Getting your message across: Events for different audiences Hazel Burke Realities, NCRM/University...
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Transcript of Getting your message across: Events for different audiences Hazel Burke Realities, NCRM/University...
Getting your message across: Events for different audiences
Hazel BurkeRealities, NCRM/University of Manchester
Presented at: Research Methods Festival, St Catherine’s College, Oxford, 8 July 2010
Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods
Plan of action
1.How to organise a good event
2.How to organise really good events for:
• Research audiences
• Normal people
Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research MethodsPhoto: Peter Kaminski from flickr
Always ask yourself three questions:
1. Is an event the best way to get my message across?
2. What is the purpose of my event?
3. Who do I want to come?
Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods
How to organise good events
Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods
Your safety net….
• www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk – search for “communications toolkit” and use the section on Events.
Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods
Ask an expert
• Speak to a colleague with experience of organising a similar kind of event (good for insider info!)
Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods
Project management!
• Make a task list, with headings for dates, names and comments…
Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods
Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods
Project management cont…
• Use the task list…
Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods
Troubleshooting common problems
• Finding and booking venue and speakers
• Start early, check the venue in person
• Going over budget:
• Get firm quotes from suppliers early
• Save money on non-essentials (flowers, freebies), get alternative quotes
• Organiser burnout:
• (large budget) Try paid conference services
• (small budget) Try free options: www.oxfordabstracts.com
• Set up a new email address if it’s a big event
• Put as much information as possible online
Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods
The Prophet of Doom trick
• What if…
• The venue has double-booked?
• The caterers go bust? Or get the day wrong?
• The computers don’t work?
• Your main speaker cancels?
• The fire alarm goes off in the middle of a session?
• The weather is so bad nobody can get to your event?
• You are ill on the day of the event?
Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods
How to organise really good events
Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods
It’s all about the audience
Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods
Mission 1: Delegate at researcher training workshop
• How do you attract this kind of audience? (publicity)
• What information do they need (before they book and after they register)?
• What can you do to make their life easier/better?
Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods
Mission 1: Delegate at researcher training workshop
• Email lists (which ones?), websites, posters, leaflets, adverts, word of mouth
• Programme, date, venue, directions, times, how to book, speakers, course objectives, fees, booking deadline.
• Before event: Clear information confirming booking with note of contact details, basic event details, reminder with same details, receipt, links to accommodation/travel etc
• At the event: Programme, map, food.
Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods
Burke’s Hierarchy of Needs (apologies to Maslow)
Signs: to venue, to rooms, to lunch, to toilets etc
Correctly-spelled name badge
Enough breaks
Good programme
Food. Especially tea, coffee and biscuits
Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods
Mission 2: Guest speaker at research event
• What extra things do they need/want?
Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods
Mission 2: Guest speaker at research event
• A bit more TLC!
• Details of AV facilities
• What to do with their presentation
• Water, cups
• A thank you.
Try putting all the information on a special “Information for speakers” info sheet
Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods
Stealing isn’t always bad
Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods
What ideas would you steal?
Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods
Putting theory into practice: A case study
Exhibition about Family Resemblances project:
• Purpose
• Audience
• Why an exhibition?
Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods
Audience focus
• Not held at university
• Easy to get to
• Accessible, not stuffy. No jargon
• Family-friendly (timing, content)
• Informative (layers of information), thought-provoking, relevant
• Fun
Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods
Borrowed (ahem) ideas
Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods
Toolkit about exhibition at www.manchester.ac.uk/realities/resources