The Value Of A Paid Project Evaluation
Mon, Jun 6, 2022
by Drew McManus
Now that organizations are starting to emerge from pandemic operating mode, I’m starting to see an uptick in the number of groups requesting proposals for website and/or ticketing CRM projects. While the request for proposal (RFP) process is a tried-and-true method for finding providers, it’s not your only option. In many cases, it may not
Minimum Viable Anything Is An Oxymoron
Thu, Jun 6, 2022
by Drew McManus
Since launching UpStageCRM, the concept of Minimum Viable Product (MVP) has been paramount on my mind for the last two years. If you aren’t already familiar with the concept, Minimum Viability is a version of something, like a product, with enough features to be functional and provide value to users. Going from an idea to
Not All Mobile Users Are Right-Handed
Wed, Jun 6, 2022
by Drew McManus
For whatever reason, I still see a lot of web design on mobile devices fall into the trap of using buttons that align primarily with the left or right side of the screen. For a low to mid priority call to action, that may be okay but for your highest priority items, like Buy Tickets,
Preparing For The 2022 Orchestra Compensation Reports
Tue, May 5, 2022
by Drew McManus
Typically, the annual Orchestra Compensation Reports are released toward the first half of June but they may be a few weeks later due to my usual assistant, who does an amazing job with the critical task of processing each orchestra’s filing, being unavailable due to health reasons. As such, it will take a little longer
Happy Memorial Day
Mon, May 5, 2022
by Drew McManus
Whether you’re home all day staying safe and healthy enjoying the holiday with family and friends or your orchestra is putting on a performance today, try to take a few moments to remember the reason for the holiday. To that end, I wanted to include a little something special today in the form of this
Looking For A Way To Chip Away At The Us vs. Them Walls?
Fri, May 5, 2022
by Drew McManus
The idea would have never occurred to me in a million years but if you’re looking for a legitimate initiative to help build positive connections between stakeholders, be sure to check out something the Wichita Symphony rolled out a few months ago. Spoiler: they designed an improv workshop. Attended by a cross section of a
Knowing When To Keep Quiet
Thu, May 5, 2022
by Drew McManus
In the wake of the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas it’s worth pointing out some straightforward, but sometimes easy to forget, advice marketing professional Ceci Dadisman posted across social media: Fellow marketers who manage social media, please consider pausing paid campaigns and scheduled posts today. — Ceci Grasso Dadisman (@CeciDadisman) May 25, 2022 Granted, that
Have You Discovered The Social Media Tracker Project Yet?
Tue, May 5, 2022
by Drew McManus
Wouldn’t you love to see how effective orchestras are with their social media campaigns? I can only speak for myself, but I’d be surprised if most arts admin professionals wouldn’t love to get their hands on regularly updated data. Unfortunately, there isn’t any sort of resource or database maintained by the usual service organization suspects
Piling On (in a good way)
Mon, May 5, 2022
by Drew McManus
Who doesn’t enjoy a good list post, to that end, Ruth Hartt published something at her blog highlighting six assumptions arts orgs need to rethink. I agree with all six of Hartt’s points and if you regularly read her blog, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that 1/3 of those items focus on the need
What’s The Problem?