MeaningMatters

Over the years following my workshops, several people have me asked for reading lists. In fact, there were several requests after the session on 'Getting Unstuck' at the National Arts Marketing Project Conference.

To look at the list, go to LibraryThing.com. My user name is JerryYoshitomi.

http://www.librarything.com/catalog/JerryYoshitomi

What’s your earliest memory of the arts?

Chances are, your recollection made you smile. That’s a testimony to the power of the personal question–and the way it can help you engage donors in community arts.

The right question provides a window for understanding, and tapping into, the values that underlie any donor’s decision to fund arts. Experience and research tell us that helping people connect their personal values to relevant programs is the way to build ongoing commitment. For example, a donor who values youth development and equity in education may well want to support arts in school, or provide ways for students to engage with arts in a variety of venues outside the school day.

http://www.appletell.com/apple/comment/go-to-a-concert-get-free-music/

Lied Center of Kansas' "Go to a Concert, Get Free Music" was recently featured on appletell.com.

"Seeking new avenues for communicating with existing patrons and extending an invitation to new ones, the Lied Center has negotiated this exciting partnership to offer free music downloads with the exclusive Lied Center iTunes™ card featuring artists including Laurie Anderson, Philip Glass, Soweto Gospel Choir and the Turtle Island String Quartet."

This article in the Boston Globe suggests the important role of authors in promoting their books. I wonder how we might be able to get more performing artists involved in promoting their concerts.

http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/books/view.bg?articleid=1099663&format=text

In today's Los Angeles Times: Heat Index

The Chicago Cubs and White Sox are each leading their divisions and fans from both sides are eagerly awaiting their next series, which begins June 20. So, seeking to capitalize on the build-up, the Chicago Sun-Times is running a poll to determine which team is hotter.

Oops. Sorry. Make that, which team's fans are hotter.

The newspaper's website is running photo galleries of fans -- based on what's posted you would think women fill 90% of the seats at games -- and asking readers to vote on which team draws the better lookers.

As of late Friday afternoon, the Cubs were in the lead, with 62% of the more than 8,000 votes cast.

These days seem the perfect time for arts groups to help arrange car pooling for participants. Our databases can easily determine if someone from the same postal code has tickets to a performance on a particularly night.

We might send an email to patrons asking them if they'd like to be introduced to someone who also wants to car pool. This would also be effective for spouses who end up driving two cars into town to see a performance and then most drive home alone.

Please let me know if you're thinking about doing this. I'd be pleased to arrange a conference call for those wanting to venture into this space.

The embargo has just been lifted for the research report by Alan Brown on values-based segmentation models for Ticket Buyers and Donors. Attached is a brief Resource Guide. The full reports will be available on the WolfBrown website next week.

It's my opinion that this work (and future iterations) will be seen as a key breakthrough in our work to increase participation in the arts.

The Oakland Athletics baseball team has recently used text messages to send online coupons. Might be a good way to evaluate the effectiveness of online strategies.

http://www.1to1media.com/PrintView.aspx?DocID=30777

From Editorial Emergency – How to make your E-Newsletter Stand-Out from the others http://www.editorialemergency.com/content/view/173/51
• a distinctive voice that cements the brand
• pithy, interesting information
• a lively layout
• interactivity

I recently received a well written email from the Penn State Center for the Performing Arts with the subject line: "BILLY JOEL INVITES YOU TO SEE MOVIN OUT!"

The body of the email had a 'note' from Billy Joel describing the show and encouraging me to "check it out." Jpeg of 'note' is attached.

Very smart use of email. I wonder how effective this message will be in encouraging people to buy tickets?