Can't get people to come to your event? Or capture their attention at all?
The Chronicle recently reported that students are deliberating ways to boost publicity of events, meetings, fund drives and other goings-on ("Publicity policies reconsidered" Sept. 28, 2005). Meanwhile, a letter to the editor unfolded frustrations about a perceived lack of notice or awareness of major speakers visiting Duke and other key happenings.
While many seem to be swimming (and sinking) in a sea of daily noise aggravated by voice mail, e-mail, snail mail, spam, text messages, instant messages and so on, others are pleading for greater information flow. Forget coffee-how do you take your communication?
Some groups and individuals earn pre-event coverage from The Chronicle or another information source. Others scrape together resources for a modest advertising blitz or have a promotional appeal that attracts passers-by to tables, posters and the like. But what about the rest-individuals or smaller groups with few resources, limited influence or segmented appeal?
It turns out a limited number of student groups publicizes their events using one of the most far-reaching means: the University Calendar. Events posted there subsequently get syndicated to DukePass, an online tool that catalogs all sorts of useful Duke-related information, and sometimes get picked up by the local press. Now, some claim that posting to the calendar is a pain (it's actually as painless as sending an e-mail) or that directing their web browser to DukePass is an inconvenience. So, for those who wish to push out or seek out timely, topical information, herein lies our shared dilemma.
Can you suggest a viable alternative that would generate wide appeal?
Maybe someone out there has the answer. If so, we'd love to hear it. (Send ideas to communications@studentaffairs.duke.edu.) While Duke may not be able to customize communications to a degree that works for everyone, we can, at least, endeavor to do better than we have. While new solutions are being devised, please post events at the University Calendar.
Eric Van Danen
Student Affairs Communications Dir.
Some ideas for publicity
Although there has been poor advertising for events and speakers, Duke is not entirely to blame ("Publicity policies reconsidered" Sept. 28, 2005). If hundreds of flyers were put up and e-mails sent out for every event, it would be a waste of paper and time. Perhaps The Chronicle should post a list of upcoming events each month. And perhaps Duke should send out the occasional mass e-mail every couple weeks. However, you have the agency to get online and check things out yourself. Go to www.tickets.duke.edu. Want to see a Freewater movie? Go to www.duke.edu/web/movies/schedule.html. Until Duke figures out an effective way to publicize its events, get things done on your own.
Lauren Phillips-Thoryn
Trinity '06
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