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Programming
Adult Programmer User's Group |
Notes from the December 2008
Adult Programmer User's Group
Promotion
Resources [MHLS]
Promoting Programs
- Make a personal connection
@ the local newspaper(s) - get
to know the reporter that covers your town, local events
- AP style for press
releases [See article, "How-to
Create a Press Release," from the How-To Network]
- What is the "hook"?
If you are looking for more coverage of the event
- Competition
- Local angle
- Tied to a current
event (i.e. economic downturn)
- Tied to a national
event (example: Tivoli anticipated in a nationwide effort to set a
world record for number of people "gaming" on one day)
- Know their transmission
preference (fax, email, phone call)
- email is usually
best because then the reporter can cut and paste from your text
- Know their deadlines
- Include local radio
stations and cable company to your media list
- Provide photos to
the newspaper to flesh-out promotional article
- Advertised a program
"series"
- Word of mouth those
that attended the first session helped spread the word
- Consistent day /
time each month
- Sundays helped get
weekenders
- Capture attendee info
for future use:
- Ask attendees where
they heard about a program to track where promotions are working
- Sign-in sheet at
events helps you build an email list
- Sign-up sheet at
circ desk for people to indicate their interest in receiving program notices
via email, indicate their area of interest
- Erica @Tivoli
recommends using Gmail to organize
your program pr lists, you can use Gmail
Labels to note if a contact is interested in children's programming,
book discussions, etc.
- Email reminder the day
of the event
- "In-house"
selling - front desk staff remind patrons during their regular library visits
about upcoming programs (*more about this below)
- Public access TV ad
- Sandwich board sign out
side of the library and in a high traffic location (local bank at intersection
of main highway)
- Make trustees aware of
programming - encourage them to attend occasionally, they can help spread
the word!
*How to get circ staff
to "sell" programs: help front desk staff connect your patrons
with programming
- Be sure front desk staff
know:
- why programming is
important to being a successful library
- that it is part of
their job to "sell" library programs
- what programs are
coming up (example: have a program calendar at the circ desk; Marion @Esopus
has a binder with sheets for each upcoming program that have the program
details (i.e. time, date, location, registration info, etc.)
- when the newspaper
has run your event info as this may increase questions from patrons may
follow the article or announcement
- how patrons register
for a program
- where to go for more
information
- This needs to come from
the "top, down" meaning that the director needs to make it clear
that it is part of the circ staff's job to help sell programming
- Acknowledge that
it is more work
- Thank them when you
see them do it
- Let circ staff know when
a program has been successful and thank them for their part in bumping up
attendance
- Solicit program ideas
from circ staff - what trends are they seeing come across the desk. what are
patrons asking for that you don't currently offer?
- Consider a very brief
(5 minutes) "Morning Briefing" for staff to let them know what's
going on in the library that day, upcoming week.
What makes a program
sound attractive?
- Good value for my time
and money
- Timely (example: smart
shopping in early December, holiday entertaining, school readiness for parents
in early August)
- Hands-on (example: computer
training, learn a craft)
- Expert advice
- "My own backyard"
(local interest)
- Helps me in my day-to-day
life
- Attention
Grabbers [from the MHLS Building Your Base Project]
Posting Flyers @Metro
North Stops (with thanks to Allison Herrero of the Howland Public Library
in Beacon)
May Patel
MTA Metro-North Railroad
347 Madison Ave. 12th Floor
New York, NY 10017
(212) 340-3027
Instructions:
- Fliers must be letter
sized - 8 1/2 x 11"
- Fliers must be received
by Ms. Patel three weeks prior to event date
- 2 fliers will be posted
per station - roughly a total of 60 fliers
- In packet, along with
fliers, include your contact information
- They will do their best,
but no guarantees
Adult
Program Challenge 2008-2009
Resources to help you meet
the challenge!
Building
Your Base (BYB)
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