Everybody’s circumstances and priorities are very different and that determines the time and effort each CODA member is able to devote to getting soaked to the skin outside Sainsburys in Crystal Palace handing out soggy Sweeney leaflets to disinterested shoppers and their moaning kids. Myself and my girls were willing participants but, you’ll gather, I’m not convinced that this is the best way to put bums on seats. In future I’d like to concentrate our efforts more strategically. By handing out leaflets to theatre audiences at the Ashcroft, the Miller, the Secombe etc, and by chatting up the audiences at our other shows, corporate events and at busking gigs (see News) we will at least be preaching to the convert-able. It is realistic to say that it is harder to be enthused about selling shows in which we only have a small part or are not appearing at all. Moreover, we are not all natural salesmen hence it can be more difficult asking friends and workmates to fork out 10 or 12 quid for a ticket than it is to approach a complete stranger. My ‘big idea’, therefore, is to regularly circularise information like the newsletter (and an email version), not just to you members but to as many of your relatives, friends, neighbours, workmates, mistresses etc as possible. In the process I want to develop a loyalty scheme on the lines of the very successful ‘Friends of’ system that patrons of the Wimbledon Theatre benefit from.   Please help... If each CODA member supplies me with 20 names, email and home addresses we have an immediate potential database which is several hundred strong. I’ll mail merge the letters and emails so that each recipient is aware that their son/friend/work colleague/parole officer or whatever is appearing in or involved with whatever fantastic show happens to be coming up. Please click on the link (shown above) to download the form and post it or email it at your earliest opportunity. We will, of course, respect the rules that apply regarding data protection so you can rest assured these addresses will never be passed on to any other organisation. One free ticket in every ten was never a very sexy offer, I felt, so I’m trying to put together a package of incentives such as family discounts, vouchers for local restaurants and bars, interval drink offers, a wild night of naked Ker-Plunk with Andy Claridge etc for multiple tickets purchased. I’ll do my best to make it easier for you to flog tickets so please contact me with any other ideas you may have.