How to approach workshop organisers? - The Biz of Belly Dance - tribe.netTribe.net. Local ConnectionsRe: How to approach workshop organisers?Artemisiahttp://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/6526ba50-3386-4fbc-868c-3ecf0379fc45#5ed1c157-80dc-43ef-bb38-148d3a5ef1482008-07-24T23:21:02Z2008-07-24T23:21:02Zhihi, sure do! we are planning a holiday in the us next summer, but the vote is still out on where wel'll actually be going. we're thinking washington - san fransisco ish right now.Artemisia2008-07-24T23:21:02ZRe: How to approach workshop organisers?Samirahttp://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/6526ba50-3386-4fbc-868c-3ecf0379fc45#01a8ac99-406f-40b8-8447-5c1dc099b2922008-07-24T18:30:27Z2008-07-24T18:30:27Z...and if you are coming to Vegas... let me know.
;-)Samira2008-07-24T18:30:27ZRe: How to approach workshop organisers?Samirahttp://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/6526ba50-3386-4fbc-868c-3ecf0379fc45#de76f0c5-8d62-4046-a36e-6e2cff3d1cd72008-07-24T18:29:03Z2008-07-24T18:29:03ZYes, I get those too and I completely understand where you are coming from.
I usually have some sort of conversation to let the potential artist know I am sure they are amazing and fabulous but that I have concerns about the financial risk involved in hosting them. Most of them understand and some of them make the offer much more tangible. Of course, what you are willing to do really depends on your market. If you are in a community that really supports workshops and will come out for just about anyone and anything...then it's easier to take risks. If your community is smaller, that makes a difference too. And, of course, sponsor reputation helps all of that too.
For whatever it's worth, I don't usually sponsor a less-known instructor in my area unless it is coupled with my event (because I have more financial leeway to take risks) or if they are willing to let me off the hook for travel expenses (or lower their rates). And the organizers in my town are generally very supportive of each other. We had one group that approached every one of our local sponsors separately and tried to pit us against each other for rates and such. Luckily all of us are in communication and we were able to stop that sort of behavior cold. I should clarify that I don't mind if artists want to shop around for a sponsor...but I am not fond of someone saying "X-sponsor will give us more money, but we'd rather work with you."Samira2008-07-24T18:29:03ZRe: How to approach workshop organisers?Artemisiahttp://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/6526ba50-3386-4fbc-868c-3ecf0379fc45#6f52ded1-672f-459b-a58e-b0681f9def742008-07-24T14:06:41Z2008-07-24T14:06:41Zyes, that's a bit of a different angle too. if i were going on holiday somewhere (say tokyo or las vegas), i'd love to be able to teach a workshop, and i would be VERY accomodating in terms of payment. .... same for performing. i've had a few chances to perform at places that way, and i really liked it. it's investing in getting my name out there, networking etc... you need to build up and earn what you can charge and you need to start at the bottom of the ladder more or less...
but no, i get emails from people across the globe that none ever heard of, expecting me to pay their airfare, hotel, and a Big Name rate...Artemisia2008-07-24T14:06:41ZRe: How to approach workshop organisers?Samirahttp://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/6526ba50-3386-4fbc-868c-3ecf0379fc45#9a3af2c2-cdff-48ca-b764-b5a1858fe67f2008-07-23T18:25:35Z2008-07-23T18:25:35ZWell...if the price is right and I dont' have to pay a ton of expenses...sometimes it's worth bringing in someone new. I don't mind people asking me to sponsor them, as long as they understand that if they are a virtual unknown in my area that they need to be accomodating in terms of their financial expectations. Of course, I live in Vegas, and I get a lot of instructors who just come to town on vacation and wouldn't mind earning a bit more money to gamble with. LOL. Gotta love it!Samira2008-07-23T18:25:35ZRe: How to approach workshop organisers?Eshehttp://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/6526ba50-3386-4fbc-868c-3ecf0379fc45#a4df52e4-4fdf-4658-8b79-93a1c267f9942008-07-23T14:35:56Z2008-07-23T14:35:56Z"i started getting LOADS of "please organise me" emails from people i have never heard of, and to be honnest, mostly they end up in the bin ;-) "
Yes, I often wonder why someone from Bucketsville, New York writes someone in Seoul or Tokyo (or over on your end) and says "Want me to teach a workshop?"
