In my last article, I helped you narrow down your brainstorming options into an exciting outline for your first circle that draws on your unique gifts and inspirations. Now that you know what you are going to do in the circle, it’s time to draw in your ideal participants whose energy will truly create your circle.
There are two main strategies you can use to invite your circle participants. The first is to hand-select a small group of women who you know would love your circle, and invite them personally to join you. A second strategy is to throw the doors open and invite everyone you know and see who accepts your invitation! Let’s look at each option.
Hand-Selected Group Invitation
To invite a selected small group, write an invitation that spells out the juicy benefits of your circle. Start with why you are creating this circle, what good feelings your circle sisters will experience when they join you in this gathering, how it will change their life. Don’t jump into the logistics right away ~ focus on the results they will notice, what feelings they will experience during the circle, WHY they will love it.
Next, explain the logistics: the date, time, and location of the first circle, as well as future circle dates, and the cost. Include a brief description of the elements that will be part of every circle.
If you are going to require a commitment from your participants, explain the parameters here. For example, you might say, “You are invited to visit the circle once to see if it is a good fit for you at the drop-in price of $45. After that, each woman is asked to commit for six months so that our circle relationships can grow and deepen over time.” Mention the price for six-month membership, pointing out the discount over the drop-in price.
Finish your invitation with a clear next step and a deadline. Tell your reader exactly what she needs to do to accept your invitation. For example, “Please reply to this email by Friday if you would like to join me. Then send me a check for $XX at this address to save your place.”
Open Invitation
A second invitation strategy is to invite everyone you know. You might send an email to your whole list or announce at all of your yoga classes that you are starting a Women’s Circle. You can create a flier and post it at yoga studios or coffee shops, and put an announcement on your webpage.
Again, whether it’s a verbal invitation or a written one (email, flyer or webpage), be sure to include the same three sections in your invitation:
1) Juicy results or benefits they will experience in the circle – WHY they should attend
2) Logistics (date, time, location, consistent components of each circle, price, and any commitment that is required)
3) Next step to register with a deadline
One key difference in the “invite everyone you know” strategy is to decide on a maximum number of participants. Refer to this maximum in your invitation to inspire a quick decision: “The circle is limited to 12 women so contact me now to save your place.”
It may work well to combine these two strategies – start by inviting a select group of women, see how many commit, and then open any remaining seats to your whole list.
A few days before your registration deadline, send out a reminder email to those you have invited, including all three components from your original invitation. Remind them the registration deadline is approaching, and if relevant, update the number of available seats remaining. If you have received any excited comments from women who have registered, you could include them in this reminder to inspire others to join you.
Shortly before the first circle, send a preparation email to those who have registered, reminding them of the logistics and advising them what to bring (for example, a yoga mat, water bottle, journal and favorite pen, restorative bolster, special symbol for altar, etc.). Including details about what is to come will help build anticipation and excitement, setting the stage for a meaningful experience.
Tips from Inside the Circle: One Client’s Experience
“What has made my 2 circles successful so far is my willingness to embrace imperfection and do it anyway. My first circle I promoted to the host studio’s entire list and facilitated like a workshop; my second one, I also invited my friends and made it much more of a co-created process, more sensual, and participatory. Both were powerful in their own way, and in both instances the right women showed up to have a good flow of energy.
“The purpose of my circle is to provide a space where women can practice conscious embodiment. I am practicing these principles in how I am setting up my circle and developing it. It feels fluid and rich to me. I guess that’s my main tip: be authentic and embody what you teach. The rest falls into place magically!”
~ Anh Chi Ananda Pham, Owner, Chi Yoga Wellness, Santa Ana, CA