You\u2019ve built it\u2014now how do you get people to attend your training program? You might assume that just because you listed it in the learning management system or an executive said it was mandatory that the training miraculously will draw participants. But that\u2019s just not the case.<\/p>\n
\tSo take a page out of marketing\u2019s playbook and increase attendance by creating a campaign. There\u2019s a build-up to creating excitement about an event to get attendance\u2014even training that is mandated. Assuming you have leadership support for the training in place, here\u2019s what to do to make sure people are excited about your program\u2014and then show up for it.<\/p>\n
\tSPICE IT UP<\/strong><\/p>\n \tFirst, create a training description that sounds intriguing and interesting, but still accurately describes the program. It doesn\u2019t matter what the topic is; you can make anything interesting, even travel expense account reporting. Spice it up with real-life outcomes and worst-case scenarios if people do or don\u2019t get trained.<\/p>\n \tThen create an e-mail campaign that builds enthusiasm about what participants are going to get out of the training. Don\u2019t state learning objectives. Instead, talk about what they\u2019ll discover.<\/p>\n \tFor example, here are two ways you might position a sales training:<\/p>\n \t\u2022 Come and discover how to get customers to say, \u201cYes!\u201d 90 percent of the time!<\/p>\n \t\u2022 Come and learn a new sales process. Which one grabs you? It\u2019s all in how you spin the outcome. Use language that creates interest and piques curiosity.<\/p>\n \tIn the campaign, use testimonials from those who attended the pilot, attended past workshops, or designed this course and their take on what makes it exciting. Perhaps participants\u2019 work, lives, or processes were improved as a result. Show your target audience that it\u2019s worth their time to attend.<\/p>\n \tWHAT\u2019S IN IT FOR ME?<\/strong><\/p>\n \tMany employees who are mandated to attend training are more motivated if you tell them what\u2019s in it for them. This is especially true of the Millennial generation, but it\u2019s not limited to just them. One company we worked with had a training program on how to properly complete travel expense account forms. The \u201cwhat\u2019s in it for me\u201d spin here? Come to training so you can get more money and get it faster. Great motivation, right?<\/p>\n \tAs part of the campaign, you also can include a link to a short, two-minute video from the executive spelling out why folks should want to attend. Make sure the reason is not just because of some new corporate initiative.<\/p>\n