Welcome to Learn to Play '24!
Thank you for registering for Learn to Play ’24, it’s fantastic to have you on board!
Whether you’re getting involved for the first or tenth time, this exclusive web page for participating Providers is your information hub to easily access the latest information and resources required for you to run your Learn to Play event successfully and safely!
If you have any questions, want to seek further guidance, or have any suggestions about additional resources you would like to see here, please email: ltpproviders@musicforall.org.uk.
Promoting your event
We will support you in both national and regional PR coverage in the lead up to the weekend and you can be in direct contact with our PR specialist to arrange additional press. Historically, we have found that the Providers who are proactive in marketing their events locally results in a fully booked, productive and fulfilling weekend!
We recommend the following three ways you can promote your event:
1) Plan social media posts
2) Contact your local press
3) Decorate your venue with the promo pack materials!
View the tabs below for associated resources:
The Learn to Play ’24 logo is available in a range of different sizes to work best across the main social media sites- Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, including options advertising just the Friday, Saturday or Sunday date too.
Click on the below link to view and download the logos you require:
Planning some social media posts to advertise your Learn to Play event can be a fast and effective tool to let your audience know what you have to offer. Even if you’re not really familiar with social media yet, promoting Learn to Play can be a good excuse to give it a go for the first time!
Creating an event on Facebook can also be a effective way to promote your event online. Click here for instructions on how to do this.
Read on for some guidance to help you write your posts and check out the below ‘Using social media’ section for top tips across each platform!
Writing your posts
Here is some core text you could use, simply tweak the details relevant to your event:
Visit us for a FREE music lesson!
We’re taking part in Learn to Play ‘24 which means you can visit us to enjoy a free taster
music lesson on X October! Whether you are a budding or lapsed musician, we
welcome everybody to come and make some music. Playing an instrument is fun,
challenging and fantastic for our mental health and wellbeing. Come and discover the joy of
music making by booking/drop-in details now!
These are the popular hashtag’s to include:
#LearnToPlay
#LearnToPlay24
#MusicforAll
#MakingMusicChangesLives
Things you could add:
- A suitable contact email address or phone number if people have questions
- Which instruments you will have available
- Any other activities you are planning across the Learn to Play weekend
- Freebies/discounts you plan to offer
- It’s always impactful to accompany your text with an image. Perhaps a photo of your
venue, selection of instruments or a useable photo you have of a previous instrument
lesson
Why not try contacting your local newspaper, radio station or online community hubs in your borough to see if they would help you spread the word?
Learn to Play PR Manager – Rachel Diamond, is on hand to provide guidance on liaising with journalists, writing press releases and organising interviews with your local press. You can email her at: rachel.diamond@musicforall.org.uk
Here are Rachel’s top tips for you to consider when pitching to the press!
Paste your press release/event info into the body of an email rather than sending it as an attachment to an email. This will increase the chance of the journalist reading it!
Personalise the email to the journalist, instead of a generic/blanket email to everyone
Send hi-res images to accompany the press release, such as images of your venue and/or any photos you may have of people trying out instruments
Offer an interview, or even better, invite them along to your event so they can interview participants and take own photographs, soundbites etc. for articles
Click below to view an amendable pre-event press release template. Simply customise the red text areas to fit the details of your event!
You will receive a promotional pack with a range of LTP ’24 branded materials you can use to promote your event and decorate your venue*.
This pack will include:
A4 & A3 Posters (5 of each)
50 Postcards
15 Balloons
50 ‘I’ve Learnt to Play!’ Stickers
If you would like to order additional quantities of any of the materials listed above please let us know as soon as possible by emailing: ltpproviders@musicforall.org.uk
*Packs will start to be delivered in August, but if you want to use the posters earlier click on the ‘Home Printing’ tab to view more options!
Click below to download the posters!
You can also download amendable versions of the posters to add your own details in and print. Simply download the poster size of your choice and edit the date field under the logo to show which day/s you are taking part. Then add in any other relevant details into the ‘insert your text here’ box.
Amendable A4 Poster for Home Printing
Amendable A4 Poster for Professional Printing
Using social media
Don’t forget to tag us in your social media postings and we will be happy to like and re-share your content to help you reach a wider audience!
🌟 Top tip! Successful communication is often about repetition so don’t just post one message, several over the weeks leading up to the event will reach more people and each time you will be able to tell participants more about your event.
