How to cross-promote your event using props, images & iconic symbols

Post 27 of Dream, create and make money in the arts – My Series on becoming a Successful Creative

Continuing on with making our fabulous flyer, whether it is just for web/email or a physical poster as well, I would just like to ask one question.

Are there any props or images that define your event or show that you can use to cross promote?

Obvious examples are the Red Ribbon for raising awareness of AIDS. Apparently the idea for this was a short brainstorming session between 12 creatives which included painters, filmmakers, photographers and costume designer who were part of a New York Group called Visual Arts to help raise awareness of AIDS.
Swarovski even have crystal  versions and stick-on crystal tattoos of them.

pink This ribbon idea then extended into the pink ribbons symbol as a the fight against breast cancer.
In the UK and the Commonwealth  we have Remembrance Day or Poppy Day. The day was dedicated by King George V on 7th November 1919 as a day of remembrance for all those who died in WW1. They sell plastic poppies at all the tube stations, the TV presenters all wear them, again it is a symbol that we can all unite with.

On a lighter note, there may be something that works in tandem with your event such as with Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical (which I loved) where they sold Priscilla cocktails with flashing coloured plastic stems you could take home.
Wicked the Musical has the image of the witch and also the green faced and white witch plus those witches hats, probably because selling green makeup is not so attractive to the largely kids audience and the mums who will have to wash their clothes.
Wicked

In our Cooking and Cabaret show, we gave away the fabulous chocolate rice krispy cakes that Liz, my co-star and co-writer, baked each show, as well as having Cooking and Cabaret teatowels. We also went on various radio shows with me singing live whilst she baked. I remember one memorable morning she made and flipped pancakes on the floor for Brighton Festival Radio, the presenters loved it. It obviously worked for the show, but it is always worth looking at your show and seeing what cross promotion makes sense. The press love something different, and getting morning radio time is a lot easier when you promise the presenter and promoter food 😉

Part Two

About this series – Becoming a Successful Creative – The Business of Creativity by Marysia
This is a series of daily blogs for you on how to dream up, build, market and sell a creative event, gig, festival, book launch, cabaret night, exhibition of rude plastic cupcakes or whatever creatively inspires you. It is time to create and put on that play about your family, a series of drawings about hedgehogs, the album you have talked about making or the short film you always wanted to write and make. You can read the series in order  Part One or just pick and choose a topic that interests you.