In the movie "Field of Dreams", Kevin Costner's character famously quotes "If you build it, they will come." That may have worked in the movie (there were also baseball players coming out of the corn fields), but not so much in real life. You need to get the word out about what you are passionate about, whether that is a cause, a product, an idea, a service or a theology. Everyone is assaulted every day by ads to "buy this", "do this", "join this", so what makes you stand out? You! Your passion, your personality, but mostly, your personal relationship with your audience is what brings your message to the forefront. So often, we spend so much time "building" that we forget to invite others to join in. It's like planning a great party and not calling anyone to come and join the fun! Then you're stuck sitting at the party alone. Talk to people - personally. E-mail blasts, form letters and generic Facebook invites don't count. Be sincere. Build it - but spend at least as much time inviting them to come.
A few years ago, I found myself in front of a 100 or so scrapbookers wearing a coconut bra and a grass skirt. The "tiki" theme that we had chosen dictated the need for my costume. The fun part was that everyone in the room knew that when I hit the stage in my crazy outfit, someone was going to win a prize! Shouldn't a leader be above dressing silly at a big event? Never! Would it help if I mentioned that I did have a t-shirt on under the coconut bra? And that we all wore Hawaiian shirts the rest of the time? Or that I've worn a Santa hat, light up necklace, blue hair, pink bowling shirt with matching glow-in-the-dark bowling shoes for other events? So why did I go the extra mile? Did I have to wear a coconut bra and a grass skirt to give away prizes? No. But did it add to the excitement and the atmosphere? Yes. It brought a sense of fun to the event and unity among the team. A large event is a huge undertaking. Havi...
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