This is a good introduction! Certainly a few things in here that I wish Iâd known back in 2014 when I was handling my first activity fairs.
I strongly second the idea that you shouldnât be looking to persuade anyone at these booths. If someoneâs interested enough to want to discuss this with you in detail, thatâs really good, and you should prioritize them for follow-up, but you will be tempted to talk to them in the moment, especially if they make an argument you âknow how to refuteâ. You need to resist that temptation.
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Another note: You should be ready to tell people not just what the group does, but what the first event is. The post talked about the importance of having an event early, and iâm adding that you should mention said event.
During the first 1-2 weeks of college, dozens of groups will be fighting for recruits, and the people you talk to will already be cataloging what theyâll do when they arenât in class. You want to add yourself to that catalogâcertainly with a first email, but ideally even before that.
âWe do a lot of X, Y, and Z. Weâre having our first X on Thursday nightâsign up here, and weâll send you the details!â
(Hopefully, youâve chosen an X that sounds like fun.)
This is generally a good idea even if your group doesnât run many big events, and even if you prioritize 1-on-1s; Iâd guess that youâll come across as slightly odd if the first thing people know about your activities is that âsomeone will get lunch with you to talkâ. Parties, speaker events, and Giving Games are all âsaferâ and more normal.
This is a good introduction! Certainly a few things in here that I wish Iâd known back in 2014 when I was handling my first activity fairs.
I strongly second the idea that you shouldnât be looking to persuade anyone at these booths. If someoneâs interested enough to want to discuss this with you in detail, thatâs really good, and you should prioritize them for follow-up, but you will be tempted to talk to them in the moment, especially if they make an argument you âknow how to refuteâ. You need to resist that temptation.
----
Another note: You should be ready to tell people not just what the group does, but what the first event is. The post talked about the importance of having an event early, and iâm adding that you should mention said event.
During the first 1-2 weeks of college, dozens of groups will be fighting for recruits, and the people you talk to will already be cataloging what theyâll do when they arenât in class. You want to add yourself to that catalogâcertainly with a first email, but ideally even before that.
âWe do a lot of X, Y, and Z. Weâre having our first X on Thursday nightâsign up here, and weâll send you the details!â
(Hopefully, youâve chosen an X that sounds like fun.)
This is generally a good idea even if your group doesnât run many big events, and even if you prioritize 1-on-1s; Iâd guess that youâll come across as slightly odd if the first thing people know about your activities is that âsomeone will get lunch with you to talkâ. Parties, speaker events, and Giving Games are all âsaferâ and more normal.