A street team guide

www.savespashley.com

www.spashley101.com

Thanks

Before you go ahead and embark on a journey of Spashley and South of Nowhere awareness, we at SaveSpashley.com want to say thanks for being apart of this important cause. We’ve been right there with you from the beginning, as we discovered the show back in 2005, right through until this year, when we learnt of its cancellation. We’ve watched Spencer and Ashley’s story develop; freaked out when they were finally together; got angry when they couldn’t get it right, and looked forward to odd hugs and hair brushes. Oh yes. Hair brushes.

Through this show, all of us have found something to relate to, some of us understood our LGBT friends just a little bit better, and some of us came out – before, during, or after watching. All of us became attached to “a little show that could,” and it did; all of those things for us, and more.

We are you. We are all fans. SaveSpashley.com was created by fans for fans, not as backlash or boycott, but as a reaction to the news of the cancellation. Campaigns were crafted, fans participated, the network heard our voices and both the show’s creator and cast have expressed their heartfelt thanks to you, the fans.

Please use this packet as a guide to conducting a proper street team.

Use the ‘5 street team basics’ as an outline to follow. We’ve included outlines for Pride/Festivals AND Schools/Campuses’. Check out the ‘Door to Door Directions’ there’s also an FAQ’s section included. As well as promotional Flyers to print and pass out, you can find info on shirts, buttons, and other promotional items in this packet too! We at SaveSpashley.com are very excited about this new campaign for promotion and cannot express our gratitude for your dedication enough. The show and Spashley are what inspires us, but it’s our fellow fans that keep us driven.

Thanks,

The SaveSpashley.com Admin Team

5 Street Team Basics: Pride and Festivals

1) Establish A Team.

Street Promotions can actually be a lot of fun for Pride events or Festivals. It can turn out into an even better time if you're able to have a small group of friends to help you. Try to create a group of 4 (yourself included). So just imagine you and 3 of your friends. This way you can be divided into teams of 2. You can have a bigger team; just remember to break up into smaller groups.

2) Gather your promotion materials.

What will your team use to promote – Flyers, stickers, buttons or postcards? Brainstorm what you'll use and why. You may be asked by people while you pass them out.

"What’s SaveSpashley?" - "It's a site trying to create awareness about the only teen lesbian couple on TV and their show's been cancelled. Please check out the site, and learn about the show, you'll definitely love it!"

Your answers should be short, sweet, and to the point. As much fun as it is to chat it up about Spashley, remember you're on a mission - to take Spashley to the streets and create awareness.

3) Select your target Neighborhood/Area and Get ready to WALK

Locate an area for promotion. If your team wants to hit up your local "gayborhood" try to do some research before hand: How large is this community? Is it a several block radius or smaller? These are all questions your team should ask yourselves wherever you choose.

Once you've got an idea of how much ground your team wants to cover, divide the area up between the groups. Designate a mid-point where your group will meet at after you hit up the area. It's a good idea to have a team with smaller groups. A team can start from one area, while the other team can start at another.

Take a look at this rough draft of a street campaign for Chicago's "gayborhood" as an example for 2 teams and a mid-point.

(Chicago’s Northwest Side)

Remember to hit the side streets (residential) of the area. Not just the main ones. It's easy to go north to south, or east to west. Really try to cover the area as best your team(s) can.

4) Remember your Manners and DON'T VANDALIZE.

Yes. Remember your manners. Not everyone will want to accept what you're offering. Some may accept and then just throw the item out, but don't get angry. Just try to remember it's nothing personal and look at it as their loss. Be the Spashley-loving sweethearts we know you all are…

When handing out an item, remember to say "savespashley/save s.o.n.” or "help LGBT youth stay on TV"- Something that will get the person's attention while handing them a promo item. Don't just try and shove something in their face, people are less likely to take or read what you have to offer. Just remember to be polite, manners really speak volumes.

DON'T VANDALIZE. This is really important. Try and be creative with your promo techniques. Place a flyer on a car window, NOT a sticker. Remember to ask nicely if you plan on going into local businesses to see if you can leave flyers or promo items on display. There maybe some areas where it's okay to leave flyers or stickers and some places not. Don’t take it upon yourself to "create" a new place.