Does New York City want/know you? If not, Tokyo probably doesn't either...Eshe2008-07-23T14:35:56ZRe: How to approach workshop organisers?Alyssumhttp://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/6526ba50-3386-4fbc-868c-3ecf0379fc45#1f77c4cc-7171-4583-ae12-22527b6ab2d12008-07-09T15:02:16Z2008-07-09T15:02:16ZThis is a great thread, I've learned a bunch, peoples!Alyssum2008-07-09T15:02:16ZRe: How to approach workshop organisers?Artemisiahttp://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/6526ba50-3386-4fbc-868c-3ecf0379fc45#b2beec89-155b-4a5b-9eef-d375f1e16d2d2008-07-08T10:43:21Z2008-07-08T10:43:21Zi have gotten all my international workshops so far through networking...
as an organiser myself sometimes, i started getting LOADS of "please organise me" emails from people i have never heard of, and to be honnest, mostly they end up in the bin ;-)
i only organise very few workshops, and i've always just picked myself who i wanted to book, either cause it's someone i wanted to support, or someone i think my students would love, etc...and a few Big Names, as my contribution to the community here.
but "cold calls" from people i dont know, mostly i ignore them...Artemisia2008-07-08T10:43:21ZRe: How to approach workshop organisers?Galithttp://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/6526ba50-3386-4fbc-868c-3ecf0379fc45#c12e8c5f-0875-4a19-a6f5-5c624a70c9d92008-07-07T09:06:52Z2008-07-07T09:06:52Zwhoa! guys, you're so good at this stuff.
Lara, very encouraging words thank you, I'm building up toward this Networking business, 'taking notes on back of cards' - Good one!
Paricia and Brad: yes, I see about the 3 second thing. and you're right, who cares how long I've been working with Tim, the fact is that both of us have been in the business for many many years - who care when we met. True.
Brad, English is not my first language so Passive/Active voice term in unfamiliar to me. (I moved to the UK from Israel at the 'advanced' age of 23) I kinda understand what you mean but applying might prove challenging. but not to worry, i like a challenge.
Also, the page I posted is 1 page on it's own, with no navigation. The idea is to have like an 'online flyer' to email the link to people, my actual website is: www.galitmersand.com
and
www.bellylicious.org - {totally different thing, my one woman bellydance/comedy show. A totally different thread: "How do I get this show on the road?" i.e outside the UK. I need a promoter / booking agent for it.....anyone? anyone? Brad? :o)}
Ok, back to the subject. I will work on this page of mine applying your advice (Maura, note it's no longer italic!)
If you (all) don't mind, I'll post again when it's adjusted.
Many thanks
GalitxGalit2008-07-07T09:06:52ZRe: How to approach workshop organisers?Bradhttp://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/6526ba50-3386-4fbc-868c-3ecf0379fc45#db6ff4be-92f8-4de2-82db-8c1bb881e29d2008-07-07T00:27:50Z2008-07-07T00:27:50ZTotally agree with Patricia regarding brevity. Soul of wit, it is. And I agree with the "right to the meat" sentiment, but wonder if her edit accomplishes that. Is the fact that they've worked together 3 years the most interesting bit? Is it even interesting? Three years doesn't sound that long... Maybe it's something to bury further down the text or omit altogether. I'd want one of those "passion" or "experience" or "confidence" words in that first sentence, personally.
But the biggest issue with this text (and nearly all writing) is the dread Passive Voice. You may hazily remember that term from high school english, but it's really not that scary a concept. Active voice (the opposite of passive voice) just means making your verbs count. Words like "are" and "have been" and "is" lack impact. Any time you can replace one of these fillers with a sexier verb, your writing becomes dramatically more compelling (as opposed to "... your writing will become dramatically more compelling") and you lower the word count to boot!Brad2008-07-07T00:27:50ZRe: How to approach workshop organisers?Patriciahttp://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/6526ba50-3386-4fbc-868c-3ecf0379fc45#7e20b912-492b-4eeb-bdb8-6181f26148d92008-07-06T23:07:28Z2008-07-06T23:07:28ZGalit, I found your website rather difficult to read. You have too much text, crowded too close together. Too many words, not enough white space. I edited your center section down:
"Dancer Galit Mersand and musician Tim Garside have been teaching and performing together for the past 3 years. Their workshops offer dancers an opportunity to learn about understanding and interpreting Arabic music, improvisation, and the subtle communication between dancer and musician from passionate and experienced teachers. The goal is increase a dancer’s confidence in working with live musicians.
