Opening a gallery .. need help with the details?

Question

I am mainly considering the grand opening.. it will be a party at the gallery and then move to our house (poolside) where we'll have appetizers and champagne etc.

I need to think of every detail paperwork-wise.. such as: invites to the party, business cards, maybe biographies on the artists included in the gallery, press releases to send out. etc.

Can you suggest any details that I should consider? Can you give me an example of a press release for a gallery? Is there anything I'm forgetting. Do you have any suggestions for a classy opening? Thanks for any help!!!!

Answer 1

Hi,

I have a lot of experience marketing small companies online (I have 3 companies).  One of the best ways is to sign up at business directories and protals.  These are basically listings of businesses (simliar to the phone book).  The advantage is that these portals usually get a lot of traffic and they're ranked high on Google because of all the quality links they contain.

My favorite portal is called Directory Exclusive.  I signed up a few weeks ago because they're giving a away a free business card holder when a person enter's their company info.  I received it in the mail 3 days ago =)

I don't know if they still have that promotion, but you can try to get the free card holder here:

http://www.my-directory-exclusive.info

Good Luck

Answer 2

First off, why are you having a gallery opening and then moving it poolside.  Are people really going to swim, or is that atmosphere?  Figure out what that atmosphere is and how can you replicate it in the gallery.  Isn't the point of a grand opening to show off your new business?  You want people to patronize your business and BUY things.  If your concerned about the crowd spilling into the street, then EXCELLENT that's what we call a good buzz.  "Look at that place, I wonder what's going on?"  As long as it's festive it will draw positive interest.

Now, if your going to offer something special "poolside" like a secret stash of an artist's work, or perhaps a live demonstration, then I'm all up for it.  But I still think you're lucky if you can get people to one location - they'll leave if they have to move around.

Have a wonderful time, and congratulation on your grand opening!

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This new info is great.  Sounds like a successful gallery congrats.

Also, sounds like you have things in order, but here are some ideas.

Have post cards printed advertising both the gallary and a signiture work.

Have a photographer taking classy B&W shots of the party and of the guests, then post them on the gallery's web site, or better yet, post them in the lobby during the run of the show.



Is there entertainment beyond the artwork, a quartet, a dijeree-doo player, a flautist etc?

Is there a "take-away" you mentioned have bios printed, are these in a program or loose/ individual?

Perhaps offer a free screen saver of pictures from and of the gallery?

Have some art work at the pool site too.

Is there lighting at the pool home?

Fog the place with bug repellent if outdoors before setting out the food.

Is there entertainment here?  A mermaid and man perhaps?

Who knows?

Remember even though the event is to publicize the gallery and its artists-- the night really has to be about the guests.  Spoil them in some way, and make sure they have a remarkable time, and they will be your best press-release!