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= Event Channels and Platforms =
{{Words of Wisdom
| wisdom =
The best event is the one members know about.


== Purpose ==
Explain how different communication channels are used to share and promote events.
Each platform serves a different purpose — together, they help members discover, understand, and attend activities.
== Guiding Principle ==
Use multiple channels, but keep information consistent.
Use multiple channels, but keep information consistent.


Members should receive the same core details regardless of where they see an event.
Members should receive the same core details regardless of where they see an event.
| success =
* Event information is easy to find
* Information is consistent across platforms
* Members know where to look for activities
* Events reach both existing and prospective members
| best =
* Use the communication channels your members actually use
* Keep event information consistent across platforms
* Designate a primary source of event information
* Update all channels when information changes
| pitfalls =
* Relying on a single communication channel
* Maintaining conflicting event information
* Posting events too late
* Assuming members will search for information
}}
== Purpose ==
Explain how different communication channels are used to share and promote events.


== Channel Overview ==
== Channel Overview ==
 
Each platform can serve a different purpose — together, they help members discover, understand, and attend activities.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Channel !! Primary Use !! Notes
! Channel !! Primary Use !! Notes
Line 29: Line 43:
|}
|}


== How Each Channel Is Used ==
== Choose the Right Channels ==


=== Newsletter ===
Choose the channel(s) that work best for your Local Group — consistency matters most.


* Often the primary or official event listing 
{| class="wikitable"
* Provides advance notice and full details 
! Situation !! Recommended Channels
* Should be consistent with all other platforms 
|-
| Regular communication || Newsletter + Email, Mensa Connect
|-
| Reaching new people || Meetup, Website, Mensa Connect
|-
| Community interaction || Facebook, Mensa Connect
|-
| Broad visibility || National Calendar
|}
See [[National Tools and Resources]] for information about using Mensa Connect and the National Calendar.


=== Email (Non-Newsletter) ===
== How Each Channel Is Used ==


* Event reminders   
{| class="wikitable"
* Highlighting upcoming activities
! Channel !! How Used !! Best Practices
* Communicating updates or changes
|-
 
| Newsletter ||
Best practice:
*Often the primary or official event listing 
* Keep messages short and clear
* Provides advance notice and full details
* Link to full event details when possible
* Should be consistent with all other platforms
 
| Often the main source of truth
=== Local Group Website ===
|-
 
| Email ||
* Serves as a stable reference point   
*Event reminders   
* Highlighting upcoming activities
* Communicating updates or changes  
| Keep messages short and clear and link to full event details when possible
|-
| Website ||
*Serves as a stable reference point   
* Should include:
* Should include:
** Upcoming events
** Upcoming events
** Key details and links
** Key details and links
* Keep content current and aligned with other platforms
*  
 
| Keep content current and aligned with other platforms
=== Meetup ===
|-
 
| Meetup ||
* Useful for discoverability and attracting new people   
*Useful for discoverability and attracting new people   
* Allows RSVPs and interaction
* Allows RSVPs and interaction  
 
| Use for RSVps
Best practice:
|-
* Ensure details match official listings 
| Facebook ||
* Monitor RSVPs and questions 
*Supports community visibility and sharing   
 
=== Facebook (Groups or Events) ===
 
* Supports community visibility and sharing   
* Useful for:
* Useful for:
** Reminders
** Reminders
** Photos
** Photos
** Informal engagement
** Informal engagement  
 
|
Best practice:
*Keep event details accurate   
* Keep event details accurate   
* Avoid relying on Facebook as the only source
* Avoid relying on Facebook as the only source
|-
 
| National Calendar ||
=== National Event Calendar ===
*Provides visibility beyond the Local Group   
 
* Provides visibility beyond the Local Group   
* Useful for:
* Useful for:
** Larger events
** Larger events
** Events of broader interest
** Events of broader interest  
 
|
Best practice:
*Submit events early   
* Submit events early   
* Ensure information is complete and consistent
* Ensure information is complete and consistent
* Tools: [https://www.us.mensa.org/attend/calendar/ National Event Calendar]
|}


