I was preparing to perform at an elementary school the other day when I noticed in my equipment bag an old blank journal that someone had given me on my retirement from teaching. Since the PTA organizer was there with me and was planning on staying through my performance I asked her if she wouldn’t mind writing in the book, her impressions of my performance. I also asked the Physical Education teacher who’s gym I was borrowing to do the same. Both gladly said that they would.
My performances (I did two) went well and afterwards both observers wrote in my book. The physical education teacher wrote: “ Pleasure. Enjoyed your show. It reminded me of Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seeger.”
The PTA coordinator wrote: “I loved your show! Your stories told great life lessons, and your songs gave our children a boost of self-respect and courage. Your fondness and ability to connect with children shined through. Thank you.”
I was touched by what both wrote and decided that if I could acquire quotes like those to add to my promotional material; it would help me a lot. The question was how to do it?
I chose to ask listeners to add to my book when I performed at other venues. I’ve performed twice since that first use of the book and have not been able to garner such articulate material.
In one school a 9 year old wrote, “Hi! This was cool!” and an adult at the same performance wrote, “Very good”. Though I probably could use the 9 year old’s quote, the adult’s would not be very useful.
In the next school, I only received one comment from a teacher, “The students loved hearing your stories and songs. It was wonderful!”
The verbal responses from the audiences at both those last two schools were very positive. I just couldn’t get enough participants to take the time to write something down for me. Did the first pair of writers spoil me or is there a way to get more thoughtful responses in writing at performances that I can use? I don’t want to be a pushy self-promoter at all my events, but in a way if I want to keep getting jobs I have to be one. Being pushy and self-promoting is somewhat against the kind of person that I am. Any thoughts?
A to Z Blog Challenge
It depends on your goal. If you want honest evaluations, hand out evaluation forms with no signature required and returned to a box away from you. That way participants feel more anonymous and feel freer to express themselves.You will probably get some positive and some suggestions, ideas to help you improve your program. You can staple them to you book if you want to use the book.
If you want positive quotes to use as part of your marketing plan, continue to do as you are doing. Generally people don’t share negative evaluations with people they have contact with.
I mail evaluation forms with SASE after performances when I need some new feedback or comments. Those who complete them can choose to sign or not. I have a high return rate for the forms and 99% of the comments I get are useful and (thank goodness) positive. Sending them later allows people to complete the forms in their own time–sometimes it might be a month before a form comes back to me. Here’s a few recent comments from this summer’s shows: “the stories helped the students relate to their Appalachian heritage and gave them ideas for their own creative writing.” “Very good! you got the children involved in the show.””You are so down-to-earth. We love you, Susanna!”