What to keep in mind when creating a post?
Overall, any content created should provide value to the viewer. What the focus of the content could be depends on the platform. However, overall, these are the main types of content you should aim for:
- Educational content – the user will learn/discover something they have not know before
- Entertaining content – the user is enjoying themselves while watching the content
- Sharable content – the user will want to share the post with their peers/friends because it was e.g. funny, thought provoking, simply aesthetically pleasing, revealed something they didn’t know before…
- Saveable content – the user might not be actioning on the content immediately but feels inspired by it and wants to come back to it at a later point
These are the different types of content you can create on Instagram:
- In-feed posts
- Single post or carousel (up to 10 pictures as album)
- Can be in 1×1 (1080x1080px) or 4×5 (1080x1350px)
- Reels
- Although you can upload videos in different sizes, 9×16 (1080x1920px) is the recommended format
- Reels can be up to 3 minutes long
- Make sure the video quality is not over 1040px (minimum 720px) and at 60 frames per second, so that it can be loaded by everyone no matter how strong or weak their internet connection. ❗️No 4k videos!
- Make the first 3 seconds count – ensure that there is a hook that keeps people watching
- Stories
- Moving or static
- 9×16 format
- You can use this to:
- share impressions of the day
- create polls for your followers
- tag people (@…)
- Re-share your own or the content of others
General things to keep in mind when creating content for Instagram:
- Make sure that any pictures have good quality and any text is large enough to be read on a small phone display
- The preview on the account grid is 1×1, so make sure the main part of the design is in that frame including adjusting the Reel cover for grid view before posting.
- After posting, consider commenting on the post right away from your personal account to kick-start the algorithm
- You can share clickable links in stories but NOT in in-feed posts & reels. For this, please use something like “Link in bio” and add the link into you account bio.
- When choosing Hashtags, please use not more than 8 to ensure optimal targeting of your content by the algorithm
- Consider adding the location to the post to boost the algorithm
These are the different types of content you can create on Facebook:
- In-feed posts
- Single post or carousel (up to 10 pictures as album)
- Can be in 1×1 (1080x1080px) or 4×5 (1080x1350px)
- Reels
- Although you can upload videos in different sizes, 9×16 (1080x1920px) is the recommended format
- Reels can be up to 3 minutes long
- Make sure the video quality is not over 1040px (minimum 720px) and at 60 frames per second, so that it can be loaded by everyone no matter how strong or weak their internet connection.
❗️No 4k videos! - Make the first 3 seconds count – ensure that there is a hook that keeps people watching
- Stories
- Moving or static
- 9×16 format
- You can use this to:
- Share impressions of the day
- Create polls for your followers
- Tag people (@…)
- Re-share your own or the content of others
General things to keep in mind when creating content for Facebook:
- Make sure that any pictures have good quality and any text readable. Facebook is a platform that is used on mobile as well as on desktop devices, so everything needs to be large enough to be read on a small phone display, as well as high quality enough do nothing gets blurry when scaled to a computer screen
- You can share clickable links in all formats
- When choosing Hashtags, please use not more than 8 to ensure optimal targeting of your content by the algorithm
These are the different types of content you can create on Twitter/X:
- Text-only posts (announcements, statements, quick updates…)
- Polls – let your followers have a say on a topic of your choosing
- Text & image/video posts
- Landscape (image & video): 16×9 (1600x900px)
- Portrait:
- image: 4×5 (900x675px)
- video: 9×16 (900x1600px)
- Square (image & video): 1×1 (900×900)
General things to keep in mind when creating content for Twitter/X:
- Your tweets cannot be longer than 280 characters, so keep things brief
- Posting best practice is to share quick announcements, wins, and results in short format
This network focuses on achievements and celebrates accomplishments. Post on here if you:
- Have some news to celebrate
- Want to recap a successful event
- What to share a fundraiser goal
- Want to announce any upcoming fundraiser/rallies you are participating in
- Share your achievements in the last year
- Create a poll for people to vote on a matter of your choosing
- Share events
You can share the following posts types:
- Post single or multi-image: 1×1 (1080x1080px) or 16×9 (1920×1080)
- Carousel post: 1×1 (1080x1080px) or 16×9 (1920×1080)
- Video size: 256x144px to 4096x2304px (maximum), max. 10 minutes long
General things to keep in mind when creating content for LinkedIn:
- This platform is for professionals, so focus more on impact and measurable accomplishments on here
- When writing a caption, find a hook in the first sentence so people click on ‘read more’
As you can see, most of the platforms above allow you to add a picture or video to your posts. When capturing and choosing visuals for your posts please keep in mind that:
- You’ll need to ask all of the people depicted for their approval to use them in your posts for external purposes (social media, newsletters, website…)
- If you can’t get consent from everyone, consider capturing
- The empty venue after setting it up
- The instruments
- People from the back so that no faces are visible
- Hands making music
- Sound of people playing
- Music sheets
- For videos, you can either edit them for Facebook & Instagram on Instagram itself with the native tools, or edit them and upload the finished video
Depending on the content, consider adding a trending sound to it to boost reach. You can have a look here for currently trending sounds that could be used.