5) ABOVE ALL - Be SAFE and Have Fun.

We're all connected here, through our love of the show, its characters and cast. However, truth is friends, there are going to be people out there who won't like our message and what we're doing.

We emphasize that you work as part of a group – there really is safety in numbers. Remember to try and get out there when the weather is nice, during daytime hours if you can. Keep your cell’s on and communicate with your other team members, making sure to check in on each other from time to time. It's important to us that you all are able to be productive, but do so in a safe environment.

We've been moved by each and every one of you, and care a great deal for all those fans who are dedicating their time and efforts toward initiatives like this.

So, good Luck to all involved! Be safe and have fun.

While you’re out, why not take some pictures to let us know what you've all been up to? We’d love to see how each group is going.

5 Street Team Basics: High Schools and College Campuses

1) Establish a Team.

Street Promotions can be a little bit different for High Schools and Colleges. The size of your school or campus will determine the size of your team. In one place, it may just you and one other person to cover ground, but if your school is larger, we still encourage you to try and create a group of 4 (yourself included). So just imagine you and 3 of your friends. This way you can be divided into teams of 2. You can have a bigger team; just remember to break up into smaller groups.

2) Gather your promotion materials.

What will your team use to promote – Flyers, stickers, buttons or postcards? Brainstorm what you'll use and why. You may be asked by people while you pass them out.

"What’s SaveSpashley?" - "It's a site trying to create awareness about the only teen lesbian couple on TV and their show's been cancelled. Please check out the site, and learn about the show, you'll definitely love it!"

Your answers should be short, sweet, and to the point. As much fun as it is to chat it up about Spashley, remember you're on a mission - to take Spashley to the streets and create awareness.

3) Select an Area and Get ready to WALK

Decide on an area for promotion. Sites around your school, inside your school, its offices and bus or train stops are all places you could consider. If your team wants to hit up these areas try to find out about them before hand. What are good times to concentrate your efforts? Are there clubs in your school that would be open to hearing about the SaveSpashley campaign and getting involved? Is there a bus or train schedule you can use to plan your time more effectively? These are all questions your team should ask yourselves however you choose to do your street teams in or around school.

Once you've got an idea of how much ground your team wants to cover, divide the area up between the groups. If it’s just two of you, plan out where you want to start and end your canvassing. Designate a mid-point where your group will meet at after you hit up the area. It's a good idea to have a team with smaller groups. A team can start from one area, while the other team can start at another. After you’ve covered your areas, you’ll reconnect at your mid-point.

Check out this REALLY rough ‘plan’ to promote around an area of a school.

All the blue dots are areas you may decide to promote around. The red dot indicates where you want to end or meet with the rest of your team. You can try and plan out an area as big or as small as you want. Talk it out with your team and think about what would work out best for you all.

4) Remember your Manners and DON'T VANDALIZE.

Yes. Remember your manners. Not everyone will want to accept what you're offering. Some may accept and then just throw the item out, but don't get angry. Just try to remember it's nothing personal and look at it as their loss. Be the Spashley-loving sweethearts we know you all are…

When handing out an item, remember to say "savespashley/save s.o.n.” or "help LGBT youth stay on TV"- Something that will get the person's attention while handing them a promo item. Don't just try and shove something in their face, people are less likely to take or read what you have to offer. Just remember to be polite, manners really speak volumes.

DON'T VANDALIZE This is really important. Try and be creative with your promo techniques. Place a flyer in lockers or in areas where you are allowed to do so. Certain schools have certain rules which should be adhered to. Stickers especially should only be used as items to hand out, and not suck to doors, walls, floors or other public areas. Remember to that this is a show we’re trying to create awareness about, not draw attention to the behavior of its campaigners. How things are done will be a reflection of the fandom as well as yourself.

It’s easy to become carried away, but remember that there maybe some areas where There maybe some areas where it's okay to leave flyers or stickers and some places not. Don’t take it upon yourself to "create" a new place If you’re getting other school clubs or organizations involved remember to ask nicely if you can make an announcement during their meetings, they may have an agenda they are following for that day.

5) ABOVE ALL - Be SAFE and Have Fun.

