Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Marketing question for the men on the list

[John Carver (jcarver]

On 10/07/2017 11:43 AM, Linda H wrote:
> ...One issue that our few male members have asked repeatedly (and the 
> women want this too) is how do we attract more men. One of the guys 
> thinks the problem is that we aren't doing the advertising properly, 
> citing articles about the differences in marketing to men and women,...

When I read the question my first thought was "What attracts men? Women!"

But seriously, and after considering that there are more women than men 
over 55, and that men appear to be slower to embrace the idea of 
cohousing, you might start by asking does it really matter, or why are 
you concerned about gender balance? Since you're a 55+ community I'm 
sure the goal isn't procreation.

I'm a 55+ single male living in cohousing (multigenerational). I don't 
think I would have responded favourably to marketing aimed at my 
perceived masculine sensitivities. I was drawn to it by the concept of 
intentional community. I was able to imagine myself living as neighbours 
with the people I had met in the kind of environment that had been 
designed. And yes I am feeling the benefit.

I took a quick look around your website and what you're doing now looks 
good to me. Good work whoever is doing the website and newsletter.

John Carver
Pacific Gardens Cohousing Community <http://pacificgardens.ca/>
Nanaimo, BC