Navigating Through These Challenging Times
2024 ILA Marketing Forum Mini-Marketing Conference
Schedule for Friday, April 26, 2024, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
9:00-9:30 a.m.
Welcome/Opening Remarks
ILA Marketing Forum Manager Christine Kuffel
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Creating a Compelling Annual Report
Grace Goodwyn, Graphic Design and Gallery Coordinator at the Downers Grove Public Library
Move beyond the Word Doc with a presentation that features how to create an Annual Report with compelling graphics and digestible copy. This presentation is designed for small marketing teams.
Grace Goodwyn (she, her) is the Graphic Design & Gallery Coordinator at Downers Grove Public Library. In addition to creating new materials and maintaining brand standards, she schedules and curates local artwork for the library's monthly art displays. In her downtime, Grace enjoys watching movies, cozying up with a good book and her cat, and tackling DIY projects.
10:30-11:30 a.m.
Christine Kuffel, Coordinator of User Services at Harper College
Retail organizations spend plenty of time and money figuring out how to attract and keep customers. Lucky for us, many of these techniques can translate to library work. Learn about different approaches, best practices, and discover innovative ways to market your library.
Break
11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Keynote Speakers
Understanding the Media: Librarians’ Guide to Effective Media Engagement
Michelle Mekky and David Viggiano, Mekky Media Relations
Join seasoned PR veterans, Michelle Mekky and David Viggiano, for an immersive media training session designed specifically for librarians facing the dynamic challenges of today’s media landscape. Attendees will be equipped with invaluable insights and practical techniques to navigate media interactions as they learn to master their messaging, and interview techniques and gain insight into crisis management with real scenarios.
Navigating Through These Challenging Times
2024 ILA Marketing Forum Mini-Marketing Conference
Schedule for Friday, May 17, 2024, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
11:00-11:30 a.m.
Welcome/Opening Remarks
ILA Marketing Forum Manager Christine Kuffel
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Session I
Marketing Tools: Stellar Service
Christine Kuffel, Coordinator of User Services at Harper College
Traditional means of marketing fall flat if users have a poor experience once they get through the door. Learn about the importance of quality service as it pertains to your library's brand and leave with tips for little things your team can do to make a big difference.
Social Media 101: A Crash Course for Library Marketers
Ola Gronski, Digital Marketing & Communications Specialist at Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS)
“Can you share this on Facebook? We should make a TikTok. That is perfect for the ‘gram.” Feeling frazzled by social media and don’t know how to get your library started? Let’s walk through the basics together. Ola Gronski, RAILS Digital Marketing & Communications Specialist, will discuss popular social media platforms and their purposes, best practices surrounding accessibility, and the latest trends circulating the internet.
Ola Gronski is the Digital Marketing & Communications Specialist at Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS), where she thoughtfully produces copy, photo, and video to connect libraries and ensure their survival in the ever-evolving cultural landscape. She is a passion-driven storyteller with over seven years of experience working in public libraries, including the Oak Lawn Public Library and Orland Park Public Library.
12:30-1:30 p.m.
Session II
It’s All About Engagement
Terry Pierson, Marketing Coordinator at Mississippi Valley Library District
Engagement is everything on social media. The more often patrons engage with your page, the more they will see your posts. Engagement from people who don’t use your library will boost your content into the feeds of people who do. This session will cover strategies proven to maximize engagement, from content diversification to graphic design tips and more.
Terry Pierson is the Marketing Coordinator for the Mississippi Valley Library District (MVLD), which serves Collinsville and Fairmont City, IL. He has been with the MVLD since 2012 and previously worked in programming. Terry is on the Reaching Forward South Committee and has regularly presented at that conference. Additionally, he operates his own brands, including one in support of his writing.
Break
1:30- 2:00 p.m.
2:00-3:00 p.m.
Keynote
Working with the Media: How to Move from Idea to Published Story
Adora Namigadde, WBEZ Chicago Metro Reporter
Adora Namigadde of WBEZ Chicago will teach you how to form relationships with journalists, present ideas to them, and collaborate to get stories to air. She will give examples of her own work on library-related stories, and the sources who helped her put them together. She will take you through the process start to finish of putting together a story, and provide advice on ways to attract journalists’ attention.
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