Both Tim and Galit are sensitive teachers with experience working with dancers of many levels, giving each the attention they need to learn."
Get right to the meat of what you want to say. You've got about 3 seconds to hook people's attention. What can you offer that's different than every other would-be workshop teacher out there? Fewer words give you more white space and a more professional look.
This is offered in a spirit of helping, not snarking :-)Patricia2008-07-06T23:07:28Zyou are welcome for the laugh, it made me laugh too while I was writing it...Maurahttp://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/6526ba50-3386-4fbc-868c-3ecf0379fc45#8bd80bcf-8d39-4631-bf17-37d66d7813d72008-07-06T21:20:11Z2008-07-06T21:20:11Z.. but I'm not sure I have anything else to give you. However, from your response, I believe I didn't express my point about the outline correctly. Ignore my bias against pink for a moment (probably a neurosis that would cost thousands of dollars to cure) and let me concentrate on the outline.
I. WHEN I LOOK AT YOUR PAGE, my eye doesn't know what to do. I'm missing my cues.
...A. My eye comes to rest on the picture of you in the upper left corner.
...B. Then my eye jumps down to the red bars, but they have white letters in them that are the same size as most of the other letters on the page so my brain registers them as decorative bars and looks for the next resting place.
...C. There is no next resting place.
......1) i don't instinctively know where the paragraphs are because the bottoms of many of the paragraphs are smushed up right against the top of the following paragraphs with no line between them.
......2) my eye is avoiding reading the content of the side columns because the outside edges of THOSE are smushed right up to the edge of the pink page. When I do try to read them my eye ends up falling into the very large white margin around the pink page.
II. HTML WAS DESIGNED TO MAKE IT EASY for you to make it easy for people like me.
...A. Bigger letters designate something 'Important 'or 'New Topic Starts Here'. Heading tags (H1, H2, H3..) make that easy.
...B. Spaces between paragraphs give the eye a rest and signal a slight change of focus within the topic. Paragraph tags (P) make that easy.
...C. Tables are used a lot for formatting but if you do use them for that purpose, I suggest not hardcoding the height and width of cells or table: use percentages. This will allow your layout to automatically adjust to the size of the user's monitor.
...D. Table attributes can be used to keep your content from banging against the edges of the pink table. Cellpadding attributes make that easy.
III. DON'T FORGET THE DETAILS.
...A. There are some spelling and grammar errors on the page that could easily be corrected.
...B. There's a triangle symbol in the lower left corner of the page (using IE) that signals an error on the page. What is it? Why am I looking at that instead of reading Tim's resume?
...C. MailTo: tags are problematic. The concept of having someone just click on a link to be able to send you an email message is seductive but... those pesky tags can be unreliable! People will try using it and get a popup asking them to set up an email account (so they give), or they'll have no visable problems, type their message, hit the send button and away it seems to go... except it didn't. Recommend you don't use them unless you have more customers than you need and can afford to miss some of your emails.
IV. IF ANY OF THIS is of use to you, you are welcome to it! Good luck!Maura2008-07-06T21:20:11ZRe: How to approach workshop organisers?Aubrehttp://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/6526ba50-3386-4fbc-868c-3ecf0379fc45#a22fe91a-9069-48c2-98d9-dde9aa034d382008-07-06T18:36:23Z2008-07-06T18:36:23ZWow, Lara I love the category idea. I can hardly keep in contact with my family let alone all my friends and acquintances. But a nice idea.Aubre2008-07-06T18:36:23ZRe: How to approach workshop organisers?Larahttp://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/6526ba50-3386-4fbc-868c-3ecf0379fc45#78a242fd-8374-4975-bbc1-bc95320ffe872008-07-06T17:13:29Z2008-07-06T17:13:29Zknow what you mean, but just when you are frustrated beyond belief at the whole thing, it starts paying off-
treat it like drills- hard to get going at first, but it becomes habit- when someone gives you a business card, write down right away details from your conversation. once you get home, you will have no idea why this computer designer gave you a card, unless you wrote down "resource for Roma dance, open invitation when in Seattle." I have a note pad & pen in my purse, so I am never caught out when someone wants to give me a phone number or contact. One gentleman I know suggested categorizing contacts into friends (contact regularly) 3 month contacts, 6 month contacts and annual contacts. Coming in 3 years after a conversation at a vaguely remembered event does not have as much impact as following up on a contact you have kept up with. I'm not quite to that point- baby steps! & I'm not saying make it your life, but for most of us it does take intention.
