One of my really close friends as an undergrad was extremely involved in a very small local multicultural sorority. Even though their numbers were extremely small, they managed to get their name out
everywhere on campus. While my school did regular formal recruitment in August, their sorority waited until January to recruit. When January came, I swear those few girls put posters on every bulletin board and in pretty much every bathroom stall on campus. (For a campus that covers 360 acres, that's pretty impressive!) It was a great recruitment effort.
Other things they did that were very effective:
1. Make friends with other orgs, especially a local frat. Having a "brother frat" to back you up, bolster your image, and help you with events is really nice. All organizations serve as potential recruitment pools, as well as potential opportunities for publicity. If anyone on campus is asking for help with an event, get involved.
2. EVENTS. Philanthropy, entertainment, etc. Having a philanthropy is key! Try to do other events, as well. Coordinate a fashion show, take part in a talent show, organize something random in your school's main meeting area. Whatever you do, make sure it's done well and make sure it gets your sorority's name out to a lot of people and in the best possible light. As small as your sorority is right now, again, you probably want to work with other organizations.
3. Letters, letters everywhere. Have them on ALL THE TIME. Travel in packs and make sure everyone sees that you are an Eta Omega Tau. You should eat, sleep and breathe your letters. Come up with lots of adorable t-shirt ideas and wear a different one every day of the week. (I have so many sorority shirts that I can go two weeks wearing only my letters.) Try talking with your local sorority shop about bringing in new products with your letters and colors. Put your letters on more than just shirts.
Really in the case of a burgeoning sorority, image is everything, and the great thing about being a local sorority is that you pretty much get to define who you are. Once you know what you want your organization to be, make sure everyone else knows about it. To increase your numbers, it will really take a big effort on the part of all your girls, so you should be meeting with them and discussing where all of you see the organization going. I agree with others that your website does you no justice. It lacks polish. You girls look totally adorable in your pics though, and like you're having a ton of fun! Pictures are a great marketing tool. At least one of you needs a good camera, and it needs to be at every single event, snapping non-stop. And all of those pictures need to be plastered all over your site. Showcase what beautiful, fun girls you are, because a picture is worth a thousand words.
I think the best thing about being in a small sorority is that you get to know all the members really well and you have the potential to form a very close-knit group. It also gives everyone an opportunity to be a leader and to be an influential part of the sorority. Every girl matters. Whatever image you girls choose to project for your sorority, emphasizing this sort of closeness and the importance of every girl will be a big draw for a girl who are critical of the larger organizations. The biggest thing now is getting your name out. I can't emphasize the importance of your letters, even though I agree that the HOT thing is going to be a drawback for a lot of girls. They are your greatest tool, though.
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