How to Attract People Other Than the Same Old Faces to Your Engagement Events
If you’ve ever run a community consultation event, the chances are you’ve seen the same faces time and time again: vocal objectors, local activists, and the small group of residents who have the time and inclination to attend.
And the numbers are low. Sometimes, painfully low.??
Whilst the input of these groups is important, these events rarely capture a full and representative picture of the wider community’s views.??
So, how can you break the cycle and attract fresh perspectives? The answer lies in embracing your digital engagement tools.???
Here’s how you can increase your reach and gather feedback from a broader audience.
Reach People Where They Are??
In-person events (obviously) require participants to give up their time to attend at a specific time and place, often excluding those with busy schedules, childcare responsibilities, or mobility challenges.???
Digital tools like social media advertising and email outreach allow you to meet a new set of people where they already are: online.??
These channels ensure your message reaches working parents, young professionals, and others who might not otherwise engage.??
Engage a Younger, More Diverse Demographic??
Traditional consultation methods often skew towards older people.???
Social media platforms like Instagram are powerful tools for reaching younger audiences, who are more likely to read information online than attend a public meeting.
83% of Gen Z get their news and information from online sources.??
By targeting social media campaigns to specific demographics, you can ensure your project reaches those whose voices are often underrepresented.???
Why not go a step further and use the demographics of the specific consultation area to map your targeting strategy???
This will show decision-makers that you’ve made your consultation inclusive and genuinely representative.???
In addition, you will get more people to come to your in-person events - by advertising them online you reach those who binned a leaflet with the takeaway menus, or don't review the village noticeboard.???
Give Everyone a Voice with Digital Surveys??
Digitally delivered surveys make it easy for anyone to participate in the consultation process at their convenience.???
They remove barriers like travel and time constraints, giving more people an opportunity to share their opinions.???
Surveys can be tailored to collect detailed, actionable feedback.??
But you can also ask fewer questions to more people and use the volume to generate insights you can use when deciding how to talk about your scheme.???
Proactively Share Project Benefits??
One of the most effective ways to win support is to get ahead of potential objections by sharing your project’s benefits early and often.??
Digital channels give you the space to do this in creative ways, whether through videos, infographics, or FAQ posts. This proactive approach ensures you’re not just responding to the loudest voices in the room but actively shaping the narrative.??
You can use the insights you have gained from surveys to inform this too.???
Local population keen on foxes? Talk about your hedgerow replacement scheme or get into the specifics of your approach to green space.??
Dust concerns? Point out your wheel wash facilities.?
Measure and Adapt in Real Time??
Unlike traditional methods, digital tools allow you to track engagement in real time.
If your posts aren’t reaching the right audience, you can adjust your strategy, targeting, or messaging instantly. This flexibility ensures your efforts remain effective and focused.??
A Win-Win for You and the Community??
Incorporating digital tools into your engagement strategy doesn’t mean abandoning in-person events altogether.???
It means complementing them with methods that widen your reach and encourage participation from a broader audience.??
The result? More representative feedback, stronger community relationships, and a better chance of securing planning approval.??
Ready to move beyond the same old faces? Digital engagement can help you turn a fragmented consultation into a conversation that truly reflects the community’s voice.????
Discover the four elements for more effective digital engagement in our free guide:
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