Hope Through Healing Hands

Next Big Nashville: How Can Artists Help

October 9, 2009, 11am

Country Music Hall of Fame, Ford Theatre

by Jenny Eaton Dyer

Today, Charlie Peacock moderated a panel on How Artists Can Help Charities, especially given the current economic climate -- when money is tighter than ever. Panelists included Billy Cerveny, Brite Revolution; Kenny Alphin, Love Everybody; Jenny Dyer, Hope Through Healing Hands; Andrea Howat, Hanson’s Walk/Tom’s Shoes; Derek Webb, Blood:Water Mission; and Barrett Ward, Mocha Club.

Having worked with artists for years at DATA/ONE on how to promote awareness, education, and advocacy to their fanbase, I offered a few practical steps that they can take to get started:

1. MATERIALS: Set up lit/materials at merchandise tab or booth.
2. SIGN UP SHEETS: Sign people up to on sheets at merch table or booth Get their emails/addresses.
3. PSA: Before or between sets, show a 2-3 min PSA
4. SHOUTOUT: Before or between sets, commit to doing a "Shout out" for 1-2 min about importance of global poverty, health, education, etc.
5. TEXT MESSAGE: You can get a text message service so that you can direct fans during show to "text" in to capture their emails on the spot - but there are costs involved.
6. PASS A BUCKET: You could "pass  buckets" and ask for $1 during a show.
7. PRESS KITS/INTERVIEWS: Mention in your press kits and interviews that you encourage fans to lend their voice to the fight against global AIDS and poverty in Africa.
8. Wear  t-shirt/sticker, etc. on stage during show.
9. Promote  on website w link/logo.
10. Email blast: send email to fans encouraging them to sign up.
11. Put  info in your CD/DVD liner notes driving them to website.
12. Continue to promote and connect fans to website Twitter and Facebook.

Educate, Activate, Motivate, Celebrate is a catchy phrase to remember on the method of promoting awareness, galvanizing action, and sustaining interest among your constituency.

I also encourage local artists to check out our new Global Health Coalition. Consider supporting a local group doing global efforts.

Artists hold a prophetic voice in society, standing at the margins, speaking truth and perspective. One voice can change the world.

Let us know if we can be a resource to you: jenny@hopethroughhealinghands.org.

www.nextbignashville.net