There is a fine line between our table being eye catching and an eyesore. When collecting materials for your table, keep it simple and professional. Use a professional printer and high quality paper for brochures or marketing materials. Be sure marketing information has contact information for potential members to get in contact with you, and a schedule of events. Use various a give-aways or raffles as a talking point and to help pull potential members to the table. A laptop or two can also be helpful. Use one for a slide show highlighting Brother and activities showcasing FIJI at its best, and the other with a sign up form open and ready. A tri-fold also is a great way to display images of your organization.  

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Your entire chapter is not needed to utilize tabling at its fullest potential. Run the table with a maximum of 2-4 Brothers. Have 2 Brothers run the table at a time talking to everyone that walks by. The other 2 can walk around talking to people standing around and not actively walking towards tables. These Brothers can send them to the table and see what other groups might be doing to get others to their table if there are several groups tabling. Switch the pairings every half hour or so to an hour to keep high energy at the table. It is important to keep in mind, that even if there is only one person at the table, it can still be successful if done correctly. 

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Below are some common mistakes that are made during tabling. These are traps that we unfortunately fall into, but with practice and conscious efforts we can avoid them and improve our results.

• Poor display planning: Be smart and think about what is on your table. Don't wait until thirty minutes before you have to be at the table, run around and collect random trinkets. Have a plan, think it through, and keep it simple. 
• Failing to follow up with the people met: Especially at an organization fair, a potential member could be approached by any number of clubs, organizations and Fraternities. If we are failing to follow up, FIJI is going to get lost in the shuffle.
• Lack of practice or interpersonal skills resulting in poor conversations: Like anything, practice makes perfect! The more we practice either with ourselves or by going and setting up a table on campus, the easier tabling becomes, and more confident we get. If we can be relaxed and confident while tabling, the better relationships we can develop in the short interaction. 
• The next event being too far away: Although there are sometimes restrictions based on the IFC calendars, we should try to have something to invite anyone we meet within 48 hours. People are busy, especially potential members who could be completely new to college life and trying to find their fit. If the event is more than two days away, they wont remember. Another reason follow up is so important. 

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There are a few things we always seem to bring to our information tables, but that we really don't benefit from as much as we would think. 

• Trophies: While trophies or awards can show off our accomplishments well, it is important to think critically how useful they are. If the award is more than a year old, consider it irrelevant. Potential members want to know about the group at the moment, not five years ago, or even two years ago. They want to know about your organization now. Also be sure to think about what a potential members know about Greek Life. A new college student may not understand what some awards mean, so they don't serve the positive purpose we think they do. 
• Music: Music can be helpful to break the awkward silence that it is inevitable with tabling. However, it can be distracting and make it harder to talk to passer-byes. While it is encouraged not to bring music, if you do bring it, be sure to play it quiet enough to be able to carry on conversations with potential members.
• Chairs: Give your chairs away! Your goal is to shake every male's hand that walks by. Having a table between you and someone walking by makes it impossible. So give your chairs away, and stand in front of your table.

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- Nick
  Director of Growth

Perge!