by Lisa Heselton

1
Marketing Your User Group

• by Lisa Heselton
• kavka_at_mac.com

2
Session Overview

• Why you need marketing, even if you hate it
• How to use your resources
• What to do if it costs money
• Tracking and shifting marketing activities
• Audience suggestions - whats worked for them

3
Why You Need Marketing

• Attract new members
• Keep current membership coming back
• Make connections with other groups
• Add value to your group

4
Attracting New Members

• Remember why you wanted to be in a User Group
• Appeal to the potential members desires
• Go where techies go (obvious places and not-so
  obvious)
• Form partnerships with local businesses

5
Keep em Coming Back

• Incentive-ize, but dont bribe
• Make giveaways tiered (some based on performance,
  some based on luck) so the same folks dont get
  it all
• Survey members frequently for ideas

6
Make Connections

• Find out about other groups in your areatech and
  non-techand cross-promote
• Borrow skills your membership is short of in
  exchange for your in-demand skills

7
Add Value

• Provide members with benefits
• Simple ones like bulletin boards for services and
  job postings
• Advanced ones like hosting or yard sales
• Keep a repository for shared knowledge
• Freebies shouldnt be the only reason people are
  coming!

8
Using Resources

• Find out what skill sets your members have.
  Everyone can volunteer somehow.
• Find out who knows who - members are a great
  source of finding sponsors (many times, their own
  companies)
• Always remember vendors and our own Amy and Ed
  can help!

9
Fundraising

• Sometimes activities just require money. if you
  dont charge dues, here are some ways to raise
  funds
• Raffles for items
• Hold a sale and charge for the tables
• Offer a directory members can be in for a fee
  (online or off)
• The tried and true tip jar -but put a purpose
  on it (such as, collection for Web site)

10
Tracking Activities

• If you have members who are tech newbies, theyre
  the perfect candidates to volunteer for
  marketing tracking activities. have them tally
  the surveys, direct member queries, and input
  data into spreadsheets and databases.

11
Your Success Stories

• What activities have you done that have been
  successful?