PODCAST: CRM for Non-Profits (It’s the Relationship, Y’all)
Glenn Ross, Non-Profit Relationship Management expert and author of the Customer Service Experience blog on AllBusines.com, shares his wisdom on how to succesfully manage volunteers and donors. Hint: it ain’t about the technology.
Listen now:
CRM for Non-Profits (It’s the Relationship, Y’all)
Or get on iTunes (free).
PODCAST: Michael Rice of the Cool as Hell Theater Show
Actor and director Michael Rice, host of the The Cool As Hell Theater Show, tells us about his favorite interviews, why Tony award winning actor Bill Irwin is so cool, and what it takes to get on the extremely popular podcast.
Listen now:
Michael Rice of the Cool as Hell Theater Show
Or get on iTunes (free).
(Mostly) Free Web Sites and Software for Running Your Theater
There’s a great big Internet out there chock full o’ resources for running your theater or venue. And the good news is many of them are free or inexpensive. (Like our very own information-packed podcast, ahem.)
While none of these solutions are specifically designed for arts organizations, they are easily adapted to your org’s day-to-day needs. Business is business, as they say.
These resources will have you up and running in no time, looking like the professional venue that you are (or long to be) with very little, if any, money out of pocket. And that’s something any board can approve of.
Have a better suggestion? Let us know in the comments.
On to the list…
Microsoft Office Replacements
Web Sites
Zoho – The mother of online application suites, Zoho offers browser-based word processing, spreadsheets, invoicing, and much, much more. Free & paid versions.
Google Docs & Spreadsheets – Not as feature packed as Zoho, but good for basic word processing, spreadsheets and presentations. New features added regularly. Free.
Software
Open Office (Windows) – If you know MS Office, you know Open Office, the open source productivity suite. Includes a word processor, spreadsheet, database, and PowerPoint-like presentation tool. Free.
NeoOffice (Mac) – A version of Open Office adapted to run on Mac OS X. Same MS Office compatible features as the Windows version. Free.
Photo Editing
Web Sites
Adobe Photoshop Express – Crop, rotate, edit, and tweak your pictures with Adobe’s online version of its popular Photoshop software. Free.
picnik – Crop, rotate, resize, and add special effects to photos in your browser with this easy to use image editor. Free & paid versions.
Software
GIMP (Windows, Mac OS X) – Photoshop-like image and photo editing. Free.
Paint.net (Windows) – An intuitive, powerful image and photo editor. Free.
Images
flickr – Tons of photos on flickr are made available for public or business use by photographers. Go to Advance Search, enter your search words, and select “search Creative Commons-licensed photos”. Free.
iStockphoto – Thousands of great looking, professional images at incredibly low prices. Starting at $1 each.
To Do
Sandy – A personal online digital assistant. Send the site an email about your next meeting or to-do and it will automatically send you a reminder email at just the right moment. Free.
Backpack – Easily centralize and share information across your organization with group calendars, to-do lists, announcements, and more. Free & paid versions.
Hiring
JobScore – Self-service job management. Market your jobs and track applicants through the site. Free.
Money Management
Quicken Online – The online version of the popular money management software. $2.99/mo.
Web Site
Google Apps – Total web site management. Multiple email accounts, group calendars, instant messaging, and web page design and publishing. Free & paid versions.
WordPress – Easy to use, award-winning blogging service. Free & paid versions.
Internet
GetNetWise – Web industry sponsored public service site that provides information every web surfer should know, like how to stop spam and keep personal info private. Free.
Video: Food Court, the Musical
So you’re happily eating your lunch at the local mall food court when, suddenly, one of the girls behind the counter at Hot Dog on a Stick starts singing woefully about her troubles finding a napkin. Then things get weird. Workers come out of nowhere and join in, performing a full-blown napkin centric musical.
Awesomely good theatrical fun from the folks at Improv Everywhere.
Can Learning About the Arts Make You Smarter?
Are smart people drawn to the arts or does arts training make people smarter?
Neuroscientists from seven leading universities across the United States are trying to find out. In a three year study they used brain imaging and behavioral assessment of arts enthusiasts to understand the effects of music, dance, and drama education on other types of learning.
The conclusion?
The arts probably make you smarter.
Among the discoveries: Training in acting improves abstract thinking, and children who practice music appear to have improved geometry skills.
Looks like all those hours singing “Memory” from Cats in front of the mirror finally paid off.
Will 1,000 True Fans Fund Your Next Show?
What if your patrons gave you enough money to produce your next show?
It sounds far-fetched, but it’s happening at Misnomer Dance Theater.
Chris Elam, Misnomer’s Artistic Director and Choreographer, has set up a donation page on Fundable, a web site that simplifies fund raising, to collect money for their next production.
As he puts it:
“This Fundable project helps commission the creation of this new choreography by pooling small contributions from a large group of individuals interested in our work (that includes you!).”
In just under a month they raised enough money to meet their goal.
I came across this startlingly clever bit of business in an article by Wired magazine founder and former editor Kevin Kelly called “1,000 True Fans“.
Kelly’s premise is equal parts simple and powerful: Collect enough True Fans–the kind that attend anything and everything you produce–and ask them to help out with production costs.
“Assume conservatively that your True Fans will each spend one day’s wages per year in support of what you do. Let’s peg that per diem each True Fan spends at $100 per year. If you have 1,000 fans that sums up to $100,000 per year, which minus some modest expenses, is a living for most folks.”
And more than enough funding for most stage productions.
“One thousand is a feasible number. You could count to 1,000. Pleasing a True Fan is pleasurable, and invigorating. It rewards the artist to remain true, to focus on the unique aspects of their work, the qualities that True Fans appreciate.”
He gives further examples of fan-funded art, including singer Jill Sobule collecting money to record her next CD ($50,000 so far!) and half a dozen authors who successfully use the strategy.
If you’re struggling with paying for your next production (and who isn’t?), I urge you to read both Chris Elam’s explanation of his money raising efforts and Kelly’s article. They just may change the way you look at raising money for your next show.
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Kevin Kelly: 1,000 True Fans
Misnomer Dance Theater on Fundable
Misnomer’s Web Site
Video: Raspyni Brothers: Welcome to Vaudeville 2.0
Illustrious jugglers the Raspyni Brothers show off their uncanny balance, agility, coordination and willingness to sacrifice (others) at the TED conference in Monterey, California. Don’t miss the amazing “jump over my partner’s head and catch the flying razor sharp sickles” bit about 10 minutes in. [Link]
