Table of Contents	C-1: Programming Overview	C-2: Planning a Successful Program	C-3: Effective Publicity
C-4: Student Development as a Guide to Programming	C-5: Programming Ideas	C-6: Community Development	C-7: Faculty Connections
C-8: Diversity Programming	C-9: Resources	C-10: Spending Money	C-11: Resident Motivation
C-12: RSA and National Res Hall Honorary	C-13: Programming Awards	C-14: Tips for Hall Directors	C-15: Programming with the WWW

CHAPTER 3: EFFECTIVE PUBLICITY

PromotingYour Programming Efforts

Publicity Do's and Don'ts

Promoting Your Programming Efforts

While determining how you will attract your audience, here are some key points to remember:

Programs may not be interesting if they sound like a night class in the lounge.
Put yourself in the shoes of your residents. Would you go to this program if you did not have to? Chances are, the things that would draw you to a program are the same things that would draw members of your floor.
Involve as many people as possible with the creation and implementation of your program. If people are involved, they will not only attend, but will probably bring others. (Involvement is not “grunt” work; it is shared ownership and commitment).
Posters serve as good reminders, but do little to draw people on their own.
Display energy and enthusiasm every step of the way.
Sell your program, don’t guilt, harass, or force your residents to attend.

When to Publicize

It is best to use two waves of advertisement. The first wave should be about a week before the program so that people can plan ahead. If it is a large scale program (trips, semi-formals, etc.) you will want to advertise much earlier so that people can make arrangements, get money, etc.

The second wave should be the day before and day of the program to remind people.

Where to Publicize

The dining halls tend to be the most effective location for advertisement. People tend to block out bulletin boards because of the information overkill.

Remember:

A poster in a bad location is a wasted poster.
Take down all posters immediately after the event.
Don’t make the hall tacky with too many poorly made posters.
Do not violate the posting guideline policy of using tape on windows. Use poster putty on walls.

Ways to advertise	Where to Advertise
Large Banners	Lobby, Floor, Outside
Posters/Signs	Showers, Hallways, Doors
Mailbox Stuffers	Mailboxes
Table Tents	Dining Hall Tables
Word of Mouth	Floor, Hall, Other Halls
Radio and School Newspaper	SLTV, WVUD and the Review
Hall Meeting Announcements	Complex Community Council Meeting

If the program you are planning is open to students in other buildings, ask your Complex Coordinator to advertise on the web. The Residence Life Assistant Director responsible for Public Relations can make this happen!

What to Include

-Date, Time, Place, Cost (if any), and Sponsors (i.e.: Office of Residence Life).

Top of page

Publicity Do’s and Don’ts

DO’s	DON’TS
Use graphics in your posters. Good eye catchers make them easily understood from a distance.	Don’t place publicity in areas where it will get lost among other posters.
Use color in your handouts, fliers, posters, etc…The most visible colors are: Black on White Black on Orange Black on Yellow Green on White Green on Yellow Navy on White Navy on Yellow Navy on Orange Red on White	Avoid plain black on white fliers.
Use odd shapes in your poster- don’t be afraid to be creative.	Don’t post publicity too soon. You’ll bore your audience.
Don’t post publicity too soon. You’ll bore your audience.	Don’t put together publicity in a hurry; plan well ahead!
If another group funds your event, it’s good to say funded by…	Don’t limit yourself to one kind of publicity; try a few different creative ways.
Place announcements in high traffic areas…Seek out high traffic areas.	Don’t underestimate the use of effective publicity! It will ensure that your event will be well attended.
Make sure you know whom your audience is. Is the event just for your floor/hall? Open to campus?	Don’t forget to use all the resources available on campus.
Make sure lettering is large enough to be seen clearly from a distance.	Don’t think that photocopying a flyer will take any less time than creative ways of publicizing.