At GrooveBoston, we live for packed houses. There’s nothing like a sold-out, energy-filled event that leaves those lucky enough to get in begging for more. We know you student activities and programming groups work your butts off to put together great events, so we want to share a few of our tips on how to get ‘em packed!

1. STICK WITH IT
You know your campus — whatever you’re already doing to promote your events is probably a good start. Take a second put yourself in the shoes of the average student. Are they really reading the flyers around campus? Visiting the school web site? Identify the promotion method that works best for you and spend twice the amount of time on it. Get rid of one method that isn’t so great.

GB can help: Want a second opinion? Give us a call and we’ll help you evaluate your promo strategy

2. GET NERDY
Facebook and other social networking tools are great for getting the word out. Be sure to make groups, post ads, and send those messages. The key is to have it all lead somewhere. Whether it’s a Facebook event, Evite, or a separate web page, always provide a link where students can find more event info.

GB can help: We’ll build a custom grooveboston.com mini-site for your event where students can get info and request songs!

3. HIT ‘EM AT HOME
Instead of just flyering around campus, post info on all the housing doors you possibly can — dorm rooms, suites, off-campus apartments. No party-hungry student will miss a message delivered ten feet from where they sleep.
TIP: Print doorknob hangers instead of flyers to make this a piece of cake.

GB can help: We can design custom branding for all of your print materials and ship right to your door. Door hangers rule!

4. ROLL VIP
Everybody loves special treatment. Create a “VIP experience” for a select group of students at your event. This could mean special access to an exclusive area, free swag, or (wait for it… ) nothing at all! Just the chance to wear a VIP pass can be enough for students to talk up your event on campus.
BONUS: Use VIP passes as prizes for a campus contest or raffle them off at the ticket booth.

GB can help: Need VIP passes? We’ll make ‘em! Super-nice plastic ones with lanyards that would get you backstage at even the most secure concert.

5. MAKE FRIENDS
Tap into social networks that already exist. Have a popular band, dance, or other performance group on campus? Offer them up an opportunity to showcase their latest stuff. Their name will help draw student fans, and they’ll be pumped to help you promote — even if their performance is just a few minutes long.

GB can help: There’s no better place to showcase as a student artist than a venue that’s packed with crazy sound and lights. Mobile Club anyone?

Print out the PDF version as a handout. It’s really pretty.