One Minute Video on this topic: Closing the Sale – Recruitment
Membership recruitment for campus clubs and organizations is a key component of success for the year. How the recruitment table is set up can go a long way to determining your success in getting new members.
Much of this is based on being in-person, as many schools are coming back to campus this fall. However, you can still use these concepts in virtual recruitment efforts. Even if you are coming back to campus, though, don’t forget about virtual recruitment to engage on-line only students and those who may not yet be attending fully in-person.
Here are the six things your recruitment table must have:
- A sign-up sheet: This would seem to be a no-brainer, but I have been to more than 100 recruitment fairs and seen many clubs and organizations without any way to get contact info from interested students. The sheet should ask for name, class status (freshman, etc.), cell phone, and email address. If your first year students must live in on-campus housing, ask for the name of their residence hall. You may have current members of your group who live in the same hall or RA in the hall and this is a way to connect with them. Have several sheets on the table so students don’t have to wait to sign-up.
You can also make use of a QR code that students can use to get to a sign-up sheet on-line, That way they do not need to get right up next to your table. This is also useful in virtual recruitment. Use a tool like Google Docs or a fillable PDF to create your sign-up sheet. Here is a generic one you can use that is a fillable PFD or print it out and use it on your table: Event Sign-up Sheet
Can you use an electronic method? Sure, but have a couple of tablets available. Not everyone types at the same speed and it can be frustrating to stand behind someone who is hunting for the letters. Also, make sure they are fully charged because you may not have a means to charge them at the table. I prefer paper and…
- Pens: Make it easy for people to sign-up. Have pens on the table. Don’t assume they will have brought one with them. Make sure you have a bunch because some of them may walk off.
- Informational flyer/brochure: You don’t have to spend a lot of money on this. Create one in Word, put information on the front and back, and buy a ream of neon colored paper from an office supply store for $5-6. I like this because it is easy, it stands out, it is inexpensive, and easy to change. Share information about what you do, who you are, typical members in the club or organization, history, upcoming events, time, day, and place of your meetings, and who to contact for more information.
- Put up a banner/flag: I was the District Administrator for Circle K and most of our chapters had a banner with a “K” in a circle on it. This was similar to the logo for our parent group, Kiwanis, and our high school counterpart Key Club. It provided a connection and recognition to students familiar with either or both.
If your club/organization does not have a formal banner, make something on poster board that has the look and feel of a logo. It will still set you apart from groups that do not have one and may help to clarify what your organization is about.
- Candy: Candy is a great way to bring people over to your table. I like to use smarties and dum dums and then spread them across the sign-up sheets. That way, when someone reaches for a piece of candy, you can ask them to grab a pen and sign-up.
- People: It would seem like I would not have to say this, but I have seen it many times where a club or organization will have a beautiful display on a table and no people there to extol the virtues of membership or answer questions. Most recruitment fairs are no more than a few hours. Surely you can get people to work in shifts. I would stand for hours in the hot Georgia sun recruiting, without a break, for our chapters. If the organization means something to you, then you owe it to your group to recruit.
Bonus: Video, video, video! We are in the Tik Tok, YouTube age. Whether recruiting virtually or in-person, have video available either as a link, on a device, or through a QR Code. You can use this to share what your club or organization does, show pictures and video of you doing it, and add testimonials from members.
Recruitment is about selling and this is the one time of the year that you have to sell. Love your organization? Then share it with others through effective recruitment.
I have a number of programs to help clubs and organizations recruit more members, retain them, run effective meetings and more. Click on the Running Better Organizations link in my programs menu to find out more. I would love to come to your campus to share my knowledge and experience with the leaders of your clubs and organizations. Email me at DaveKelly@GonzoSpeaks.com or call me at 770-552-6592.
Booking me will not break the bank – check out my Affordable Pricing Model for a quote! Click on the calendar to find a date for your school!
I look forward to serving your students!