Viral Newspaper Ads

What using the same idea for Google ads? Just a thought.

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SimonF,

They might be kind of fun to send round as a bulletin on your MySpace too.

Clever way to send info about Firefly to non-Firefly fans, which most of us have in our friends list in addition to our Serenifly fans.

That is the stated purpose of these, and I think 11th Hour is right. "Spread the word to them that needs told." We need new folks to enter the fandom. More the merrier.

Plus some of these are damn fun!



Just a thought...

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When we launched the Paper Caper last year, the number of people participating was low, mainly due to expense. Newspaper ads cosr $$, more than anyone ever imagined. The most feasible approach turned out to be Trade Papers, like you see at Convenience Store Checkouts. They reach a large Audience, and one that doesn't normally get approached by our Genre. Not trying to dissuade anyone; there's got to be a way to do it thats effective and affordable. Just wanted to let y'all learn from our mistakes

Followmal and others have some internet versions of this idea that might be feasible. Best of luck!

"Might have been the losing side, still not convinced it was the wrong one." -Mal

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Just to comment on the actual ads that were suggested: Sure it'd be neat for most of us to see "cortex link", etc in the paper, but I don't think that it'd be that way for others outside our community. For most, there is a threshold for the number things that they don't "get" before they move on. And that number is typically around one.

IMO, to effectively reach those people, we're going to have to use language that they understand. And for the most part, that'll mean no direct FF references. The only exceptions to this would be stuff that needs no context to understand.

To give an example (so I'm putting my money where my mouth is so to say):

Browncoats
So, very pretty.
fireflyfans.net

Might be effective. It doesn't actually say anything yet may peak the curiosity enough to check it out.


But, as TDBrown says, these ads are costly. To add a suggestion, how about printing a flyer. This should cost 10-20 cents per copy (much cheaper). Then one could bribe the local paper/flyer boy to add that this in there stuff on there route. This would be much easier if you or your child is one

But remember that the people that fit into the category of that hates westerns and/or sci-fi and/or opera is pretty much everyone. These words cannot be used if we are to reach a wider audience.

In other words, we have to be sneaky

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I am on The List. We are The Forsaken and we aim to burn!
"We don't fear the reaper"

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Originally posted by SigmaNunki:
Just to comment on the actual ads that were suggested: Sure it'd be neat for most of us to see "cortex link", etc in the paper, but I don't think that it'd be that way for others outside our community. For most, there is a threshold for the number things that they don't "get" before they move on. And that number is typically around one.

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The "cortex link" is there to round out the theme of the ad, and since it is followed by a very recognized "www." url, any reader would understand this is a website address. But if it's something that would deter people, it can be easily left out.

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IMO, to effectively reach those people, we're going to have to use language that they understand. And for the most part, that'll mean no direct FF references. The only exceptions to this would be stuff that needs no context to understand.

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The point of the ads I suggested was the "WTF?" factor.

You're suggesting a different kind of ad here. There are direct ads with easily understood wording, and ads that come from an unexpected direction... they are ads that aren't worded like traditional ads.

The ad ideas I suggested are just examples. But there's method behind the madness. They contain certain word cues that are meant to appeal to people who might be more likely to like a show like Firefly. Think of those ads as a kind of bait meant to attract potential fans of the 'verse.

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To give an example (so I'm putting my money where my mouth is so to say):

Browncoats
So, very pretty.
fireflyfans.net

Might be effective. It doesn't actually say anything yet may peak the curiosity enough to check it out.

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You mentioned avoiding using references that an outsider wouldn't understand. The above example you suggested might look to an outsider like an advertisement for "so very pretty brown coats". Literally... brown coats... with the merging of the words being a typo.

Someone with an expectation of browsing a selection of "pretty brown coats", and coming upon the Fireflyfans.com website, would be quite confused. But not the kind of confused that would lead to further investigation. The "bait" used isn't really designed to draw in new people who might like the 'verse.

