Step 1: Application + Payment
For full transparency this specific service is currently offered non-profit. We only charge the bare minimum needed to run the ad because it benefits us just as much as it benefits promoters when shows are busy and well attended.
While ticket platform boosts typically cost around £0.50 per click, our campaigns regularly achieve between £0.15 and £0.40 per click, meaning budgets go further and reach the right audience.
To use the service, notify the team member you booked your event with and let them know you’d like to run Meta Ads. You’ll then fill in a short form so we have everything we need to set up the campaign. Finally, confirm your budget through the application and make the payment to us to cover the ad spend.
We will only accept events that showcase a diverse line-up in line with our Diversity Policy. This ensures our marketing reflects the values of the venue and the community we serve.
Step 2: Video Artwork Submission
Use the overlay generator supplied in step 1 to create the text layer for your ad, then produce the 15-second video asset that we’ll use to run your campaign.
This tool ensures your ad matches the venue’s visual style so everything stays consistent and professional. An example of what the finished asset should look like can be found HERE, which you can use as a reference when creating yours.
Where possible, we recommend using dynamic footage from previous shows at the venue or strong performance clips from artists on your line-up. This kind of content is proven to grab attention and boost ticket sales far more effectively than static images. Make sure your video includes clear and legible text with key event information such as the event name, date, time, ticket link or platform, and any standout artists or features.
Make sure you ad audio but keep in mind that Meta Ads are often watched without sound, so any crucial details should be visible on-screen. If your background video is particularly bright or busy, consider darkening it slightly so the text overlay stands out and remains easy to read.
Step 3: Ticket Link Clicks
We will then run the ad approximately two weeks before your show to give it the best chance of converting clicks into advanced ticket sales. This lead time allows the campaign to build momentum, reach the right segments of our audience, and ensure your event stays visible in the crucial period leading up to the date.
The ad itself will appear as the 15-second video asset you’ve provided, with a direct call to action that pushes users to tap or click the ticket link you supply. This structure is designed to drive genuine interest and make it as easy as possible for people to buy tickets or save the event in their calendar.
It’s important to note that, given current audience habits, not every click will translate into an immediate sale. Many people engage with the ad as part of their planning process, then return to purchase closer to the event.
However, our experience shows that increased ticket link traffic is a strong indicator of real interest, significantly raising the likelihood of people either buying in advance, purchasing on the day, or paying on the door.
Event Priority
We host and support over 500 events a year, but unfortunately there are only 365 days to play with and 200+ days fall on the same day as an event. This sadly means not every single event can receive the exact same level of coverage. To keep things fair, clear and effective, our marketing is planned and posted in chronological order based on when shows are happening.
Events taking place sooner always take priority over those scheduled further ahead. Collab posts and story shares are therefore scheduled in the final lead-up to your event, not weeks or months in advance.
This approach ensures our feed stays relevant, focused and doesn’t get overcrowded. It also allows every event happening that week to have its moment in the spotlight. We strongly encourage promoters to run their own early campaigns if they want to build momentum before our scheduled push.
Why We Only Share Our Own Artwork Style
We often receive artwork from promoters that looks great in isolation, but when shared across our feed, the mix of styles can make it harder for people to recognise us.
To keep things cohesive, professional and instantly identifiable, we recreate event artwork in our house templates, focus on organic, people-centred imagery, and maintain a consistent visual identity across every post. This isn’t about rejecting your creativity, it’s about making sure that when someone sees a post, they know it’s an official Stage & Radio event.
Your original artwork is still valued and can be used freely on your own channels and we encourage you to share it widely.
Collab Posts: How They Work
To maintain our creative direction we do not accept collab posts from promoters without it going through our collaborative post process and submission form first.
Collab posts are completely at our social media teams discretion and if your event is selected for a collab post, we’ll create the artwork in our template, tag your account, and invite you to accept the collab.
Once accepted, the post will appear on both our feeds, giving it more reach and visibility. We schedule collabs on the day of the event, not in advance, to make sure they land at the right moment.
Important - We only post collabs in our artwork format and wont share external event artwork styles directly
IG Story Shares + Reposts
When your show gets story support, it’s always done using our branded assets to keep a clear, consistent visual language.
This helps us highlight key information cleanly and avoids overcrowding our stories with too many styles. We may also share organic footage from the night, crowd clips, DJ moments and behind-the-scenes content because those are the moments our audience connects with most.
External Event Marketing:
What We Do for Every Basement Show
→ Website Listings
Your event will be added to our Events Listings Page which along with Resident Advisor is the main place our patrons check what’s on here. Listings are updated on the last day of the month prior to your event. Each listing includes your event name and a link to your tickets.
→ Tuesday IG Listings (Weekly)
Every Tuesday, we post a curated “What’s On This Week” graphic across our social channels. Your event will automatically be featured if it falls within that week. These posts are some of our highest-reaching content and help get your event in front of a wider audience.
→ Physical Printed Listings (Monthly)
All events are also included on our monthly A0 printed listings poster, displayed in the bar area and on socials throughout the month. This gives your event a physical presence in the venue, helping it reach regulars and walk-in customers. It’s one of the most direct ways to build awareness with people who already love being here.
Meta (IG + Facebook)
Paid Ad Service
We now offer promoters the option to promote their events through our in-house non-profit Meta Ads service, run with a dedicated digital marketing team. Over the past 12 months, we’ve built high-performing custom audiences accessing 17,000 followers and their social circles, all based on real data from our shows giving us a big edge over standard “automatic targeting.”
Because these ads reach people already engaged with the venue, the cost per click is often much lower than running ads yourself. While ticket platform "boosts" offer £0.50 per click, our campaigns regularly achieve £0.15–£0.40 per click, meaning your budget goes further and reaches the right crowd.
We handle everything setup, targeting, creative and performance tracking so you can focus on your event. It’s optional, but for many promoters this is a simple, cost-effective way to amplify reach and drive more ticket sales.
Additional Marketing
(At Our Discretion)
Some events may receive extra promotion if they align with the venue’s musical direction and ethos around diversity and inclusion on line-ups.
When selected, your show may also feature:
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A collab post on the day of the event, designed in our in-house artwork template.
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Story shares and other spotlight content (again, in our visual style).
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Promoter spotlight interview post between yourself and one of our team.
We make these choices to highlight events that best reflect our programming vision and community values.