== Consistency Across Channels ==
== Consistency Across Channel ==


All platforms should include the same core information:
All platforms should include the same core information:
Line 100: Line 124:
* Update all platforms   
* Update all platforms   
* Clearly communicate the update   
* Clearly communicate the update   
== Choosing the Right Channels ==
Not every Local Group uses every platform.
{| class="wikitable"
! Situation !! Recommended Channels
|-
| Regular communication || Newsletter + Email
|-
| Reaching new people || Meetup, Website
|-
| Community interaction || Facebook
|-
| Broad visibility || National Calendar
|}
Use the channels that work best for your group — consistency matters more than quantity.
== What Success Looks Like ==
* Members can easily find event information 
* Information is consistent across platforms 
* Events reach both existing and new members 
* Fewer questions are needed to understand event details 
== Key Takeaway ==
Different channels serve different purposes — but all should tell the same story.


== Related ==
== Related ==


* [[Event Calendar Best Practices]]
* [[Event Calendar Best Practices]]
* [[Events and Activities]]
* [[Local Group Events and Activities]]
* [[Member Communication]]
* [[First Contact Templates]]

Latest revision as of 05:45, 3 June 2026

Words of Wisdom

The best event is the one members know about.

Use multiple channels, but keep information consistent.

Members should receive the same core details regardless of where they see an event.

What Success Looks Like

  • Event information is easy to find
  • Information is consistent across platforms
  • Members know where to look for activities
  • Events reach both existing and prospective members

Best Practices

  • Use the communication channels your members actually use
  • Keep event information consistent across platforms
  • Designate a primary source of event information
  • Update all channels when information changes

Common Pitfalls

  • Relying on a single communication channel
  • Maintaining conflicting event information
  • Posting events too late
  • Assuming members will search for information

Purpose

[edit | hide all | hide | edit source]

Explain how different communication channels are used to share and promote events.

Channel Overview

[edit | hide | edit source]

Each platform can serve a different purpose — together, they help members discover, understand, and attend activities.

Channel Primary Use Notes
Newsletter Primary event listing Often the main source of truth
Email Reminders and highlights Good for visibility and updates
Website Central reference Stable, up-to-date information
Meetup Discoverability Reaches new and prospective members
Facebook Community engagement Sharing, reminders, photos
National Calendar Broader visibility For events of wider interest

Choose the Right Channels

[edit | hide | edit source]

Choose the channel(s) that work best for your Local Group — consistency matters most.

Situation Recommended Channels
Regular communication Newsletter + Email, Mensa Connect
Reaching new people Meetup, Website, Mensa Connect
Community interaction Facebook, Mensa Connect
Broad visibility National Calendar

See National Tools and Resources for information about using Mensa Connect and the National Calendar.

How Each Channel Is Used

[edit | hide | edit source]
Channel How Used Best Practices
Newsletter
  • Often the primary or official event listing
  • Provides advance notice and full details
  • Should be consistent with all other platforms
 Often the main source of truth
Email
  • Event reminders
  • Highlighting upcoming activities
  • Communicating updates or changes
 Keep messages short and clear and link to full event details when possible
Website
  • Serves as a stable reference point
  • Should include:
    • Upcoming events
    • Key details and links
 Keep content current and aligned with other platforms
Meetup
  • Useful for discoverability and attracting new people
  • Allows RSVPs and interaction
 Use for RSVps
Facebook
  • Supports community visibility and sharing
  • Useful for:
    • Reminders
    • Photos
    • Informal engagement
  • Keep event details accurate
  • Avoid relying on Facebook as the only source
National Calendar
  • Provides visibility beyond the Local Group
  • Useful for:
    • Larger events
    • Events of broader interest

Consistency Across Channel

[edit | hide | edit source]

All platforms should include the same core information:

  • Date and time
  • Location
  • Description
  • Contact details

If something changes:

  • Update all platforms
  • Clearly communicate the update
[edit | hide | edit source]
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