How to Start and Grow

A Successful Lotus User Group

AgendaAgendaKnow your audiencePick the right topicPick the right speakersPromotion - more than an email blastIs it worth it?

Know Your AudienceKnow Your Audience

Pick the Right TopicPick the Right Topic

“Now tell me something I don’t already know.”

Pick the Right SpeakersPick the Right Speakers

“…leveraging strategic messaging analytics enablement collaboration in the Gartner-magic-quadrant by socializing ROI and synergizing TCO with IDC in the virtual private on-premises cloud…”

= WTF?

Promotion – How?Promotion – How?Multi-media promotion

Phone - yes, phonePaper – yes, paperOnline/email5-7 times to get awareness

Promotion-Who?Promotion-Who?CustomersPartnersIBMersPeople with Lotus historyCommunity sites & influencers

Promotion-TimelinePromotion-Timeline8 weeks out: speakers, location6 weeks out: email and paper invites, post to sites, start calling4 weeks out: post to other sites a few at a time, continue calling, promote through blogs and podcasts1 week out – email reminder to those who got initial blast but have not registered. Email details to those who registeredDay before/day of – send reminder email to those who registeredDuring event – Tweet, live blog, post pics. Those who did not attend should feel like they missed something.After the event – send a thank you note to attendees with links from meeting, links to social media groups

That’s Too Much Work, Lisa! I just That’s Too Much Work, Lisa! I just want to shoot out an email or two want to shoot out an email or two and see who turns up! I’ve got a lot and see who turns up! I’ve got a lot of other stuff to do! One or two of other stuff to do! One or two customers are plenty!customers are plenty!

The only thing worse than no user group is a lame user group.

How’s This Going to Make Us How’s This Going to Make Us Money?Money?

People do business with people they know, trust, and like.IBM is trusted but not known and not always liked.

ContactContactLisa Duke687 638 6688info@simplified-tech.com

Simplified Technology Solutions, Inc.3330 Cumberland Blvd., Suite 500Atlanta, GA 30339