SCHNUFFY . How to promote your iMPROV show
"When the going get's tough, the tough get Schnuffy."
You want to know how to rock out the stage to Thunder Road? You want to pack all the joy in the world into a two hour night of improv? You had to be there, and stay tuned for the return of SCHNUFFY.
Schnuffy was and will be myself and Improv Legend, Kate Duffy. Kate currently writes for tv and movies in Hollywood California. Back in Chicago we had a kick ass improv comedy show that we ran with guest groups upstairs in the Del Close Theater of iO Chicago. Each week we hit the boards with a two person show that can only be described as riding the razor's edge of discovery. Every improv show has a form at some point, whether premeditated or not. The Harold is the most commonly known longform that is adapted all over the world to create rich scenes, characters, relationships, and stories. Kate and I come from different teams, but the same training background. Kate and I allowed our form to reveal itself by simply hitting the stage and letting the magic organically happen. We just connected as friends and would spend some time together sharing hopes and dreams. That's what you do as a young improviser in Chicago, you trade hopes and dreams for actions and rewards. Much like a blockchain community has it's coins and tokens, improviser are themselves the priceless the commodity that only increase in value with experience and practice. Kate and I capitalized on our experiences and blended them together to create dynamic scenes empowered by physically and emotionally vibrant characters and relationships.
Now what does this have to do with "promoting" and why don't you just say "marketing"? It has everything to do with promoting your show because it is the essential genesis block to your show's success. If you want to market your improv show, you have to be invested in your improv show and your team mates. Actually, you don't have to? You get to! You get to fall in love with your partner and the way they play. You get to wake up the day of the show and can't wait to get to the theater. You get to warm up before and laugh during notes after. You get to tell your friends about it, and invite other improvisers to play with you. You get to love it, and you get to let yourself be loved. So the number one thing to do to market your improv show, is to love it. If you love it, you will live it. And as far as the word "marketing" goes, I don't know. I've never heard improvisers say "market" probably because we weren't ever necessarily paid in fiat. We were rewarded in the experience. It's probably just a language thing that inspired positivity. PROmote & PROduce PROfessional imPROv.
After that, it's easy from there. I will bullet point this in a moment, but let me just say it like I'm talking to you at the bar at ol' iO. Buddy, after you have your team and you rehearse and decided on a form or not, then it's time to get the word out or not. A lot of teams are "too cool for school" and do little to market their shows. That is fine. That works too sometimes. But even the improv superstars who don't need to promote, rely on one simple thing: word of mouth buzz. That starts with you. Me and Kate love what we do, so it is easy to tell others about how much fun were having and to invite them to our shows.
Next up, reminders. Whether visual or aural, anything to help remind people of that cool show they heard about. Back in the day there was no facebook or twitter and myspace was for bits. So I made show posters and printed them out at Kinkos to put up all over the North Side of Chicago. I used to spend weekends walking miles and hitting up the coffee shops, record shops, nail salons, and any place else that let me put a show poster in the window. The improv world is a lot like the music world in that a fun a poster goes a long way. So go ahead and have fun making a show poster.
Next up, be creative with technology that lets you get the word out. All these blockchains understand marketing to a T. However they often rely on FOMO and scaring people with a fear of missing out. That will not work in improv. That has never worked in improv that I have ever seen. The Second City, Comedy Sportz, iO Chicago, The Annoyance, CIC, and The Playground in Chicago all promote and promise the time of your life! People are looking for joy, they want to be happy, so let them know that is what they will see when they get to your show. I created this dumb little video to give you a taste of our absurd humor. It is just a taste of our world, which let others know that if they came to our show, things were gonna get weird and fun. Then I blasted it on social media. Today you have so many outlets. You can keep it to the ones you use regularly or get it out there everywhere. Every social media site is a sign post to remind others where to find your joy. And by all means, please share it here on Steemit. When you do, don't forget to use the tag #improv. I curate the Improv Trail for Steemtrail. Currently improv is a quiet underground niche around here, just like it was in the 90's. But believe me, when more improvisers move to the platform, everybody will have a chance to be just a little bit happier in life. I truly see the relationship of steemit and the arts such as improv, as a potential boost to everyone's sense of value. And I'm not even talking about prices.
Finally, it's never easy to go it alone. The beauty of improv is that it is a team effort. Just like @Steemtrail and SteemSpeak look to work together as a team, so too does a functioning and successful improv team, OR, group of teams. So consider teaming up with another group that is also excited about doing a show. At St. Louis' Improv Shop some of the best nights are when a couple teams share the stage together. Next week, May 25, two of the teams I coach are playing at the famous [Stage at KDHX]. I can't wait to see them play. (See what I did there, I just told you about an upcoming show in St Louis that I know you'll love if you can attend.)
On a side note, when you watch the video, you hear the name "Charna". Charna has her critics, but she will always have an everlasting place in my heart. She is the living goddess of improv who has bestowed unimaginable graces on improvisers world wide. She is the Mother Whale of improv. I love Second City like a family, and will cherish all those I have met there. But unlike the Second City, which is a yuge company, Charna is the sole Fame Maker or Breaker of iO Chicago. So perhaps as a side note to marketing, know who the big dawg is and do not fear them, love them. They may just have a bigger heart than their critics give them credit for. And Charna is the co-founder of a self proclaimed, "Theater of the Heart".
Bullet Points . The Schnuffy Seven Steps to Promoting Your Improv Show
- Have a team and a show that you not only believe in, but that you get to love.
- Get the word of mouth out. No need to be shy when you want to invite others.
- Make a show poster. Why not. The poster is not going bring people to the show, it is there to remind those looking for you.
- Get creative. Make a video, buttons, or a song. Maybe you have a podcast already to get the word out.
- Share on social media. Especially here on Steemit!
- Know who the big dawg is, and remember to thank them for the opportunity to play on their stage.
- Last but not least, "Love it and live it." Have a great show!
I'm looking forward to seeing this beautiful friend back in LA. She currently teaches at Second City LA and maybe even elsewhere, so go ahead and ask around if you want to learn from one of the best out west. Here is some more info about the amazing Kate Duffy.
The Awesome Power of Improv With Kate Duffy
Improv Business With Kate Duffy
Kate Duffy on IMDB
Schnuffy's old facebook page
Yes and, if you are wondering how you and your friends can get started or keep growing with improv, follow and stay tuned. Leave a comment below if you are interested & stay tuned...
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Yes And UpVote / Resteem to remember how to rock out Schnuffy Style!
Nice post homie. keep doing nice work
Kate's one of the best. So starting to share these legends, she's a shining star.
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