Test Marketing Task: Create PSU Alumni Campaign Sample for PA Event Venue
Budget: $250 – $750 USD
Brass 16823 is a 16,823 sq ft flexible venue in Bellefonte, PA—just eight miles from Penn State University Park—where couples, alumni groups, nonprofits, and companies stage weddings, reunions, galas, and corporate off-sites at 40-60 % below typical city-hotel pricing. I’m running a paid test to find a marketer who can turn that value proposition into more confirmed bookings.
Scope of this test
You’ll handle the same three activities that will define the long-term role: email campaigns, social media management, and ad creation. The immediate objective is clear—drive venue bookings—so every asset you craft should speak to Penn State alumni and event planners in DC, NYC, Philadelphia, and New Jersey looking for a cost-effective, BYO-friendly space.
Deliverables for the trial
• Email: a three-touch nurture sequence (subject lines + body copy) that can be dropped into Mailchimp or HubSpot without heavy editing.
• Social: a one-week content calendar (five posts) for Instagram and LinkedIn, each with caption, visual direction, and hashtags that spotlight our pricing advantage, BYO flexibility, and proximity to campus.
• Ads: two paid ad concepts—headline, primary text, and static image idea—ready for Meta Ads Manager or LinkedIn Campaign Manager.
Acceptance criteria
Content must be on-brand, emphasize the 40-60 % savings over urban hotels, highlight our “bring-your-own caterer, bar, and AV” freedom, and include a strong call-to-action leading to our booking form or phone number.
using this content and information.
https://www.youtube.com/@brass16823
https://www.brass16823.com/
https://www.instagram.com/brass16823/
https://www.facebook.com/brass16823/
Timeline & next steps
I’ll award the project to up to three freelancers. Submit the deliverables within five days of acceptance; high-performing work will lead to an ongoing engagement covering full-funnel email, consistent Instagram/LinkedIn posting, and paid media management.
this is a more detailed outline of marketing plan with examples. select one of the items and provide an estimate to complete a test and suggestion as to how we can track the effectiveness.
1. Positioning & Messaging (the “hook”)
Core PromiseOne-Liner for Ads / Website“Penn State’s hidden ballroom—16823 sq ft of blank-canvas space 2 hours from Philly, 3½ from DC/NYC, at 40-60 % less than downtown hotels.”“PSU Alumni: Host your reunion, gala, or wedding in the building that feels like Happy Valley but costs like the Midwest.”
Key differentiators to repeat everywhere
BYO everything (caterer, bar, AV, décor) → zero forced packages.
No curfew, no corkage, no union rules → load-in at 6 a.m., party till 4 a.m.
Free parking for 500 cars + shuttle loop to campus/hotels.
PSU-branded add-ons (Nittany Lion ice sculpture, THON dance floor, blue & white uplights) at cost.
2. Digital Funnel (drive inquiries from 200+ miles away)
ChannelTacticBudget & KPIGoogle Ads• Search: “PSU alumni reunion venue”, “large wedding venue central PA”, “corporate retreat near Penn State”
• Radius targeting: 360-mile circle around Bellefonte + look-alike audiences of “PSU Alumni Association” members$1,500/mo → 8 qualified RFPsMeta (FB/IG)• Carousel ads: “Philly → Bellefonte in 2 hrs → Save $25 k on your 250-person gala”
• Retarget site abandoners with “48-hr hold + $2 k credit if you book from DC/NYC/Philly/NJ”$2,000/mo → 12 RFPsLinkedIn• Sponsored InMail to PSU alumni in DC/NYC/Philly/NJ (filter: “Penn State” + title “Event Planner” or “Alumni Relations”)$800/mo → 3 corporate/alumni leadsEmail SignatureEvery staff email ends with: “Brass 16823 – 2 hr from Philly, 40 % less than downtown. psu-alumni.com/venue”$0 → passive leads
Landing page (brass16823.com/alumni):
10-second video fly-through.
Instant Quote Calculator: # guests → date → automatically applies “Out-of-State Discount” (10 % off for 200+ miles).
