The 2012 holiday campaign for history organizations and historic sites recap -- "Make this holiday historic!" from The History List (www.TheHistoryList.com)

“Make this holiday historic!”
The 2012 holiday campaign for
history organizations and historic sites

October 2013 update

• In 2013 we built on the positive response in 2012
and created materials that all organizations can
use. These are described on the slides that follow,
along with links to download them.
• A recap of the 2012 campaign is in the last section.

The 2013 holiday campaign for

Updated October 24, 2013

Overview

A campaign we can all use to
promote our history
organizations at the holidays.

Goals

• Increase attendance.
• Increase gift shop sales.
• Increase sales of gift
memberships.

Implementation
• There is no cost.
• All materials can be downloaded now
http://www.thehistorylist.com/holiday-materials

• On the pages that follow
–Examples
–All of the designs
–Next steps
–FAQ
–Tips
–Contact information

Tabletop signs ready to print out
on cardstock.

Designs you can use to create your own
tags and signs, such as the one shown.

And add to your website,
newsletters, and print materials.

And supply to bloggers to promote your
organization’s gifts and events

In two designs with many different
messages

Merchandising gifts and promoting events

Next steps

Download the materials
 http://www.thehistorylist.com/holiday-materials
Sign up for e-mail updates
http://www.thehistorylist.com/e-mail-updates
List your organization and events
http://www.thehistorylist.com/getting-started

Tips for getting the most out of the holiday campaign
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Print out table top signs for entry area, gift shop
Add your institution’s name and make available to local businesses
Add to your print advertising
Add to your website
Add to your press materials
Create custom tags for gift shop items
Use with the new package stickers and retail tags from Avery
Create a custom gift membership holder out of cardstock
Adapt to create a gift enclosure card
Create a handout with a coupon for a discount on a gift membership
Add to a flier highlighting your gift items
Include on your poster promoting your holiday events
Include the campaign slogan in your press release

Send your ideas and suggestions and we’ll share them with others:
Editors@TheHistoryList.com

FAQ
What does this cost?
It’s free to use.
When does this start?
Feel free to use the materials as soon as you wish.
Is this a national program?
Yes. It’s designed to be used all across the country.
Who else is participating?
We don’t know yet, but we expect many of the organizations that
participate on The History List will also adopt this campaign, and we hope
you will, too. You can read more about the campaign and materials here:
http://www.thehistorylist.com/the-holiday-campaign-for-history

FAQ
Is this going to be advertised?
We’ve created the campaign theme and designs for you to use. Include
them in your materials and in your ads. You will have an impact in your
community. If many others use the materials, the impact will be far
reaching. Unfortunately, we don’t have a budget to advertise this ourselves.
Can I invite other organizations or tell them about it?
Please do. Just send them a link to this presentation or web page.
Is this going to be done next year?
The goal is to create a long-lasting annual campaign in order to support
history organizations across the country. If the reception is positive this
year, we’ll repeat it, taking into account suggestions and feedback from this
year.

FAQ
Do you have to list your events on The History List?
No, though we hope you add yours to the site since all holiday events
will be promoted there. There is no cost and it’s copy-and-paste easy.
Can I change the slogan?
We hope you don’t. The best way to create something that is
memorable and impactful is if we all use the same slogan and design.
Can I change the design?
We hope you don’t, though we do hope you build the design into your
materials and incorporate it into new materials, such as the small sign
shown with the books earlier. Or create special gift tags, or a seasonal gift
membership folder. You can use the graphics with any program you wish,
even Word or PowerPoint.

FAQ
Where can I get more designs?
Sign up for e-mail updates and we’ll let you know when more materials
are available, though we hope we’ve covered most situations with the
materials that are available now.
Who is behind all this?
The History List, the largest list of history-related events across the
country. Add your organization and events and find out more at
http://www.TheHistoryList.com/getting-started
Where do I send feedback or questions?
Editors@TheHistoryList.com

Review of the 2012 holiday campaign for

•Duration: December 1, 2012 – January 1, 2013
•How it worked
– History-related organizations enter their events.
– Organizations add “2012 holidays” as one of the tags when they enter
their event.
– 33 events featured, one per day, on an interactive calendar.
– Every calendar square linked to more information about the featured
event and to all of the events of all types on that day.

Participating organizations and events

This icon appeared
This icon appeared
when the organization
when the organization
added the tag “2012
added the tag “2012
holidays” to their
holidays” to their
event.
event.

All events appeared on
All events appeared on
The History List.
The History List.

A listing on the main listing page that includes the holiday event icon

These web and e-mail
These web and e-mail
badges were available
badges were available
to all organizations
to all organizations
with holiday events.
with holiday events.

One event was
One event was
featured each day on
featured each day on
an interactive
an interactive
calendar.
calendar.

Links to all events on
Links to all events on
this date.
this date.

