Jesus Exhibition Tool Kit.

Imagine an Open Day Exhibition buzzing with diverse visitors, engaging conversations, and a genuine sense of connection. This marketing strategy outlines a clear path to maximizing the reach and impact of your Open Day Exhibition. By implementing this approach, you’ll attract a diverse audience and create a truly unforgettable event that leaves a lasting impression.

1. Online Marketing: Leverage the Power of Digital Platforms.

• iERA Provides the Tools: Take advantage of our ready-made social media graphics and printable materials, including posters in various formats, to effortlessly promote your event across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, and Telegram.
• Targeted Social Media Engagement: Don’t just share – engage! Utilize social media to spark conversations, answer questions, and create excitement through interactive content and targeted advertising.
• Reach Out to Influencers: Collaborate with local or relevant online personalities to amplify your message and attract a wider audience.

NB; Email all local dignitaries, important people, mayor, MPs, councilors, police, fire, ambulance, NHS, anybody from the council, government, local schools (secondary, primary), universities, colleges, churches (invite the whole congregation not just the leaders), local businesses, interest groups e.g. Interfaith societies etc. However, what is better is that you go to these people in person with a letter of invitation and personally invite them over.

Send them an email invite with the place, date and time around three weeks in advance -any earlier and people tend to forget as it’s too far ahead, any later and people tend to have already made their weekend plans. Send it as a Mosque Open day with Exhibition. The main focus is that it is an Open Day as opposed to just an Exhibition, although of course it’s both.

1. Offline Marketing: Make Your Presence Felt

• Posters That Tell a Story: Display eye-catching posters in strategic locations like your Mosque, libraries, council buildings, and community centers. Grab attention and pique interest with captivating visuals and clear information.
• Flyers Delivered Directly: Go beyond online channels and distribute flyers at bus stops, train stations, and directly to houses in the vicinity. Aim to blanket the area and ensure your message reaches every doorstep.
• Community Partnerships: Collaborate with local businesses, schools, churches, and interfaith groups to cross-promote the event and tap into their networks.

NB: Posters should be printed in A3, A4, or whatever size you want, for displaying at your Mosque, Islamic Centre, and local places like the libraries, council buildings, town centres, town notice boards, main places where people will go and can take note of the open day.

Flyers need to be printed to be posted through the doors of houses around the local area; at bus and train stations; shopping centers etc. Aim to deliver to min. 2000 houses around the mosque area (as close as possible). That’s around 20 streets with 100 houses each. Mobilise a small team of mosque volunteers (e.g. youth, families) of around a dozen to fifteen to carry out the flyering 3 weeks before the Open Day event date. Again don’t do this too early or too late.

Facebook Ads, Newspaper and Radio; if you have a budgets, you can run some local ads to attract locals on Facebook, local Newspapers and Radio stations.

III. Engaging Activities: Create a Memorable Experience

• Calligraphy Corner: Invite visitors to witness the beauty of Islamic calligraphy and perhaps even try their hand at this unique art form.
• Fun for Kids: Engage young minds with interactive activities like face painting and henna art, creating lasting memories and fostering a sense of inclusivity.
• Culinary Delights: Offer a diverse range of food and beverages, including traditional dishes, vegetarian options, and refreshments. Sharing a meal is a universal way to connect and build relationships.
• Gift Bags of Gratitude: Prepare gift bags containing informative books and copies of the Quran to offer a tangible reminder of the event and encourage further exploration.

• Stalls

Have as many stalls as (simply a table with nice tablecloth) possible for the mosque including if you can all the following:

• Calligraphy
• Kids crafts e.g. face painting
• Henna for ladies
• Quran stall with laptop/tablet and headphones playing a YouTube translated audio of Surah Maryam
• Hospitality

Ensure to have a good food layout – a range of meat, vegetarian and vegan dishes. Whatever you can budget for or whatever the local Muslims can make and bake. Have teas, coffees, water but also can get some ‘shot’ glasses (paper cups) for samples of ‘Qawa’ or Karak Chai etc.. like these on eBay : https://tinyurl.com/5ewj4enx

Also have gift bags (you can purchase from Poundland etc.) ready to give out with all the dawah books and a copy of Qur’an in them.

1. Keys to Success: Beyond Marketing

• Every Detail Matters: Ensure your venue is welcoming, accessible, and reflects the spirit of hospitality for which Islam is renowned.
• Empowered Volunteers: Train your volunteers to answer questions, offer guidance, and contribute to a smooth and positive event experience.
• Open Hearts and Minds: Foster a welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels respected and valued, regardless of their background or beliefs.
• Metrics for Impact: Track your progress and analyze results to measure the success of your marketing efforts and identify areas for improvement.

The Open Day will not work unless you and your team do your bit, which is emailing all those mentioned above. You can also visit your local churches personally to give them an invite letter inviting the whole congregation down to the Open Day.

Churches are very important, schools very important and all the services as we mentioned above; police, fire, MPs, councillors, mayor, all of these are very important to target.

Jummah Prayer word of mouth, Print A5 flyers to give to all Muslims who attend Jummuah prayer and make an announcement that they should invite (bring along with them) their non-Muslim colleagues, neighbors etc.

