Effective marketing and recruitment is key to the success of any healthy marriage and relationship program. From promotions to messaging to understanding your audience, strong recruitment tools are essential for attracting participants.
Recruiting Participants
Recruiting people to participate in your relationship program might be the hardest part of getting started. Even though potential participants may see the program’s value, they may also feel overwhelmed with what they already have on their plates. It is your task to introduce your program to the public and emphasize the benefits of participation. Throughout the recruiting process, share the following specifics:
- WHO the program is for
- WHAT good it may accomplish (its purpose)
- WHERE the program meets
- WHEN the program meets
- WHY it will benefit the participants
- HOW they can learn more
There are many different ways to recruit participants, including:
- Referrals, either direct or indirect, from religious leaders, court/legal officials, community organizations, employers, and schools
- Announcements through the media, such as newspapers, magazines, radio, or television.
- Social Media, such as Facebook or Twitter
- E-mail blasts
- Web site postings
- Direct mailings
- Inclusion of information in newsletters
- Listings on community calendars – in print and online
- Inviting individuals and couples directly
- Word of mouth
Retention
Retention of participants is critical to your program’s long-term success. Below is information on what retention is and how to keep participants coming back for more.
Featured Resources for Marketing your Marriage & Relationship Education Program
- Recruiting Expectant Couples: The relationship of expectant parents goes through many changes when the baby arrives, making that time ideal for recruiting them to participate in a healthy marriage program.
- Marketing Healthy Marriage Programs to Married Couples: A tip sheet on how to tailor your healthy marriage program to the needs of busy, married couples.
- Referral Partner Organizations: How to Approach and Engage Them: A tip sheet will tell you what you need to know before making the first contact with potential partner referral organizations; how to pique their interest in your healthy marriage program; and more.
For more information on recruiting participants, download the following NHMRC tip sheets or listen to the Webinar: Recruitment and Marketing to Couples and Individuals
Download These Tip Sheets:
- Effective Marketing Messages for African American Couples
- Recruiting Premarital Couples for Marriage Education
- Recruiting Couples who are Living Together
- Marketing Your Healthy Marriages and Relationships Program on the Web
- Getting Free/Low Cost Media Coverage for Your Program
- Writing a Press Release for a Healthy Marriage Program
- Writing Radio PSAs
- Writing Television PSAs