Give People Tools to Invite Their Friends

Which is likely to see more people inviting their friends to an upcoming event?

1. Encouraging people to invite their friends, or
2. Encouraging people to invite their friends and giving them tools to do so?

The easier you make it for people to invite their friends, the more likely they are do to it. This is why for BASECAMP (a men's ministry I am involved in) we want to provide men, and particularly group leaders with as many resources as possible to bring other men. We have developed a suite of resources (Facebook graphics, a 30-second promotional video, testimonial videos, brochures, and more), but this week I did something different. I wrote an email to the men at my church, inviting them to attend - and then I shared this email with the men who are keen to bring a group to BASECAMP. I wanted to move beyond simply encouraging men to bring a group, to doing it myself, and thinking hard about the best way to do this. So here's what I wrote to the Group Leaders:

Hi <<NAME>> How are you going inviting men to join you at BASECAMP? I'm about to email the men at my church to invite them to come. I've written an email with the key details and reasons to be there. I thought I'd share it with you in case you could use it (or something like it) to invite the men from your church. You can see it below, and get other resources to promote BASECAMP here. Steve Kryger Chair of BASECAMP

Email Invitation Template

Men, I’d like to invite you to come with me to BASECAMP - an event for men this August. This will be the 20th year of BASECAMP (previously known as Men’s Katoomba Convention). If you haven’t been before, now’s the time! Here’s the important details: Date: 12 August, 10am - 4pm Venue: Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park Cost: $80 (+ lunch, or bring your own) Not sure if you should go to BASECAMP? Let me share with you 3 reasons you why I think it’s worth your time and money:

1. Time together. The more I speak with men, the more I realise how many of us appreciate time together, but don’t get to spend much time together. BASECAMP is a chance to do this.
2. Practical skills. BASECAMP includes Build Up - 12-minute talks where men like you share what God has taught them about living well as a man. You can watch past talks here.
3. God’s wisdom, for men. BASECAMP is an opportunity for us to hear God’s word taught and applied to us as men.

Let me know if you’re in and I’ll save you a ticket. Steve PS - If you want to come, but money is tight, please let me know and I’ll help you - I’d hate for this to stop you from benefiting from BASECAMP. My hope is that by combining encouragement with practical tools, more men will be able to come to BASECAMP. What tools could you provide to help people invite their friends to the events at your church or ministry?