If you do all the steps by following this comprehensive strategy and incorporating these key tips, you can transform your Open Day Exhibition into a vibrant platform for connection, understanding, and the sharing of Islamic values. Print out in this marketing plan and numbers should be good with Allah’s help, and you should have a good turnout.

Key final tips:

• Do all of the above marketing steps thoroughly
• Make it a fun and memorable day
• Assign roles to each volunteer

And finally we want it to be an event dominated by Non-Muslims and not just Muslims to make the dawah effective!

In the previous installment, we explored the power of online and offline marketing strategies to ensure your event reaches a wide audience. Now, we explore into the art of capturing the essence of your event through filming project toolkit.

At iERA (Islamic Education and Research Academy), we believe that video isn’t just a recording; it’s a powerful storytelling tool. By capturing the spirit of your Open Day Exhibition, you can share its impact with a global audience, leaving a lasting impression that transcends physical borders.

This Toolkit is Your Compass: Whether you’re a seasoned videographer or a tech-savvy volunteer, this toolkit equips you with the essential knowledge and tools to embark on a successful video project.

Part 1: Planning and Pre-Production

• Defining Your Vision: What story do you want to tell? Who are you trying to reach? Answering these questions will guide your entire filming process.
• Crafting a Script: Scripting key moments helps maintain focus and ensures you capture the essential shots. However, leave room for spontaneous moments that reveal the event’s natural energy and emotions.
• Visualizing Your Story: Storyboard your shots to visualize the flow of your video and ensure smooth execution.
• Assemble Your Team: Recruit volunteers passionate about storytelling and consider collaborating with professional videographers if needed.
• Gathering the Essentials: Secure cameras, microphones, lighting equipment, and editing software to bring your vision to life.

NB: The objective of this filming project is to capture high-quality video footage of various aspects of the exhibition, including: 

Location of where the banners are on display

• Outside of the building
• Building signage
• City signs

– Interactions between visitors and the du’at.

-The overall ambiance of the exhibition space.

Part 2: Production

• Capturing a Spectrum: Mix wide shots showcasing the overall atmosphere with close-up shots that capture emotions and details.
• Clear and Crisp Sound: Invest in quality audio equipment and minimize background noise to ensure viewers hear every word clearly.
• Beyond the Script: Don’t just follow the script; capture candid moments, interactions, and genuine expressions that reveal the event’s authentic spirit.
• Giving Voice to Experiences: Record interviews with attendees, speakers, and volunteers to share their unique perspectives and add a personal touch to your video.

NB; Equipment

• Mobile phone with a high-quality camera
• Tripod, gumbal or other stable surface for mounting your phone (optional)
• External battery pack (optional)

Part 3: Post-Production

• Turning Footage into Storytelling: Edit your shots into a cohesive narrative that flows seamlessly and captivates viewers.
• Setting the Mood: Enhance the atmosphere of your video with carefully chosen music and sound effects.
• Breaking down Barriers: Include captions and subtitles to make your video accessible to a wider audience, regardless of language or hearing abilities.
• Sharing Your Story with the World: Promote your video on social media platforms, website, and other relevant channels to maximize its reach and impact.

NB: Shooting Tips

• Lighting: Ensure that the locations are well-lit. Avoid shooting directly into bright lights or into shadows.
• Framing: Compose your shots carefully to highlight the key elements of the scene.
• Stability: Keep your phone steady to avoid shaky footage. Use a tripod or other stable surface if necessary.
• Variety: Capture a variety of shots, including close-ups, wide shots, and different angles.
• Sound: Record the ambient sound of the exhibition, but avoid capturing loud conversations or background noise.
• Focus: Ensure that the scene is in focus before shooting.
• Duration: Aim for short clips of 5-10 seconds each.
• We need DO NOT need lengthy clips, unless if it’s someone taking their shahada.

Remember:

• Embrace Creativity: Experiment, find your unique storytelling style, and let your passion shine through.
• Invest in Quality: High-quality equipment and editing software elevate your video’s professionalism and impact.
• Tell a Compelling Story: Engage viewers with emotional connections and a narrative that resonates.
• Share Wide and Far: Utilize various platforms to ensure your video reaches a global audience and leaves a lasting legacy.

Additional Considerations

• Respect the exhibition space: Do not touch or disturb the visitors, be mindful of them and avoid blocking their view.
• Obtain permission: If you’re close up and intend to film specific individuals, ask for their permission beforehand.

Submission Guidelines

• File format: Save your footage in MP4 format.
• File naming: Use a consistent naming convention for your files, such as “jesus_exhibition_liverpool1.mp4,” “jesus_exhibition_interactions1.mp4,”etc.
• Delivery: Transfer your footage to the designated organizer via cloud storage or file sharing service.

By following these steps and utilizing iERA’s best practices, you can create a captivating video that captures the spirit of your Open Day Exhibition, shares its message with the world, and inspires people near and far. Remember, with dedication and creativity, your Open Day Exhibition’s impact can truly transcend boundaries and touch hearts around the globe.