All around the country, disgruntled Americans are hosting rallies and protests about their favorite cause.
These events are, by nature, controversial. If they weren't, no one would feel a need to take part! Because they inspire emotion by both the sympathetic and the opposition, it can be tricky to promote the event. However, even if you get bad press about your rally, this may further your cause. In fact, if an anti-rally forms near your rally, you have news! Call the tv crews because controversy is hot!
Of course, that would happen on the day of the rally, and you want to be sure you have the kind of attendance that will interest the media and passerby. How can you effectively market your rally?
1. Fliers: These are the most fundamental piece of your rally. Local political events are pretty grassroots, and there is nothing cheaper or more effective at getting the word out quickly that fliers. They don't need to be fancy, though an eye-catching flier will be better of course. Some experts recommend all fliers be printed on goldenrod paper, because these attract the most attention. List all the vital information – cause, time, place, what they should bring, age limits, etc.
2. Facebook: Create a Facebook Event for your protest and send it to all of your sympathetic friends. Ask them to pass it along, too. If your cause has enough support, then your event could spread like wildfire.
3. Twitter: Create a special Twitter profile just for supporters of your event. Post updates about preparations for the event, links to news coverage of your event in specific and the issue in general, and ideas for supporters to help prepare (sign slogans, for example).
4. Local media calendars: Contact your local newspapers, magazines, tv stations, radio stations, and anyone else in town with a community calendar with the details about your protest.
5: Team up with local organizations. Find any local organizations that may be sympathetic to your cause and look to team up with them and get your event posted in their newsletter. Also team up with businesses that might provide food or entertainment.
Bonus tip: Create an alternative method of protest for people who can't make it but want to show support. Give away an image that supporters to post on their Facebook and supportive tweets.