PSU Alumni Portal login via Penn State single-sign-on → unlocks extra 5 % + free THON floor.
3. PSU Alumni Network (the “warm” list)
GroupActivationPSU Alumni AssociationSponsor 1 regional chapter event per city (DC, NYC, Philly, NJ). Offer free site tour + $1 k bar credit to any chapter booking 2026+.Greek Life Councils“Panhellenic Package”: 20 % off + free late-night breakfast station for formals/reunions.Affinity Groups (Black Alumni, LGBTQ, Veterans)Dedicated microsites: brass16823.com/black-alumni, etc.THON Families“Dance Marathon Reunion” package → LED dance floor + livestream rig included.
4. Travel & Logistics (remove friction)
Pain PointSolution“Too far to drive”• Partner with Megabus / Fullington Trailways for $29 round-trip PSU charter from Philly/NYC/DC. Venue subsidizes first 50 seats for any 200+ guest booking.Hotel blocksPre-negotiated rates at The Penn Stater (on-campus), Nittany Lion Inn, & Toftrees Resort. Bundle into quote PDF.AirUniversity Park Airport (SCE) 20 min away → highlight direct flights from ORD, IAD, PHL on United/American.
5. Pricing Transparency (beat the cities)
MarketTypical 250-ppl SaturdayBrass 16823 EquivalentPhiladelphia$35 k–$50 k$18 k all-in (venue, tables, chairs, parking, cleanup)DC$45 k–$65 k$19 kNYC$80 k+$22 k
Public rate card on website:
Venue-only: $12 k (Fri–Sun)
+ BYO credit: –$2 k if you bring caterer/bar
PSU Alumni / 200+ miles: –10 % auto-applied
6. Social Proof & UGC
Seed 5 alumni weddings/reunions in 2025 at 50 % off in exchange for professional photos + 60-sec TikTok/Reels.
Tag PSU influencers (@psu_alumni, @wearepennstate).
Create #Brass16823 highlight reel updated monthly.
7. Partnership Revenue Share
PartnerDealCatering companies in Philly/NJ8 % referral fee for any booking they bring from their metro.AV/production firms in DCSame 8 % + priority load-in dock.PSU student orgs (EMC, Atlas)Free weekday bookings → they promote to alumni networks.
8. 90-Day Launch Calendar
Scope of this test
You’ll handle the same three activities that will define the long-term role: email campaigns, social media management, and ad creation. The immediate objective is clear—drive venue bookings—so every asset you craft should speak to Penn State alumni and event planners in DC, NYC, Philadelphia, and New Jersey looking for a cost-effective, BYO-friendly space.
Deliverables for the trial
• Email: a three-touch nurture sequence (subject lines + body copy) that can be dropped into Mailchimp or HubSpot without heavy editing.
• Social: a one-week content calendar (five posts) for Instagram and LinkedIn, each with caption, visual direction, and hashtags that spotlight our pricing advantage, BYO flexibility, and proximity to campus.
• Ads: two paid ad concepts—headline, primary text, and static image idea—ready for Meta Ads Manager or LinkedIn Campaign Manager.
Acceptance criteria
Content must be on-brand, emphasize the 40-60 % savings over urban hotels, highlight our “bring-your-own caterer, bar, and AV” freedom, and include a strong call-to-action leading to our booking form or phone number.
using this content and information.
https://www.youtube.com/@brass16823
https://www.brass16823.com/
https://www.instagram.com/brass16823/
https://www.facebook.com/brass16823/
Timeline & next steps
I’ll award the project to up to three freelancers. Submit the deliverables within five days of acceptance; high-performing work will lead to an ongoing engagement covering full-funnel email, consistent Instagram/LinkedIn posting, and paid media management.
this is a more detailed outline of marketing plan with examples. select one of the items and provide an estimate to complete a test and suggestion as to how we can track the effectiveness.
1. Positioning & Messaging (the “hook”)
Core PromiseOne-Liner for Ads / Website“Penn State’s hidden ballroom—16823 sq ft of blank-canvas space 2 hours from Philly, 3½ from DC/NYC, at 40-60 % less than downtown hotels.”“PSU Alumni: Host your reunion, gala, or wedding in the building that feels like Happy Valley but costs like the Midwest.”
