Marketing Miss Heartland, Part 2: "You, too, can have a tour stop!"

Dan here again.  Let's talk about the tour. 

We're just about set to reveal our schedule of events that we've already booked for this year — in fact, we'll do that tomorrow night.  But we'd like to think that schedule is far from complete. 

As mentioned in Marketing Miss Heartland Swing, Part 1, we've been a little surprised thus far at the response, or lack thereof, we got early on when it came to events bringing Miss Heartland Swing in to continue her mission of promoting swing dancing and the vintage lifestyle.  If anything, it's because we at Team Pam are so positive about the mission and see so much potential, it's almost hard for us to fathom why anyone with a clever mind for promotion wouldn't want to involve the over 70,000-person reach (and growing) we've developed through social media to help promote their event. 

Nonetheless, it might just need to be explained.  So, let's explain it! 

Everyone wins ... but particularly the event

As outlined in the last blog we did (and, frankly, just copy-pasted from there) the biggest thing Miss Heartland Swing can bring to an event is added event promotion.

Assuming organizers choose to include Miss Heartland in their plans, they get to tap into: 

• A rapidly growing social media following that can be used "out of the box" to promote the event, featuring:
  • Over 200 direct contacts between Facebook and Twitter
  • Reach of over 70,000 people (friends of direct contacts) on Facebook alone
• The ability to promote Miss Heartland Swing's appearance as a value-added function of the event.  
• The class, grace and beauty Miss Heartland Swing displays, along with the visibility and "specialness" of having a reigning figurehead of American swing dance present

The promotion won't stop when the event starts, either:  If your event has unique experiences, we'll talk about them online via that sizable social media presence and perhaps even get video, like we did for the Miss Heartland Swing appearance at Purdue, or Pam's recent Honor Flight volunteer night. 

Want to use that video to help promote your event in the future?  Be our guest.  Consider it a thank you. 

Coming up with ways to utilize Miss Heartland Swing at the event, meanwhile, is just a matter of opening your mind.  For instance:

• What better way to have your contest's awards presented than to have Miss Heartland Swing hand them out?  
• Make it a real privilege to dance with Pam by having guys sign up for her "Dance Card."  Heck, you could even make it "10 Cents a Dance" for a quick event fundraiser. 
• Why not have Pam greet dancers as they come in?  Or introduce the band?  She'd be perfect for that.  
• Have follows interested in vintage style or fashion?  Why not set up a shopping trip to a vintage store, or a hair-and-makeup seminar, with a recognized expert in vintage, reproduction and retro style?  Pam would be willing.   

But there's more! 

You will also have at your disposal at least one member of Team Pam.

We're more than willing to help with any aspect of event management that you would normally delegate to a volunteer.  But, we also have some special talents, too:

Photo: Marvin Kellerman

• My alter-ego, "The Radio Kid," is one of the most-utilized swing DJs in Milwaukee over the past five years.  I offer a unique, technologically advanced experience featuring a 19-inch song display for dancers to see song name and artist.  I have also have sets that would fit in any time slot. 
• I have years of radio and sports broadcasting experience, so if you need an emcee ... you've got one. 
• I also have years of experience with beginning instruction and could be utilized in those types of classes. 
• Molly Maka, meanwhile, has done years of research as a history writer and could easily host a discussion session about a number of topics related to the swing era
• Molly could also assist with vintage style and fashion advice alongside Pam

All of this is available to you?  Really?  I'm sure you're wondering ... what do they want in return?  After all, traveling instructors, musicians and even some top-level DJs look to be paid for their appearances and time, sometimes handsomely.

OK ... whaddya want? 

Pay close attention:  All we basically want is for Pam, and only Pam, to get in free. 

Assuming the event is somewhat sizable and within 12-14 hours driving distance of Milwaukee, we're willing to cover the travel costs and the cost of admission for anyone coming along with Pam (and there will always be at least one person, so you will get something out of the deal).

Of course, the use of services from Team Pam members, other than Pam herself, would also hopefully warrant subsequent compensation.  For instance, if you utilize "The Radio Kid" as a DJ, it seems reasonable to think that the same compensation all other DJs are receiving would be due.  And, as much as we could end up traveling, any extra compensation, such as offering a second free pass for a Team Pam member, while not requested, wouldn't be turned down if offered. 

Nonetheless, we're prepared to invest in the Miss Heartland Swing experience ourselves because we enjoy it and think it's worthwhile.

Do note that, for most events, just letting Pam in for free would only cover 25 percent of our costs.  Consider the following estimated budget without a free pass:

• $200 for event entry for two people
• Given her visibility and role, along with the fact she doesn't think her car can make it too far beyond the Milwaukee city limits without breaking down, Pam understandably does not feel safe traveling by herself.  There will always be a Team Pam member traveling with Pam. 
• $100 for gas/food
• $100 for two nights of hotel
• Due to the bathroom mirror time and clothing storage space required for Pam to properly present herself as Miss Heartland Swing, we tend to avoid shared housing.  It's not that we're anti-social, we just don't want to annoy anyone. 

Covering that 25 percent, though, is better than covering zero percent.  And we'd be happy to attend for just that 25 percent.  

One more thing:  The more events Pam attends, the greater her following will become in social media.  This will make her, and subsequent Miss Heartland Swings, better promoters for future events, including future iterations of your event. 

Long story short, the more events she gets to attend, the better.  Everyone wins.  

Tomorrow, we'll reveal the schedule as it stands at present.  But here's the deal — it's by no means final and we're hoping we can grow it over time.  We'll be sending this blog out to organizers of Heartland Swing Festival-affiliated events, but we're open-minded and willing to come to other events as well. 

Have you enjoyed following Miss Heartland Swing's experiences online these past few months?  Know an event organizer?  Have them get in touch with us!  How?  In any of the following ways:

• E-mail:  pinuppam@gmail.com
• A Facebook message to Miss Heartland Swing - Pam Krajewski, or me, Dan Pfeifer
• A direct tweet to @PinupPam
• A phone call to me at (414) 288-7732

That said ... prepare for the big reveal tomorrow!  But until then, don't be afraid to get in touch with us if you think there's a way you can help us promote swing dancing and the vintage lifestyle.  After all ... that's what Miss Heartland Swing is all about!