❗️If you are a business and want to use the footage for commercial use, please make sure you have the rights to the sound! When in doubt, please choose an audio from the META commercial library to be on the safe side
Risk assessments and health and safety policies
It is essential that all venues consider Safeguarding and Health & Safety procedures, taking appropriate measures to ensure the venue has complied with the basic Health and Safety standards expected for a Learn to Play event.
We also strongly advise all venues to carry out an appropriate risk assessment before your Learn to Play activity.
Health & Safety Executive has some useful guidance and information regarding risk assessments, see here for more information.
The Musicians Union have risk assessment resources available here.
NSPCC also have guidance about writing safeguarding policies and procedures.
Preparing for your event
Here are some tips and considerations to read through as you prepare to deliver your Learn to Play event. Helping you to ensure everyone participating, both staff and music-makers feel welcomed, comfortable and excited to enjoy the day!
Many people of all ages can be intimidated by music environments with worries such as – will I understand, will I be any good, will they be patient with me?
Therefore, it’s really key to be welcoming and friendly to everyone coming through the doors. The knowledge and opportunities that you are offering through Learn to Play will help to bypass the fear of trying a musical instrument and spark a passion for making music!
A way to add to your event and draw in more people is to provide additional offers alongside the taster lessons such as activities, competitions and freebies. These can also provide something for people to do whilst they might be waiting for their lesson.
These could include:
Free prize draws
Competitions
Music related activity sheets
Raffles
Refreshments
- In-store performances
The day provides a fantastic opportunity for you to promote and talk about everything unique to your organisation such as its history and how it came to exist, what else you offer throughout the year, particular age related opportunities, what products or services you offer and how they can sign-up for them.
Whatever is great or unique about your organisation, be sure to talk about it and give people more information, and if possible encourage people to sign-up to your mailing list. Once you get them through the door, encourage them to return!
And remember, many of the people who are just ‘watching’ on the day may actually want to find out more or become musicians themselves so chat to everyone.
If you are selling instruments and/or promoting music lessons on the day, here are some extra considerations:
Have plenty of sign-up forms available and/or people on hand to process the purchases/book future lessons
Offer on the day incentives such as a reduction for immediate sign up/purchase and think about whether you can offer further incentives for bulk bookings.
In store, consider what bundles you can offer on the day for anyone new to learning an instrument and make sure these offers are visible.
We encourage all venues to take photos and/or videos of their Learn to Play event, capturing the essence of the day and the joy of visitors playing an instrument in your venue!
It’s really important to make sure your visitors are aware you will be capturing media and informed as to how it will be used. Please ensure you have photography signage clearly displayed in your venue.
You can download and print the below signage and consent forms which cover use of the media by yourself and Music for All.
Learn to Play ’24 Photography and Filming Signage
As you get closer to the Learn to Play weekend, here is a guide of things for you to ‘tick off’ whilst you get your venue ready to welcome visitors.
Not everything may be applicable to your event, but please do carefully consider how your venue can be health and safety secure.
Download and print your copy below:
The latest email updates!
Dear Providers,
Welcome to your first Learn to Play ’24 update email! You’ll receive these emails roughly once a month in the lead-up to the LTP weekend, letting you know of any project news with reminders to support your planning.
🌟 LTP Provider Information Link to access all resources (bookmark this link!): https://www.musicforall.org.uk/learn-to-play-provider-information/ If you haven’t already, we strongly recommend spending a bit of time familiarising yourself with this webpage, especially if this is your first time delivering Learn to Play. Here you will find lots of resources to help you plan, prepare for and market your events.
