The five best ways to find your cohousing neighbors

Whether you're just beginning to form a cohousing community, in the process of designing or building one, or are close to completion and want to attract a few new members, this "Top Five" list summarizes the most cost-effective ways to market your community.

1. Tell everyone you know

Word of mouth is, by far, the most inexpensive and effective marketing technique you can use. Tell others about your community not because you think they want to live there, but because they might pass the word along to someone who will want to join. Everyone in your group is part of the Marketing Team. Look for opportunities to talk about cohousing at work, to your friends, at spiritual or social gatherings, at the park, in the supermarket line -- even in elevators.

2. Use the Web

Because most potential cohousers are Internet-savvy, your group's website is a valuable and far-reaching marketing tool. I continually hear how many groups find new members -- both local and out-of-state -- through their websites. Your site should be attractive, informative, and easy to read and navigate. Be sure to update it regularly and connect it to the Cohousing Community Directory.

3. Distribute flyers

Create a full- or half-page one-sided flyer and post it all over town. Keep the text brief and succinct. The flyer should describe your group, the benefits of cohousing and upcoming events. Be sure to include contact information, including phone number, email and website. Update and print new versions of your flyer each month and ask each member of your community to distribute them to a few specific locations around town. To save time each month, you can create a generic flyer that requires just a simple text change each month, such as changing the date of the next event.

4. Direct-mail postcards

A well designed, two-sided, over-sized (8 1/2" x 5 1/2") postcard to a targeted mailing list can result in an ongoing flow of interested people to your events. Depending on your location, we suggest using the Cohousing/US national mailing list, the Utne Reader and the FIC mailing lists.

5. Regular orientations

By hosting regular monthly orientations at a local library, church or other public gathering place, you can remind area residents about your community and provide up-to-date information on its development. These events also provide an opportunity to spread excitement about your community by sharing with people face-to-face. You also may want to ask local experts to speak about related issues such as children in community, aging in community, energy-efficient design, conflict resolution and permaculture.

Through persistent use of these "Top Five" techniques, you can expect to attract new members to your community.