Introduction
Create a book club Getting a book club up and running is a fantastic way to meet book-loving friends, read a wider range of books and have great conversations. For either connection or closer reading, a book club can be great for many reasons. Here’s a how-to guide to help beginners set up a successful book club.
Step 1: Define the Purpose
Start off by thinking about the main objective of the book club. Are you seeking to read broadly within genres, prompt a diversity of reading, or just have fun with it together? It is important to have a clear focus to attract other like-minded members as well as to establish the tenor of future meetings.
Step 2: Choose a Format
Choose the style that best fits your crowd. Certain choices are meetings in person, virtual or hybrid. Factor in the preferences and schedules of the people who you think would be your members. Virtual gatherings can be more relaxed, while in-person gatherings allow a more personal connection.
Step 3: Recruit Members
Invite friends, family, coworkers or dust off your social media page and community boards to wrangle interested parties. Shoot for a mix of roughly 5-12 members and you’ll be sure to get a wide array of perspectives and keep discussions manageable. Invite others who may want to follow similar interests.
Step 4: Pick A Meeting Time It works either way, but Choose a Meeting Time
Design an appropriate intended meeting schedule that fits the flexible times of the guild members. Some clubs meet each month, which usually gives members plenty of time to read and think about the club selection. Regular times provide opportunity for members to plan and make attendance a priority.
Step 5: Choose the First Book
It needs to be a good book for the inaugural gathering. Think about using a bestseller or highly recommended title to get everyone excited. Or let members nominate titles and vote on the inaugural read. And this democratic participation makes sure that no one from the outset feels left out.
Step 6: Decide on a Location
If you’re meeting in person, go with a comfortable, easy place. Possible venues could be the members’ houses, a public library, cafes or a community center. Make sure the scene is encouraging of conversation and that everyone is included.
Step 7: Structure the Meeting
Draw up an agenda for meetings. Start with introductions and an ice-breaker to help ease the mood. Set aside time to talk about the themes, characters, and your impressions of the book. Facilitate frank discussion but make sure everyone gets a chance to speak.
Step 8: Facilitate Discussions
Write discussion questions to encourage discussion and go deeper into the book’s themes and ideas. Encourage your people to express themselves and actively listen to others. Creating a culture of respect and inclusiveness will encourage diverse discussion and opinions.
Step 9: Establish Club Guidelines
Develop that yardstick to keep things running smoothly. Think about things like how to choose books for the future, how to resolve any disagreements and how to keep the discussions respectful. Guidelines serve to keep expectations of a positive experience for all members.
10: Set the Stage for Future Appointments
Busy the next meeting on just what the next book will be, and date and place of next meeting. Members taking a turn to choose a the book can add diversity and generate interest. Continue to communicate through email or a special group chat space to keep each other updated and remind each other.
Step 11: Seek Feedback and Adjust
Now it’s time to collect feedback on the service you originally offered and establish feedback loops to continuously improve your service offering.
Ask members for feedback so you know what’s working and what could be better. It encourages a collaborative culture and cultivates a space where the club grows to embody the desires of its members.
Conclusion
There is a lot of thought and consideration that goes into starting a book club and it is a decision that requires a desire to create a friendly and welcoming environment. Defining the purpose, format, and membership, describing how to chose books, and how to conduct the discussion, by these means the book club beginner can find a club that is what he or she is looking for. With patience and excitement, a book club can be a beloved place of literary exploration and friendship. Enjoy the ride, the shared adventure of reading and discovery.