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Connecting with Elected Officials: PR & Marketing for Local Advocacy

Learn how PR and marketing strategies can help strengthen your local advocacy and secure funding. Discover effective ways to connect with elected officials and make a lasting impact on your community.

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Connecting with Elected Officials: PR & Marketing for Local Advocacy

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  1. Elected Officials are People Too!  How PR & Marketing Can Help Your Local Advocacy and Funding

  2. PRESENTERS • Bernice Crouse, Executive Director, Franklin County Library System (PaLA Marketing & PR Committee) bdcrouse@fclspa.org • Jennifer Knisely, Executive Director, Altoona Public Library (PaLA Legislative Committee) director@altoonalibrary.org • Rob Lesher, Executive Director, Dauphin County Library System (PaLA Legislative Committee) RLesher@dcls.org • Marilyn Jenkins, Executive Director, Allegheny County Library System jenkinsm@eiNetwork.net • Joe Kuklis, Founder & CEO, Wellington Strategies LLC jkuklis@wellingtonstrategies.com

  3. What are your pain points in advocacy?

  4. The Three B’s of Connecting • BE PRESENT Get out into the community (public meetings, forums, etc.) Meet people one-on-one • BE OPEN Actively listen to the needs of community representatives Invite elected officials to your library • BE YOURSELF People appreciate sincerity

  5. Makes it Easy • Visit Pennsylvania Library Association’s website: palibraries.org or use the black PA Forward Memory Band • Copy or modify other librarians’ excellent work • Find sample programs, media kits, press release templates, clip art for signage, editorial calendar, and much more

  6. Local Impact Yields Results • Get to know your local elected officials – you never know where they’re going to end up! • School Board • City Council • Township Supervisors • County Commissioners • Visit local offices – as often as possible! • Use the PA Forward fact sheets as conversation starters

  7. Local Impact Yields Results • Ask your elected officials: • About constituents’ concerns • How the library can help (and include that in your Strategic Plan) • To visit the Library (for a tour, special event, photo op, get a library card) http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2017/09/blair-endorses-library-support/

  8. Take advantage of opportunities

  9. Participate in National Library Legislative Day • Every May • Spectacular training day • House & Senate • Main Issues Discussed • Success

  10. Remember: Elected Officials are People! • Understand what motivates them • Provide opportunities for good press • Host “office hours” & public forums • “Follow” them • Become a familiar face • Leverage the power of numbers • Library directors • Board members • Friends • Users • Partners

  11. Don’t overwhelm: use targeted marketing materials • Research the particular interests of elected officials • Education? • Workforce development? • Special needs? • Aging? • Community health? • Key your message to THEIR issues • Be succinct • Use memorable and meaningful statistics • A picture (or infographic) is worth 1,000 words • Create leave-behinds • Always find a reason to FOLLOW UP

  12. Keys to success with elected officials • Start local • Build relationships • Use your WHOLE network • Say a lot in a few good words • Keep coming back!

  13. REMEMBER:Elected Officials Are People TooSo get to know them!

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