Brass Bands England is hoping to repeat the success of last year’s MAD4Brass Bands Day, which this year takes place on Saturday 6th July.

Spread the word

The 2013 campaign is all about spreading the word – and getting bands to use as many varied means of communication to tell their local communities about what they have to offer.

Positive

BBE National Liaison Officer Rachel Veitch-Straw, has been delighted with the initial response, and was keen to encourage yet more bands to send out a positive message about what they do.

"There are some great examples of bands up and down the country who are concentrating specifically on publicity," she told 4BR.

"The likes of Spennymoor, Loxley and Amersham in different parts of the country have been really grabbing the headlines in their local press thanks to innovative use of social media on the internet, with proactive use of Facebook and Twitter to boost audience numbers and generate interest in their activities."

Works

Amersham are certainly keen to show that the MAD4Brass Bands initiative really works too.

"We have a regular system of sharing news via our website to local online newspapers," Band co-ordinator Caroline Perkins told 4BR.

"Picture and story, picture and story, about every two weeks. It’s a drip-drip effect that works."

The band has even used QR codes, the black and white pixelated squares that are scanned by mobile phones, and which then lead the ‘reader’ to their website.

As Caroline added, "All the publicity works. It’s amazing how people come back to you, even months later."

BBE help

Brass Bands England is keen to help bands increase their awareness of the success publicity brings.

By contacting Rachel, BBE will try to help bands get in touch with local voluntary action groups, funding advice initiatives and social media outlets – the perfect partners to help them with their publicity needs.

There are some great examples of bands up and down the country who are concentrating specifically on publicityBBE National Liaison Officer Rachel Veitch-Straw

Make a difference

As Rachel added: "The campaign this year is all about ‘Making a Difference’ by telling the world about your band. Even if it’s the simple step of making a promise to talk to five people about your band today, do it – it works wonders!"

More information

Send any details of what your band has undertaken, or requests for further information or help to: Rachel@brassbandsengland.co.uk