There, now I've officially hijacked a thread- you may resume!Lara2008-07-06T17:13:29ZRe: How to approach workshop organisers?Galithttp://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/6526ba50-3386-4fbc-868c-3ecf0379fc45#96040d19-373a-4798-8952-0bef7e4001802008-07-06T12:21:28Z2008-07-06T12:21:28ZLara; yes, I'm often told that Networking is the best way forward - I'm sooooo crap at it and more truthfully maybe I'm not so crap at it just feel uncomfortable doing it. I'm gonna have to work on this one.
Samira: Your points have really helped me in knowing what's my next move. I guess I'll start with those who know me and have had me as a workshop teacher before rather than those who never heard of me before.
You've all been very generous with your help.
Thank you
galitxGalit2008-07-06T12:21:28ZRe: How to approach workshop organisers?Samirahttp://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/6526ba50-3386-4fbc-868c-3ecf0379fc45#d269c2ad-b5a8-4dc6-9967-07a15b6e46762008-07-04T21:05:26Z2008-07-04T21:05:26Z"1. Do I write an intro ? Do I not write an intro but put something in the heading of the email"
As an event organizer I have gotten several requests from instructors who are interested in teaching at my event. I've seen everything from a short introduction to a overly long and formal letter. Most of the requests I get are via email. Personally, I am the most impressed with folks who keep it short & to the point and yet give me all the pertinent info to catch my attention. I don't need a book to read. Just enough info to warrant more consideration. And right or wrong, spelling and appropriate punctuation does impact my perception of an applicant.
And for whatever it is worth...I usually give a short reply, file the email, and come back to it when I'm sitting down considering staff selections for the following year.
"3. Any other suggestions. :-? "
Well, I don't generally criticize most websites in the belly world too much because not alot of people have the know-how or money to really put one together. However, I will admit that when a website is well organized with a professional appearance, simple navigation, good content that it really does help the cause.
Also, on a different note, I do appreciate an artist who realizes that there may need to be some give/take in the negotiations. If someone is approaching me, it is generally because they are building themselves a career. If I am contacting them, then they probably already have an established career. I only mention this because as an event sponsor, I have to keep a constant look at my bottom line. I am happy to sponsor a new up and coming instructor, but there needs to be financial risk that is balanced with the potential turnout. This is relative to each market. There may be one heck of an amazing instructor that lives on the other side of the world, but if nobody in my neck of the woods knows who they are, then I can't justify paying them top dollar and billing if they can't be a "draw".Samira2008-07-04T21:05:26ZRe: How to approach workshop organisers?Larahttp://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/6526ba50-3386-4fbc-868c-3ecf0379fc45#a5dbe84c-54a0-41ed-85f8-8cb61aec88c82008-07-04T18:16:13Z2008-07-04T18:16:13ZCan you phrase it as an update? If you are sending it to people who already know who you are, introduce it as something new- if it is a new workshop, say that- if you are going from teaching locally to being available for a wider rage of gigs, state "now available..."
I think meeting folks, being involved in discussions, events, etc. is the best way to gain interest in what you are doing. I don't even host workshops myself and I can't tell you how many emails I get from potential workshop teachers, etc. Sometimes I read them, sometimes I don't- If I know the name, I am more likely to read it- and depending on my connection to the person, I might or might not pass it on to local workshop organizers as someone I would like to see come out. Either way that personal connection is essential, so I'd go for a friendly, personal tone rather than "hi, this is what I want to sell you..."
maybe something like
Dear friends, thank you for your support of X. We are excited to share with you our new workshop topic Y.
and follow up with why you are personally sharing this information.Lara2008-07-04T18:16:13ZRe: How to approach workshop organisers?Galithttp://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/6526ba50-3386-4fbc-868c-3ecf0379fc45#96c7493b-ccf1-4d5b-b1f4-ae7664b04e512008-07-04T14:43:31Z2008-07-04T14:43:31ZDear Maura,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this for me. It's a great help.
