I am the founder member of my theatre company, and so started it myself from scratch. I am a writer and when I wrote my first play I decided I wanted to put it on in kind of a rehearsed reading environment.
So the first thing I did was create a company logo and mission statement.
I think I did it in InDesign by Adobe… I then thought about what sort of company I wanted to run. I had thought about what sort of theatre I wanted to make and tried to pin it down in a paragraph to create a sort of mission statement:
Without a Paddle is an award-winning new writing theatre company and theatrical network providing support for actors and writers.
As theatremakers we are passionate about finding the extraordinary in the ordinary, and discovering what goes on behind closed doors. Committed to telling stories imaginatively and with impact, raising ideas and making theatre open for all. Without a Paddle aims to draw people in with work they can identify with. Interested in vulnerability, compulsions, obsessions and earth shattering events, whether they be epic and political, or intimate and personal. Seeking to enthuse rather than educate, and spark ideas rather than send messages, Without a Paddle is committed to creating theatre which is honest. As a theatrical network we provide various free services to make the lives of actors and writers easier, and run inspiring workshops and courses.
Then I set up a website.
Mine is through a company called Chilly Designs, (
www.withoutapaddletheatre.co.uk) I built it myself but it desperately needs updating. I am building my new site in Wordpress which is much easier to use and looks great.
Then I had to get my presence on Facebook and Twitter sorted.
I set up a group for the company, and now we have a business page (
facebook.com/Withoutapaddle) which is a great way of letting people know what we are up to. Now we have also joined Twitter which is a great way of spreading the word and making contacts. (
Twitter.com/WAPtheatre).
Email marketing.
I also signed up for Constant Contact which is an email marketing company, using this we keep our mailing list organised and design our eflyers. It’s important to keep growing your mailing list and your contacts.
Buisness registration.
Now I am in the process of actually making Without a Paddle a proper business by registering it. I am currently working on my business plan which is quite in depth.
