Do you run a membership based organization? Are you an event planner or staff member in charge of setting up mixers, business seminars, network marketing trainings or other events? There is a two-part strategy that has remained a secret until now. I have used it for years so successfully double attendance for groups and events in my organization. The full strategy was revealed in another article. Let's focus on using nagging to get people to attend.
I'm using the definition of nagging that is "persistently recurring; unrelenting" not the fault-finding or unpleasant version. I consistently and regularly remind people of the event through as many different channels as possible. I would rather send them five messages in five different ways, than to send the same message in the same way five times. Therefore, variety is important. It's also vital to keep the message light, friendly and brief.
Here are several of the methods I've used and some tips on applying them:
- Email: You must build and grow your list of people who want your information and have asked you to provide them with reminders.
- Twitter: Unless you've specifically built your following to a specific purpose, this can be a bit random. Use a consistent hashtag for your organization.
- Make Personal Phone Calls: Time consuming, yes, but extremely effective in reaching people and conveying your regards. Use for your top wanted attendees.
- Ask Other People to Invite their Friends
- Get People Talking about Your Event: This is where the second part of the strategy comes in to play.
- Hand Out Invitations: Go to events where your target market or desired attendees are and invite them personally.
- Post it on Free Community Calendars: Local papers usually have an online calendar. They appreciate your contributions.
- Announce at Your Other Events
- Create a Facebook Event: Ask your friend to share the invitation. Make sure you've got a link or picture to go with the event so they can do that.
While nagging is half of the process, it will mean nothing if you don't have something valuable and of interest to them to offer. They don't care how it helps you, they want to know what's in it for them. Communicating the benefit is crucial and no number or repetition of messages will attract people when you do not have what they want. That is where the second part of the strategy comes in. I call it bribery and have addressed it in detail in another article.
