How to Publicize a Bazaar

The more customers who attend your bazaar, the more money you'll raise. The best way to spread the word is by telling people who are likely to pass the news along to others.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Poster Paints
• Printers
• Banners
• Note Card
• Pens
• Personal Organizers
• Poster Boards
• Spiral Notebooks
• Personal Computers
• Art And Graphics Software
• Pens

1. Appoint a publicity chairperson and committee.

2. Write a one-page news release stating the bazaar name, sponsor, purpose, date, time and place. Include the phone number of a contact person for additional information.

3. Arrange to have posters or flyers drawn, composed on a computer or printed.

4. Arrange to have a large banner designed for the entrance to the sale.

5. Distribute your press release to local newspapers, radio stations and television stations at least two weeks before the event. Take it to editors and news directors in person.

6. Ask local civic leaders to announce your bazaar at their meetings and in their newsletters.

7. Post your news release on your organization's Web site, if you have one.

8. Send reminders by postcard, e-mail or telephone a week before the event.

9. Go directly to local stores and ask permission to post your flyers in store windows a week or two before your event.

10. Give committee members flyers to post on bulletin boards at work and at their clubs.

11. Hang posters at least a day before the sale on utility poles - if your community allows this.

12. Hang your banner the morning of the bazaar.

Tips & Warnings

• A news release should convey your enthusiasm about the bazaar and convince people to come, whether it's to complete their Christmas shopping, find gifts they can't buy anywhere else or support a good cause. Limit the release to one clearly written page. Make it easy for the editor or news director to use it, and let him or her know you are available for an interview for a longer feature.
• If you're raising money for charity, don't buy an ad unless you can afford to buy one from every outlet you're asking to run your news release.
• Remember to have committee members take down posters and flyers following the sale.