Attracting Guests

“ If you build it, he will come” is a line from the 1989 Kevin Costner movie "Field of Dreams."  That means if you create something that everyone needs/wants, then they will come to you rather than you having to go find them.  With all due respect to Kevin Costner, this doesn’t work as well with open houses.  Although I believe Toastmasters would be beneficial in everyone’s life, just the fact that you have an open house does not guarantee that people will come.  I  believe open houses need to be promoted by fliers, social media, and, of course, the best way is word of mouth. 

Most open houses that my club has are promoted very heavily. However, I remember a certain open house where we really fell flat on our face.  We had a member who was also a professor at a local college and he wanted to start a Toastmasters club there.  He was certain that all the professors would find the same value in Toastmasters that he had.  He begged the club to come do a demonstration meeting at the college.  He said he would promote it.

The day of the event was drawing closer and he kept assuring me this meeting would be well attended. He said we didn’t have to do a thing. Just show up and present the concept of Toastmasters to the group.   He was full of excitement.  The day came for the meeting and not one person from this college showed up.  I asked how he had promoted it.  He said he told a couple of professors about it and they seemed eager to come.  He hung no signs.  He did no follow-up.  That demo meeting was a bust and to me the main reason was lack of promotion.

In this era of online clubs, I have now travelled around and attended four online open houses.  One had no guests except  me and Steve, two had a few guests and one club had a whopping 13 guests.  In talking with members of some of the clubs, I found the difference was promotion.  

One club has only two members and really did need the open house.  I asked how she promoted it.  She said she mentioned it to a couple of people.  Did you put it on social media? Her answer, “Not really,  I don’t think people are really on Facebook anymore.”   Steve and I were the only visitors at that open house.  

The club that had 13 guests is what really impressed me.  Steve and I were the only two guests who were already Toastmasters.  The majority of the others were invited by someone in the club.  Most of them had never been to a Toastmasters meeting before and were eager to learn what Toastmasters has to offer. 

So I guess my next question is what is the follow-up after the visitors come?  But I will save that for another blog.

Balboa Park Toastmasters San Diego, California

 8/5/20

As the tune of "California Dreamin" played in my head, I was beginning to understand why The Mamas and The Papas wrote a song about California.  This is a club that all clubs should dream about having.  As Steve dressed in his prim and proper button-down shirt, most of these free-wheeling spirits dressed in beach casual with their tank tops and colorful attire.  We entered Zoom early and found seven members chatting away.  Laughter, and lightness filled the spaces.  We were greeted right away and felt some of that light-hearted spirit settle on us.   

Now I can’t speak for all clubs in California, but this one really has it going on.  They have 22 members and are currently President's Distinguished.  I was impressed that they had their Zoom information on their website and FaceBook page.  No one has to search to figure out how to get to their Zoom meeting.  The members were positive, enthusiastic, energetic and friendly.  They had one speaker who spoke for 21 minutes.  How can someone take a flaw, such as her blindness and turn it into a humorous, inspiring presentation?  Speaker Margaret was able to do that with ease. 

Megan,  who invited us to this meeting was Table Topics Master, gave some thought provoking questions and Steve ended up winning Best Table Topics answer.  Whoo Hoo!  That’s always a plus for making a good impression with guests. 

The meeting flowed seamlessly and the hour time flew by.  At the end of the meeting, members discussed having an upcoming virtual Happy Hour on 8/17.  I am so excited that people are figuring out a way to adapt to this new way of socializing.  Who knows I may even pop in on it?  I think this may be a good membership-building tool.  Our club will be doing a social event in a couple of weeks, Family Feud.  I am excited to see how it turns out.  I invited them to join us at the event.

During this COVID-19 pandemic when clubs are not meeting in person, Toastmasters will need to reach into the depths of their creativity and think of new ways to make their clubs sparkle and shine.  New ways to entice people to join their club.  What makes their club different than all the others?  I think Balboa Park is doing just that -- setting their club apart by having virtual social events.  They already have a top-notch meeting and an active Facebook page.  I wish all the best for this club.  I hope they realize what a gem of a club they have and they continue to get the word out.  Way to go Balboa Park!  And thanks Megan for inviting us.