Marketing Your National College Fair in Advance

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1 Marketing Your National College Fair in Advance Nadine Saint, Event Manager for Special Programs and Administration Ryan Burton-Romero, Greater Phoenix NCF

2 Why Market? We feel that these fairs are a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about their post-graduate options, and want as many students as possible to participate. Because we are servicing the communities in these cities, we hope to bring as many students and families to the fairs as possible. Targeted promotion of these fairs is of the utmost importance for increasing attendance.

3 Marketing In-House Event Manager - NCF Newsletter/poster mailing Press release/psa sent to media Save the dates Facility websites Exhibitors promote to students that they will be at the fair Communication with chairperson Guidance list serve TRC dashboard Convention Bureaus Extra Posters sent to community organizations Newspaper providing on-site locator Cross promote PVAs Promotional reminder piece

4 Marketing In-House Event Manager-Special Programs Lead Retrieval s to guidance counselors Developing phone lists for TRC Reaching out to underrepresented students MTD mailing/ broadcast Communication with city reps Facility websites Research local arts oriented programs Facebook/Twitter updates Newspapers Press Releases/PSAs Cross promote NCFs Promotional reminder piece

5 Marketing In-House Administrative Assistants Mayoral contacts College Access Day/Proclamation Newspaper contacts Superintendent s Updating/editing of press releases and PSAs Updating cover letters Assist in researching community based organizations

6 Steps Forward and New Initiatives Update press releases and PSA to include mobile technology Create checklists for chairpersons and counselors Reach out to chairpersons who have access to list servs Create save the dates for all NCFs(including PVAs in overlapping cities) Increase newspaper participation by 5% Continue developing relationships with superintendent offices Create Facebook event pages for each fair liking and networking with other organizations Develop poster and newsletter design earlier in the year Ask contributors to promote the fair

7 Marketing on the Ground How can the chairperson and their committee market at the local level?

8 Designate a Publicity Chair/Committee Develop a strategic plan for making the community aware of the fair and organizing subcommittees to put a plan into action. Send out Press Release Use a local university s marketing or public relations office They have a pre-existing relationship with many media outlets Ask that local school districts send out a press release as well Use your Regional ACAC Government Relations chair to publicize to your mayor s office Use high school newsletters Use student volunteers to assist in marketing tasks Contact high schools and universities via

9 Outreach to Stakeholders Promote to students School districts Independent/Private schools Community Based Organizations and Programs TRIO Programs Churches Parent Associations Public Libraries Promote to colleges/universities State/regional affiliates Appeal to individuals who do not usually visit your area - HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal Colleges specialty institutions, etc. - NCF fee waiver program

10 Promote the fair using a Facebook page Solicit volunteers using an online option Provide transportation options and directions to fair Promote Workshops Provide a list of participating institutions Register online for Lead Retrieval

11 Work with NACAC to promote your fair with the local media! Newspapers Promote workshops Utilize your Affiliate resources Write and submit resource articles to local newspapers Print locators/supplement Newspaper advertisement Radio Press release should be distributed to local radio stations and college radio stations Ask if the local radio station can produce a Public Service Announcement (PSA) Television News Stations Could be interviewed with an anchor to discuss the fair Local Calendars