Troy_Connor Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 How do you advertise your show, or do you at all? I know some of you that have been doing this for years dont have to worry with this, but those of use that are new to the shows may can use some pointers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shfr26 Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Sometimes promoting the show brings more trouble than you think. I do not advertise at all, and I still have a steady line of cars every night. Too much traffic can cause problems and you having to shut down the show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DownTown Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 My advice is to not advertise at all. Once a few people see your lights, they will tell two friends, and they'll tell two friends and so-on and so-on. In the years I've been doing this, I've not advertised and not spoken to the press, and the cars still line up out front every night during the season. If you choose to advertise, too many people will find out about your display all at once, and you and your neighborhood will be overwhelmed with traffic.That's my two cents.Good LuckD.T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-Paul Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Heck I live out in the country side. About 5 miles out of town on a gravel road that dead ends. So, you know that these cars are going to be turning around in peoples driveways. Yet every night I have a dozen cars that stop and watch the show. And you will also have cars that only watch for a few minutes and leave. Why? Cause they do not look at and read the signs saying "Tune to XX.X FM" So make sure your sign catches their eyes. Might hire a teen to dress like Santa twirling a cardboard sign with the Tune to on it.But I agree, someone will see it and they will tell 2 and they will tell 2 more and so on. Avoid TV news and papers. Several others have gone down those paths and lived to regret it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeA Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Word of mouth is the way to go. Last year, my 2nd year, on Sat evenings I had cars backed up. I expect even more this year.Like the others have said, do not invite the media. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfing4Dough Posted October 12, 2012 Share Posted October 12, 2012 If you build it, they will come.But be patient--word of mouth takes time, and you will "want the world to see" it all on the first night. Depending on your first nights/weeks, you may have very little traffic since so few know about it (depending on your location). But traffic growing slowly is better for you and your neighbors. If advertised, it can quickly build beyond your control. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
columbus27 Posted October 12, 2012 Share Posted October 12, 2012 They will come if your show is good or bootleg. At the end of the day the kids like the blinky blink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Posted October 12, 2012 Share Posted October 12, 2012 Word of mouth is a great advertising tool. While the downside is you can't keep people from talking about your display, it does get the word out.The first year of my display I was out talking to someone, and we got to talking about the number of cars waiting to see the show. That's when she let me know she was a teacher for the local school district, and one of the principals had sent an email to all teachers saying, "You have to go see this house."Unless you want to deal with the potential stress, I would shy away from the media. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubado Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 I have the largest Mysore Fig Tree in the USA in our front yard so we get people here all the time taking pictures, asking questions and buying jelly. I tell everyone that stops by and I pass out Rack card and have cards availablew at different places. I am providing an area for people to bring chairs and sit and watch the shows. There is a great amout of parking area all down the roads and there is a church parking lot at the end of the road so parking should not be a problem. I am hoping to hit the news this year also. I, as best can tell, will have the largest synced show for over 100 miles. Now for those thinking to do the same, just one word of advice, Insurance. I am required to have a very large insurance policy to cover visitor to see the tree so am making good use and letting people watch the show. Insurance for this is not cheap I pay about $1500 a year but cannot get homeowners without it so...Can you post a pic of the tree or PM me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wbottomley Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 I have the largest Mysore Fig Tree in the USA in our front yard so we get people here all the time taking pictures, asking questions and buying jelly. I tell everyone that stops by and I pass out Rack card and have cards availablew at different places. I am providing an area for people to bring chairs and sit and watch the shows. There is a great amout of parking area all down the roads and there is a church parking lot at the end of the road so parking should not be a problem. I am hoping to hit the news this year also. I, as best can tell, will have the largest synced show for over 100 miles. Now for those thinking to do the same, just one word of advice, Insurance. I am required to have a very large insurance policy to cover visitor to see the tree so am making good use and letting people watch the show. Insurance for this is not cheap I pay about $1500 a year but cannot get homeowners without it so...If you're providing a show to the public, expect a knock on the door from a local ASCAP representative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papa-LF Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 We shared with friends at first, then the local paper asked for special displays so they could publish it like a map of places to go, then the paper came to us and did a story. Thats kind of all it took. Last year just for fun I sent an email to the local TV stations with a link to the singing snowman - with a simple one line email - "There's a new weather guy in town". NBC called and asked to do a live morning show shoot. The rest is history. I'll never need to mention it again.http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/45751784#45751784Funny how people tell us that we are now a Christmas tradition in their household. Which reminds me - I need to get more candy canes ordered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shfr26 Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 I have the largest Mysore Fig Tree in the USA in our front yard so we get people here all the time taking pictures, asking questions and buying jelly. I tell everyone that stops by and I pass out Rack card and have cards availablew at different places. I am providing an area for people to bring chairs and sit and watch the shows. There is a great amout of parking area all down the roads and there is a church parking lot at the end of the road so parking should not be a problem. I am hoping to hit the news this year also. I, as best can tell, will have the largest synced show for over 100 miles. Now for those thinking to do the same, just one word of advice, Insurance. I am required to have a very large insurance policy to cover visitor to see the tree so am making good use and letting people watch the show. Insurance for this is not cheap I pay about $1500 a year but cannot get homeowners without it so...How far are you from Cape Coral and Punta Gorda???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shfr26 Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 I guess you missed the bolded part of my post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wbottomley Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Yepper, I did. again depends on where but cape is 20-40 miles. There is a show in the Cape I believe it is north Cape but what I have been told it is a smaller show then what I have. Punta Gorda is able 50 miles I think. I have not heard of any shows there. There is a small show in Naples but other than that not heard of any. Now static displays there are several much larger. Do you know of any around here?You're lucky Robin doesn't have a show any longer. His was by far the biggest around for miles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shfr26 Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Monkman? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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