How to promote your National Mills Weekend event
How to promote your National Mills Weekend event
If you own or manage a mill, National Mills Weekend is the perfect opportunity to engage local people, reach new audiences, and inspire the next generation of mill enthusiasts. We've put together some guidance on some of the best ways to promote your event for free.
Share the event on your online channels.
This could include your website, social media channels, and newsletter. If you’re sharing online, it’s best to avoid circulating posters or PDFs as these are difficult to share and tricky to read on phone screens. Instead, include the relevant information in your social post (along with a photo) and link to a your website, where people can read more.
Please make sure you post details of your opening days/times on Facebook #NationalMillsWeekend page.
Contact friendly local organisations.
You could try emailing the details of your event to local voluntary groups, other historic sites, museums etc. Ask if they’ll help to spread the word about your event, for example by sharing details of when you'll be open and what you'll be doing, in their newsletter.
Distribute posters to local shops, libraries, pubs and community noticeboards
Download this poster you can customise with your mill opening day/time details (word document)
Try local event listings.
You may be able to list your event for free in your local newspapers (printed and online), local event websites and forums, or in your local council and parish newsletters.
Contact your local newspaper, radio station, or news channel.
News desks and local journalists are always happy to receive a press release that gives them all the information they need. Check your local newspaper or search online for the relevant email address.
You can fill in the press release template below or draft your own. You should also include one or two good-quality, high-resolution photos. Make sure that you have permission from the photographer and anyone pictured before you send the photo out for media use.
You will have a better chance of success if your event has an interesting angle, such as:
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An anniversary, e.g. your mill is 200 years old this year, or it’s 15 years since your local trust took it over.
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A celebrity is involved e.g. a local TV personality has agreed to open the event/draw the raffle etc.
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A ‘first’, e.g. it’s the first time you’ll be open since vital works were completed or a new feature installed.
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A local link with other organisations, e.g. you have organised a vintage rally with your local car club or are raising money for a local charity.
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A ‘human interest’ story, e.g. one of your volunteers has won an award, or a descendant of a past miller has contacted the mill.
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A project or fundraising initiative.
We suggest you send a reminder two weeks before the weekend.