1. Help Center
  2. Improve the participation rate

Promote my consultation

Just because it's online doesn't mean it's magic! Think about how much you, yourself, are solicited on Facebook, LinkedIn, radio and other media. Your consultation needs to carve out a little space between the pretty chat pictures, the teacher's email and the Facebook events.


To wisely identify the best communication tools for your consultation, consider the elements below and make a plan:

  • Your available budget for this step: plan it now
  • Your expert resources: what you can do in-house versus what will be done under contract
  • Your target audience: be where your audience is!
  • Identify the content and try to reuse the same content several times

Traditional media

  • Invite a journalist to write an article on the subject of your consultation; it's free
  • Buy an advertisement in the local newspaper
  • Run a radio ad
  • Print posters and put them up in public places visited by your target audience
  • Distribute invitation cards to mailboxes
  • Participate in a television show on the community channel

Electronic media

  • Promote it on your website: an article, a banner, in the drop-down menu, a "Take part in the consultation" button
  • Organize a webinar to transmit relevant information about the subject of your consultation
  • Offer a live, online Q&A session to address citizens' concerns
  • Write an article in your email newsletter

 

Social Media

  • Post an image that represents your consultation well, that is polished and that will catch the eye
  • Post examples of contributions such as a community proposal that stands out for its popularity or originality
  • Share the evolution of participation (25 people have already spoken, will you be next?)

 

Be creative...

  • Put up a banner inviting people to participate in your consultation, such as a "flag" on a stand in a park or on the side of a boulevard
  • If you are targeting a less connected or technology-savvy population, offer the option to participate on paper or over the phone 
  • Offer participation prizes among all consultation participants: a pair of tickets to a show, a meal in a local restaurant, artisan products