We have found at Foulab that the only courses that draw huge numbers are Basic Electronics and anything with the word Arduino in it. Take that as you will.<br><br>Michel<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Sun, May 8, 2011 at 6:00 PM, William Macfarlane <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:wmacfarl@gmail.com">wmacfarl@gmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-left: 1ex;">One thing that I suggest, based on experiences running class for kids<br>
with Parts and Crafts (a hackerspacey/makerspacey place for young<br>
folks), is to limit the number of classes that you're running. In my<br>
experience, it's easier to fill beginner classes than master classes<br>
(which is too bad, since it means that there aren't very many master<br>
classes in anything), and frequently beginners don't worry too much<br>
about the specifics of the thing you're teaching.<br>
<br>
There will be people who just "want to take a class at TX/RX" -- if<br>
you have too many options, those people might not make the critical<br>
mass required to have classes run. You want to concentrate those<br>
people into a few classes, not spread them out over many.<br>
<br>
Otherwise? Classes are actually pretty hard to get off the ground.<br>
People say they're excited about them, but then when it comes to<br>
actually signing up or actually attending, it can be quite difficult<br>
for people to make time in their schedule, or work up the activation<br>
energy. It's not-very-helpful, but my other advice is "keep doing<br>
them". Run them even if you only have 3 or 4 people who sign up.<br>
You're going to run a couple of seasons of classes before<br>
word-of-mouth really starts working for you. It's quite likely that<br>
currently-busy people have seen your fliers and made a mental note to<br>
check out your stuff later when they have time.<br>
<br>
Concentrate on promoting a small number of classes taught by some<br>
folks who aren't going to be really upset if their classes don't fill<br>
up. Run them even if you only have 3 or 4 people sign up. Do it<br>
again. Etc. Your target audience is adults who are self-motivated,<br>
creative, project-oriented people. This means, unfortunately, that<br>
your target audience people are usually busy people who need some<br>
advance notice and planning before they actually get around to doing<br>
stuff. You want the fact that you run cool classes to be in people's<br>
minds when they find that they have some spare time and interest in<br>
your stuff.<br>
<br>
Also, if people are already registered for classes, ask them to spread<br>
the word so that you can make the class more awesome.<br>
<div class="im"><br>
On Sun, May 8, 2011 at 5:43 PM, Roland von Kurnatowski III<br>
<<a href="mailto:rtavk3@gmail.com">rtavk3@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br>
</div><div><div></div><div class="h5">> Howdy, checking in from TX/RX Labs the Houston hackerspace.<br>
> We have started a series of classes at the space for May,June and sadly the<br>
> response we got hasnt been great, we still have time to promote but were<br>
> hoping some of the more experienced people here would have advice on how to<br>
> get to reach people seeing as I have noticed many classes at the other<br>
> hackerspaces have done quite well.<br>
> We have ~13 classes and they are all very reasonably priced, we have<br>
> experienced people teaching and have put up ~1000 flyers and done<br>
> twitter/facebook/forums/meetup posts not to mention hit ur email list etc.<br>
> Tried to get press attention and did get a stpry in the local free press<br>
> magazine and some time on the tech show on our local npr affiliate.<br>
> Any other ways to get the word out you experienced people know of?<br>
> Thanks in advance!<br>
> --<br>
> -Roland<br>
><br>
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<br>
<br>
<br>
</div><font color="#888888">--<br>
-Will<br>
<a href="http://www.partsandcrafts.org" target="_blank">www.partsandcrafts.org</a><br>
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