Ep 62: Community-led Growth for Events: Engaging Attendees BEFORE the Event| Expert Guests Meisha Bochicchio and Joel Primack
Episode 62
How to prime engagement pre-event.
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Have you ever wondered how to light the spark that transforms a group of attendees into a buzzing community anticipating your event? Meisha, Joel, and I share our playbook to ignite excitement and connection before the first session begins. We dissect the art of the personal touch in emails—Joel's insightful PS line technique is a game-changer—and the creation of dedicated discussion spaces that create a deeper sense of involvement. Our conversation paints a vivid picture of the pre-event landscape, where preparation meets anticipation, ensuring attendees are not just present but truly engaged.
As we navigate the intricacies of community engagement, I lay bare my journey through the world of strategic calls-to-action, where even an email signature can become a powerful tool for involvement. We debate the merits of various platforms, from Slack to Facebook groups, and how to maintain the delicate balance of fostering a space that's not only vibrant but sustains its relevance. Whether you're a community novice or a seasoned pro, this episode unpacks the subtle tactics that can turn a gathering of minds into a dynamic force with enduring impact.
To cap it off, we explore the symbiotic relationship between a thriving community and a successful event. Through personal invites and tapping into the power of your community members in event roles, we outline how to grow your circle and enrich the event experience simultaneously. Plus, get a sneak peek at our forthcoming chat with Nathan Schlafer from Marketer Mate AI, where we'll explore the frontiers of AI in campaign content creation. Join us for insights, strategies, and a few laughs along the way as we uncover the secrets to building communities that resonate long after the event is over.
Meisha Bochicchio
Meisha is a first-gen college grad and burgeoning marketer based in Boston. By day, Meisha is the Digital Content Marketing Program Manager at VMware, driving digital content strategies for VMware Explore. When she’s not busy behind the screen, she enjoys chasing down Boston’s best plate of pasta, spending time with her husband and pets, and enjoying all that New England has to offer. Meisha recently graduated with an M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications from West Virginia University, though she’ll always be a Clemson Tiger at heart.
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Joel Primack
Joel Primack has been in the Community space for ~5 years, serving and supporting communities of different types of personas and geographies. He's spent time at Sales Assembly, Lattice, and with multiple Community Consulting clients in a variety of spaces. Beyond his work experience, he hosts a podcast, The Community-Led Growth Show, as well as guest speaks, writes, & partnered with Common Room on a 5-city tour in the Fall of 2023.
Podcast: Community-led Growth Show
Key Takeaways You Don’t Wanna Miss
Leveraging Email Lists: Use email nurture campaigns to engage potential attendees and introduce them to your community. This can include newsletters or pre-event series to warm up your audience.
Value Proposition: When promoting your community, emphasize its value and relevance to the event topic. This can be done through PS lines in emails or creative banners in email signatures.
Platform Selection: Choose the right platform for your community based on where your audience is. This could be Slack, Circle, Facebook groups, or others. It's important to go where your people are and give them a reason to join.
Involving Members: Use your existing community members as referrals to grow your community and fill your events. You can also involve them as speakers or panelists to increase engagement and promotion.
Creating Engaging Content: Before the event, ask your community what topics they're interested in and use this feedback to shape the event content. This helps in making the event more relevant and engaging.
Meetup Groups: Utilize meetup groups focused on specific target audiences to easily fill your events. These platforms can push your events to the right people and provide social proof.
Introducing Attendees: For smaller events, introduce attendees to each other before the event to break the ice and foster connections.
Personal Touch: Consider organizing intimate events like dinners to create deeper connections and a more personal experience.
