Ask any health promoter about their top 3 program goals, and you’re sure to hear increase participation. It’s an uphill battle at any time, but especially when people are as distracted by the economy as they are today. Here are 9 can’t-miss techniques:

1. Thrill participants. Nothing you can do will market your services better than delighting users. Make sure whatever you offer is top shelf — and you’ll see a steady increase over time as participants talk about quality.
2. Keep your stars. If you’ve got staff, do what you need to hold on to top performers — promotions, more responsibility, greater flexibility, time off, etc. Great people result in great participation. And if you’re a department of 1, use the same approach with outstanding wellness committee members and volunteers.
3. Expand your thinking. Get outside the world of health promotion by perusing popular magazines, newspapers, and websites daily. Inspiration and innovation are more likely found on the pages of Google than peer-reviewed health journals.
4. Promote possibilities. People want to know how your product or service will make their life better. Focus on benefits, downplay features, and simplify your message.
5. Make friends. Partner with any function inside or outside the organization that can advance your cause. Seek first to help them achieve their goals and you’ll develop allies.
6. Look ahead. Ask yourself “What can I do this month that will matter 3 years from now?” So many health promoters have their head down just trying to get the next service launched; it’s easy to lose sight of the program’s and population’s long-term health. Have a plan and do something every quarter that contributes to achieving long-range goals.
7. Study your data. Keep meticulous records of participation, what worked, what didn’t, and why. Review a summary of the data before planning meetings and when setting annual goals. Not doing this almost guarantees you’ll repeat mistakes and miss opportunities.
8. Generate inexpensive (and fun) promotions. Low-cost ideas, like wearing a turkey outfit to hand out Thanksgiving fun run fliers, create a buzz you can’t achieve through the mail.
9. Raise fees. Huh? In a down economy?! Won’t that hurt participation? No. In fact, if you make the case effectively that your service is twice as good as it was, a higher fee can raise participation.

Pick one of the techniques above to get started on this week. And if you have a sure-fire way to boost participation during difficult times, send it to us to share with other health promoters.