Why Doesn't Anyone Show Up Anymore? Why Marketing Matters.
Why Doesn’t Anyone Show Up Anymore? The Decline of Community Involvement and why Marketing Matters.
Marketing influences much more than just consumer purchases—it shapes how we engage with the world around us, including our own communities.
During my time with Go! Augusta, there was one big area where I fell short: community engagement and involvement. How do you get people to take pride in their town and actually do something to make it better?
These days, social media makes it far too easy for people to be keyboard warriors, complaining about everything but doing absolutely nothing to change it. This got me thinking: why are people disengaging from their communities? After some digging, I found a few key reasons.
1. “The Same People Run Everything”
This is one of the most common complaints. People feel like there’s a small, tight-knit group that controls everything. And honestly? They’re not wrong.
But here’s the thing: those same people often don’t want to be in charge all the time! They just keep stepping up because no one else will. It’s a classic Catch-22—people assume there’s no room for them, so they don’t volunteer, which means the same folks keep running the show.
The truth is, fresh leadership is essential. New perspectives, fresh ideas, and different approaches keep things from getting stale. So, before blaming the “same old group,” ask yourself: have you actually tried getting involved?
2. “Someone Else Will Do It”
Another major reason for low engagement? The bystander effect.
People assume that because events keep happening, they must not be needed. But just because something gets done doesn’t mean it couldn’t be done better—or that the people doing it aren’t exhausted.
Think about it: If everyone assumes someone else will take care of it, guess what happens? Nothing.
3. A Fractured Community Identity
Change is inevitable—so why do we resist it so much?
Communities evolve, but tension often arises between different groups:
- Older vs. younger generations
- Long-time residents vs. newcomers
New residents may feel unwelcome, while longtime locals might resist change. And let’s be honest—we all get nostalgic about “the good ol’ days.” (I mean, who doesn’t miss playing outside with friends all day, free from the risk of embarrassing social media posts?)
But here’s the reality: right now is the “good ol’ days.” Instead of clinging to the past, why not embrace the present and help shape the future?
4. The Power of a Personal Invitation
If you’re relying solely on social media posts and flyers to get people to show up… well, good luck.
According to MineCheck.com, the average person processes 74GB of information daily—the equivalent of 16 full-length movies. No wonder we can’t remember anything!
So, what’s the secret? A personal invite.
People are far more likely to participate when personally invited by someone they know. Think about it—when I saw a fun event coming up, I texted my friends, and boom—plans were made. Why not take that same approach on a community level? Instead of just posting about events, actively invite people. It makes all the difference.
5. It’s Just Not Their Thing—And That’s Okay
Here’s a hard truth: you can’t please everyone.
Not everyone is going to be interested in every event. And that’s fine! The key is knowing your audience and tailoring events to their interests.
For example, I’m not a football fan. (I hear there was a big game recently? 🤷♀️) My friends threw amazing Super Bowl parties, but they didn’t expect me to help plan them—because they know it’s not my thing. And that’s okay!
Instead of assuming you know what people want, why not just ask? Maybe your “brilliant idea” for an event isn’t actually what the community wants. A little market research never hurts.
So… What Now?
If we want to revive community involvement, we need to:
✅ Encourage new leadership
✅ Stop assuming “someone else will do it”
✅ Embrace change instead of resisting it
✅ Extend personal invitations
✅ Align events with what people actually want
At the end of the day, community involvement is a two-way street. If we want people to care, we have to make it easy, welcoming, and relevant for them to do so.
So, next time you find yourself asking, “Why doesn’t anyone show up anymore?”—maybe the real question is:
What are we doing to make them feel like they belong?
Whether you’re promoting a community event, a business, or even building friendships, the same principles apply. Marketing isn’t just about selling products—it’s about engagement, connection, and making people feel like they’re part of something bigger.
✅ In business → If customers don’t feel personally connected to your brand, they won’t engage. Make them feel seen, valued, and invited.
✅ In friendships → If you never personally invite people to spend time with you, they’ll assume they’re not needed. Relationships, like marketing, require effort.
✅ In communities → If events aren’t welcoming or relevant, people won’t show up. A little personal outreach goes a long way.
At its core, great marketing is about making people feel like they belong—whether it’s to a brand, a movement, or a neighborhood.
So… how are you marketing your message? 🚀
