Afterthought: Perhaps one of the best sessions I have ever been to, ever. (Good call Cara) Wish a lot of you could have seen it. I'll have to find the link to the ppt, doesn't tell the whole story but is worth seeing.
Just realized I've got a copy of this speaker's book on my desk and really liked what was in it. Tech center staff liked it too. I recommend it.
F pattern by Jakob Nielsen. People read webpages in an f pattern. Imagine a capital letter F overlaid onto a website. So you can see as a designer where the most important information should go.
Break through the barrier of the acronym. We can't carry that forth and communicate with our patrons. No library speak.
Responsive design. Means that the website will automatically resize and reformat itself regardless of the device being used. This allows for the mobile version to be customized so that it matches up with what a person using s mobile device might be looking for, versus what s person on a normal computer might be looking for.
Advertising
Community outreach, community awareness, it's just advertising. Advertising designed to get people talk to one another about the library. Built billboards built on the ecard meme. Libraryinjonesboro.org, billboards went viral. Created an environment where one person is talking to another person about the library. NOT pushing services. Internal feedback was incredible.
Accidentally put billboard saying "cheap date? You get dinner, we've got the movie." In the parking lot of a porn store. World did not end. Humanity continued.
From an advertising perspective last thing people want during the summer or when kids get out of school is more reading, more learning. Instead sell them on the stuff that is fun. People can make the reading and library connection on their own.
Ranting against 8"x10" signs tapes to walls. READ posters are cute, fine, but who are they marketing to? Go out in the community to advertise.
Not every idea is a good idea
Speed dating, first time no one showed up, then advertised heck out of it. Wound up "three old ladies and a creepy guy."
"Is that a library in your pocket or are you just happy to see me" quote advertising the mobile site, was rejected.
"Concerts on the lawn, we've got the best grass in town"
Keep in mind that the community we go out into in life is the same environment that were trying to promote ourselves to. --> LIBRARY DRINK COASTERS. 3000 drink coasters $800. Each drink coaster used 5 times, 15000 drinkers. $.05 per drinker.
"It's not about the advertisement, it's about the reach!"
If you can make small investments for a big return, that makes you a responsible steward of public funds.
Social Media
Librarymarket.com/Dropbox
-->Facebook advertising is the best advertising ROI available<--
Example: Freegal advertisement. 50$ advertisement reaches 10,000. Let's say 20 discover freegal download music, community savings of $60, due to free downloads. Over the course of a year $3120 a year.
Just because you don't understand a platform, don't run away from it.
It's not about the platform it's about the results.
"FOSTER A CULTURE OF CREATIVITY, WHERE PEOPLE CAN FAIL WITH CONFIDENCE"
Try things if they don't work out, try again. Are people afraid of being fired or getting in trouble?
We need to be investing in our social media strategies.
Hi Adam,
ReplyDeleteYour blog was interesting, so I borrowed Mr. Bizzle's book off your desk (it's a signed copy!) to learn a bit more. Hope you don't mind.
That's ok, I think I stole it from somebody else as well.
ReplyDeleteI remember the book you are talking about. It was a really good book.It had some really good examples like George Takei. Look forward to ppt.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it! I had the opportunity to see the presentation at ALA and thought it was excellent. I Remember the mention of a dedicated team within the library that met often/ weekly to plan advertising strategies for the library as a whole- with themes that lasted through the year- like the meme inspired ads.
ReplyDeleteI saw Ben Bizzle at ALA w/Carmen and he was really great -- for those who want to see his presentation, also check him out at CLA on Friday night... I think he's kicking off the night track?
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