Marketing and communications tools for historical societies and other history organizations
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Marketing and communications tools for historical societies and other history organizations History Camp Iowa at the State Historical Museum of Iowa November 14, 2015
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Transcript of Marketing and communications tools for historical societies and other history organizations
Marketing and communications tools for historical societies and other history organizationsHistory Camp Iowa at the State Historical Museum of IowaNovember 14, 2015
• Keeper of your community’s history• Challenges– Long-term decline in membership– Long-term decline in attendance– Acquiring resources and expertise
• New ways to engage– Online– In-person
Local history organizations are critical
. . . more people would attend and this might stimulate an interest in learning more about history.
My hope: If it were easier for people to find out about history-related events . . .
Event promotion
Resources for history professionals, board members, and volunteers
Using The History List to publicize your events
Open to all organizations
Resources for history professionals, board members, and volunteers
Using The History List to publicize your events
Weekly statewide “Guide to History Events”
Resources for history professionals, board members, and volunteers
Using The History List to publicize your events
Enter a year of events in about 30 minutes
Resources for history professionals, board members, and volunteers
Using The History List to publicize your events
Automatically included in your state’s weekly “Guide to History Events”
You have unlimited space for text, photos, and video on The History List. If you copy and paste a description it will never be cut off. Change or update listings anytime.
Anyone can edit a listing, and every person can have their own account.
Supports all kinds of events, including repeating events, as well as ongoing exhibits.
Supports multiple sites.
The History List main page
An event page
A venue page
An organizationpage
All of your upcoming and past events appear automatically at the bottom of your organization’s page.
You only need to enter an annual event once—ever. As the next year’s event approaches, simply edit the listing with the new date and any other details that have changed.
An organization page
The organization’s events appear automatically at the bottom of their page
o “History Events in Massachusetts”
Weekly e-mail launched August 8, 2015
o “History Events in Rhode Island”
Weekly e-mail launched October 22, 2015
o “History Events in Iowa” Will launch as soon as we have 20 organizations
participating and 100 individuals as subscribers
Status of the rollout of weekly statewide history events e-mail as of November 14, 2015:
Organizations: TheHistoryList.com/start Individuals: TheHistoryList.com/subscribe
The holiday campaign for history organizations and historic sites
Tabletop signs ready to print out on cardstock.
Merchandising signs ready to print out on cardstock.
Create your own designs for tags and signs, such as the one shown.
Add to your website, newsletters, and print materials.
Supply to bloggers to promote your organization’s gifts and events
In two designs with several different messages
Merchandising gifts and promoting events
Merchandising
Merchandising handmade gifts
Merchandising handmade gifts
Merchandising
Merchandising books
Merchandising memberships
Merchandising memberships
Supporting the organization
Blog and bloggers
Bloggers
Bloggers
Web banners for merchandising gifts and promoting events
Research to help you plan and promote
Attracting Visitors to Holiday Events at Historic Sites and Buildings (October 2013)31 page consumer research report included in the holiday materials download
All are included in a single download
Download the holiday campaign and browse other resources at TheHistoryList.com/resources
Advertising
Include coupon codes
Ask ticket buyers where they heard about your event
Day of event promotion
Photography in the age of social— otherwise known as free advertising.
Mou
nt V
erno
n The Boston State House and Governor Charlie Baker
Enfield Shaker Village – No photos permitted inside
22 photos
Shelburne Museum – Photos permitted everywhere 671 photos
© Fusion Research & Analytics LLC and Frankly, Green + Webb Ltd, 2012. All Rights Reserved http://www.vam.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/231975/V-and-A-Mobile-Visitor-Survey-Report-FINAL-16-Jan-.pdf
Visitors to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London
© Fusion Research & Analytics LLC and Frankly, Green + Webb Ltd, 2012. All Rights Reserved http://www.vam.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/231975/V-and-A-Mobile-Visitor-Survey-Report-FINAL-16-Jan-.pdf
Visitors to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London
Social
Encouraging sharing
http://ww
w.chatham
njhistoricalsociety.org/event/selfiemania
What engages people?
Items with visual interest
Tip: Post to Facebook via Instagram
Supporting historic achievements
Connecting with the community
Websites
Many, many, many choices for easy website builders, including WordPress
Use responsive design
Main content types
o Your organization, such as the board, meetings, membership Site
o Your collection, such as documents and objects Omeka.net, History IT, Flickr
o Your community’s history Site/blog/wiki
Tools for content
o Embed documents: Scribdo Embed slide sets: SlideShareo Embed video: YouTubeo Embed events: The History List
Tools for insight and engagement
o Social: AddThiso Analytics: Google Analyticso Subscription pop ups
Why use QR codes?
Make it easier for people
Tours and supplemental information for sites and collections
o Don’t use QR codeso Use your responsive websiteo [your historical society]/tour
o URL shortner
Vendors
o Free: MailChimp, Vertical Responseo Embed signup form
Online engagement
Making content widely available
FacebookInstagramYouTubeVimeoScribdSlideShareHistoryPinWhatWasThereFlickr and Flickr Commons
Raising money
Offer a way for people who have moved away to support your organization
Explain why it is important to support your organization
Create opportunities for smaller gifts
Sharing ideas
Quarterly meetings with other history organizations
Next steps for organizations
o Add your organization and events to The History List
Will also appear in “Guide to History Events in Iowa”o Use the resources at
TheHistoryList.com/resources Sign up for “Marketing Tips” newsletter
Download the “Make this holiday historic!” materials
Links
o TheHistoryList.com/startBrowse features and request an account to add your events
o TheHistoryList.com/subscribeSubscribe to newsletters for individuals and organizations
o TheHistoryList.com/resourcesDownload the holiday campaign materials; browse other resources and case studies
o TheHistoryList.com/conferencesBrowse history conferences and online courses
Twitter: @TheHistoryListFacebook: TheHistoryList
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