This presentation for the Virginia Master Gardener College on June 24, 2011 showed Master Gardener volunteers how to market their programs and services. They learned how to begin with an end in mind, select appropriate tools, recruit "raving fans," develop relationships, build community, and be successful.

1. Creating a ‘Buzz’ and Making News Lori Greiner, Communications Manager, @lgreiner Michael Sutphin, Writer, @michaelsutphin Master Gardener College, June 24, 2011

2. Overview Begin with an end in mind Select your tools Recruit “Raving Fans” Develop relationships Build community Keys to success

3. Begin With An End In Mind What does success look like? Who are you? Who is your audience? Who is your competition?

4. Select the Appropriate Tool Word-of-mouth Print Traditional Media (newspapers, T.V., radio) Web Social Media

5. Be A Story Teller Be a story teller.

6. Create Raving Fans Provide exceptional products and programs Serve the needs of your clientele Provide good customer service

7. Newsletters Brochures Fliers Direct Mail

9. Working with the Media

10. News is… Timely Affects many Innovative Interesting What journalists decide it is

11. Who are the reporters? Short on time Friendly people who are not necessarily your friend Smarter than you think And less knowledgeable

12. What reporters want is pretty simple… A good story Good quotes Recognition Your respect, not necessarily your affection The feeling that they understand the issue after 20 minutes as well as you do after two years

13. How do we get in the news? News releases Pitches Reporter queries Periodicals Video Releases Radio spots Columns

14. Why build relationships with reporters?

15. What’s your news? Write down what you are an expert in. Describe in a sentence why someone should care. Try to tie it with a newsworthy issue.

16. Media Examples How To - Planting a water garden Community Service – Flower power Community Service – Flag Park Promotion/Event – Garden Walk Community Service – New Project Recruitment – Join Master Gardeners Column – Feed Your Garden Well Event – Butterfly House

17. Do your homework Make yourself media savvy — listen, watch, and read. Find out what stories are being covered so you can offer related stories. Read the paper and identify special sections or columns you can tap. Learn the names of local reporters and the subjects they cover.

18. Pitch a Homerun Think beyond your own news Target the right reporters State the facts Time it right Offer photos, charts, and other resources Follow-up Get excited

19. Create/link page on local VCE website Keep it up-to-date List keep contacts List upcoming events & programs on county calendar Make sure your site it useful to your clientele

20. Website Examples Heart of Virginia Master Gardeners Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardeners

22. What is Social Media? Social media is the use of web-based and mobile technologies to turn communication into interactive dialogue. - Wikipedia

24. Why be social? It is where everyone is. Build community and engage your audience. It is no longer about talking, it is about conversing. Social media is the new local.

25. How do you start? Social Media is a tool not a strategy Develop a plan with a goal mind Select the appropriate media Participate

26. Launched February 2004 More than 600 million members All-in-one social networking service (profiles, events, photos, etc.) Building conversations through status updates, comments, and “likes” Pages vs. groups http://www.facebook.com VirginiaCooperativeExtension

27. Microblogging site launched July 2006 An estimated 200 million members Messages, called tweets, of 140 characters or less Join conversations through replies (@), retweets (RT), and hashtags (#) http://twitter.com/vce_news

28. Video sharing site launched February 2005 Purchased by Google November 2006 Anyone may watch videos, and registered users may upload unlimited videos Channels allow users to create video blogs

29. YouTube Examples Loudon County Farm Bureau – Virginia Master Gardeners Prince William – Master Gardener Minutes Prince William – Master Gardener Minutes County Converstations

30. How to Be Successful Post regularly with high quality content Use visuals Ask questions Master one tool at a time Be transparent, accurate, mindful and respectful

31. Keys to Success Keep it simple Consistency in messaging Consistency with look Master Gardener Logo Virginia Cooperative Extension Logo Don’t forget to share your successes Future.ext.vt.edu

32. How to Reach Us Lori Greiner, Communications Manager (540) 231-5863 lgreiner@vt.edu Michael Sutphin, Writer (540) 231-6975 msutphin@vt.edu