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So many people ask me for practical advice about shared households and how to get started. One of the biggest steps toward this goal is to spread the word about your need for like-minded people to join you on this journey.
Since there are so many possible ways to handle shared living a lot of the information will vary depending on your specific situation. For instance, if you want to purchase a home with two or three other people your relationship with them should be very different than if you were renting our rooms in an existing home. Sometimes, but not always, you will want to keep your focus local to attract people who are ready to make this change now. Other times you may want to expand your search further out from where you are now. All of these factors will play into exactly how you advertise and where.
My ideas are after the jump.
Here are a few ideas for reaching out and connecting with others who want to live in community.
- Good old fashioned word of mouth. Talk to everyone you meet about what you are doing and why. When you’re in line at the grocery store or the bank, talk to the people around you. When you’re out at the bookstore or a community concert strike up conversations with strangers. You honestly never know who you’ll meet. The person you’re talking to might not be interested in living in community but their aunt might be. Spread the word.
- Posters or flyers on community boards. Many spaces in communities have public bulletin boards where local business owners put up their cards or there might be flyers for upcoming classes. This is a perfect place to share your story. Host a coffee shop meet up and post a flyer inviting others in the community to join you and get to know what shared housing is all about.
- Online networking on Facebook and Meet-up. Don’t dismiss the impersonal platform of the internet. In fact, if used correctly, Facebook and other social media sites can be your best resource. Join or start a Facebook group local to your area to invite others to discuss community living. Advertise your regular coffee shop meet up on the website designed to organize face to face events.
- Talk to local media about your story. Here is a seldom thought about angle that would be great for your local news source. People love human interest stories and your local news will be interested in your quest to find others interested in living a very different life as you age. Send a press release or call your local media and talk to them about a possible story to get the word out about your goals.
There are countless ways to get the word out for your plans to live in community. What are some additional ways you’ve considered?
For more practical advice, check out Chapter 18 “Throw Out the Net” in my guidebook Your Quest for Home, available now!
Learn more about Women FOR Living in Community and Marianne Kilkenny at our website and join our conversation at Facebook.
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