[BPB] Boards Photo Book 2011 - Marketing Plan & Volunteers

sNarah

Hi all

Like you've seen around the place, preparations have started for this years book. Naturally, we need people to make this happen!

Kensutz and myself will keep on the team, like last year, and Cork Girl is also already on board.

Depending on how many people will volunteer, the roles will be decided upon what you feel you do best.

We need a designer, a project manager, logistic and marketing people. We could also use cupcake bakers, artists, bloggers et all for the marketing bit and in the final stage, someone to liaise with DCC for the launch and help out on the night.

Have a look at this post too as we're on the look out for a printer, any nudges in the right direction will be appreciated.

Reply on thread if you're interested and in which field you would like to help out.

Here's AnCatDubh's description from last year as what needs to be done:

The jist of role descriptions:

Project Manager (1 person)

This individual takes responsibility for the organisation of the book. They seek participants, set deadlines, keep the community informed, adjudicate ultimately on any matters that might arise/communicate such matters to the forum community, and keep the project on the boil. No pressure but the project will succeed or fail on the basis of your interaction (gulp!). Time is important here and if you are going to be away from the keyboard for weeks on end then it probably isn't the role for you.

Logistics and Marketing - (preferably 2 people)

Ideally this burden would be spread a little more. These individuals will be responsible for the bringing together of the images, communicating as necessary with the community or individuals, organising a book launch (venue, keynote speaker, wine, participants, etc.), Organising the money side of things - this year as the swell of support was for Shakespeare books, it means having the funds secured and lodged with the company in order for the production process to begin (or whatever else might be appropriate - it will be up to these people in conjunction with the project manager to decide). If using paypal to advance clear our intentions such that they don't freeze the account as soon as significant orders hit it (as did happen previously causing understandable consternation). To get the logistics of getting the books to people who have paid - a group collection and then the additional ones which are part of the group buy but not collected at the launch. Organisation systems as appropriate to know who has received and who is due books. In terms of further marketing, to essentially promote it in as many ways as possible = getting blogs written, boards site announcements, a radio interview or two, martin king to give it a mention, press release and other media interactions, get onto the 4 live or today shows, throw it at tubridy and see if it sticks, and broadly tout it everywhere and anywhere - online and real world.

That's the gist of it.

The project manager, designer, and marketing/logistics all work together as a team - lots of communication between team members. The moderators (and your humble cmod) will facilitate anything on forum that is needed that can't be done by a normal user posting - and as with previous productions be available should support be required in anything. We'll also cajole a little if we think cajoling is needed - just sayin loike!

So, step right up - if those roles grab you (particularly anyone who suggested they may have the time) drop myself or the other moderators a pm about it, and your name will be in the hat (well we mightn't actually need a hat but it does sound nice to think we'd have lots applying for it )

Obviously it is a serious project and demands a serious approach to it.

Thanks folks.

faceman

I wouldnt be able to take on the burden of project managing but Id be happy to help out logistically

GristlyEnd

I'll offer to help with logistics too

ThOnda

I'd offer help, but after experience with work workload, I'd be happy to receive any help requests. But cannot sign in fully. Sorry.

MissusPandB

I volunteer MrP&B to give a dig out with logistics too. He's great for pulling and banging.....:rolleyes:

Fionn

Hiya,
@ sNarah - i'm not sure if you got my pm's, but i've got all the art work that you'd need for the design of the covers, posters etc.
let me know where to send them and what format you'd like them in.

cheers

sNarah

Oh sugar, I really thought I got back to you!!
Yes that would be great - I'll pm you now

GristlyEnd

I will offer help with design of the book if nobody else comes forward

sNarah

We must check with Eddie who designed it last year - thanks for letting us know, good to have a designer ready!

AnCatDubh

just thinking - events that may be coming up over the course of the coming months (meet and greet stuff), and where there is a social aspect to it, there could be opportunity to drop cards (eh..., if we had cards) or marketing materials at such events - obviously with the permission of the organisers. I'm thinking back to the dotconf - an information leaflet in the lunchbags - perhaps we could offer to pack the bags for them in return or something.

