Growing a regional YesTribe can feel like a tough slog, especially in the early days, but the mantra ‘get out what you put in’ is never truer than here.
You might host events and have nobody turn up, engagement on the Facebook group might not warrant the effort you’re putting into it, but keep plugging away and the reward will come.
Here are some of the best ways to grow your tribe:
Events
The YesTribe is all about getting people together in the real world, the more opportunity you give people to meet the more you’ll see people turn up
Stories and content
Share photos and video after each event and it’ll not only offer up a nice memory for those who turned up, it’ll also show the ones who didn’t come what they’re missing. Take advantage of FOMO!
Advertise
With the central YesTribe growing at a rate of knots there will undoubtedly be people on there from your region who haven’t joined up yet. Use an upcoming event to plug your regional tribe, share a message with the event link and let them know they’re welcome!
Facebook: do it right
Read our guide on how to post on Facebook, there are little hints and tricks in there which will make your posts more visible. When sharing a link add a description, a couple of engaging lines about why people should join. This is much more powerful than just sharing the link, and the description will mean Facebook puts your post in front of more people.
Post engaging content, links to local events and news that rhyme with the YesTribe ethos. Give people ideas, get them excited, reply to comment, encourage and support and that love will come right back to you.
Do all the good things right, and word of mouth with organically spread. Sit back and hope that things do themselves, and growth will be slower than if you take some active steps.
Quotes from there tribe leaders and ideas about their success
Sometimes it’s all about the first step, for me in the north-west YesStories was something i could fit around work and also an event i felt really passionate about. It really only took finding a venue, setting a date and then getting speakers. The venue did want to charge and I hate asking for something for free in person so i just dropped them a nicely worded email and bingo! The night of YesStories the journey on the tram into Manchester - I was bricking it..the voice in my head telling me “no-one will come” i was imagining just me and the speakers but i didn’t need to worry cause they did come, 50 of them! turns out if you’re a little brave cool things happen
Kelly Stevens, YesTribe North West
Ideas on growing a tribe
Start small and keep it simple a Little cup of adventure, a local walk and a drink.
Find some admin buddies for the tribe page it really helps spread the load
If at first turnout is small, worry not we've all been there. Just enjoy the simple small ones and they will grow
Scott Wallis, YesTribe South West
Remember that growing a regional tribe is organic, and that it takes time. When the East Midlands tribe was formed, it took almost a year for things to start gathering some momentum. Sometimes you’ll organise things and people won’t turn up, but that’s fine! Keep on planning things but most of all, make sure you’re enjoying it. The word will spread and people will come. The wider YesTribe team are always on hand to help out and offer advice; plus staying in touch with other regional tribe leaders means you can learn from their experiences and share ideas. Be sure to give consideration to all events and their inclusivity (are they dog/cat/child/disability friendly?) so everyone can be involved where possible.
Kim Brenan, East Midlands