw people.)
  • Record Shops (MUSIC STORES, MUSIC STORES, MUSIC STORES!) ANYWHERE there is kids.
  • Other youth events, etc. As much SECULAR and Mainstream visibility and businesses as possible. THAT is our target market.

#2 HANG POSTERS

Where: Anywhere that you put flyers, that will let you. Street posts at busy intersections,
CHURCHES, CHURCHES, CHURCHES, and SCHOOLS, SCHOOLS, SCHOOLS!

Who: Use your flyer Crew for this as well.

#3 TELL THE LOCAL YOUTH GROUPS

Why: This is VERY effective when treated as a Youth Rally where the Youth Groups come as a community-wide activity.

How: It should be emphasized that this is as good a concert as just about any other one that they would take their group to, and because it is free, there is no one left out who can’t afford it. AND, they will be doing something to help people come to Christ, as a crowd draws a crowd.

#4 RADIO & TV PSAs

Why: This, again, is very effective. What many youth leaders DON’T know is that the government REQUIRES ALL TV and Radio stations to broadcast Public Service Announcements for any Non-Profit Community Service Org (Like a CHURCH for example) that requests it.

How: The best way to do this is to use the pre made PSA’s that we will provide you with, upon request. Just contact us.

#5 LOCAL READER BOARDS

Why: This is a usually overlooked form of free advertising. Most restaurants, grocery stores, even some banks and retailers will donate space on their reader board (electric OR magnetic) for non-profits (like churches) to advertise the date, place, and time of an upcoming event. THIS IS PERHAPS THE BEST WAY TO MAKE AN EVENT FEEL REALLY BIG, AND TO BUILD ANTICIPATION. ESPECIALLY IN SMALLER SIZED TOWNS.

Who: The first businesses to start with are the ones that you know are Christian owned. Then, hit the ones on the main drags. Then, any others you can think of.

How: Just call and ask. Call everyone. The more, the better. The more you call, the more who will say yes.

#6 BANNERS

In some cities, banners are an option.

Why: This is BIG advertising.

Where: The best place to put them, is across the main drag, heading in or out of downtown. The site of the event is a good location, of course. You can also place big sign boards on the main drag, or at the venue.

Who: Start with any Christian property-owners who own land along the main drag. Then, check with the others. The more the merrier. Busy intersections are good advertising opportunities (anywhere that you would see one of those “work from home” signs, for example.)

How: Ask them if you can erect a temporary sign on their property about the event.

#7 ADVERTISING ON CARS

Why: This is another one of those advertising techniques not often used, but effective in making an event a BIG deal.

How: Make signs with giant block letters that can be hung in car windows.

Who: Recruit members of your church or group to hang them in the windows of their cars.

Where: Have them drive around the cruise and main areas over a few weeks with those signs in their cars. This is BIG, and CHEAP.

#8 LOCAL NEWS REPORTS

Why: This is a VERY important method and is usually guaranteed to hook up an event with a large crowd.

How: Contact ALL of your local media with the Press Release that we provide. Call them repeatedly, encouraging them to do a story about the upcoming event. If you call consistently, they will almost always cover the event. THIS IS BIG.

#9 LIVE RADIO BROADCASTS, PROMOTIONS, & GIVEAWAYS

Why: This is always effective. This one costs quite a bit though, so be careful.

Who: Contact your local (secular first) radio stations.

How: See if they would like to be listed as a sponsor in the promotional materials in return for doing a live broadcast from the event. Give stations giveaway materials in return for constant on-air mention and advertising of the event.)

When: Do this the week before the event.

#10 WORD-OF-MOUTH & BRING-A-FRIEND CAMPAIGNS

Why: This is, after all, an outreach.

How & Who: Challenge all of your congregations to be talking about the upcoming event with EVERYBODY they meet. Challenge them to not only be there themselves, but to also bring at least one other person each. Think of how many people THAT would be! This is free, but only works if the Pastor plans to really support the event. Not just mentioning it once.

#11 THE INTERNET, TEXTS, & SOCIAL MEDIA

Why: It's free, easy, and effective when done right.

How: Recruit a tech-savvy person if you don't have the time or resources yourself. (Usually someone in the church youth group knows how to do this) Set up an Event page on Facebook and other platforms. Pass around our current, official Tour trailer on YouTube to hype up the event. Get students who are influential in their peer-groups (including kids your team meets on the street) to text their friends the info about the time and place of the show, as well as any contests, prizes, etc. If you have an advertising budget, you can pay Youtube or Facebook to target a video or ad towards your local area.

These things REALLY DO work. Give ‘em a shot. You’ll find them very successful.

HERE IS A ROUGH TIMELINE FOR ADVERTISING & PROMOTION:

  • Posters should start popping up about 2-3 weeks before the event
  • Flyers should start fast and heavy a week and a half before
  • Radio and TV PSAs should be about 3 weeks before and from then on
  • Reader Boards 3 days before
  • A word-of-mouth campaign should start about 2 weeks before
  • Car ads from 2 weeks ahead of the event
  • Youth group advertising about 3 weeks before
  • Press releases should, ideally, go out 2-3 weeks ahead
 

Next Step?
Click Downloads to find promotional materials and resources for your event.

 

 

*If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to email your booking contact.