December 2021

Page A8 DECEMBER 2021 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS Se c t i on A www. vischerfuneralsupplies.com By Linda Findlay Aftercare Venues Speaking opportunities and workshops are best held in a neutral environment. Consider using one of the library’s conference rooms, or check with your local Chamber of Commerce to find what’s available in your community. Some venues are free or low cost. Do not expect the ven- ue to do any advertising on your behalf. If you want peo- ple to show up, you need to market the event. Speaking Topics Consider the needs of the community and your families. What information do you want them to know? What are you passionate about sharing? Also consider the audience. Don’t be afraid to host a workshop that’s never been taught before. Tips • Use lots of powerful language • Be enthusiastic and enjoyable to watch • Incorporate stories or real-life examples • Offer supporting facts to reinforce credibility • Engage the audience. “Raise your hand if you…” • Problem solve • If using a PowerPoint, purchase a quality template that pairs fonts, colors, and design elements for a pol- ished look that’s esthetically pleasing to the audience Plan 1. Determine your subject matter. 2. Create a catchy marketing title. 3. Select date and time. 4. Secure a venue of appropriate size. 5. Determine whether to charge an entry or registration fee. 6. Advertise the event: • press release • social media • newsletters • email blasts • website 7. Find volunteers to help manage the event. 8. Determine a refreshments budget and what refresh- ments you’re going to provide. 9. Determine whether you wish to invite other profes- sionals to co-host or join you. 10. Secure a display screen, projector, mic, sound system, etc. 11. Choose a color theme to set the intended mood. Use these colors in your tablecloths, informational material and marketing, refreshment cups, display elements, etc. 12. Determine the delivery method of your informa- tion. Consider using a PowerPoint. 13. Determine visual displays and informational ma- terial you want to provide. What are the take- aways for your audience? Prepare 1. Set up an entry/registration table. Cover it with a tablecloth in one of your theme colors. Solid col- ored tablecloths work best (patterns compete for visual attention, drawing the eye away from more important tabletop items). 2. Display informational and marketing material (use separate table if needed). 3. Make it warm and welcoming. Consider adding a seasonal floral or holiday display. 4. Pens, dish of hard candies or chocolate kisses, free marketing gadgets 5. Set up refreshments table using matching tablecloth. 6. Set up A/V equipment. Lead • Begin on time. Introduce yourself (5 minutes). • Share your story (10 minutes). • Discuss your topic and intended key points (30 minutes). Use PowerPoint if desired. • Promote your organization (5 minutes). • Invite audience to ask questions (10 minutes). Any opportunity that you can create that helps you to engage with families, outside taking care of them at their time of need, will nurture your relationships with them. They will call on you to help with preplanning their own final wishes and they will call on you when a loved one dies! Community Presentations With the new year right around the corner, there is no better time than now to look for opportunities to edu- cate your families and community. Community presen- tations are a great way to stand out in your community as “the expert” in areas of topics related to preplanning, and end of life and grief support. I have many funeral homes who plan several speaking engagements through- out the year. They seem to be very successful with atten- dance and families wanting more information about pr- eneed! This month I wanted to offer you suggestions on how to plan, prepare and lead community presentations that you may want to consider adding to your outreach efforts for your families and community in the coming year. If your area is still practicing social distancing, you can always provide presentations online! Speaking engagements are a tool to grow your busi- ness and draw in customers. The purpose of speaking is to get you and your name in front of clients. It gives you an opportunity to engage with your community and es- tablish your credibility as an expert. When people are in the market for your services, they’re more likely to remember you and have a higher level of confidence in your ability to serve them. Learning how to create and use speaking engage- ments and presentations to engage with community members is an excellent marketing opportunity and a cost-effective way to subliminally market your prod- ucts. It’s important to recognize different presentation types, reasons for hosting a community presentation, understanding your audience, and learning how to cre- ate compelling and memorable content. Speaking Engagements In general, a speaking engagement is a one-way presen- tation that allows you to educate your audience about a specific topic. Think of it as a college classroom. You’re the instructor and the audience members are your students. Types Of Events Speaking engagements can be informative, instruc- tional, persuasive, and more. Decide on the purpose of your engagement. What would you like to accomplish? • Provide educational information • Provide instructional step-by-step information • Connect and network • Promote your funeral home Linda Findlay is the founder of Mourning Discoveries, Grief Support Services. She is a 29-year career Aftercare Coordinator, a published author, and an advocate for bereaved families. She is the founder and co-creator of The Grief Cruises and manag - ing partner with The International Grief Institute. Linda can be reached at 315-725-6132 or Lf6643@yahoo.com. Visit www.mourningdiscoveries.com, www.thegriefcruises.com or www.internationalgriefinstitute.com. F U N E R A L H O M E & C E M E T E R Y N E W S w w w . N o m i s P u b l i c a t i o n s . c o m Monthly Columns online at COLMA,CA— Cypress Lawn Funeral Home & Memo- rial Park has been a significant part of Bay Area history for over a century and is ushering in a new era as the City of Colma formally proclaimed November 12 ArboretumDay. Cypress Lawn’s Arboretum earned Level I accreditation from Morton Arboretum’s international ArbNet program in 2019. It is one of two cemeteries in the Bay Area to hold this distinction. Cypress Lawn Arboretum is home to many trees well over a century in age, including more than 100 species of trees and nearly 3,000 individual trees. “Our founder, Hamden Holmes Noble, strongly believed in the power of trees and their effect on humanity. We take deep pride in preserving and promoting our 129-year his- City of Colma Honors Cypress Lawn with Proclamation of Arboretum Day tory for future generations. We hope Arboretum Day will encourage more of our neighbors to enjoy the peace, tran- quility, and beauty that only our Memorial Park has to of- fer,” said president and CEO Robert A. Gordon Jr. Cypress Lawn’s ArboretumDirector, Josh Gevertz, is pas- sionate about making Cypress Lawn a place for everyone in the Bay Area to enjoy and celebrate trees. “We’re just entering a new era as an Arboretum, where Cypress Lawn can grow from being a place for the deceased to also thriving as a destination for the living. We look for- ward to moving toward Level II accreditation, and this is a huge step in the right direction,” Gevertz said. As part of the celebration for Arboretum Day the com- munity visited Cypress Lawn for special programming, including an in-person proclamation of Arboretum Day as a city-wide annual celebration of trees and tree plant- ing by Colma Mayor Diana Colvin, as well as a walking Tree Tour culminating with a toast and catered refresh- ments beside Cypress Lawn’s champion Cork Oak tree SEND US YOUR NEWS! PO Box 5159, Youngstown, OH 44514 1-800-321-7479 info@nomispublications.com