Today I sat down and sent some messages out on Facebook. After a while, I was blocked. My posts were labeled as “This is not what this service is about.” I was using the post part of chosen pages to be a part of their community section. I guess this is now taboo.

I was also blocked for a time on another platform. They sent me a similar message. I must be born to be bad to get blocked yet again.

Most arts organizations are nonprofits. Most do not have the budgets to do expensive marketing campaigns. Reaching out to groups and people on Facebook and other online avenues is a way to compensate for these smaller budgets. These services are blocking due to wanting people to pay for their ads. It is getting harder and harder to do arts marketing for a nonprofit organization.

And, it is harder for audience development in general too. I was using these avenues to connect with the exact people who match the event and send them a message to start a conversation. Some people did respond back, and then I responded back. It was great! Facebook wants these interactions, don’t they? Doesn’t hindering the arts marketer and these conversations go against their new, broadcasted mission?

It’s been a long time since I started spreading the word about arts events. Someday I hope people will realize it is better to help us poor arts marketers out instead of hindering our progress.

Spreading the word about our events must happen. Otherwise, the arts will be reduced to trees falling in the forest without anyone being around to hear the music or to see the dance. No music and dance (and art and theatre and…) will equal a very dull life indeed.

So yes, arts marketing matters! Meaning, if the event we are spreading the word about is arts related, Facebook and all other online avenues, can you give us a special pass, please?

Cheers to happy and loyal arts marketers,
Shoshana

Shoshana Fanizza
Chief Audience Builder, Audience Development Specialists