toastmasters vp public relations web and social media strategy
TRANSCRIPT
VP Public Relations Officer Training
+ Club Web/Social Media Tactics
David F. Carr
How to Excel as VP Public Relations
Speak with predecessor, other club leaders about
expectations, past successes
Lead media relations, marketing, public outreach,
and web/social media efforts
Does not mean you can or should do it all!
Work with VP Membership to bring people into
meetings, convert them to members
Develop a media list, know contacts, schedules
Get meetings listed on any possible calendar of events
Seek feature coverage
Announce major accomplishments such as DTM
Try Many Modes of Outreach
Obtain flyers and other
promotional materials from
toastmasters.org or create
your own using materials from
the brand portal
Distribute at the public library,
businesses, other high traffic
venues
Speak or arrange for other
officers to speak to community
or professional groups
The marketing funnel:
awareness to action
(joining the club), advocacy
(recruiting others)
Reasons To Go Beyond the Press Release
Media is changing, so PR must change, too
Blogging, social media mean everyone can be a
publisher
Traditional media placement is still important
If you get it, magnify it through social media!
Social media friends, connections a more powerful
endorsement of Toastmasters than anonymous PR
Go beyond text with video, images
Video: An Awesome Website …
Elements of An Online Strategy
Engage potential members, build community
Strong website content, current and updated frequently
Showcase the personality of your club
Make web content easy to share on social media
Link back to website from social media
Mix of media: articles, video, photos
Recognize member achievements
Boost productivity for officers and members
Online meeting signup
Email prompts and reminders to sign up, confirm
Track and analyze member activity
About Me
David F. Carr [email protected]
Area Governor, former President, VPE, Sgt. At Arms
InformationWeek Editor at Large
Author, Social Collaboration for Dummies
Web consultant and social media consultant.
Developer of WordPress plugins, including
RSVPMaker and Facebook Tab Manager
Creator of WP4Toastmasters.com
WP4Toastmasters.com Origin Story
ClubAwesome VP of Education, frustrated with
FreeToastHost (particularly version 2.0)
Already operated community oriented websites using
RSVPMaker event scheduling
Added Toastmasters-specific features such as
meeting role signup
Took advantage of WordPress for easier website
updates, blogging, social media integration
Now offer free websites at WP4Toastmasters.com
(seeking advertising/donors/sponsors)
Free software download at wordpress.org
A Better Website
Capitalize on (and respect) the Toastmasters brand
Distinguish yourself: share what makes your club
special
Content with a distinct web address is easier to
share on social media
Test the preview display of key pages on social
media
Add social sharing buttons
Communicate the basics:
Meeting date, time, location
Boost Your Social Content
Video and images: make your posts stand out
#Hashtags – informal categorization, supported on
Twitter, Facebook, Google+
@username – tag users to give credit or get
attention
Share / retweet generously
Power tools: HootSuite, Buffer, others
Post to multiple networks at once
Schedule or auto-schedule posts
Use thoughtfully, selectively
2 Ways To Use Video
Education
Post to YouTube as private or unlisted
Let members see videos of their own speeches
Contest practice – see improvement
Let members see speeches they missed (icebreakers!)
Publicity
Share outstanding speeches publicly
Celebrate winning contest speeches
Give non-members a better idea of what we do in
Toastmasters
Video for Shy Toastmasters
Blog/e-Newsletter Material
New member inductions (with photos!)
Educational award achievements (more photos!)
VP of Education tutorials -> publish as articles or
videos
Videos of outstanding speeches (with the member’s
permission)
President’s message
Report on board actions, club business, priorities
Upcoming event announcements, including contests,
district conference
The Club Meeting
Outside the Club Meeting
The Executive Committee
VPPR Responsibilities
Verify that information on website and social media
is correct.
Order promotional materials.
Before Club Meetings
Distribute promotional materials.
Report results of public relations efforts.
Announce public relations campaigns.
Solicit volunteers.
During Club Meetings
Publicize the Toastmasters brand.
Promote the club.
Maintain the club website.
Join a Toastmasters-moderated social networking
website.
Produce and distribute a club newsletter.
Outside the Club Meeting
Promote membership programs.
Attend club executive committee meetings.
Attend other Toastmasters events.
Arrange your replacement or assistance.
Prepare your successor for office.
Outside the Club Meeting
Provide a public relations report.
Propose new promotion ideas.
Executive Committee - Your Responsibility
Additional Resources
Follow up
WP4Toastmasters.com
www.carrcommunications.com
twitter.com/davidfcarr
facebook.com/davidfcarr