Reaching out beyond your natural base of support is a key factor to every successful event so it is crucial that you focus efforts on improving your outreach skills. Start by estimating how much effort is needed to draw a good crowd and then multiply that number by five. Think carefully about who you most want to draw to a particular event and personally reach out to those individuals and groups. Also, make sure that the event’s entire planning committee reaches out to their friends, classmates and networks.
10. Always be recruiting
Outreach is not just before the event, it’s during and after too. Make sure that attendees feel comfortable at your event and understand the importance of what is being promoted. Make sure that attendees leave the event with a desire to learn more and with a feeling of openness to get involved in your activities. Outreach is about building lasting relationships.
9. Think wholesale and retail
“Wholesale” outreach is when you publicize your event to the general campus, community or the broader public. This is important but only part of the picture. Remember to also do “retail” outreach to key people and constituencies. Remember that a small commitment, like coming to your event, can lead to an even bigger commitment in the future (see Outreach Chart).
8. Identify your target audience
Based on your campus strategy, think about which student organizations and current or potential leaders you would like to see at your event. Personally invite these people, whether with a phone call, an e-mail or in person. Be sure to invite your allied groups with plenty of notice.
7. Co-sponsors can help
One of the major responsibilities of co-sponsors is to reach out to groups of students that you and your organization may not be able to reach. Be sure to get co-sponsors involved in publicity early and be sure to check in with them regularly.
6. Start with a small, committed group
Your planning committee is your core committed group that can spread the message farther than any one individual person can.
5. Go viral
When every member of the core group reaches out to a few e-mail lists, professors and friends, the excitement builds and the numbers multiply. Most people come to events because they heard about it by “word of mouth.”
4. Tap into campus & community media
Whether traditional media (newspapers, radio, TV) or new media (Facebook, blogs), your campus and/or community has several media outlets that you can access to promote your event.
3. Publicize early & often
Many media outlets and student groups have publicity deadlines for their listings and e-mail blasts so be sure to start early. As the event draws near, send out your press release again.
2. Be clear & catchy
Make sure your message comes across strong and clear with an informative, accurate & appealing description as well as a catchy (but not kitschy) title.
1. Don’t lose sight of the goal
Remember that you are building a movement of activists committed to justice for Israel and the other indigenous peoples of the Middle East. Invite people to the event but keep in mind what you want their attendance at this event to lead to. Although there is sometimes a value in simply being able to fill a room, if you are properly targeting your audience, your attendees should be more than just there to take up space.