Learning to Market Your Work

I've been learning a lot about marketing yourself during this whole process of developing The Rita Rose Show. When I was focused solely on auditioning for theatrical productions, I didn't have to worry about marketing aside from inviting family and friends, but when you're pretty much running the show, you've gotta get word out about your project. In college, the program for a Voice Performance degree didn't require a marketing class, and never did it occur to me to take one as an elective, but I wish I had!  Thankfully, I had excellent English teachers throughout my years (Thanks, Mrs. Sparks!) which has helped in sounding professional during the learning process.

For the first show in September 2013, I didn't do anything above using social media to post the promo poster as well as submitting the event for calendar listings (i.e. Chicago Metromix) as, honestly, I didn't know exactly what to do, and I was focusing on pulling all of the parts of the show together with the help of my sister and my band. 

When show #2 rolled around, I had researched how to write a press release, and wrote one. I submitted it 6 days before the show, but it's much better to send it AT LEAST a week in advance. I then submitted it to media contacts that Melanie Lamoureux so kindly shared with me as well as contacts that I had found online. I didn't hear back from anyone, but I also made the mistake in not following up with a phone call and just hoped that the e-mail would be sufficient. I also prepared media packets (Press Release, business card, and a promo photo) for the show just in case someone showed up.

Here's my very first press release minus the top part as I didn't want to share my personal contact info to the whole world ;)

Show #3 had built in marketing as Morton College listed it in their events, FB page, and e-mails, and some students were even required to go ;)

By show #4, Martyrs', I had a better handle on what to do, and Martyrs' even provided their own awesome Media contacts list. 

Here's what I did:

1. Wrote a Press Release.

2. E-mailed it at least 2 weeks prior to the event. Attached a couple of promo photos and gave a link to where more media and information could be found (my website), and by that point in time I had a few videos of the show to give them an idea of the show. 

3. Submitted to event calendar listings (Chicago Metromix, Big C Jamobree, Windy City Media Group, etc)

4. Failed to followup with a phone call--oops--duh, Rachelyn, media people have busy lives and receive a lot of submissions! 

      As my friends sat starstruck (except for me as I didn't know who that guy was at the time--Go Panthers!) while Jarrett Payton was giving out samples of his craft brews when we were hanging out in Naperville one July weekend, Jarrett told us how he didn't want to ride off of his father's fame and also said this (may not be exactly word for word, but you get the drift) which has stuck with me since: "People doesn't just hand you things, you have to go get it!"

5.Used Social Media to post Promo poster to (FB Fan and personal page, twitter, and instagram)--but definitely didn't overdo it to make people NOT want to attend ;)

Guess what, though? I shrieked out of excitedment when I received a voicemail from 90.9 FM WDCB's assistant news director, Gary Zidek, as he had received my press release and asked me to come into the studio for an interview. I scheduled a time, and had an absolutely wonderful experience meeting and chatting with Gary. His friendliness immediately calmed my nerves (it was my first radio interview!), and it's an experience I'll always treasure. You can listen to it below!

https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/141079758&amp;color=ff5500&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_artwork=true"></iframe>

A few photos from the interview:

There's still SO much more to learn, as those steps are just the basics. You bet that I'll happily share more once learned!

Twinkling Lights Endeavors: Achieved!

A bit over 4 years ago when I began this blog I had posted somewhere in the layout "Oh, I'd like to be on some marquee, all twinkling lights" which are a snippet of lyrics from the song Broadway Baby. I used to adore that song and sing it all of the time as the book that it was in was one of my two musical theatre books that I owned at the time. The blog was named after that line, and YOU GUYS, IT HAPPENED! Proof:

With me as Rita Rose's band "The Sugar Daddies" are Billy Shaffer, Marc Edelstein and Shaun Whitley!

AND to top it off, I got my very first review. Victor of Vic's Drum Shop attended the show and said this: 

"@  Martyrs' in Chicago taking in the musical stylings and comedic antics of the Rita Rose Show featuring GMS Drums artist Billy Bob Shaffer.

Ms. Rita (Rachelyn Primm) never breaks her 1950's character as she tells jokes, shares tips, and role plays with audience members, all while ripping through a set of classic rockabilly tunes with a band that consists of current and former members of the Million Dollar Quartet musical.

Highly entertaining!!"

The Rita Rose Show at Martyrs' was my best show, yet. Each performance I feel is kind of like a workshop in the theatre world. I'm learning what material I've written works, what material flops, good song choices, how to play and interact with an audience even more, pacing, how to better cue the band, and quite a few other aspects that go into The Rita Rose Show.  Dan, Martyrs' sound man, was brilliant!

Through a few different circumstances, my band members that night were completely different than who I had originally planned on, but I was incredibly honored to get to share the stage with current and former Million Dollar Quartet cast members Billy Shaffer, Marc Edelstein, and Shaun Whitley. We didn't get the chance to rehearse, yet they were amazing, of course! Definitely missed having Michael Goodman on stage in the show, though.

Also, Among the wonderful audience members was the cast of Paramount Theatre's RENT who made it even more a party.

Rita Rose singing and dancing with Sawyer Smith (who was stunning in the role of Angel in RENT)

I had the pleasure of meeting a lot of fantastic crowd that night including Tim who just opened up The Foxhole Chicago (and actually joined me on stage during Rita's game "Casting Director"). Tim showed me around The Foxhole a week later, and it's a great new artist space that has many uses including a recording studio, rehearsal space, photo studio, etc. It was fun chatting, too, as we have many friends in common. I can't wait to collaborate on future projects!

Lastly, I couldn't resist snapping a shot of Wanda Jackson's headshot and signature in Martyrs'. I felt so privileged to get to play with an incredible band where she and so many great artists have previously played.

The show will be making its way back to Martyrs' this summer! Date TBA!