Programs for Leadership and Service Education

Publicity

Publicity and promotion of an event can make-or-break it and is key to attendance. If people do not know about your event, you cannot expect them to attend! Remember this: If people don't know about an event, they won't come to it. It's up to you to tell them about the event.

Use new and old ideas as ways to get started. To publicize an event, think about the following tactics:

  • Posters
  • Email
  • Snail Mail
  • Newspaper Ads
  • Table Tents
  • Bulletin Boards
  • Online Calendars
  • Door Hangers
  • Banners
  • Radio Ads
  • Chalking
  • Electronic Marquees

**In advertising, the rule is that it takes 3 times before someone begins to listen, so overlapping publicity in order for people to have numerous opportunities to hear about your event is a great idea**

Tips for Designing/Posting Flyers

  • Give them personality!
  • You know students, so speak their language
  • Use pictures
  • Make the basics clear: What, Where, When
  • Check out flyers already posted and use different colors, sizes and fonts
  • Create a visual identifier for your group and use it throughout the year, such as fonts, colors, or layouts
  • Don't forget about posters already up-be sure to replace if they get torn down or stolen
  • Go around to posters the day of an event with a big "TONIGHT" sticker for each one
  • Even if an event is free, print small flyers or tickets that say "Free Admission" or "Complimentary"-these work as small flyers that people will be more likely to hang on to
  • Be sure your posters have all necessary information displayed in an easy-to-read way
  • Do not post too early, but do not post too late
  • Watch for Poster Blindness-too many similar looking flyers close to one another
  • Take down and try to reuse or recycle posters and flyers when the event is through

Other Miscellaneous Tips

  • Face-to-face contact and personal invitation are another impactful way to get others to an event
  • Start mailing lists at each event and keep up with letting those on the list know about future events
  • Schedule giveaways and free food for events if it is in your budget
  • Go around and tell other groups about your event-for example, Greek houses, residence hall floors, other student organizations, any major/minor/department the event may be applicable to, etc.

Butler University Resources for Publicizing Events

  • Butler Collegian - visit Fairbanks 210 or call (317) 940-8813 for more information.
  • Butler Collegian Online - send ad to advertising@butler.edu.
  • Posters, flyers, banners, table tents - must be approved through Student Involvement & Leadership Programs in 101 Atherton Union. Once approved, posters and flyers can be put on any public bulletin board throughout the university. Flyers cannot be displayed on any doors, windows, trash cans, etc. Any improperly displayed flyer will result in a $25 fine for that organization.
  • Student organization mailboxes - must be approved by Student Involvement & Leadership Programs.
  • Residence hall mailboxes - must be approved by each hall's coordinator.
  • Door hangers - must be approved by each hall's coordinator.
  • Listserv of all student organization presidents - get this information from Student Involvement & Leadership Programs.
  • All Campus Emails - email allcampus@butler.edu at least 24 hours in advance, and specify if you'd like the announcement to go to students, faculty/staff, or both.