I was gonna send it initially to those who know me as a teacher/dancer already but also to those who don't so some of your point are very useful,
point 4 was particularly helpful (made me laugh too as I do have a big ego.... but don't really try to hide it and at the same time I can get insecure - and somehow manage to hide that, as no one ever suspects it of me because I have a big ego and don't try to hide it..:- D)
Re; web page - if I may ask for more... the design is what it is, it's consistent with the rest of my website, however, 'italic point' taken.
Content wise: do you really feel it doesn't give much information about the type of thing we offer and who we are? What else would you/one want to know?
Again, thank you for the points made and the way they're made (i.e. with compassion) and for your time
GalitGalit2008-07-04T14:43:31ZRe: How to approach workshop organisers?Maurahttp://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/6526ba50-3386-4fbc-868c-3ecf0379fc45#f15d3b84-6316-46f8-9bc3-44c2e88b546f2008-07-04T13:58:21Z2008-07-04T13:58:21ZI haven't organized a lot of workshops (yet!) but I love to sling words around, so here's my suggestions:
1) Unless you have a quote from a Big Name stating that you are an inspiring teacher and a marvelous dancer, I'd aim for making the description of what you do inspiring and marvelous instead. Let your readers draw their own conclusions.
2) Teachers that Ruric has herself studied with are the only people who send us emails asking us to sponsor them. They know that she knows that they are inspiring and marvelous. So if you are not working your mailing list from previous workshops, do that. Go especially for the students who came up afterwards and told you how inspiring and marvelous you are. If you didn't trade business cards or contact info with them at that time.. why not?
3) The introduction should not be about what THEY can do for YOU (hosting you and Tim) but what you can do for them ( turn their students into fearless improvisors, teach their troupe to dance on beat, bring a marvelous show to town, etc.)
4) Are you egotistical and trying to hide it, or insecure and not trying to hide it? Ixnay on the "Hi, I'm writing to you as I know you organise workshops with guest teachers and thought this might be of interest as it offers something different....." approach. Don't tell them you are going to tell them about something of interest to them (with the implied request for permission to tell them of something of interest to them). Just...tell 'em. If you've got something great to sell, you'll never have to ask for forgiveness because you didn't first beg for permission. :P
As far as your website's workshop page... You've somehow managed to focus most of the attention on the layout and almost none on the content. Just because you CAN make the background pink and the titles red doesn't mean you HAVE to. And italics should be used sparingly otherwise the whole section just blends into the background instead of standing out. I'm not a pro web designer, so when I'm overhauling a web page that has suddenly struck me as suffering from the same problem (emphasis on the format and not the content) I fall back on the elementary-school concept of an outline and build up from there. That helps me get my thoughts in order, make sure I didn't overlook something, and identify where I need to adjust the scope, content and formatting on the web page to align with my intent.
Respectfully, MZMaura2008-07-04T13:58:21ZHow to approach workshop organisers?Galithttp://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/6526ba50-3386-4fbc-868c-3ecf0379fc45#fd068f72-7ad1-496e-83fa-e5b1b64b54ac2008-07-04T11:55:12Z2008-07-04T11:55:12ZHi all, I would really appreciate advice on how to word an email approaching people who organise workshops with guest teachers to get them to invite myself and musician Tim Garside to teach workshops and perform.
I have created a web page on my site dedicated to these workshops.
Please have a look: http://galitmersand.com/Tabla.html (constructive comments welcome)
My problem is how to word the email I'm sending
1. Do I write an intro such as: " hi, I'm writing to you as I know you organise workshops with guest teachers and thought this might be of interest as it offers something different....."
and then go on to describing everything we do as it is on the website + link?
If I do it this way I'd feel marketing myself - i.e. "I'm an experienced inspiring teacher and marvellous dancer..." bla bla, it is on the website in 3rd person which is easier - y'know what I mean :-|
2. Do I not write an intro but put something in the heading of the email such as
: "would you be interested in hosting" or something like that and then put the content of the web - page in the body of the email + link
3. Any other suggestions. :-?
Your help is greatly appreciated
GalitGalit2008-07-04T11:55:12Z