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But, as TDBrown says, these ads are costly. To add a suggestion, how about printing a flyer. This should cost 10-20 cents per copy (much cheaper). Then one could bribe the local paper/flyer boy to add that this in there stuff on there route. This would be much easier if you or your child is one

But remember that the people that fit into the category of that hates westerns and/or sci-fi and/or opera is pretty much everyone. These words cannot be used if we are to reach a wider audience.

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Really? You know this for a fact?

The claim that the category of people who "hates westerns and/or sci-fi and/or opera is pretty much everyone" is pretty strong. "Hates" and "pretty much everyone"?! Do you really think this is true?

A well done Western is classic storytelling and loved by many, many people. It's a genre that is time proven, and anyone familiar with the show Deadwood knows just how compelling a "Western" can be.

And pretty much everyone "hates" Sci-Fi too? Wow. A whole lotta Sci-Fi franchises must be surviving on practically no one...

As for the category of opera. I had no idea that Firefly or Serenity would literally be considered an opera. C'mon...

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In other words, we have to be sneaky

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Well, at some point people are gonna notice that there are space ships and horses in the 'verse.

Fans of the 'verse know that the Western and Sci-Fi elements of FF/S are just the backdrop to tell great stories. We don't have to be sneaky or avoid the subject. We celebrate it. Because ultimately there will be a certain percentage of people who will never be able to get past the eclectic nature of the 'verse.

Probably a good way to describe [i

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11th,

Good to see you over here now. The Drive Forum is pretty sad now. I think I am done with that place.

Anyway, what are your thoughts on T-Shirts? Do some styles work better then others? In other words, do some styles draw more looks or questions as oppose to other designs?

And if you want to start another thread on this topic.....be my guest!


Oh- I was wearing my 'Tully Landscaping T-Shirt' but then folks really thought I was advertising a REAL business. *sigh*

Now it sets in my closet with my other collection FOX canceled TV shows T-Shirts .

Chat with you more later!

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Originally posted by Spacegirl32:
11th,

Good to see you over here now. The Drive Forum is pretty sad now. I think I am done with that place.

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Howdy back Spacegirl, good to see you too.

The Drive forum has become a multi-car pile up. I was telling another Browncoat who posts there that my nickname for the place is "The Drive Mosh Pit".

The people there are not responding to positive suggestions. They're just complaining, ranting, or adding posts to the "petition" thread. It's a classic case of what not to do to save a show.

The handful of sane folks, yourself included , were overwhelmed by the pervasive lunatics. Let 'em run the asylum. If the circumstances were different (more shows, possible DVD and Tim expressing a desire to continue) I'd help fight the good fight. But alas, that is not the case. Instead, I hold high hopes for awesome talents of Tim Minear and Nathan Fillion to continue on to bigger and better things... and they know we will be there to support them.

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Anyway, what are your thoughts on T-Shirts? Do some styles work better then others? In other words, do some styles draw more looks or questions as oppose to other designs?

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T-shirts are shiny.

Certain styles connect better with different folks. It's always good to have a variety to appeal to a wider range of people. But the underlying theme should be 'eye-catching' and memorable... leaving people with the curiosity to find out more.

My guerilla marketing posters also work well as t-shirt graphics. They were designed to be bold and viewable from a distance, and that applies to t-shirts as well as posters/flyers. It's important to catch people's attention, but there are different ways to accomplish that. My posters are one way, but not the only way.

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And if you want to start another thread on this topic.....be my guest!

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Oh, but you renewed the idea... so please feel free to start a thread. I'm really not trying to run anything here. I just saw an upsurge in interest in promoting FF/S and I wanted to contribute some helpful feedback and encouragement.

When I see the seeds of guerilla marketing dropped, I come by and happily bring some water to help it grow. Of course some people might say I'm bringing the fertilizer...

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Oh- I was wearing my 'Tully Landscaping T-Shirt' but then folks really thought I was advertising a REAL business. *sigh*

Now it sets in my closet with my other collection FOX canceled TV shows T-Shirts.

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A person could build quite a t-shirt wardrobe based on cancelled FOX shows... If Drive had been allowed to continue, then folks would have known what your cool t-shirt referred to. *sigh* indeed...

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Chat with you more later!

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11th

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