Powerful Invitations
Meetings and events often start with planning from the perspective of the host(s), but it is the invitation that grabs the attention of participants. For the participants, the invitation really is the start of a meeting or event, it puts that event or meeting on the horizon. How any given invitation looks plays a major role in the efficacy of that invitation and the eventually attendance and/or success of a meeting/event. Here are some tips for creating effective and powerful invitations:
• E-Mail – Go with rich HTML e-mail invitations whenever possible. Rich HTML e-mails take longer to send, but it is possible to easily track the number of e-mails opened and which recipients have not seen the e-mails. This makes following up easily…
• Follow up – Follow up with invitations whenever possible and appropriate. If someone RSVPs, then make sure to acknowledge and thank them. Establishing and following a protocol makes people feel comfortable, and it also helps project a sense of professionalism.
• A good time – Choose a good time to get the word out. Just because the boss calls you at 11 pm to arrange a meeting does not mean that you should be calling others at this hour. If you have to send a message this late, make apologies without passing the buck, and do it via e-mail or SMS.