🌟 Promoting Your Event There is no time like the present to start spreading the word about your planned Learn to Play events! On the link above you will find a whole host of resources and tips to get you started. Including LTP logos, tips on best practice across the main social media platforms, who to contact for PR support within MFA and the promo pack resources you can download and print at home before your pack arrives later in the summer.
🌟 Welcome Phoebe! We’re delighted to welcome Phoebe Halpern to the Learn to Play ’24 team! Myself and Phoebe will be on hand to support this year, so you may receive communications from both of us over the coming months.
Please don’t hesitate to reply to these emails with any queries you may have, we’re more than happy to support your planning!
Best wishes,
Wallis.
Dear Providers,
We hope you are well and enjoying the summer weather!
Here is another Learn to Play ’24 update email. You’ll receive these emails roughly once a month in the lead-up to the LTP weekend, letting you know of any project news with reminders to support your planning. You can look back at past emails by scrolling to the bottom of the resources page to view ‘The latest email updates!’
🌟 LTP Provider Information Link to access all resources (bookmark this link!): https://www.musicforall.org.uk/learn-to-play-provider-information/
If you haven’t already, we strongly recommend spending a bit of time familiarising yourself with this webpage, especially if this is your first time delivering Learn to Play. Here you will find lots of resources to help you plan, prepare for and market your events.
🌟 Promo Packs – now heading your way!
These materials are to help with your local visual promotion and decorating your venue on the weekend. If you would like any more of the items, please email Phoebe (copied in). You can also download and print more copies of the posters and postcards, plus amenable poster versions on the recourse page. Head to the ‘Promoting your event’ section and click on the ‘Home Printing’ tab.
🌟 Prize Draw!
With thanks to Play Music Today for their generous donation, we’re delighted to be able to offer entry to a prize draw to win £100 to spend at PMT to both Participants and Providers who complete a post-event feedback form this year. If you would like to share this good news with potential Participants to your event, please try to include this disclaimer in your communications where possible:
*This prize draw is kindly sponsored by Play Music Today. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, or any other Social Network. The gift cards are only redeemable through the Play Music Today mail order centre and in-stores. You are providing your information to Music for All & Play Music Today and not to any other party. The information provided will be used in conjunction with the following Privacy Policy found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HQj3_TTSjN8isn964ndAbyWzpq1Y5n7a/view.*
Please don’t hesitate to reply to these emails with any queries you may have, we’re more than happy to support your planning!
Best wishes,
Wallis.
Dear Providers,
Wishing a warm welcome to our recently registered Providers! (You’ll receive these emails roughly once a month in the lead-up to the LTP weekend, letting you know of any project news with reminders to support your planning. You can look back at past emails sent by scrolling to the bottom of the resources page to view ‘The latest email updates!’)
LTP Provider Information Link to access all resources (bookmark this link!) https://www.
1) PR Coverage
Our PR manager Rachel Diamond is pleased to confirm the attached regional pieces of digital coverage (as of the 15th August and also saved here). As always, there may also be pieces out in print… and more to come!
2) Planning Advice
With not long to go until the Learn to Play weekend, it’s time to get ready to focus on the finer details of your events. Alongside promoting your activity, we recommend spending time to look through the following sections on the resource page:
Risk assessments and health and safety policies: It is essential that all Providers consider Safeguarding and Health & Safety procedures, taking appropriate measures to ensure the venue you will be delivering in will comply with basic Health and Safety standards.
Preparing for your event: Have a look at this section to think about additional ways you can encourage and welcome people to your event and what to consider if you would like to photograph/film your activity. You can download applicable signage/consent forms too.
Please don’t hesitate to reply to these emails with any queries you may have, we’re more than happy to support your planning!
Best wishes,
Wallis.
Dear Provider,
LTP Provider Information Link to access all resources (bookmark this link!): https://www.
Final Reminders
1) Check your promo pack has arrived (if you recently registered, it’s on the way!)
2) Look through the resources on the link above. Especially the ‘Preparing for your event’ section for last minute preparation tips and a checklist to consider!
3) Share the details of your Learn to Play event through your social media accounts and newsletters to spread the news to potential participants. Tag us and we’ll share further!
Feedback: £100 Prize Draw!- The number of lessons delivered
- Age range of participants
- Whether they are new or returning to music making
- General participants quotes/feedback!
Wallis.