Yesterday, I got to hang out one of our local TV new stations. I got to see the control room, the studio, I even accidentally (yes it was an accident) got of TV! I met the producers, the director, the camera guys, the graphics guy and the reporters too! Of course, you know me: the entire time I was there I was hoping there is would a clear cut opportunity to get them to do a story on the group.
But since I like to be etiquettly correct; I didn't breathe a word of it. However, I was hoping it would come up. I even had a plan.
I figured that somebody at the station would have asked me what I did for a living. I refused to tell them that I am a stay at home mom: Despite how much I value being one, I also understand how undervalued my status is at this day and age is from certain perspectives. So instead, I've chosen a title for myself.
I am a
Volunteer : What I do with my time is volunteer. I schedule events, I meet people, I direct people, but all this is volunteering.
Early Childhood Development: Duh. What part of my day doesn't involve early childhood development?
Community Specialist: I specialize in creating a community of moms in our area. I mean that is what a playgroup is, right?!
I wanted to give it a special name because I know it will attract interest. There was only one problem with my plan; no one asked me what I did for a living. My group never came up and most of the time I spent sitting in a chair silently, while everyone went busily about their day. But it's OK. I know I'll get another chance. The volunteer Early Childhood Development Community Specialist in me knows it.
What do you do for a living?
Showing posts with label marketing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marketing. Show all posts
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
WOM: take two
So I made a promise that I would cover word of mouth how to, and here it is!
Basically word of mouth is a game of telephone, mixed with a drama mama gossip queen, but hopefully word of mouth will be a positive thing for your group.
Be Passionate: First thing to do is to get it started yourself. But you have to make sure you are passionate about it. Make sure what you are talking about means something; to you, and to your member.
Make it Personal: When talking about word of mouth for playgroups I focus on promoting group events. Events are your life source; they are like your company's product, or money line. If your members like your events, they will eventually talk about them to people outside of the group; leading new members to you! When I look at starting a new event I focus finding one or two members interested enough to commit to attending an event before it's scheduled. I schedule it around their schedule, and voila! Two members are already coming. They are personally invested in their event; it's theirs!
Give out Invites: I cannot stress this enough; sending an email or e-vite is not enough; why? Because your members know it was not 'for them'. The best attended events that I have had was when I verbally invited members to the event; Our RSVPs double. Not Kidding.
It's not About YOU: Make sure that it's not just your group, or your events that you are promoting. You have to invest your time and energy in finding other gems of information to recommend around the area too. If you do not, your members will get this turned off attitude to your promotions and it will make you seem as though you think it's all about you. I even make it a habit to recommend other mom's groups to new members if I think a different one will suit them better. You know what they usually tell me? They are still interested in joining mine? (Hehehe, I'm an evil reverse physcologist aren't I?)
Basically word of mouth is a game of telephone, mixed with a drama mama gossip queen, but hopefully word of mouth will be a positive thing for your group.
Be Passionate: First thing to do is to get it started yourself. But you have to make sure you are passionate about it. Make sure what you are talking about means something; to you, and to your member.
Make it Personal: When talking about word of mouth for playgroups I focus on promoting group events. Events are your life source; they are like your company's product, or money line. If your members like your events, they will eventually talk about them to people outside of the group; leading new members to you! When I look at starting a new event I focus finding one or two members interested enough to commit to attending an event before it's scheduled. I schedule it around their schedule, and voila! Two members are already coming. They are personally invested in their event; it's theirs!
Give out Invites: I cannot stress this enough; sending an email or e-vite is not enough; why? Because your members know it was not 'for them'. The best attended events that I have had was when I verbally invited members to the event; Our RSVPs double. Not Kidding.
It's not About YOU: Make sure that it's not just your group, or your events that you are promoting. You have to invest your time and energy in finding other gems of information to recommend around the area too. If you do not, your members will get this turned off attitude to your promotions and it will make you seem as though you think it's all about you. I even make it a habit to recommend other mom's groups to new members if I think a different one will suit them better. You know what they usually tell me? They are still interested in joining mine? (Hehehe, I'm an evil reverse physcologist aren't I?)
Monday, October 18, 2010
WOM: your best friend
So organizers are always questioning how to get good active members in their group. I have tried every which way; walking in parades, holding a booth, passing out business cards, advertising online; etc. I cannot tell you how much money I have wasted on advertising.
The best way is word of mouth. More on this later this month.
For now let me tell you what has not worked.
It is safe to say, that since I like to keep my posts short and sweet, that I am withholding information that could make or break this type of promoting your group, like how many fliers I posted and where, how many business cards I passed out, to who and where, etc. But what I can say is for me, the investment was not worth it.
Word of Mouth (WOM) has been the most powerful. I am not just talking about for new members, but also for finding resources, and getting members more active. If I publicize an event by inviting members verbally, I get more attendees. It seems to get them excited! I think being that my group is online we seem to have a false security of connection that we forget we need to connect face to face too!!!!!
Either way, look it up. Check out some books from your local library on word of mouth, and do a search for word of mouth strategies. Soon enough your playgroup will explode into an active and growing group!
The best way is word of mouth. More on this later this month.
For now let me tell you what has not worked.
- community events- we did a face painting booth this past month and have yet to receive a request to join. Turn over for about $100. zero. zip. nada. granted they could still join, but I was hoping for a more immediate reaction.
- business cards, fliers- Out of the past three years...I got one member from this. I have come to find now, however, that is it the way I present them.
- professional ads- I bought an ad in our local directory- it cost me $230. Four months of the ad being displayed got me one member who joined and never responded to my emails.
- direct mail- it didn't work. plain and simple.
It is safe to say, that since I like to keep my posts short and sweet, that I am withholding information that could make or break this type of promoting your group, like how many fliers I posted and where, how many business cards I passed out, to who and where, etc. But what I can say is for me, the investment was not worth it.
Word of Mouth (WOM) has been the most powerful. I am not just talking about for new members, but also for finding resources, and getting members more active. If I publicize an event by inviting members verbally, I get more attendees. It seems to get them excited! I think being that my group is online we seem to have a false security of connection that we forget we need to connect face to face too!!!!!
Either way, look it up. Check out some books from your local library on word of mouth, and do a search for word of mouth strategies. Soon enough your playgroup will explode into an active and growing group!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Creating a Facebook Fan Page!
OK, I'm usually rambling on and on about different playgroup related issues, but today I'm gonna make this post short n' sweet. If you haven't already, make yourself a fan page on Facebook for your group. It's just a no-brainer. Quite frankly, many of your moms already have a facebook page, and log onto facebook more than the group's website.
I used my status updates for promoting things like drawings, events, and participation, but really it can be about anything related to your 'fans' at all. Keep them thinking about your playgroup means momentum will keep up..and that's a good thing.
I used my status updates for promoting things like drawings, events, and participation, but really it can be about anything related to your 'fans' at all. Keep them thinking about your playgroup means momentum will keep up..and that's a good thing.
Note I am NOT talking about registering ANOTHER email to create a separate profile (although it can be useful in ways too). You can create your own fan page from your existing profile; it's almost like an extension. It has it's own wall, and an information page and can have other options if you choose.
You can access your own facebook page from your profile once you create it. It is located just above your friends list under the category "Ads and Pages" (you may have to click the see more link if you use alot of applications.).
Normally I say happy organizing.....but today.......Happy Facebooking!
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