Attracting and Retaining Members

Presenter: Jack McGeorge

Attracting and Retaining Members

Why do people join groups?

What is the focus of your group and whom are you trying to attract?

How can you attract the attention of people that might be interested in your group?

  1. Newspaper and magazine ads
    • Alternative press (City Paper)
    • Mainstream publications (Washingtonian)
  2. Website
    • Easy to find
    • Quick to load
    • Up to date calendar of events
    • Directions to your activities
    • Contact information
  3. Newsgroup and email list discussions
    • Advertise your group's upcoming activities
  4. Outreach to other groups
    • Good speakers raise interest in your group
    • Poor speakers will reflect negatively on your organization
  5. Flyers that describe your group and its activities
    • Stores that serve a leather clientele
    • Events sponsored by other organizations
  6. Word of mouth
    • If you do good work other people will hear about it
    • The reverse is also true
  7. Weekend events your group hosts
    • Black Rose membership more than doubled after BR10

What can you do to make your group more attractive to new and existing members?

  1. Gateway type meeting focused on the needs of people who are very new

     

        Minimize pontification
          Maximize focus on the information needs of your target audience

           

          Disallow vultures

        • Welcoming committee
          • Answer questions
          • Introductions
        • Have a group focus but approach it from diverse perspectives
          • If you are an educational group, vary the topic, speakers and format
        • Maximize the opportunity to participate by varying day of the week and time of day for activities
          • Regular activities should be on a predictable schedule
          • Make sure that some activities are on weeknights and others are on weekends
        • Ensure quality activities
          • Speakers must know their subject
          • Speakers must be organized- require an outline in advance
          • Arrange suitable audio and visual support
          • Encourage audience participation where ever practical
          • Speakers should provide handouts
          • All activities should begin and end on time
        • Advertise each of your activities for the coming week
          • Website calendar
          • Announcement email list
          • Group newsletter
          • Telephone hotline
          • Describe the activity and why it will be interesting and or fun
        • Make play happen
          • Play parties are a lot of work but they are necessary
          • Predictable schedule
          • Clean, safe environment promotes attendance
        • Maximize the opportunity for social interaction
          • Bar nights
          • Organized dinner or dessert after meetings
          • Give folks a job that forces interaction with others
        • Encourage Special Interest Groups
          • Some folks will have a narrow range of interests
          • Various SIG's seem to work including Women's, Bondage, D/S, Crafters, TNG, Social (non-BDSM activities), Pony Play, etc.
        • Demand integrity and impartiality from officers and officials
          • Officers and officials should not appear to financially profit
          • Avoid the appearance of abuse of power
          • Decentralize group management

Why do folks leave groups?

How can you identify that a problem exists?

Should you try to solve everyone's problem?

Questions?

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