If keeping attendance low at the programs your library provides is a priority this piece is for you. Promoting library events can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. But what if we took a look at things from the other side? Here are five sure-fire ways to fail at promoting your library programs, and of course, some tips on how to avoid these pitfalls using modern techniques.

1. Print Only

Restrict the ways patrons become aware of events at the library to flyers handed out or hanging in the library.  This will help to ensure some of the smallest amount of your community becomes aware and remembers the upcoming program.   If your primary method of promoting programs happens to be through paper flyers you are well on your way to having your program fail.  

Opposite: Those libraries that embrace digital marketing are not helping themselves fail! That’s right. Those that use their library’s website, social media, and email newsletters to spread the word about programs help ensure maximum reach to community members and beyond that may be interested in attending. Do not be tempted to try these methods for promoting library events even though library management services like WhoFi have made them easy to deploy because remember the goal is to fail, not succeed.

2. Manual Registration

Limit program registrations to in person or over the phone options.  This process ensures that staff time is devoted to helping patrons sign up and taking away time from more meaningful interactions with the community.  Further it creates barriers to allowing patrons to register at their leisure. Creating obstacles to patron registration and additional non strategic work for staff will help ensure programming failure.  

Opposite: Those libraries that provide additional ways to register for upcoming programs including online registration from library websites and/or social media platforms are not helping themselves fail. Those that use software that allows patrons to sign up for events from the comfort of their homes, reduces the burden on the staff, and provides a more patron friendly way to sign up have made the task of failing that much harder.

3. Keep it in the Library

Keep the advertising efforts to the library audience exclusively helps programming fail.  By not communicating the library’s programs outside the library community you can help ensure failure. Advertising only within the library limits your audience exclusively to those already using your services.

Opposite: Those libraries that expand their promotional efforts beyond the library walls will reduce their chance of failure. Some examples include partnering with local businesses, schools, and community organizations to spread the word about their programs. The use of social media and community calendars to reach a broader audience also has the ability to make them more successful.

4. Don’t Elaborate

The use of vague program descriptions also helps lead to failure. “Join us for a fun event!” might sound inviting, but it’s not very informative. Bingo! Vague descriptions leave potential attendees confused and uninterested. When this happens they are less likely to want to show up and helps move us closer to our goal.

Opposite: Those libraries that are specific and engaging in their event descriptions reduce the likelihood of failure. Providing clear details about what the event entails, who it’s for, and why it’s worth attending is an absolute no. When patrons know exactly what to expect and can get excited about the program they are more likely to attend making it that much harder to fail.

5. Forget Reminders

Libraries that do not send reminders and follow ups to patrons that register for events provide a path to failure. Winning.  Patrons’ lead very hectic lives.  They may sign up for a program and even place it on their daily planner but they are still likely to forget without reminders. By not making it easy for them to remember the program is taking place it will increase the likelihood of program failure.

Opposite: Libraries that send out confirmation and reminder emails increase the likelihood that patrons will attend the programs being held. Bonus. Follow-up emails to thank attendees, gather feedback, and inform them about upcoming events increases the likelihood of future program success. This not only shows appreciation but also helps you improve future programs and keep the community engaged.  This is however about helping you fail so please do not look to incorporate these into your regular process.  

 

Working to help library programming fail is no easy task.  You may also think that doing the opposite is just as hard.  This is no longer the case.  Library membership management services like WhoFi help streamline the processes for promoting library events and reporting on their success.  At WhoFi, we offer all-in-one library membership management tools.  Some of these tools were specifically designed to help libraries reduce the burdens encountered during the planning, promotion, scheduling, and reporting of the many wonderful events taking place at the library.  Schedule a meeting with us today to see how we can help your library succeed!

 

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