Just thinking of how to broaden out the marketing side of this that could result in increased sales.

We'd need an online point of contact - we have some ready like twitter, but maybe a web site with a leave your email address for updates nearer to launch, etc...

not sure if its hard work for people? I suppose if it were easy it probably wouldn't be worth doing.

thoughts people?

EDIT: Am i in the wrong thread?

sNarah

No you're in the right one indeed. Will alerts the troopers to have a look here, other users can give input as well - we could do with a lot better marketing!!

sparklicous

hey. if you need design help, i'm available.

MissusPandB

The Monster's Daddy........:)

CabanSail

Even though I'm a long way away I still have contacts in DCC. We would still need members to be responsible for keys and the premises on the night.

xia

I'm still a member of DCC so keys shouldn't be a problem and hopefully this year I have time again on the opening night.

sNarah

How would people here feel if it was at a different location, not DCC? Just checking temperature, as there have been seen other suggestions from the Boards dudes...

xia

I don't mind. Think the main advantage is it's free. But if there are other suitable spaces I don't mind a change.

AnCatDubh

I like the idea of it being somewhere with some connection to photography (yeah a dark room perhaps ) - the camera club fits that particular bill, but I wouldn't get hung up on it. Also if similar to previous years, there won't be a launch budget as such so we will be depending a little on the goodwill of others however that's a bridge to pass if it becomes an issue at a later point in time.

faceman

As far as I know the "Exchange" in Temple Bar offers free space for certain events and I expect the book launch (given the charity attached) may be suitable?

sNarah

Thanks for the replies! Will have a further think about it and maybe put up a poll at some point, it's a community effort so I think it's important to ask for the opinion of contributors!

Now - another thing: thOnda got in touch me recently, suggesting we'd create a little "heads up" banner that we can put in our sigs, sort of creating awareness. Is anyone creative up for making one?

Kintarō Hattori

I'm no graphic designer but it's a start. If it's of any use just let me know what you want the text to say and that's easily changed. It's the right size for the sig rules but slightly oversize at 3kb. Perhaps they would overlook this for the cause involved?

sNarah

Ahhhh very nice!
Lemme get back to you on that!

ThOnda

Kintarō Hattori wrote: »

... the sig rules ...

Brand-free, or at least with some proper gear, not with a toy, please

Kintarō Hattori

ThOnda wrote: »

Brand-free, or at least with some proper gear, not with a toy, please

For the snobs among you :P

Ceacg

Hello, may I please put my name on the waiting list to add a photo to the book? Thank you.

ThOnda

Kintarō Hattori wrote: »

For the snobs among you :P...

Snob? Well, yeah If it does not weight more than kilo, it ain't no camera

Edit: Could we host the banners on the BPB page or blog? Even with the link? Having a code to copy and paste not only here would be great. Thank you in advance for doing that.

sNarah

Jup, will pop them up the blog on Monday - Preparing for Charleville now
(unless the other dudes are reading, feel free to go ahead and link the images on the blog!)

sNarah

Blog updated with banners.

Cakes.

How do I put that as my Sig ?

sNarah

Pick the one you want and rightclick on it, pick "view image".
Open your control panel > edit signature.
In the post, click on the "Insert Image" logo (little mountain thingie) and copy the URL from the image in that.

If you want to add the link to the thread, after adding the image, select it, copy the link from the thread and add it as a hyperlink.

Lemme know if you have any trouble with it!

Cakes.

Got it

Thanks

DeVore

Hey all! Firstly its great that everyone is getting started "early" on this project, i have to secretly admit its my favourite bit of SSF

Secondly, to let you know that we hit two locations with 500 euros worth of "quality of life" items (mostly "toys" to you and me ) with last years dosh!

Thirdly to offer whatever help I can be (mostly promotional I think).

And fourthly to say a big thank you to everyone who has volunteered to help out! And to Snarah for orchestrating it all!

Thanks again,

Tom.

Kintarō Hattori

OK, the Canonites were complaining.

pixbyjohn

Kintarō Hattori wrote: »

OK, the Canonites were complaining.

