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Marketing
NCAAW
Your
marketing plan is your map to how, when and where you are going to let
the campus community know about your NCAAW programs. It's crucial to
inform your potential audience about activities as far in advance as
possible. You will want to bombard them with information concerning
NCAAW, and you'll have to make your programs seem fun, interesting and
more attractive than the myriad of other options available on a college
campus on any given night of the week! Your marketing plan must be well
thought out before you order that first poster. Remember - one thing
at a time!
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Target your potential audience.
Identify your target population and brainstorm what type of advertising
might capture the attention of those students. Be aware that it is
most effective to get the information out by using a mix of traditional
and non-traditional advertising methods. Yes, do the flyers, but also
chalk sidewalks and use costume characters to deliver your publicity!
Have someone parachute into your football game! Consistent themes,
colors and logos will help show the far-reaching impact of your week's
events.
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Identify
all the media that you think would be valuable to make use of in getting
the word out.
Find out about deadlines and costs. For example, how much lead time
does the campus or local newspaper need to run an ad or press release
and how much does advertising space and printing cost? Create a calendar
with your committee so you won't miss any deadlines and make sure
your promotion activities are in line with your available budget.
Make an appointment with the campus graphics and public relations
department and integrate your committee's ideas with their expertise.
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Determine
a schedule and assign specific tasks.
Make sure the deadlines and tasks that you have assigned are reasonable
and reachable. Use a backwards planning method of setting up your
promotional campaign. In other words, starting with opening date of
your week, work your way backwards on the calendar. Be sure if you
are ordering educational or promotional materials to distribute that
you do so in plenty of time. Then record on your calendar the expected
arrival date. By doing this, even if the atmosphere gets very hectic,
the details won't be forgotten. Assign one individual to monitor the
calendar on a daily basis.
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Make
sure your supporters are well publicized in your materials.
Be generous in sharing credit for the week's activities. You might
even get an inexpensive banner that features your NCAAW theme and
lists the sponsors of your activities. Then, have this banner at all
of your events. Remember that each group involved is looking to get
some PR out of these events!
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Stay on schedule by assigning one individual to oversee each step
and make certain everyone follows through with assigned responsibilities.
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Keep
careful records of all publicity ordered.
Be meticulous in approving any artwork before it is printed.
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