Case Study of Publicizing an Event: NWABP Meetings
About 2 min read
The Northwest Association of Book Publishers (NWABP) is an organization in the Greater Portland, Oregon area that holds monthly meetings including a guest speaker. Besides members, the meetings are also open to those who may be interested in the speaker or the organization.
Methods used to publicize NWABP meetings provide a good case study of publicizing an event.
The purpose for publicizing an organization event is to let both the members and other people know about the upcoming meeting so that many of them will attend. In order to effectively publicize a meeting or event, you need to define your audience or those you want to reach.
Questions you may have include:
- What is the purpose of the publicity?
- Who is the audience for the publicity?
- What methods are used to publicize the event?
This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.
Audience for event
The audience consists of members and those who may be interested.
NWABP members
One goal or reason is to remind members of the upcoming meeting and to let them know about the featured speaker.
Other people
The other reason is to announce the meeting and subject of presentation to people in the greater community who may be interested in becoming published, independent book publishing, self-publishing or providing services to the industry.
Announcing to members
Members are reminded of the upcoming NWABP meeting and made aware of the guest speaker and topic of the presentation through several methods.
- Information on upcoming meetings is posted on the organization website (www.nwabp.org)
- Members can download NWABP newsletter, which includes information about the meeting and speaker
- Members are sent a reminder email about the meeting
Newspapers
Press releases to the calendar sections of the various local newspapers are sent out to announce the meeting and speaker.
- Oregonian newspaper Business Calendar – Since NWABP is a business organization, it is appropriate to list the event in that section
- Oregonian newspaper Literary Calendar – if the speaker is an author, it is appropriate to list the event in that section
- Various community newspapers
- Various business newspapers
There is no guarantee that the newspaper will publish the announcement, especially with the decreased readership. Apparently, the Oregonian has online announcements, but they are not really usable at this juncture.
Writers’ groups
Also, local writers’ organization are notified about the meeting and speaker.
- Willamette Writers
- Oregon Writers Colony
Summary
The publicizing goal for NWABP is to remind members of the meeting and speaker and to make those among the general public interested in such a meeting aware of the event.
Organization member are sent email notices and have a website with information about the event. Press released are sent to local newspapers and writers’ groups to announce the meeting. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that the announcement will be published in the newspaper.
See side menu for list of other Marketing topics
Let people know about your event
Resources
The following are some resources on this topic.
Websites
Mini-quiz to check your understanding
Self-check your understanding
Why do you need to publicize a meeting to your members?
What method is typically used to publicize meetings to the public?
What is a problem with press releases sent to newspapers?
Pick an answer to see instant feedback. Re-read the lesson if you miss one.
If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in Marketing. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.
What do you think?
Do you have any questions, comments, or opinions on this subject? If so, send an email with your feedback. We will try to get back to you as soon as possible.
Also see Answers to Readers’ Questions.