Campaign elements

Web badges for participating organizations

The interactive calendar of featured events with an example of the way an event
appears when the user places their mouse in the date square

On the Facebook page of an organization whose event was featured
(bottom) and on the app page (middle) and on our page (top)

Selected social media

Tweets

Facebook

The application on Facebook

Facebook application page

“ . . . a clever interactive calendar for the
holidays which highlights events at
historic sites around the country with
changing images and sounds wrapped in
an attractive bright red package . . . “
“If any of you have tried to create an
online calendar for your website or blog,
you know it’s ridiculously complex and
difficult for both you and your visitors.
The History List may be a serious
solution for a single searchable, sortable
calendar that can be shared with your
members, fans, the public, and the press.
If you are a history-related group or
organization, see if this free web-based
platform can help publicize your events,
sites, and exhibits.”
Max A. van Balgooy writing at
www.EngagingPlaces.net

Selecting featured events
• The goal wasn't necessarily to pick the "best of" a particular
type of event or the best event in the country taking place
that day, but to highlight a wide variety in order to raise
awareness of the many great historic sites, museums, and
organizations across the country and draw new attendees,
fans, volunteers, members, and donors.
• And while every event had a clear tie to history, some,
notably the Boston Tea Party and Washington's Crossing
reenactments, didn't have a holiday theme per se, but were
major historical events that took place during the month.

Selecting featured events
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From Maine to California
Organizations ranging in age from 20 years old to 200+ years old
Private and public, from small, local organizations to statewide or spanning
several states
From expensive to free to pay-what-you-can
For kids and families, or just adults
From the momentous and world-changing to the delightful and trivial
Including the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War
Loud and boisterous to quiet and contemplative
Outdoors and indoors, from walks to lectures to concerts to celebrations
Castles and forts, ranches, houses, and mansions
Well-known and centuries old, to just a few years old and just getting
established
One-time-only to every day of the month

The featured events
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December 1: Indiana Author Fair (Indianapolis)
December 2: “Reporting the Revolutionary War” author lecture (Boston)
December 3: Hayes Train Special Display (Fremont, OH)
December 4: Fantasyland with Santa (Roanoke, WV)
December 5: A Victorian Christmas (St. Paul)
December 6: Historic Libations annual party (San Francisco)
December 7: Holiday Whiskey Tasting (York, ME)
December 8: A Civil War Christmas (Frankfort, KY)
December 9: Russian Holiday Dinner (Eagle, WI)
December 10: Christmas Eve at the Byers-Evans House (Denver)
December 11: Brucemore Holiday Mansion Tours (Cedar Rapids, IA)
December 12: Holiday Decorations at the Pawnee Bill Ranch (Pawnee, OK)
December 13: Wisconsin Historical Museum Society Annual Sale (Madison)
December 14: Christmas by Candlelight (Sturbridge, MA)
December 15: Christmas Candlelight Grand Masquerade (New Bern, NC)

The featured events
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December 16: Boston Tea Party reenactment (Boston)
December 17: Guided Holiday House Tours (Portsmouth, NH)
December 18: The Sound of Christmas concert (San Antonio)
December 19: Riverfront Holiday House (Fort Myers)
December 20: Christmas by Candlelight (Old Salem, NC)
December 21: “At Christmas be mery” (Historic Jamestowne, VA)
December 22: The Castle by Candlelight (Youngstown, NY)
December 23: Christmas at the Newport Mansions (Newport, RI)
December 24: Holiday Lights at Clifton Mill (Clifton, OH)
December 25: Washington’s Christmas Crossing reenactment (Washington Crossing, PA)
December 26: “A Toy Shop Window” (Freeport, NJ)
December 27: Holiday Lantern Tour Newport (Newport, RI)
December 28: “It’s a Wonderful Life” screening with an introduction (New York)
December 29: Commemoration of USS Constitution vs. HMS Java (Boston)
December 30: Holidays at the Heard (Phoenix)
December 31: First Night at Otis House (Boston)
December 31 / January 1: Freedom’s Eve (Washington)
January 1: 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation (Boston)

Plans for 2013
Updated 9/18/13

•Instead of one interactive calendar, we have broadened
the campaign and encourage all historic sites and historyrelated organizations to participate. All holiday events
entered on The History List will appear.
•We have removed “The History List” from the materials
and are providing digital files so you can create signs
(right), tags, stickers, web badges, and graphics for your
print or electronic newsletter.
•All of this is provided free of charge.
•More information for organizations, including the link to
download the files, is on this page.
•http://www.thehistorylist.com/the-holiday-campaign-for-history

The 2012 holiday campaign for history organizations and historic sites recap -- "Make this holiday historic!" from The History List (www.TheHistoryList.com)

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The 2012 holiday campaign for history organizations and historic sites recap -- "Make this holiday historic!" from The History List (www.TheHistoryList.com)