If you're still using a MySpace as the main website for your venue/performance series/whatever, stop that (musicians are the one exception). Find another host. It doesn't have to be fancy. Anything with a normal template and non-dark-colored backdrop will do.

YES. WHAT JANE SAID.

I'm not a fan of getting press releases via Facebook, either, though it increasingly seems like I might just have to accept that one.

Make your photos and logos print quality. That means CMYK and 600dpi. If you can send vector art of your logo, that's fucking awesome. Have someone who isn't a member of your organization proof read it.

On the Facebook thing Alison just mentioned.... If you're going to use Facebook (you shouldn't), don't make your press release friends only or require a login. It makes you look dumb.

PDF! PDF! PDF! PDF! Word document are for assholes.

So, I have wondered. And I guess this answers. There really ISN'T anybody at the Merc who covers and has a history of watching dance.

This is very helpful. Am I reading the right blog????????

@Linda

Nope. Dance gets listed in the arts section (so, releases go to me), but we don't have a dedicated dance writer on staff. I brought Stephen Marc Beaudoin on last year to cover dance (among other things), but he's since moved on; I'm currently talking to another potential freelancer, because it is definitely an area where our coverage could stand to improve.