Hosting a fascinating speaker? Adding a new concentration to a major? Planning a symposium? Moving to a new location on campus? If there is an event or other significant development that you need to promote and publicize, the Office of Marketing and Communications has tools and tips to help spread the word.
Your first steps to request marketing services for your program or events are to enter a project request in our WorkZone online system:
WEBSITE. Governors State University's website is a key resource for sharing information about campus programs, events, and news. As you think through your promotion strategy, start by determining the best location to share your information on the GSU website, who in your department will be your content author and who will be your content manager. Whether it belongs on a college's home page, under a program's course offerings, in an online newsletter, or on the campus calendar, there is an appropriate location on the university's website for your event to live.
CAMPUS CALENDAR. The use of the campus community calendar is one of the most effective ways to reach a wide audience. 25 Live is the calendar and scheduling system used by Governors State University. It is prominently featured on the homepage of our website, but can also be featured within your department, college, or campus organization's website. 25 Live offers the opportunity to list and provide details of your event.
SOCIAL MEDIA. Another very effective way to share news about an event is using social media. If your department, college, or organization has an approved social media site start a social media campaign or simply post, tweet, and IG regularly about your event. You may also notify Marketing and Communications of your event for possible promotion on official university social media outlets. Please enter your request in WorkZone and a Marketing and Communications staff member will contact you.
CREATE A FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE. Use the Facebook event feature to serve as a primary or secondary tool to invite your audience to an event. The calendar-based resource will notify users of upcoming occasions. The creator can invite friends, members of a group, or fans of a page. The event can be created to be either open to anyone, or private. Please enter your request in WorkZone and a Marketing and Communications staff member will contact you.
The Office of Marketing and Communications also can help you create a wide range of promotional material: following are descriptions of some of the most frequently requested items and channels for promotion.
Please note, for any promotional material, submit a project request through workzone, the project management system used by the Office of Marketing and Communications. If you do not have a workzone account, please contact Corrie Lee for assistance.
Large Posters. Large foamcore posters (approx. 22” x 32”) displayed on easels at key campus locations, while costly, provide a space for an immediate announcement, (e.g. Career Fair Today, list of Welcome Week events). They are to be posted for only the relevant time period, and are not to be used for long term messaging (Join the New Club). Once the printed posters are received, contact Facilities Development and Management to arrange for the display of the posters on easels at specific campus locations (e.g. front entrance atrium).
Flyers and Small Posters. Flyers (8 ½" x 11") and small posters (11" x 14" or 11" x 17") can be reproduced easily at minimal cost. You will need to submit eleven copies of the flyer or poster to Student Life, which is responsible for posting and removing materials on campus bulletin boards. You may also post flyers on the white stands located around campus. Removal of flyers posted on these stands after the event is your responsibility.
You can also send your flyer as an attachment in an email and request that it be printed and posted at an off campus location such as a library or community center.
Table Tents. Table tents are “teaser” cards made of a heavier paper stock which can be folded to be self-supporting. Table tents can be placed in visible locations including tables in the cafeteria and the Lakeside Lounge. If you decide to use table tents in the cafeteria, it is necessary that you receive permission from GSU Cafeteria management before making your reservation. If you place table tents on tables around campus, you are responsible for removing them after the date of your event.
Internal Monitors. These are the internal monitors located in public areas around campus.
External Marquees. These are the digital signs located at the north and east entrances to the campus.
Community Announcement. If your event is open to the public, you may wish to promote it in local media outlets. To promote your event to the regional community, the Office of Marketing and Communications can write and distribute a community announcement. Contact the Office of Communications with your event information.
Print Adverting. The Office of Marketing and Communications can assist if you require the creation of an ad for print.
GSU AGORA NEWSLETTER. The GSU AGORA is the university's online media publication which covers the most significant campus news. If you believe there is a news or feature story related to your event, submit your story idea to the GSU AGORA for consideration. Please note, stories appearing in the GSU AGORA do not promote events. There must be an additional newsworthy component.
INSIDE GOVST - The first step to having your event promoted by appearing in the twice-weekly email newsletter "INSIDE GOVST" is to enter your event in the 25 Live system. Only events that have been entered in 25 Live can be included in INSIDE GOVST.
INTERNAL E-BLASTS. Information sent to a large number of email address at one time is called an e-blast.
All E-blasts must be approved by Marketing and Communications to insure they comply with Federal Accessibility Guidelines and GSU Brand Standards. E-blasts to GSU distribution lists accessible through Outlook (current students, faculty, and/or staff) must conform to accessibility standards. Click here to download the "Creating Accessible E-Blasts Tutorial" PDF to learn how to make your e-blasts ADA compliant.
The Office of Marketing and Communications will provide an approved template to be used to create an e-blast and the current guidelines for creating accessible e-blasts. Contact adecastro@govst.edu (Tony De Castro) or ddolezal@govst.edu (Alex Dolezal) for any questions or requests.
EXTERNAL E-BLASTS. E-blasts to external audiences must be built in HTML and require access to distribution systems such as Constant Contact.
All External E-blasts must be approved by Marketing and Communications to insure they comply with Federal Accessibility Guidelines and GSU Brand Standards. Contact adecastro@govst.edu (Tony De Castro) or ddolezal@govst.edu (Alex Dolezal) for any questions or requests.
WORD OF MOUTH. Focus on your target audience and spread the word! Talk about your event, and keep on talking about it. Ask students, staff, and faculty to tell friends about your event. Use other catchy advertising methods in conjunction with talking.