Five Tips for Creating a Benefit Concert

7/7/2014

Do you have a special cause that you’d like bring more attention to? Perhaps you have thought about creating a raffle, fundraiser or other type of black tie event. However, a big issue you might be coming up against is developing an idea that brings the exposure you want, but has a much looser atmosphere. Creating a benefit concert might be the way to go.

Let’s not beat around the bush–creating a benefit concert is a lot of work. But you don’t have to do it alone. Also, the process could be a lot of fun, if you have the right people around you and tons of enthusiasm. Here are some tips you can use to create your awesome concert.

Get your team ready: A great concert isn’t built on the back on just one person. It involves a team of people who share the load. If you’re in an organization or group, just ask your fellow members if they’d be on board with creating a concert. If you’re an individual, ask your friends. If you don’t know who you could ask, DoSomething.org suggests making a Facebook status stating your plans and asking if anyone wants to help.

Develop a theme: A great benefit concert needs a theme. If your concert is raising money for breast cancer, have a pink theme. If you’re developing a concert in honor of a person, the theme could be something representative of that person, like their favorite color or a symbol.

An easy way to develop a theme is to set your event around a particular holiday. Huey’s Bar in Baton Rouge, LA held their second annual block party, the theme was centered around St. Patrick’s Day and the local St. Patrick’s Day parade. The theme helped define their promotional strategies, including the types of posters and signage to use, as well as give potential partiers a good idea of what kind of event to expect.

Get the talent: A concert isn’t a concert without a band. WikiHow suggests finding a band that’s willing to perform for a small fee or for free. If you have a group of friends who are in a band, enlisting their help would be great. You can also ask other members in your organization if they know a band. Again, going to social media for help is also a great way to find a band that will be willing to help your cause. Also, according to WikiHow, doing research on the internet or in your local newspapers could yield some possible bands for you to reach out to.

Find a venue: Of course, you’ll need to find a venue to host your concert. Again, contacts in your group or organization can help you find a proper venue. Also, due diligence with research can also help you find the right place. Be mindful of what kind of permit you might need. DoSomething.org states that a visit to City Hall will give you the right information.

Promote: Now that you’ve got most of the basics in place, it’s time to promote! Go to social media, put ads in your local papers, and place flyers around town. DoSomething.org also states to send press releases to newspapers, radio and television stations, and websites. Always make sure to promote the reason for the concert—to raise money for a good cause.

The right flyer can promote your cause, concert, and sponsors.

For UNC Charlotte’s “Sounds of Colors” concert featuring classical Indian musician Shafaat Khan, Rajiv Saddy said he used “emails and social media extensively” for promotion. He also said that starting your promotion well in advance of your event is paramount. “Start spreading the message at least three months ahead—to avoid scheduling conflicts,” he said.

DK, the founder of Do It Bigger Entertainment, said that for his independent rap event “The Take Off,” he also used social media. “We spread the word about the event through all of social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) and face to face promotions,” he said. He also mentioned that for Twitter, he created a hashtag, #TheTakeOff, for his event. Creating hashtags is a great way to make your event stand out to Twitter users.

With these tips, you are on the right track towards creating a successful benefit concert!