Whether your meeting is big or small, simple or over-the-top complex, the hardest part is usually just getting people to show up. This can be especially difficult for regularly scheduled meetings like monthly webinars or association updates. They no longer have the novelty of a brand new event, so it can be tough to keep members coming back.
However, there are a number of ways to encourage attendance even for the most frequent of meetings.
3 tips to get your members to attend meetings:
1. Post meeting info online
Whether it is Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter, your meeting information needs to be easily found online. This is often the first place your members are going to check for meeting information. If they do not find it there, they might not keep looking.
Posting on social media is also a great way to create excitement for the event. Include information about the agenda, photos from the last meeting, whether there will be food or not, etc. It is also a great place for members to comment or share that they will be attending, which might encourage others to do the same.
2. Personalize your invites
The person who attends every meeting religiously should not be getting the same message that a potential member is getting. Categorize your email list and make sure to personalize the message depending on who you are reaching out to. This will make current members feel appreciated and will make potential members feel welcomed.
3. Provide incentives to attend
Incentives do not always have to be gifts. Explain to members what they will get out of the meeting. This could be resources, an interesting speaker, or everyone’s favorite—pizza! Let them know what they are missing out on if they do not attend the meeting.
BONUS tips from our Senior Meeting Planners!
Kristen Nixon, Senior Meeting Planner, Impact AMC
Consider using a new or interesting venue. Guests love attending meetings and events in locations they may not otherwise be able to go to or have been wanting to try.
Offer discounts. You could give a discounted price to members, provide discounts for students, or allow attendees to bring a friends for free (this might even get you a new member!)
Consider structured networking to eliminate any awkwardness. Some people are intimidated by networking if they don't know anyone.
Rich Santana, Senior Meeting Planner, Impact AMC
Be descriptive in your promotion of the meeting. Providing as much information as possible upfront will help potential attendees determine if your event is worth attending.
Be mindful of your attendees time. Gear your agenda to maximize the time you have the attendee at your event without overwhelming them with long days. Make sure to have impactful sessions and worthwhile networking opportunities.
All of these steps can make a big impact on member attendance and improve the meeting experience overall. When implemented effectively and consistently, your meeting marketing may even attract new members, which is always a goal.
Want more tips?
Impact’s team of association and meeting planning professionals are experts at getting members to show up and have a great time. Find out how we can make your next meeting or event a big success.