Organizing a Cohousing Presentation

Recently we’ve taken on an important task – helping burgeoning cohousing groups organize a successful cohousing presentation. A well-attended presentation can build the critical mass necessary to catalyze a group of dedicated future cohousers and move a cohousing project forward. We thought it would be helpful to share our “to do” list:

To Do List

1. Secure a venue for the event.

2. Create a flyer with time, date and directions.

3. Write Press release.

4. Letter to stakeholders: city planners, local officials, neighbors.

5. Get info on all free calendar listings for papers, radio, etc.

6. Get event posted on local websites.

7. Make sure cohousing books are in all local libraries.

8. Contact churches, community centers to circulate information.

9. Send Press release to all radio stations, newspapers.

10. Print 500 Flyers (to start).  Take them everywhere and hand them out.

11. Add flyer as insert to local newspaper.

12. Contact Craig Ragland at U.S. Cohousing database (www.cohousing.org) for quote to send your notice to their database for the area.

13. If have a site, plan a site visit for morning after the evening presentation.

14. Have flyer at evening event for site visit.

15. For site visit: include table, water, and snacks at site.

16. Radio and Newspaper interviews as we get closer to date.

17. Order box of books from NewSociety.com by bulk (distribute to VIP).

18. Call bookstore and libraries to make sure Cohousing and Senior Cohousing books are readily available.  Donate additional books to libraries.

19. Post on Twitter, Facebook, Craig’s list.

Suggested locations to disseminate flyer:

• Public Bulletin Boards

• Restaurant waiting areas

• Co-ops, Grocery Stores, Library

• Neighborhood Post Offices including subdivisions

• Flyer in the book at local bookstores

• Coffee Shops – posted, stacked and in the bathroom

• College bulletin boards

• New teacher packages and teachers’ Lounges

• Hospitals and nurses’ lounges

• Caregivers

• Preschools

• School and/or Church Newsletters

• Family publications/Seniors magazines

Resources:

Guerilla Marketing is a good book on how to hit everyone.

Filed under:
Cohousing, Group Formation by charlesdurrett