Greetings!
Good morning! Hope the newsletter finds you well. We'll get right to it this a.m. Today we share an 'open letter' to our future leaders of the walk. We also include important information from the CDC on meningitis. If you normally budget a couple minutes of your morning to our newsletter, thank you. Today, however, you may choose to pass on the open letter, therefore finding yourself with extra time on your hands. Try Sporcle. Fun, little site with a ton to offer. You didn't hear that from me though. Ok?
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Share The Love
I believe in the walk, right? Every cell in my body, every minute of the day. We know this is the right thing to do. It needs to happen. It has to happen. It will happen. Promise.
So, how do we, as walk leaders, communicate this and get there sooner rather than later? We've got some sites that average 10 and some that reach over 200. For newer walk leaders around the world, this is what we are thinking:
I'm sure a marketing person would red ink the he** out of this, but here goes.
We see this occurring on multiple levels:
1) Broad awareness - Posters/cards/brochures/banners. We put them in doctor's offices, on community boards (Starbucks, Panera, etc.), Weight Watcher's, homeless shelters, senior centers, schools, etc. In addition, we're blessed that the California Medical Association is placing 20 billboards across the state. We can get you the posters/cards/brochure/banners. Billboards - a little tougher to send.
2) One on one - The doctor's office is a privileged space. It provides us the opportunity to tell our patients how much we care about them. Our doctors are writing real Walk with a Doc prescriptions. We can get these to you.
Another point of contact is when we become a patient and we are admitted to the hospital. Here we have true heroes, such as hospital volunteers, chaplains, cardiac rehab nurses, floor nurses, hospitalists, etc. sharing the program. As patients we are vulnerable. We want to find something that will prevent us from ever having to come back. This program by all accounts puts us, the patient, in charge.
3) Public speaking - rotaries, churches, medical conferences, Tupperware parties - whatever it takes. We try to never say no. The message is too important.
4) Location, location, location - applies here, just as in real estate. Obvious stuff. We aim for centralized, aesthetic complete parks that have us wanting to come back.
5) Media - Newspaper articles, local morning talk shows, and PSA's go a long way to raising awareness. Our press team can help make this happen for you.
6) Newsletter - You can have your own newsletter for your own group (simple and we'll cover the cost) or you can have the reader get on the National List - or both. A little reminder does a lot for attendance.
7) Social media - Facebook, Twitter, and Meet-Up.com. It's all the rage with the kids nowadays.
8) Celebrities at event - Radio personalities, TV anchors, athletic heroes, or just a hero with very good stories (see Dave DeVillers)
9) Health fairs - abundant and a great way to introduce Walk with a Doc to your community.
10) Chocolate strawberries - what happens when you combine two things that are healthy and delicious? Magic happens, that's what.
See, I told you you should've played Sporcle.
*We do have a bunch of others, but probably best to call the home office (614-714-0407) if you care to discuss. We are here for you. |
Meningitis Information
Click here for what I believe is the most pertinent information regarding the current meningitis outbreak (from CDC).
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