I was wondering if I could get some stories about how those of you that are in Dad's groups got started.
I searched around on the web and found Al Watt's email address on Slowlane, and ended up going that night to a DNO. Is that common? I am currently working on boosting membership and am trying to figure out new ways of finding the dads I know are out there,
So any hints or suggestions?
Thanks,
DB: in my experience with two groups, print media is what made the real difference. Your metro area is big enough that it probably has at least one (or more) regular free publications for families...generally these include a listing of local parent resources where you can get your group listed for free. They can be a bit of a hassle...they make you send in a listing each month, even if the listing is ongoing and unchanged...but they work wonders. Don't stop with parent-oriented media...get listed in the "things to do" section of your major local newspaper, your local alternative newspaper, etc. You never know which one will "hit". It takes a bit of leg work to get it going, and some regular reminders on you calendar to keep it going.
You're most likely too late to get in an article in the main paper for Father's Day (those stories are probably all in the bag), but get in touch with the editor of the lifestyles (or similar) section of your local big paper and pitch a story about your nascent group...they have plenty of time to work up a story for back-to-school which is a time a lot of families are looking hard at their child-care choices.
- Andy
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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kcdad/
Try Colorado Community Newspapers headquartered here in Castle Rock. They got free community newspapers that are published 1 or 2 times a week for all the towns in the big city and surrounding area, Parker included. Their delivery persons aren't very adept of hitting the driveway and you've more than likely seen or drove over some of the papers papers littering the street. I can't belive they want to try and ask a price for these rags, it would be a different story if they could find my porch.
They do have a decent product though.
Hi, I think print media gave us the biggest bang for the buck. We were a small group of 2 dads for a couple of years until there was an article in the paper. We (mostly I) also do a monthly storytime at the central library each and every month for the last 1.5 years. It is called "Storytime with the Dads" and has our group name on it. It is the regularly scheduled storytime for the daycare kids. We sometime have 70 kids there! This is important because reading to kids needs to NOT to be a "mom thing". Be a champion of literacy and a good role model!
Joined: 2006-11-12
Dad Points: 582