Jennifer Spear (she/her)的动态

Love this post about what we can all learn about elevating an audience’s experience, whether at a conference, concert, business meeting or morning huddle!

Sturgill Simpson might be the best concert I've ever gone to. By now you know I'm a music guy. I've gone to 100+ concerts. How did this one top them all? Well, because he actually did what he said he was going to do! We all know the usual drill at a concert: - Ticket says the show starts a 7p. - The opener doesn't even start till 7:45p. - Opener finishes at 8:30p. - 30-45 minutes more of aimless confused standing. - Finally, at 9p - 9:30p, the main act FINALLY starts... and plays for an hour and a half, or until your feet hurt enough to just leave. It's interesting to think about how people are conditioned NOT to take an artist's word on show timing. Sturgill was completely different. For the first time ever, an artists came on stage at exactly the listed concert start time. No opener. No aimless standing. Just 3 straight hours of miraculous music. People have the same expectation of healthcare - whether it be how much a procedure costs, where to receive care, or the timing of when it'll actually be possible. And people are conditioned to expect the least. People EXPECT to be confused and are reluctant to take a hospital or insurance company's word for anything. What if we lived in a world of more Sturgill Simpson's in Healthcare? What if providers and insurance companies actually provided crystal clarity on just about anything? What if healthcare earned consumers trust again? For now, we'll do the best we can together with what we have. I suppose the thought of the day is, there are shining stars out there, but overall healthcare is overdue for more Sturgill Simpson's.

? As we all prepare for the opening concerts and return to the live events, it’s a good time to think about?how?we are inviting people into the experience. ?? Clearly there will be the seasoned concert goers who are already looking forward to returning. But there is a huge opportunity to shape the path for more newcomers to the live orchestral experience. ?? The orchestra industry has a reputation it must shake. You probably can picture all the stereotypes that are keeping newcomers from feeling welcome to come. These stereotypes come in many forms, but here are my top picks for changes: ? The dress code of the orchestra needs to be of our century, not beckoning back to a point where only white men were in the orchestra. ? The new audience members should also have a decent idea of what most people wear to concerts, and that should be spelled out plain as day! Whether in marketing material, photos on Facebook, or concert titles like, “Blue jeans concert series,” it must be abundantly clear to the new concert goer they can come to a concert and feel confident they will fit in, if they wish. ? The music on the programs should not only honor the past, but?equally?reflect and honor our present. ? Jargon-filled program notes and speeches from stage?must?go. Read about how the wine industry has started to solve similar challenges in the article: #audienceengagement #marketing #wine #concert #orchestra #elitism #welcoming #newcomers #dresscode #audience #patron #donor #fun #entrylevel #ease #marketing101

Standing Strong ?? Over the weekend, I attended the Kilby Block Party Music Festival in Salt Lake City—a 3-day concert festival that kicked off in the early afternoon and rocked on until 11pm each night, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I love a good festival, but let's be real: by the end of each night, my legs were screaming and every step felt like I was walking on glass (IYKYK). Yet, somehow, the music and the atmosphere had this magical way of momentarily masking the discomfort. ??? What struck me was how similar this physical strain was to the endurance required when working an event. Standing for three consecutive days while managing an event demands a whole different level of resilience. I get it, it’s not just about staying on your feet; it's about skillfully juggling everything—from guest management to logistics—with a smile. ?? I'm sharing this because, whether you're a concertgoer or an on-site event staffer, there's a shared experience of endurance and resilience. It's about pushing through the discomfort and finding joy in the moment, knowing that our hard work and dedication contribute to creating unforgettable experiences for ourselves and others. So, the next time we're on our feet, feeling the burn, let's remember: we're not just standing strong—we're making magic happen. ??? #EventLife #ConcertFever #StandingStrong #ConcertVersusWork #OnsiteEventStaff

?? Big Tours, Big Opportunities: The Gig-Tripping Phenomenon Fans aren't just attending concerts—they're building entire vacations around them: ? 44% of music lovers are jet-setting to catch their musical heroes. ?? 18% travelers are soaring across oceans ?? 60% are open to gig-tripping across borders in 2024 These aren't just stats, they represent an opportunity to delight your fans and create new revenue for you. Come Backstage and dive into our latest report for key strategies to amplify your event's revenue growth. ?? Download now: https://shorturl.at/jKXY5 ?#gigtripping #livemusic #trendspotting #boostrevenue Skyscanner

Summer is here (regardless of whether the weather agrees!), and for those of us who live in Edinburgh, summer means a plethora of festivals are on their way! Some of the events we have to look forward to include Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Fringe by the Sea in North Berwick. But in addition to offering a smorgasbord of entertainment, these performances offer a wealth of suggestions for anyone who has to face an audience of any sort. Inspired by some of the shows I've seen over many years, here are 3 Simple Rules of the Stage for Presenters: ?? It’s all about the audience This might seem obvious but sometimes performers and speakers appear to forget that the whole reason they are in front of an audience, whether large or small, is because people are there to watch and listen to them. Therefore, it is important that you keep the audience in the forefront of your mind at all times to ensure that they can hear and see you properly, and that you are serving them in the best possible way. ?? You are in command When you are on stage, you are in control so make sure to take control and own the stage (without being diva-ish!) Arrive early, familiarise yourself with the environment and the equipment, know the stage, check the sight lines, do a sound check and make sure everything is as you require before you begin. Oh, and always make friends with the tech crew. ?? Find your light Professional stage performers will be very familiar with the term ‘find your light.’ When you are on a stage there will be certain areas that are well lit and other areas that may cast shadows across your face. To ensure your audience can see you, especially your facial expressions which are a crucial part of your communication, it is important to stand where you can feel the light on your face and in your eyes. If you have an opportunity to watch speakers on the stage before you, take note of where they are standing when they are in the best light and areas to avoid. In future posts I'll share more 'rules'; if you can't wait, I'll pop a link in the comments below to a blogpost I wrote with all 7 'rules' and a story about a jazz show I saw that inspired the post.

Wrote this piece to help explain to artists who want to do showcase festivals! If you think it might help an artist you know, please feel free to share it to them! https://lnkd.in/gxX6i4Ta

What goes into a good Explainer Video? When we decided to make one for Xenia Concerts, we analyzed some effective explainer videos and found that they all follow a similar format: 1. Identify the problem (include your target user/beneficiary in this) 2. Describe the solution you're offering 3. Explain a few key features of what you offer 4. Explain the benefits to the users/beneficiaries 5. Wrap it up with a call to action At first glance it's a pretty simple formula, but it's a challenge to do it in two minutes. Two minutes gives you room for 260 words, or a little less that a single double-spaced page of 12-point type. And of course you have to understand your Unique Value Proposition and your stakeholders' needs and interests well. We created this Explainer Video for Xenia Concerts as a way to introduce ourselves to new attendees, new partners, artists, and potential funders. In two minutes, it explains the problem-solution fit, the Unique Value Proposition, and the key offerings of our organization. If you take the time to watch it, please tell us what you think! If you have a favourite Explainer Video, feel free to share it in the comments below. And if you know someone who would love our concerts, please share this with them. That's why we made it! https://lnkd.in/gQtz-CYG