Orchid society question

[fishmom]

Regarding publicity, when our society is having a show or an auction, present members do a large part of the word-of-mouth. We print out flyers posted on the website and post them in all the towns where we live, hand them out to friends, etc. We are all asked to post on any social media that we have access to (Nextdoor, Patch, Facebook plant groups and event groups). It cuts expenses and seems to be pretty effective, as we ask people who come to events where they heard about them.

[isurus79]

In Austin, we ditched the flyers and spent money advertising shows on Facebook and Instagram. We saved a ton of money and effort, plus dramatically increased our show attendance. This method is also useful since those platforms will send you the exact number of eyeballs looking at the advertisement and the number of people clicking on the ad. I'd say an active social media presence is very important! Also, sending out notifications on the various local Facebook groups is helpful as well.

Originally Posted by PuiPuiMolcar

If you can partner with the local nursery to host an "Orchid day" and advertise the online group to come to the event, you can get people feet in the water, then after that you can ease them into the society.

This is right on-par! Austin hosts these types of events and draws a lot of people in. I moved to San Antonio area last year that society got 19 new members from their team up with the local botanical garden to engage with the community.

Originally Posted by BrassavolaStars

I know there is a local orchid show coming up, but I am not sure I could be so bold as to try to pass out cards at another society's show.

Success favors the bold You could also chat with the orchid society folks hosting the show. I bet they'd be fine helping you out since they likely have similar recruiting issues.

Originally Posted by BrassavolaStars

Unfortunately, most of the libraries will not allow me to post flyers as it is against their policy of advertising for private entities.

Getting a non-profit status for your society could help that.

Originally Posted by BrassavolaStars

I agree that the human touch in important. I was thinking about renting out a small kiosk in a mall. Maybe that might intrigue people who are passing by.

Not to be rude, but do people still go to malls? I used to avoid those kiosks like the plague since I had no interest in what they were trying dump (or spray!) on me!

I'd say ditch the flyers and get more active on Facebook and Instagram. Also, team up with other societies and hold in-person events at local gardens where plant lovers naturally congregate.

[Leafmite]

Our society works with the other Ohio orchid societies in our area (Cleveland, West Shore) and even OS Western PA to advertise the other society shows. We send out information to members for the Cleveland show which is first, then pass out the information for the other shows at our own show to those who attend. Other orchid societies might be willing to put out a flyer or something for your own society if you offer to do the same for theirs. The societies here know that people will join the society nearest to them, anyway, so we are not competing for members.

If you have local orchid vendors or even other plant nurseries, see if they will put a flyer or pass out fliers for interested customers who come to their business. If the nursery sells orchids, that is always a bonus.

For many years, I worked the membership table for our orchid shows. At shows or any public forum, what works well to get new members is to give away a free orchid when people sign up and PAY to become a member and then, if you give away a 'holiday' orchid, tell people they get another free orchid and tell them when that is. Emphasize that the two plants are worth more than the cost of the membership if they bought the plants themselves (which is true as we buy the orchids in bulk). People who are interested in orchids will take you up on the offer and, very likely, show up at a meeting to learn how to care for the orchid (you can tell them that if they come to meetings, your society will be able to help them learn how to take care of the orchid). I really recommend the free orchid. Our society tried to cut costs on our shows and not hand out a free orchid and there was a noticeable difference in how many joined.

Even if there is no second plant or even a first plant, find other ways to demonstrate that your orchid society is a good deal. Do you do group orders with other members to save on shipping? Do you have speakers who bring orchids to sell?

Most people like a good bargain and joining an orchid society really is a good bargain for those interested in growing orchids. The new orchids are a good incentive.

After getting people to join, make sure the first few meetings have GOOD SPEAKERS or a FUN PROGRAM so that people keep coming. Often, new members will invite a friend to come with them so you get even more members.

Good luck!

[sunfire]

Replying as a new hobbyist who is interested in joining societies but a little reluctant due to oh so many factors.

It is very helpful to have some type of online information with at least the schedule of events and topics for the meetings. I am physically between 2 potential society meeting sites. I would prefer to go to the one closer one (which is bigger even!) but am very reluctant because they never have any information available about the events. I've tried emailing and get minimal/terse responses.

The other which is further away has a facebook group that at least has active members posting occasionally, sends out invites to their events with information about the topic etc. I actually went to one of their open meetings and it was fun. Just since then I haven't been able to make it because of my schedule... which is unfortunate for me... but I can still interact online which keeps me interested.

I think it would be great if clubs could stream their meetings and store them online for their members (or even public like the SF society). It is a big endeavor though. Websites are great too, like the St Augustine is top notch, but I think so very hard to maintain and keep up to date. I can 100% understand why the smaller societies can't do it.

I'm old enough to love forums though and so happy this one is alive and active. And I honestly hate Facebook but I will reluctantly use it as needed.

Anyway, that was me blabbering. But probably my one point would be to advertise an open meeting once a year to attract new members. Maybe pair it with an auction or something fun to make it extra enticing. Make sure membership info and sign up is easy and clear.

[Roberta]

That the larger, closer club doesn't even respond to inquiries. is weird. It still might be worth the time and effort to go to one of their meetings (hopefully at least the schedule and meeting location is posted!) ... It could be just one person who happens to be the contact, is the problem. (Summer is not the best time to "just drop in" with no info, though, some clubs go into hiatus, or have events like picnics not at the regular meeting place in July especially) Most clubs don't give much info farther out than the next meeting... not infrequently, the speaker gets arranged at close to the last minute in some clubs I've been associated with.

[estación seca]

The best way to learn growing any plant is to volunteer at the society you just joined and ask questions of the most experienced members. They're usually delighted to share information with you. If you bring Internet skills they lack it's even better. The smart oldsters will recognize your value.

[sunfire]

Good points all around. I will scrounge up the courage to inquire of the bigger club again... maybe after summer.

Originally Posted by Roberta

That the larger, closer club doesn't even respond to inquiries. is weird. It still might be worth the time and effort to go to one of their meetings (hopefully at least the schedule and meeting location is posted!) ... It could be just one person who happens to be the contact, is the problem. (Summer is not the best time to "just drop in" with no info, though, some clubs go into hiatus, or have events like picnics not at the regular meeting place in July especially) Most clubs don't give much info farther out than the next meeting... not infrequently, the speaker gets arranged at close to the last minute in some clubs I've been associated with.