As they do

DK32

Kintarō Hattori wrote: »

OK, the Canonites were complaining.

Great job on these Liam. Thanks!

nonsequitir

Kintarō Hattori wrote: »

OK, the Canonites were complaining.

Ah now, t'was less of a complaint and more of an observation!

Gaspode

Kintarō Hattori wrote: »

OK, the Canonites were complaining.

Would this keep them happy??












I'll get my coat....................

sNarah

Ok folks, still looking for printer. The main problem seems to be the (online) sale of the book after the big batch order. I think it's essential that the book can be bought individually by people who wish to do so.

Any recommendations, printers you know, contacts, fire them off to me and Kensutz!

Blurb was an easy option for that but the quality really wasn't as good as the print from Vincent last year.

sNarah

Folks, due to personal circumstance (gawd that sounds a whole heap more serious than it is!) I'm stepping down from the book team this year.

Still on board are Cork_Girl, Faceman, DarrenG and Kensutz (last time I checked).

This needs to get going sooner rather than later and a printer NEEDS to be sourced.

I will off course be available if advice is needed or putting people in touch with the higher Boards powers to be/venue/etc...

Sorry and hope it all goes well.

swingking

I'd like to help in some way that I can. Even something simple like distributing leaflets

AnCatDubh

*boom*

that time of year already?

flip, need to go take a photo before winter hibernation!

Are there any plans to share at this stage?

AnCatDubh

*boom*

that time of year already?

flip, need to go take a photo before winter hibernation!

Are there any plans to share at this stage?

DeVore

I'm away for a fortnight in a weeks time but once I'm back (Oct 10th ish). I'm going to get cracking on SSF 2011 asap.

I too, need a pic but I think I might have one

DeV.

Kintarō Hattori

DeVore wrote: »

I'm away for a fortnight in a weeks time but once I'm back (Oct 10th ish). I'm going to get cracking on SSF 2011 asap.

I too, need a pic but I think I might have one

DeV.

Personal nudie shots are never acceptable!

Tiriel

Just to update that we are about to decide on printers but are still open to suggestions if you do know of any that may be suitable - send us details and we will get in touch with them. We'll be finalising this shortly!

It's also time to start choosing your photo.. don't put it off.. time is ticking away at a mighty rate!

Oh and..

DeV - could you organise a mention on http://www.santastrikeforce.com/ again this year pretty please?

Does anyone have any contacts/magic elves that could jazz up some stickers/bits and bobs - get the word out there! A few photowalks/events to go before the launch and it'd be handy to have something to hand over to stir some interest.

Anyone have contacts in any Dublin radio stations that do "Community Bulletins" etc?

We'll be circulating a press release also, if anyone has a good template that we could use or if you have access to any channels.. please step forth now!

To highlight the SSF fundraising perhaps we could borrow from earlier lanches and include Santa hats for the launch, or other suggestions?

xia

A friend of mine works / volunteers with Dublin City FM. I'd say they would be a suitable station. Will contact him.
And I suppose Q102 would be worth contacting even if we don't have a contact there.

TelePaul

Is there traditionally a SSF FB page? What about a blast display Campaign via AdWords?

Tiriel

I've just posted a thread in the Marketing Forum, to see if any of our fellow boardsies would be able to help us with ideas There's a link here if anyone would like to contribute!

TelePaul

I can give you a 1 EUR p/day AdWords budget - paltry when you think about it but you might generate some impressions via a CPM model on Display.

Tiriel

That would be super - I have no idea how to use it though! Could you organise it? Or show me what to do?!

TelePaul

Cork_girl wrote: »

That would be super - I have no idea how to use it though! Could you organise it? Or show me what to do?!

Sure, I can organise most of it. Let's take it to PM to discuss specifics, but it'll be possible to give you account access too if you'd like to keep an eye on things.

One thing I'll need is a website to promote - even a FB page will suffice. I guess the sooner we get going the better, I guess there's only about ten weeks to spread the word

Also, just to manage expectations here, a 1 Eur p/day budget is practically nothing when it comes to online Still I guess every little helps.