At my next coin show at the Clarion Hotel in Concord, California (June 26 & 2&) I'm offering three gold items as registration prizes. The question is whether the cost is worth it. The goal is to maximize attendance. Will that happen? The prizes are a tenth ounce gold eagle, a two peso gold coin and a one gram gold ingot.
The hard part is letting enough folks know about the show and the drawing. The only show local to me sends out post cards but they only go to those that have been to the show before. Bringing in new folks is tough.
I've got an idea for publicizing your show . . . as follows: Donate the gold as door prizes, the entry fees benefitting a worthy local charity, and ask local publications to donate advertising to similarly benefit that charitable organization. You'll get a tax write-off for your donation of the gold, as will the publications for donating advertising space / time, you'll receive free advertising, a deserving organization will benefit, and you will likely attract a more diverse set of visitors, some of which will probably get hooked, and return to the show again as future customers. If you do this, consider multiple media types . . . magazines, newspapers, radio stations, TV stations, and be sure to work with advertisers which do not compete with each other and finally, be sure to advertise their donation at the show.
I will be there, but I was planning on going anyway. I don't know how much it will boost attendance, but it does enhance the experience for those who come and may aid in their returning to the next show and so forth. I think adding things like this always pay off in the long haul. I
I have the most advertised and promoted shows in Northern California. For example, anyone who has given me their email will get at least two messages prior to each show. One of those emails will identify the registration prizes. When I organized my local club's show we donated half the gate to the food bank. It never generated any additional press or attendance. However, it was a way for the club to give back to the community.
