| There is one more thing to discuss when
you are utilizing the Internet as a marketing tool. We had mentioned
over and over that the Internet must be an element of your overall marketing
plan, and with few exceptions, not the sole medium for your organization.
If that's the case, then how can we combine our Web site with our existing
media? We've discussed how to use the Internet to tout our wares,
but the opposite it also true. How can we use existing organizational
tools to make people aware of what our Web site is all about? Promoting
your site is limited only by your creativity, but let's look at some of
the most common ways.
Letterhead and Envelopes - Every
company of every size uses them. You've got to have them printed
anyway. Why not announce your URL? It won't cost you
a penny more than it already does.
Business Cards - Ditto. But
be smart here. People are accustomed to finding your name, your organization,
etc. on your business cards. Place your URL in a prominent position
so that it will stand out. Get it noticed! They'll find your
name and address, but they won't find your URL. Make them think about
it.
Forms - More of the same.
Preprinted items should include your information.
Brochures, Catalogs, and Direct Mail
- Ok, I know that I'm getting repetitive here, but it's important that
your organization not overlook these various items. You have a myriad
of print items, and you need to announce your Web presence. Don't
overlook them.
Print Ads - Pick up the newspaper
and look at some of the hundreds and thousands of print ads. Some
companies run an ad every week. How many of them include a website
URL? Certainly not all of them. You're paying for the ad.
Make the most of it. The same thing holds true for Yellow Pages and
television commercials. However, do be cautioned that unless your
URL is VERY simple and easy to remember, you might avoid reading it on
radio advertisements.
E-mail Signatures - If you are not
already using this feature with your business e-mail, you should be!
It's a great way to make sure that others have your address, telephone
number, etc., and now, your URL. If your e-mail supports HTML, it
will probably even show up as a working hyperlink.
Ask for Reciprocal Links - Notice
anyone on the Web that you see as an ally? Ask them for a link to
your site! I get requests from job sites on a regular basis, asking
me if I would mind adding them to my jobs pages. It's a great way
to get out there.
Remember that your class Web site can be
an effective recruiting tool if used properly. How can you spread
the word about it? In addition to the above, here are a few ideas
that are unique to a chapter site.
School Newspaper - Come now, they're
begging for stories, and you've got something unique. Maybe you can
offer to post their paper online? *wink* If nothing else, then the
entire newspaper team will visit your site.
Report Cards - Are you making good
use of the comments section? Put your URL in the comments section
for parents to see. If your report cards don't allow you the opportunity
to customize comments, buy a rubber stamp! They are inexpensive and
might be worth your while. You can use this on all materials you
send home.
Football and other programs - I
don't know how much your school charges for an ad in the program.
At Hickory it is $90 for a half-page ad. Trade for or buy the space.
Not only students see it, but also prospective employers (not to mention
administrators). The last ad I ran asked community businesses to
call me to be considered for a free Web site.
Federal Cards - Send home your own
3 x 5 card or other promotional print item introducing your site to the
parents. You never know who will wind up seeing it.
Promotional items - You're sending
out those promotional items anyway like kitchen magnets, etc. Put
your URL on them.
Cheerleaders - Develop a cheer for
your cheering squad that goes like this: Give me an H,
give me a T, give me another T, give me a P,
give me a
COLON, give me a FORWARD SLASH...
Ok, so maybe this one won't work.....
Get Creative - Share your ideas
with us here and I'll be happy to post them and credit you for you input. |