Draper Communications offers workshops for associations and organizations.
Our workshops are designed to bring together the entire staff of an organization for a lively interactive discussion. In a day or half day, we'll introduce the basic skills of communication in the Internet era, which will prepare your staff to write for your website, electronic newsletter and other purposes. And because your entire staff is invited to the workshop, you work together to develop a style that fits your organization and learn how you can all work together to make your written communciation more effective. You'll find that your communications are more effective and more creative when everyone on the organization gets on the same page and has the basic tools for get across your main messages.
Workshop: What Not To Write: Writing Style MakeoverLeave-behind materials
- Guide to writing style in the digital age
- Critique of current materials
If you've every watched the TLC program What Not to Wear, you've seen how easy it is for people to get stuck in a style rut, and how dramatically different things are when they spend a short time learning today's fashion and updating their wardrobes.
We offer the same type of makeover for your organizations' writing style. We provide a detailed analysis of what you are doing right, and wrong, in your current written communication. Then, we introduce your staff to the new "look" in Internet writing. They'll get a chance to try on different styles before you all choose a style that fits your organization. Then we'll practice using your new style by restyling some of your current written pieces.
We offer the same type of makeover for your organizations' writing style. We provide a detailed analysis of what you are doing right, and wrong, in your current written communication. Then, we introduce your staff to the new "look" in Internet writing. They'll get a chance to try on different styles before you all choose a style that fits your organization. Then we'll practice using your new style by restyling some of your current written pieces.
Workshop: Developing and implementing a media strategy. Leave-behind materials
- Guide to how to create a media plan
- Rough draft of media relations plan
- Guide to media tactics
Participants are introduced to the components of a media relations plan: defining goals for communicating with the media, political entities and the community, determining key messages, and choosing tactics to reach the goals. They leave with a basic media relations plan that can easily be revised to meet the needs of their organization. Topics include:
- Understanding components of a media plan. Facilitators will lead participants through the key components of creating a media plan, including: defining key messages; setting your communication goals; how to match tactics to your goals.
- Group Exercise: Brainstorming on communication goals. Facilitators will lead the group in a discussion of general communication goals for all libraries as well as specific goals for individual ones. The group will write specific goals that will serve as the basis for a media plan.
- Understanding specific tactics to implement your media relations plan. We'll discuss writing press releases, developing relationships with reporters, developing and maintaining a media list, using library publications to deliver your message, letters to editor/op ed pieces, PSAs, visual elements, etc. We'll also talk about how to become an expert source and what type of background materials your library should have ready for the media.
- Group Exercise: develop a media pitch. We'll break into small groups and have the groups develop a media pitch based on a scenario. We'll then role-play the pitch, and critique the pitch's message and delivery.
Workshop: Communicating your goals through written materials. Leave-behind materials
- Checklists: things to do before you writing, things to do while you writing, things to do after you write
This workshop helps staff members develop skills in working together to create an effective, consistent message to draw patrons into library events and to build long-term support with politicians and taxpayers. Participants learn how to formulate a message from the perspective of the audience, and get tips on writing and editing. They leave with a new understanding of the value of working together, maintaining a consistent message and using language that builds support. Topics include:
- Speaking to your audience: developing a message from the perspective of library users and supporters.
- Group exercise: designing a flier. We'll break into small groups to brainstorm developing a message and choosing audience-friendly words for a library flier; then the groups will present their ideas and critique the other groups' ideas.
- Writing and editing for your audience: including writing style, constructing effective sentences, writing for the web, email and print, developing a style sheet, getting to the point; sharing feedback with coworkers, etc.
- Group exercise: self-critique. Participants will have the opportunity to submit examples of writing their libraries have done in the past. We'll then use the new principals we've discussed to critique and improve the submitted materials.