But obviously you don't think they'll like certain aspects of them because you're deliberately not mentioning those.
No, I think they don't know what they are yet, so there is no point in using it in advertising. I think they'll like them once they know what they are -- but the best way for them to find out is by getting them to the convention.
I've been to Burning Man a couple of times. One of the most profound and memorable parts of that experience is the Sunday night Temple Burn. Trying to briefly explain why to people who have not attended would be nonsensical or confusing ("well, we all sit around in silence for a while, and then we go away. No, its not religious, even though its called a temple. Yeah, nothing much happens really, a thing gets burned but it's comparitively unspectacular."), but its at the heart of the whole experience. Is that I should use to sell outsiders on the event?
Something near the heart of the experience that requires significant explanation isn't necessarily what you use in advertising to outsiders with limited knowledge and a casual interest -- and this in no way detracts from the value of that aspect, or its importance to insiders.
Even something as big as a Swancon (let alone something as big as a worldcon) has enough going on that trying to communicate it all in a single poster or flyer (which your potential audience will scan in seconds) is impossible. You pick and choose those items you tell them about, and you concentrate on those items that will be immediately meaningful and attractive to your chosen audience (and fan guest is not immediately understood by non-fans).
if you think that your potential audience would be disturbed by one Actually, I think the majority of the potential audience knows what a fan guest is, and is pretty happy about it. But we were talking specifically about advertising to a specific subset of the potential attendees, that being first time attendees that we wish to bring in to the convention purely by advertising/marketing. The map is not the territory, the flyer is not the convention.
no subject
No, I think they don't know what they are yet, so there is no point in using it in advertising. I think they'll like them once they know what they are -- but the best way for them to find out is by getting them to the convention.
I've been to Burning Man a couple of times. One of the most profound and memorable parts of that experience is the Sunday night Temple Burn. Trying to briefly explain why to people who have not attended would be nonsensical or confusing ("well, we all sit around in silence for a while, and then we go away. No, its not religious, even though its called a temple. Yeah, nothing much happens really, a thing gets burned but it's comparitively unspectacular."), but its at the heart of the whole experience. Is that I should use to sell outsiders on the event?
Something near the heart of the experience that requires significant explanation isn't necessarily what you use in advertising to outsiders with limited knowledge and a casual interest -- and this in no way detracts from the value of that aspect, or its importance to insiders.
Even something as big as a Swancon (let alone something as big as a worldcon) has enough going on that trying to communicate it all in a single poster or flyer (which your potential audience will scan in seconds) is impossible. You pick and choose those items you tell them about, and you concentrate on those items that will be immediately meaningful and attractive to your chosen audience (and fan guest is not immediately understood by non-fans).
if you think that your potential audience would be disturbed by one
Actually, I think the majority of the potential audience knows what a fan guest is, and is pretty happy about it. But we were talking specifically about advertising to a specific subset of the potential attendees, that being first time attendees that we wish to bring in to the convention purely by advertising/marketing. The map is not the territory, the flyer is not the convention.