New events
So, you want to start a class / workshop / event? Bully for you, you're thinking like a do-ocrat! Here's what you should probably do and think about next:
Initial Steps
- First, gauge interest in your class (mailing list, IRC, or just shouting ideas during a meeting are all good methods), you probably want to make sure at least three to four people intend to show up, to make it worth your time -- more about this
- Decide what you want and don't want to teach. Set a scope that makes sense to you.
- Come up with a funny name.
- This can't be stressed enough. A funny name can be the difference between one attendee and a room of attendees.
Establish a Date
- Pick a day and time that works for you and has space available on the PS1 calendar.
- Ask [email protected] to grant you read/write access to the calendar.
- Warning! Don't try to ask the mailing list for a date that "works for everyone" down that path lies madness and obnoxiously long threads with no definitive answers. This is your project, make a command decision.
- Pick a day at least two (or more) weeks in the future so you can generate interest and people can plan to attend.
- Remember, PS1 is now large enough that several events can take place at the same time.
Cost
- This is a touchy subject, but don't be afraid to charge money for your efforts. Talk to people on the board if you're in doubt.
- If you're going to charge money for your class, a few things to keep in mind:
- PS1 should get a cut of the profits (unless you're charging only for supplies). This helps pay for the rent.
- PS1 full members (not starving hackers) should get a discount (the discount comes out of PS1's share of the proceeds, not yours). The discount is usually in the $10 range, depending on the cost of each ticket, and how much of a cut PS1 is getting.
- PS1 has an eventbrite account, to handle payments and managing attendee numbers. Talk to the treasurer for getting your event on there.
Write up a class description:
- Write something brief but flowery, and make sure to include the following things at the bottom of your post (seriously, use this exact format or you're going to get a lot of dumb questions from people who can't read anything not in bullet points):
- Who: who the class is intended for (the public, members only, beginners, intermediate, etc)
- Cost (if it's free, say that it's free, or people will ask)
- Where it is: include ps1's address, which room, etc
- When it is
- What you'll be teaching, what the event is about, etc
- Find an appropriate picture to go along with your description (because all blog posts must have pictures!)
Draw attention to your class:
- In everyone's fantasy world, you just put something on the calendar and hundreds of people flood into PS1 to sit at rapt attention while you expound intelligently on [insert class subject here]. That can happen, but you need to do some marketing first.
- Post your class description to at the very, very least the following places (this is minimum effort):
- PS1-Public list
- PS1-Private list
- The calendar
- The Blog
- Other places you may want to consider:
- Other local hackerspaces' mailing lists (W88 and SSH for starters)
- Enthusiast mailing lists that talk about stuff you're interested in
- If your event is general interest enough, consider local event blogs like chicagoist and gapers block, or local specialty blogs
- The PS1 meetup group
- Make blog / similar blogs
For assistance, contact Geoffrey Topham