By Kim Artlip, Columnist
So one of the questions that I’m often asked is why I don’t attend NXT events and place flyers on cars? Seriously, it’s not exactly legal when you are doing on a venue’s property that you don’t have permission to pass out literature or ads on and it’s a great way to damage people’s car and be liable.
Yeah, I know many promotions think it’s the sun, moon, and stars… but not me.
It’s a cheap tactic and I know there are promoters out there shaking their fists at me but you aren’t paying for that venue at that time so why are you forcing your product where it hasn’t paid for access.
In this area, a now defunct promotion damaged multiple vehicles at various events. Not that it affects them but now every other event company out there not just wrestling pays the price from their actions.
Yeah, it sucks a lot to be punished for something you had absolutely nothing to do with. Really, it does.
I’ll be honest when I say I have some pretty definite opinions about this. I find it especially distasteful when I see another promotion flyering cars at a rival promotion. Those individuals don’t even purchase a ticket and litter up the parking lot. Not classy.
I’m not saying to not put out flyers. Put down the torches and pitchforks but you have to operate in a professional manner. You must have permission. Ask local businesses if they’ll post them in their shop windows or out on display tables. Look for places with a waiting room where people spend time with not much to do: hairdressers, opticians, dentists, etc.
It is hard enough to promote pro wrestling without these groups that ran amuck sticking posters on the local Redbox and gas pumps. It’s pretty much tantamount to littering and will be removed so what’s the good in just crapping them out all over. It’s not smart placement.
Think of it this way. You cannot go into Walmart or their parking lot and hand out any type of flyers. They do not allow soliciting anywhere on their property, which includes the parking lot. The only times I have seen them allow anyone to “solicit” have been charitable organizations such as Girls Scouts, Boy Scouts, Veterans groups, and Salvation Army.
Anyone else soliciting and/or advertising is first approached by either management and/or asset protection and instructed to leave. If they return or refuse, and still keep trying to conduct business, the store will then call for local law enforcement which will escort the person off the property. They will also possibly ban the person from the property. Violating a ban results in being charged with a trespass violation.
So let’s say you want to poster and do it the right way. Here’s my tips to promote your upcoming events in the best way possible with posters.
Tip #1: Get permission first
Always ask an employee or manager. If you choose to distribute at a college most schools first require that all posters and flyers be approved by the dean’s office or by student activities, then stamped with an official seal.
Now you might think you can just wander around at local events and hand them out to the public. Before you distribute your flyers on the street, make sure you have the authority to do so. While handing out commercial messaging is mostly protected by the First Amendment, you’ll need permission to distribute your flyers on private property. Remember most of these events have organizers, require ALL vendors to rent space so you can’t just wander up to people and hand out flyers without clearing it first.
Tip #2: Don’t hog the boards
Never put more than one or two posters on each bulletin board. You’ll get a bad image and create hard feelings if you blanket the boards with your posters.
Tip #3: Remove your old posters
Don’t wait months to take down your flyers.
Tip #4: Walls are no-no’s
Nearly all colleges and universities across the nation prohibit clubs from sticking posters to interior or exterior classroom walls. Taping or stapling posters to walls eventually will peel off the paint, can damage drywall, and could end up costing your school and ultimately raise your tuition.
Tip #5: Never use glue or staple guns, stapler, such as an Arrow stapler, or a “light-duty” staple gun. Don’t use glue on plexiglass or on glass — it’s almost impossible to remove without damage, which angers the “owner” of the board or newspaper box.
Hopefully this will give you some food for thought because posters – as old school as it may seem – still work and are a great word of mouth way to get your event out there. So get that brain firing on new locations to get those posters noticed. Until next time, ignite your fire, and follow your dream.
IGNITE WRESTLING
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Kim Artlip, Owner + Promoter
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