Good internal communications is one of the best ways to get members to attend council events.
A personal invite is often the most effective way to reach out to a brother Knight. Make these invitations through a phone call or text, or a personal email or social media message, but always remember face-to-face always works best. Divide the council membership among the council officers and have each one remind/invite members in person about upcoming events. Personally inviting and reminding people will increase event attendance.
Mass communication (such as an email blast) works when done in a timely manner. A reminder e-mail the night before or morning of an event does not give members sufficient time to arrange their schedule to attend. An email sent one week or more ahead of time offers this leeway. If you send an event announcement well in advance, then a reminder the night before or day of the event is both appropriate and encouraged.
College councils should maintain their own email as a general address for the council. Some councils may be able to get this through their college or university. If not, consider a free email provider such as Google. A council that has its own email account allows the grand knight to easily access information on activities of previous years. For instance, when it's time to hold an annual event with a local charity, the previous email chain will have a record of the charity's contact person, as well as the tasks undertaken by the council. Providers like Google also provide tools such as a calendar that members can sync with their personal calendars, as well as the file storage for documents related to council business including posters, alumni contacts and meeting minutes.
Use different mediums to transmit messages. An email that includes details and links to sign-up pages, is best when announcing an event well in advance. A reminder can then be sent using mass text messaging service, a tweet, or a post on the council's Facebook page. Simple reminders can be scheduled in advance and sent 15 minutes to a half hour before an event to remind members to attend. Using different mediums offers the best chance to reaching the most members.
When communicating events open to the entire campus consider using posters to promote the activity. Additionally, if the campus has electronic signs or boards on campus, request to get the event featured there. Ask your pastor to promote your event after student Masses. Utilize members of your council who work in the dorms, especially as hall president or resident assistants, as their leadership role allows them to invite and encourage participation.