How to host a Pop-Up Hug Station

I’m a big fan of hugs. Scientists have cited all sorts of benefits from giving and receiving them, but I was a fan way before all the science stuff started to come out. In fact, ever since experiencing one at an event that Christine Arylo did years ago, I’ve become a connoisseur of the Pop-Up Hug Station! And since it’s Christmas Eve, and since you may secretly long to host a Pop-Up Hug Station of your very own, here’s how I do it as my gift to you!
 

How to host a Pop-Up Hug Station

 
1. Know Your Target Market: Hugs are awesome, but not everyone is going to want one from you. Be aware of the folks who could be ideal recipients of a hug from you that day, and focus on them. For example, I frequent coffee houses, but I don’t do Pop-Up Hug Stations there. (Yet.) I tend to share Hug Stations with folks I know, who know me, and who are huggers.
 

TAKE ACTION: Who do you know that could use a hug? Is there a group of people, like members of your family? Special friends? Colleagues who are also huggers? (Because, again, not everybody is a hugger.) Think about who may be most receptive to participating in a Pop-Up Hug Station and list their names. Pick the folks that strike you as being the most open to the idea of a Hug Station, and notice any patterns you can work with (e.g. you all belong to a certain group that meets on a certain date, you all love coffee, etc.)

 
2. Location, Location, Location: Pick a place that allows you to feel comfortable AND has enough foot traffic for you to be in contact with potential Hug recipients. I tend to do these in my co-working space, where there are lots of harried business owners working hard to make their business visions cone true. Oftentimes, these ladies can use a break, so this is my prime location choice. I feel comfortable because I know the folks there, and they know me.
 

TAKE ACTION: How about wherever you spend the holiday this year? If you’ll be around a lot of people who you know and who know you, and may be in the position to need a hug from you… then it’s a great place to try it!

 
3. Set Your Menu: I’m a big fan of variety, because one size does not typically fit all… and that goes double for hugs. I keep a sign in my coworking mailbox for when I’m going to do my Pop-Up Hug Station, and it offers a range of hugs that I’m happy to give folks that day. Sometimes a person wants a “great to see you!” hug, other times a person really longs for an “everything’s going to be alright” kind of hug. Letting folks know about the different kinds of hugs you’re offering that day allows them to pick the one that best meets their needs.
 

TAKE ACTION: Think about the types of hugs you enjoy getting from friends and family members. Pick a few of your favorites and describe them in a phrase. List the phrases on a sheet of paper as your types of hugs available that day, and post it as your Hug Menu!

 
4. Advertise: If you’re going to do a Pop-Up Hug Station, you need to let folks know you’re doing one! That way, they know it’s okay to come up and ask for the hug they’d like to receive. When I do these at my co-working space, I usually do a Facebook post letting folks know that I’ll be doing one at a location for about an hour, and then I’ll let folks know at the location as well. I pick a spot to operate from (usually the office’s lobby) for about an hour or so, I post my menu, I’ll share a picture of today’s Hug Menu as part of my Facebook post (so folks know what they can look forward to “ordering”), and then I get ready to deliver!
 

TAKE ACTION: Think about the folks who may be visiting your Pop-Up Hug Station. What’s the best way for you to communicate with them? Direct and exclusive invitation via email? Friend blast via Facebook? Shout it from the mountaintops on Twitter? Something else? Craft an invitation just for your hug-friendly peeps and host the station for them. (Well, AND for you!) :^)

 
5. Deliver a Quality Service: When you do a Pop-Up Hug Station, you need to be ready to deliver the different types of hugs your menu offers. For me, this means that when someone comes up to the Hug Station, I do the following:
 

TAKE ACTION: What does it take for you to deliver your best hug to a person? Do you need a quiet place? Do you need to be rested and well fed beforehand? Notice what it takes for you to be ready to deliver hugs to others, and be sure to take good care of yourself prior to opening shop!

 
6. Give a Last Call: I tend to open my Pop-Up Hug Stations for an hour. I give notice when it’s about to open, and I also give a “last call” notice a few minutes before closing shop. You’ll be surprised at how many people make their way over to get a hug (or two!) while they can!
 

TAKE ACTION: Set an alarm to go off five or ten minutes before you plan on officially closing your Hug Station. When the alarm sounds, use it as your cue to remind folks that you’ll be closing up shop soon… so get a hug while they can!

 
7. Close Up Shop: When the Hug Station is over, it’s over. After I close the station, I actually move to a different part of my coworking space and do something completely different. The reason for this is that the Station hugs are very intentional, not like the typical “hi, how are you!” hugs people give each other. And I can only do them for so long before I start to get tired. (These sort of hugs can take a lot out of you!) By setting a specific time and location for those sorts of hugs to occur, I can deliver consistently awesome hugs without worrying that I’ll get tired. Limits help to keep me energized, present, motivated, and happy! And that comes through in our hugs.
 

TAKE ACTION: What sort of limits do you need to place on time and location for you to deliver awesome hugs and enjoy a wonderful Hug Station experience? Do you need to only be “open” for 15 minutes? Do you need to recruit a friend to give hugs with you? Think about what needs to be in place for you – and everyone! – to have an awesome Hug Station Experience, and set yourself up for success.

 
Well, that’s about it! If you end up doing a Hug Station of your own, let me know how it goes… or, even better: be sure to send me an invite! ;^D
 
Big hug to you!
Jeannel