This document provides strategies for effectively promoting Ignatian spirituality retreats and programs for people in their 20s and 30s. It recommends knowing the target audiences of Millennials and Gen X, collaborating with similar ministries, planning programs and promotions well in advance, using effective design in promotional materials, sharing information through various channels, evaluating effectiveness, and building a network. The goal is to boost visibility and turnout for retreats and spirituality programs.

1. Ignatian Spirituality for those in their 20s & 30s Get Attention, Get Attendance: Strategies to Boost Visibility & Turnout at Retreats & Spirituality Programs

2. Charis Ministries Apostolic work of the Chicago Province of the Jesuits since 2000 “ Engaging the Whole Person” Contemplation Education Service Community Serving men & Women in their 20s and 30s Millennial (~1977-1998) Gen X (~1965-1976)

3. Today’s Topic: Know your audience Invite collaboration with similar ministries (extend your reach) Plan program & promotion in plenty of time Design well Share the word Evaluate effectiveness Build your network Effective Marketing

4. Gen Y Echo-Boomer ’77 / Millennial ’82 80 Million Americans World Events 9-11 Columbine Tsunami/Katrina Security and individualism Personal Events Most watched over generation Accept authority Information overload-quick answers, media saturation “ Extreme” Catholicism & mild fundamentalism Know your Audience

5. Generation X ~1961-1976 37 Million Americans Significant Events? None! Not to the same degree as other generations Berlin Wall Challenger explosion Tiananmen Square AIDS Personal Events More Formative Divorce 45% in single family home Latchkey kids/two-job families Suspicious of institutions Community as central longing Spiritual, but not religious- even the religious Only 31% feel they belong to a distinct generation. Know your Audience

6. Who are YOU? Commitment Index Millennial Post Vatican II Vatican II Gen Y Gen X Boomers High 0% 17% 20% Med 73% 67% 67% Low 27% 16% 13% from American Catholics: Their Faith, Their Church, 2006 Know your Audience

7. Invite Collaboration Who has a common interest? Partnerships Co-sponsors Promoters

8. Planning Event details Description Give reason(s) to attend Be creative in word and image Use humor Tell what action to take

9. Give yourself plenty of time 12-14 weeks: Confirm event date, time, location, speaker; collaborate, get sponsors 10-12 weeks: Brainstorm title, image; get feedback from YAs; design postcard or flyer; post event to web page; recruit volunteers 8-10 weeks: Spread the word, write & email bulletin announcements, event news to newspapers; post more details on web page; 6-8 weeks: Extend personal invitations 3-6 weeks: Distribute flyers or postcards at Masses 1-3 weeks: Continue to invite, distribute postcards; get YAs to call other YAs in your parish or organization Plan

10. Brainstorming before designing Select format: postcard, flyer, bulleting blurb, email Think about catch phrases, a hook, a tagline Find images: www.istockphoto.com Ask for feedback from those in their 20s & 30s Pull out promo samples Plan

11. Searching for the right road? Recent Example Seekers Retreat for Fall 2008

12. Be clear, keep it simple Send them to website for details Bullet points, short phrases One central image Modern, hip, relevant image Use relevant language Simple, clear relevant, modern Design Well

13. Example, cont.

14. Just say NO … Clip art of any kind Overload text or copy Avoid unnecessary lines, boxes, graphics Silly, illegible or too many fonts Need to use every inch of available space “Clubby” or irrelevant images Design Well Sign up now!

15. DO … Go to istockphotos.com for photos or illustrations Use consistent font Leave white space Send to your webpage Show vs. Tell Design Well

16. Example, cont.

18. Publicity Channels Publicity is free Bulletin blurb Pulpit announcement Priest plug point out the person available after Mass to answer questions Mass petitions: pray for your event Hand out flyers after Mass Suggest stories to Diocesan & local newspapers Personal Invitation Share the Word

19. Make it Personal Personal Invitation Direct Mail/Flyers Electronically Targeted email Website Blast email or listserv Share the Word

20. How did you do? Use registration tool and evaluations to collect info How did people find out about the event? How did you attract new people? Evaluate Effectiveness

21. Develop Your Network Extend personal invitations participate in program help with some [small] aspect Bring or help with a friend Maintain spreadsheet or database contact info volunteer interests profession/areas of expertise time in your parish what they like most about your parish other parishes or churches they attend Say “Thank You” without sales pitch Network

22. Re-Cap Know your audience Invite collaboration with similar ministries (extend your reach) Plan program & promotion in plenty of time Design well Share the word Evaluate effectiveness Build your network Effective Marketing Any Questions? [email_address] 773-508-2843