Cohousing-L Mailing List: Marketing ideas for Craig

[Joani Blank (jeblank]

Chirs,

I second all of the ideas you've gotten so far in the last few days, and
have a couple of other ideas. 

1) I'd really stress the rural aspect of your project. Combine the
attractions of cohousing with "getting away from the hustle and bustle of
more urban areas," and reassurances that moving out in the country doesn't
mean that you will get isolated. This latter is great for families who want
to move farther out but don't want to live far away from playmates for their
kids. And for older people who can get frightfully isolated if they live
alone in the city or in the suburbs. All this leads to promoting yourselves
in Portland, if you haven't already done so. My recall is that you are not
too far away from Portland, isn't that true? Do I remember that is close
enough even for a part time commute?  You may be recruiting in Portland
already. If so, how about Boston?  From there I'd suggest going for
potential telecommuters. With all the computer industry around Rte 1278 and
in Cambridge and Boston, I'll bet you'll find some prospects.

2.) Definitely dig into the University. Scan the class catalog and see if
there is a class or campus one of you can appropriately speak at. Or see if
you can post some announcements especially where faculty and school staff
hang around. 

3) Offer a program (with slides of Danish CoHousing, other north American
cohousing and any site or floor plans that you have) to local church and
civic groups Check out the Unitarian/Universalist churches in Brunswick and
in Portland. Quite a few UUs livie in cohousing, and I don't see why your
area would be any different.

4) Give us a few more details here on coho-l (now much land, how many units,
price range in approximate dollar amounts_. Offer to send brochures on
request to groups in far flung places through this list. Update your Web
Page if it needs it, and be sure Stuart Staniford-Chen has it linked to the
general pages on cohousing.

5) Consider getting profession cohousing consultation. A little investment
now can save you endless grief and further costs down the road.

Joani Blank