In my last article, I helped you create an exciting outline for your first circle that features 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.
Name Your Circle
The first step to draw in your women is to create a delicious name! The title is the most important marketing element of any event, and your circle is no exception. Use juicy words that describe the benefits they will experience or the essence of why you’re creating the circle. A subtitle like “A Monthly Women’s Circle” can provide important clarity.
Plan your Invitation
There are two strategies to invite circle participants. The first is to hand-select a small group of women whom you know would love your circle and invite them individually. A second strategy is to throw the doors open and invite everyone you know and see who accepts! You can also combine these two strategies.
Strategy 1: Select a Small Group
Choose a small group of women and prepare an invitation email that includes the following critical elements:
a) The juicy benefits of your circle. Start with why you are creating this circle, the good feelings your circle sisters will experience in this gathering, how it will change their lives. 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.
b) The logistics. Include the date, time, and location of the circle, as well as future circle dates, and the cost. Include a brief description of the programmatic elements that will be part of every circle, such as movement, journaling and meditation.
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 over time.” Mention the price for six-month membership, pointing out the discount over the drop-in price.
c) A clear next step with a deadline. Tell your reader exactly what she needs to do to accept your invitation and BY WHEN. For example, “Please reply to this email by Friday if you would like to join me. Then send a check for $XX made out to me at this address to save your place.”
Strategy 2: Invite Everyone you Know
For this strategy, in addition to an email invitation you will need a flyer or postcard – something you can hand out or post in public places. Include the same three elements outlined above: the juicy benefits of the circle, the logistics, and the next step with a deadline.
One key element in the “invite everyone you know” strategy is to include in your invitation a maximum number of participants. Refer to this maximum to entice quick decisions: “The circle is limited to 12 women, so save your place before it fills up.”
It may work well for you to combine the two invitation strategies – start by inviting a select group of women and set an early deadline, see how many commit, and then open any remaining seats to your whole list.
Begin Inviting
Aim to send out your first invitations and start distributing flyers about 3-5 weeks before your first circle is scheduled.
Think of all the groups you are in that you can tell about your circle. Send your email invitation to your whole email list. Post your flyer at yoga studios, coffee shops or places where women congregate. Announce the circle at all of your yoga classes and have many copies of the flyer available to give out. Put an announcement on your webpage.
Send Reminder Invitations
About a week before your registration deadline, send out a reminder to those who have not yet responded and repeat the benefits, logistics and the next step with deadline. If relevant, update the number of seats remaining. A day before your deadline, send out a final reminder email.
Maintain Excitement
As women accept your invitation, promptly reply to each confirming their attendance. Express your excitement about the event, and you might give them a journaling question or a relevant inspirational poem to consider before the circle meets.
A few days before the first circle, send a confirmation email repeating the logistics and advising your participants what to bring (for example, a yoga mat, water, journal and pen, restorative bolster, special symbol for the altar, etc.).
Remember at each step along the way to invite in the Goddess! Let her presence fill you with excitement and radiance that will bubble over into your invitations – be clear on the incredible gift this circle will be in the lives of the right women, and ask the Goddess for assistance drawing them in.
In my next article, we’ll explore all the important details to actually lead your first circle with grace, confidence and joy!
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