Quilt Guild 2.0 – Reviving Your Guild Using Web-Based Techniques
Posted by Wendy Breakstone Ladd | Filed under Quilting for Beginners
(Republished from The Fabric Quarter blog)
This is is a high-level lecture on the subject of using the Internet to attract new members and revive a Quilt Guild. This lecture was given to the SCCQG on October 9, 2010.
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“Quilt Guild 2.0”
Using the Internet to Enhance Your Guild & Membership
What does Quilt Guild 2.0 mean?
“Quilt Guild 2.0” basically means using the Internet, and everything that goes along with it (i.e. website, social media networking, blogging, and email) and offline marketing to create new growth opportunities.
Four Main Challenges that using the Internet, your website, and email marketing can help you with:
1. Reaching new/potential members
2. Reinvigorate existing/veteran members for involvement
3. Raising more money during fundraisers
4. Increasing Event participation
1. REACHING POTENTIAL MEMBERS
- Button/ Link Exchange
** Local Independent Quilt Shop / Sewing Shop / Long-Arm Quilters
** Ask Guest speakers to post info on their site with a link to your site
– Enhance your Events PAGE
** Add more detail to gain higher Search Engine results (use keywords, etc.)
- Start a blog
2. REINVOGORATE EXISTING/VETERAN MEMBERS
- Start a “GUESS THE MEMBER” game on your website and do a spotlight on that member before each meeting. (Unveil the member at the meeting.)
- Create a Tip of the Week section on your website and ask a veteran member to write it.
- Start an “Ask A Question” column on the website 10 member each month and post their response
** What book are you reading right now?
** Who’s your favorite movie star?
- Acknowledge years of membership to the Guild.
- Start a Photo Gallery online for members
OFFLINE ACTIONS:
- Start a Big Sister Quilter’s program
** Pair a Veteran with a new quilter to teach them quilting.
** Show a gallery on the website for work created by the pairs.
- Assign a person to reach out by phone to elderly or ill members.
3. GAIN BROADER MONETARY SUPPORT FOR FUNDRAISING
! Use your website to MAKE MONEY for your guild. !
- Add a “DONATE Now” button to your site
** paypal, JustGive.org
- Add a TELL A FRIEND button to your site
- Post Fundraisers on your Facebook page
4. INCREASING EVENT PARTICIPATION
- Cross-promote events
- Use your blog
- Use a web-based calendar program in your website
- Post your events on your FACEBOOK page
Stay tuned for more information on Quilt Guild 2.0.
(written by Wendy Breakstone Ladd for SCCQG. For more information, please contact Wendy at shop