We're all connected here, through our love of the show, its characters and cast. However, truth is friends, there are going to be people out there who won't like our message and what we're doing.

We emphasize that you work as part of a group – there really is safety in numbers. Remember to try and get out there when the weather is nice, during daytime hours if you can. Keep your cell’s on and communicate with your other team members, making sure to check in on each other from time to time. It's important to us that you all are able to be productive, but do so in a safe environment.

We've been moved by each and every one of you, and care a great deal for all those fans who are dedicating their time and efforts toward initiatives like this.

So, good Luck to all involved! Be safe and have fun.

While you’re out, why not take some pictures to let us know what you've all been up to? We’d love to see how each group is going.

DOOR TO DOOR DIRECTIONS

While this may not be the most popular method for campaigns, it’s understandable that some participants may only be able to conduct neighborhood door to door street teams. This section here is provided for those of you who want to spread the word of spashley around your own neighborhoods. Try and use these steps when you decide to head out into your area.

How are you going to promote? Figure out if you just want to try selected blocks of your neighborhood or not. You may just want to try going door to door on your own block, or you may want to cover more area, it’s entirely up to you.

Only use FLYERS to leave in mail boxes, doorways, or car windshields. While some people think it’s a good idea to ring doorbells and engage in conversation, you’re actually maybe setting yourself up for people to just potentially turn you away without accepting what you’re offing. You’ll also be saving yourself time this way. By just leaving a flyer from house to house, you’ll be saving your time while also targeting more houses, as opposed to possibly conversing at each home you approach and losing time.

Always be safe. We always stress this point. Even more so if you are going to decide to do door to door promotions. If you do decide to try and promote but can only do it alone, we suggest you make an effort to do so in areas that you are familiar with and feel safe in.

Keep us informed! Those of you who are awesome and brave enough to go out on your own and do solo street teams should try and take pictures to show us all the hard work you’re doing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How involved do I get? - The real question is: how involved do you want to get? You can be as involved as you can be. It’s understandable that some of you can only be a 1 person team. Some may be able to be a bigger team. If you can’t plan out something accordingly, and are only able to pass things out on a busy sidewalk, that can be just as effective. The real goal here is to just be able to create awareness while having a positive attitude. So if you feel you can only do so much, then just do it the VERY best you can!

What are some ways to be safe? – While we stress this component A LOT, there’s several ways to be safe.

Always keep your phone on and with you (or if you don’t have one, be with a friend who does)
If it’s sunny out, use sun block! And stay hydrated
If you know it’s going to be chilly out, dress accordingly
Always be aware of your surroundings
If being approached by business owners or neighborhood police, politely explain you’re working on a project not trying to cause trouble

How do I start a team? – Well, you’ve got this packet that’s step one! Second, try and see if people in your area are interested in the Save Spashley street team’s campaign. If you’ve already got a group of friends in mind, great! Go at it, and we hope this packet helps you. If not, you can always try to check back with us and we can help connect you with a team in your area (if possible, of course)

Are we only doing this for Pride? – Nope! Pride is just an example to reach out to many people at once. This packet can be used to promote the show where you see fit. We recommend Pride, and other friendly Festivals going on in your area. But creating awareness in your schools or colleges is great too! Going to a concert, try passing things out there! You can use the 5 Street Team Basics for either Festivals or schools.

How long is this going on? – We have a goal for street teams to run throughout the summer, till South of Nowhere’s “final season” airing in the Fall. We understand that people have lives, and would prefer for you all to be able to conduct your street teams as long as you’re able to. So if you feel you want to do a few rounds of street teams, we suggest doing them at different times. Say perhaps once in the summer, another late summer/fall.

What are we using to promote? - In this packet flyers are included for you to print out and use for your street teams. But there are other options as well, like buttons or stickers. They are available for purchase for you all to use. Contact us for more info about that!

Note about flyers:

One flyer has been provided in black and white for simple printouts. If you feel you want to run these on plain paper or some type of Neon colored paper for passing out, go ahead and be as creative as you want!

The second flyer is already in color for those who want to try and print out actual flyers in color. You can try printing the color flyer in black and white as well if you think that’s best for your street teams.

Good Luck!

http://savespashley.wufoo.com/forms/save-spashley-street-team-application/