Encouraging First Event Attendance

Purpose

Help new members feel comfortable attending their first event.

Guiding Principle

For many members, the hardest part is not attending an event — it’s deciding to walk into the first one.

Reducing uncertainty and creating a personal connection makes the biggest difference.

Why This Matters

New members often feel:

Nervous about meeting unfamiliar people
Intimidated by expectations (“everyone is so smart”)
Unsure what events are like
Concerned about fitting in

These feelings are normal and should be expected.

What This Means in Practice

Make the first event feel approachable and low-pressure
Replace uncertainty with clear, personal information
Ensure at least one familiar connection before arrival
Focus on comfort, not attendance numbers

Key Actions

Make a Personal Invitation

Invite members to a specific event
Mention why it might be a good fit
Keep the tone casual and optional

Reduce Uncertainty

Provide simple, helpful details:

What kind of event it is (casual, structured, etc.)
What to expect (size, atmosphere)
When people typically arrive

Avoid overwhelming with too much information.

Offer a “Known Contact”

The most effective way to support attendance:

Offer to meet outside and walk in together
Tell them how to recognize you
Introduce them to others

No one wants to walk into a room of strangers.

Follow Up Before the Event

Send a brief reminder a day or two before
Confirm plans if you offered to meet

This reduces last-minute hesitation.

Start with Low-Pressure Events

Good first events:

Coffee or casual meals
Small gatherings
Game nights or informal activities

Avoid:

Large, complex, or highly structured events as a first experience

Supporting First-Time Attendees at the Event

Greet them promptly
Introduce them to a few friendly members
Help them join conversations
Check in briefly during the event

Small actions make a big difference.

After the Event

Follow up with a short message
Thank them for coming
Encourage future connection (without pressure)

Best Practices

Personal contact is more effective than general announcements
Small events are often better for first-time attendees
One positive experience builds confidence for future participation
Consistency matters more than scale
Ensure every new attendee has at least one person they recognize before they arrive.

Common Pitfalls

Expecting members to attend without personal outreach
Providing too little or too much information
Failing to meet or greet new attendees
Overemphasizing attendance instead of comfort
Assuming lack of attendance means lack of interest

Key Takeaway

The goal is not to get someone to attend an event.

The goal is to make their first experience feel comfortable enough that they would consider coming back.