OUTREACH: BEST PRACTICES

Last Update: 10.11.07

Please send feedback, ideas, comments and critiques to the author, Ari Moore, at locsec(at)spnyc(dot)org. Thanks!

Why pour your energy, time and funds into an event if no one comes? Here are some concrete steps you can take to make sure you get a good turnout at your next SP event. This list is a working list, meant to expand and change with time and experience. If anything is missing, out of date, or in need of changes, please let us know. Your comments will really help us get our messages out there.

OUTREACH PREP:

• Write up a text listing, well-edited, and tailored to appeal to the audience you want to show up at your event. Pose some intriguing questions. Mention that it's free. If there's food or other draws, mention that too. Provide background information and URLs so people can find out more. So folks don't run into nasty surprises on the day of, please be sure to mention if the location is wheelchair- accessible or not.
  
• Make flier and/or handbills and/or a web graphic, or have someone else (like Ari, at locsec(-AT-)spnyc.org) do it for you. Attractive graphics will really help sell the event. Make sure you put the SP- NYC logo and contact information on there.

DON'T GO IT ALONE - GET HELP!

• Ask Tommy (tommynyc(-AT-)tomathon.com) to post it to the spnyc.org home page.
  
• Send the text listing and any graphics/fliers to the Local at nyc- local(-AT-)sp-usa.org, inviting people to come and asking for distribution help.

• If you want, you can make copies of your materials and put them in the office. Then let the Local (nyc-local(-AT-)sp-usa.org) know where they are, and tell them they can pick them up during Greg's office hours. Call him at 201.803.7574 to check availability.
  
• Send personal invitations to your event to your social contacts and to any activists you know in other groups who might be interested in the event. A personal invitation can make a real difference in people showing up
  
• and if your activist contacts can't come, they may have lists of their own to which they can pass your info.

• And now, if you don't have time to do any more outreach on your own, delegate! Find fellow SP folks who have time and energy to spare, and ask them to commit to doing some of the steps below. (And don't forget to thank them for helping out.)

FLYERING/DISTRIBUTING HANDBILLS

• Flier and handbill like crazy, in locations where you'll reach the right audiences. This varies widely depending on the event and the people you're trying to reach, but some general tips do hold: Don't put a flier up in a shop or on someone's property without permission (let's keep our allies, eh?), flier on street corners rather than mid- block for better visibility, try putting up a small handful of handbills fanned out and tacked to a board under your larger flier, so people can take a copy for later reference... etc. Lots of common sense here.

PEOPLE TO EMAIL YOUR LISTING TO

• FreeNYC - events(-AT-)freenyc.net
  
• WBAI - editor(-AT-)wbai.org
  
• New York Rat - newyorkrat(-AT-)riseup.net
  
• Indypendent - indypendent.org
  
• Timeout NYC - timeoutny.com
  
• Village Voice - villagevoice.com

PLACES TO POST YOUR LISTING ONLINE

• Indymedia - nyc.indymedia.org
  
• nyprotest - lists.riseup.net/www/arc/nyprotest/
  
• NY Calendar - nycalendar.org/current.htm
  
• Protest.net - protest.net
  
• Upcoming - upcoming.yahoo.com
  
• Going - going.com
  
• FILM SCREENINGS ONLY: MediaRights.org.

MAILING LISTS YOU CAN JOIN AND SEND YOUR LISTING TO

• Big Red Apple - subscribe: spnyc.org; post: bigredapple(-AT-)sp-usa.org
  
• Neoyorquinos Socialistas - subscribe: spnyc.org; post: neoyorquinossocialistas(-AT-)yahoogroups.com