Well crap...

So. I had a budget for advertising. And yes. I made a mistake and put all my eggs in one basket, so to speak. I won't name the publication that I decided to use.... yet. But I'm seriously disappointed.

My event is Oct. 29. I told the advertising rep when I contacted them, that I was advertising for an event to be held on Oct. 29. She was aware of this when she took my order - and my money - and even assured me she'd leave a note to try to keep my ad from being placed next to another event's advertisement in their publication.

The advertising deadline was Sept. 21. I missed the deadline, but was allowed in under the wire. Now it's 5 days from my event and no publication has been released. When I contacted the representative and enquired about the possible publication date I was told that the expected release date was "by the end of the month" ...
Needless to say, I am not amused.

The periodical touts over 2000 readers and I was counting on a percentage response from that - not large, maybe 2 percent, but that's still over 40 possible hits for my event. Now, I can't count on a dang thing.

I've still got my classified ad, my events listings, all of my promo banners I've put up at other events in our SIM. And I've got the last minute crowd that'll respond from group IMs just prior to the event. As a last minute plan I've contacted people who operate more popular SIMs to see if I can advertise at their teleport points. No responses yet.

At this point I'm grasping at straws.

Any suggestions for last minute promotions? ... Any advice on how to handle a bad situation with an irresponsible advertising rep?

What kind of event are you planning and promoting.... feel free to give a little promo info here, for the benefit of helping you for this and future event promotions.

I recommend advertising in Metaverse Messenger. And I recommend advertising in publications that are reputable.

That "publication" you speak of is fickled, to say the least. I have sent them an ad and inquired to whom to contact for payment without any response twice now. they are not helping spend my money.

After hearing your testimony I am thinking maybe I dodged a bullet and that in all they did me a favor.

We (second) wont mention (fashion) any names.

: P

The event I'm hosting is a Masquerade.
It's going to be held this Sunday, Oct. 29 at 7pm SLT.

I've put a lot of time and love into it. And it's the first real event I've done. I'm going to have a DJ on hand for some spooky tunes. I've got two different contests planned (Best original costume & Best couples theme). Tons of good door prizes to hand out ... (not just yard sale junk, but cute halloween themed stuff).
I've pulled together a modest art show to exhibit at the entrance of the event.
And I've spent weeks building custom face masks, decorations, invitations, banners, the DJ booth, stage... All custom builds and textures. Really ... this isn't some party out of a box.

I'll remember this for next time though. I won't put my eggs in 'that' particular basket again - and I'll find a more reputable advertising source.

Thanks for the feedback though folks. I appreciate it

Just my thoughts... an this is my personal opinion, others may feel otherwise.

Spending money on print advertising is most effective when the ad will be consistantly seen in multiple issues and is repeated. In SL, a print ad for a one time entertainment event is not all that effective for the cost. Given, some people DO place print ads for big one time events... but a) the ad placer is already known for big events b) they place the same ad in multiple issues leading up to the event & c) usually the one time event is an all day event.

The most effective print ads are for products, locations, or services. (That's why in RL papers or magazines, there's usually an 'events calendar' where you can list events for free)

With your sort of event... I'd recommend a $50L classified, an event post, a post in the forums under special attractions, posts in any other SL related forums, a graphic event flier (copy/trans), notices in groups relating to your event, and all of the people involved in this event helping you as well. the easiest form of promotion for an event is word of mouth. If you and all the people involved tell all your friends, and those friends tell those friends, you have a massive party.
On the day: messages in groups, messages to friends
At the event: make sure the DJ keeps reminding people to invite their friends.

Because this event is for fun and entertainment, and not to make money.. there's no real reason to spend money. There are plenty of free avenues of promotion.

And... keep in mind a sim gets filled with 50 or 100 people.... (depending on your sim)