Key differentiators to repeat everywhere
BYO everything (caterer, bar, AV, décor) → zero forced packages.
No curfew, no corkage, no union rules → load-in at 6 a.m., party till 4 a.m.
Free parking for 500 cars + shuttle loop to campus/hotels.
PSU-branded add-ons (Nittany Lion ice sculpture, THON dance floor, blue & white uplights) at cost.
2. Digital Funnel (drive inquiries from 200+ miles away)
ChannelTacticBudget & KPIGoogle Ads• Search: “PSU alumni reunion venue”, “large wedding venue central PA”, “corporate retreat near Penn State”
• Radius targeting: 360-mile circle around Bellefonte + look-alike audiences of “PSU Alumni Association” members$1,500/mo → 8 qualified RFPsMeta (FB/IG)• Carousel ads: “Philly → Bellefonte in 2 hrs → Save $25 k on your 250-person gala”
• Retarget site abandoners with “48-hr hold + $2 k credit if you book from DC/NYC/Philly/NJ”$2,000/mo → 12 RFPsLinkedIn• Sponsored InMail to PSU alumni in DC/NYC/Philly/NJ (filter: “Penn State” + title “Event Planner” or “Alumni Relations”)$800/mo → 3 corporate/alumni leadsEmail SignatureEvery staff email ends with: “Brass 16823 – 2 hr from Philly, 40 % less than downtown. psu-alumni.com/venue”$0 → passive leads
Landing page (brass16823.com/alumni):
10-second video fly-through.
Instant Quote Calculator: # guests → date → automatically applies “Out-of-State Discount” (10 % off for 200+ miles).
PSU Alumni Portal login via Penn State single-sign-on → unlocks extra 5 % + free THON floor.
3. PSU Alumni Network (the “warm” list)
GroupActivationPSU Alumni AssociationSponsor 1 regional chapter event per city (DC, NYC, Philly, NJ). Offer free site tour + $1 k bar credit to any chapter booking 2026+.Greek Life Councils“Panhellenic Package”: 20 % off + free late-night breakfast station for formals/reunions.Affinity Groups (Black Alumni, LGBTQ, Veterans)Dedicated microsites: brass16823.com/black-alumni, etc.THON Families“Dance Marathon Reunion” package → LED dance floor + livestream rig included.
4. Travel & Logistics (remove friction)
Pain PointSolution“Too far to drive”• Partner with Megabus / Fullington Trailways for $29 round-trip PSU charter from Philly/NYC/DC. Venue subsidizes first 50 seats for any 200+ guest booking.Hotel blocksPre-negotiated rates at The Penn Stater (on-campus), Nittany Lion Inn, & Toftrees Resort. Bundle into quote PDF.AirUniversity Park Airport (SCE) 20 min away → highlight direct flights from ORD, IAD, PHL on United/American.
5. Pricing Transparency (beat the cities)
MarketTypical 250-ppl SaturdayBrass 16823 EquivalentPhiladelphia$35 k–$50 k$18 k all-in (venue, tables, chairs, parking, cleanup)DC$45 k–$65 k$19 kNYC$80 k+$22 k
Public rate card on website:
Venue-only: $12 k (Fri–Sun)
+ BYO credit: –$2 k if you bring caterer/bar
PSU Alumni / 200+ miles: –10 % auto-applied
6. Social Proof & UGC
Seed 5 alumni weddings/reunions in 2025 at 50 % off in exchange for professional photos + 60-sec TikTok/Reels.
Tag PSU influencers (@psu_alumni, @wearepennstate).
Create #Brass16823 highlight reel updated monthly.
7. Partnership Revenue Share
PartnerDealCatering companies in Philly/NJ8 % referral fee for any booking they bring from their metro.AV/production firms in DCSame 8 % + priority load-in dock.PSU student orgs (EMC, Atlas)Free weekday bookings → they promote to alumni networks.
8. 90-Day Launch Calendar