Nellie Lamers of Reeds Spring, Missouri writes:
The Tri-Lakes TCRC is one of 10 Telecenter Network sites in Missouri. Our greatest benefit is in bringing education and technology to rural areas that otherwise would not have access to it. We need help getting folks to sign up for classes/events and telling people about the other things we offer:
–ITV (interactive video teleconferencing) services
–Degree programs/classes from other colleges/universities across the state that give people in our rural area the chance to take those classes without traveling the great distances to the campuses
–Continuing education programs for law enforcement officers, emergency medical providers, etc.
–Training events given by University of Missouri Extension specialists as well as other providers
–Free public access computers
–Computer classes on topics like Microsoft Office and eBay. tutoring sessions
We also rent the facilities to people in the community who need a place to do presentations. Our website is at http://telecenter.missouri.edu/reedsspring/ Can your Hounds offer some ideas that will help us spread the word?
Hi Nellie,
A speaking association you can contact is http://www.nsa.com (National Speaker’s Association) where you can locate the closest chapter to you. Speakers are always on the lookout for fabulous facilities as well as alternatives they can present to their clients for training.
Purchasing ads in other e-zines/newsletters is also cost -effective and efficient. You can specifically target your audience and if its an on-line newsletter a link will go directly back to your site.
And I lovvvvvvve postcards! Invite a select group of companies to host a specific tele-seminar for their clients as a client reward. Make sure the card is funky and fun and promotes exclusivity.
Good Luck!
Hi Nellie!
What a great service you provide – way to go! I think you have many no cost/low cost options for creating buzz about your center. Try these:
~ Visit the websites of your local news stations. Most of them will have some type of ‘community’ page where you can post your info for free
~ Use http://www.craigslist.org to advertise it all over Missouri and surrounding areas
~ Put an ‘addthis’ widget on your site so that visitors can bookmark you in the online social networks (www.addthis.com)
~ Identify information sites, portals, businesses, organizations, etc in/around your local area. See if they’d be willing to link to your website, mention the Center in their newsletter, blog about you, etc.
~ Locate ‘distance learning’ sites that allow you to post what you have available.
~ Contact your local cable station(s). Many of them give free time on their community access channel to non-profit and/or educational institutions
~ Do an online press release accenting the benefits to your end customer of using your center’s resources
~ Find a local reporter to write your story. Maybe even set up a tour of your facility and invite the public and the press 🙂
~ Connect with your land-based business community (chamber of commerce, freelancers and consultants alike) to pump up the volume on your rental space – that could generate a lot of extra revenue
~ Use your existing network (partners, mailing list, the university) to help you pass the word. The alumni network could be a good resource too.
Hope that helps!
Hi Kim and Dawn~
Thanks so much for your great ideas! We plan to use them- and- we really appreciate your help.
Sincerely~
Nellie Lamers and all of us at Tri-Lakes TCRC and the TeleCenter Network
Dear Joan~
Thanks so much for featuring us in the “Help This Hound” section of your great newsletter- we’ll get to work on the wonderful advice we received.
Happy and Safe 4th to All!
Nellie