City of Claremont Human Services Department
Transcription
City of Claremont Human Services Department
Marketing Toolkit City of Claremont Human Services Department Revised: February 2015 Table of Contents Mission Statement Council, Commission & Committees Guiding Documents Claremont’s Demographics What is Marketing Traditional Marketing Tools – At a Glance Online Marketing Tools Developing a Marketing Plan Elements of a Marketing Strategy What is Branding Steps to Marketing A Program and/or Event Marketing Tools In-Depth City Letter and Recreation & Activities Guide Flyer Press Release Weekly Updates and Senior Clicks Media Relations Public Speaking Typography Written Content Best Practices Pronunciation Email Signatures Graphic Standards HS Logo Treatments Incorporating Additional Logos Color Trends and Schemes Stock Photography, Program Photos, and Clip Art Measuring Results and Surveys Using Your Toolkit Templates Page 3 Page 4 Page 6 Page 7 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 19 Page 21 Page 22 page 23 Page 25 Page 26 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 39 Page 40 Production Team: Bevin Handel, Public Information Officer Melissa Vollaro, Human Services Manager Jason Lass, Human Services Supervisor City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 2 Mission Statement & Tactical Plan About Human Services The Human Services Department maintains and enhances the quality of life in our community through a variety of innovative community events, leisure activities, and social services to meet existing and emerging needs. Our goal is to foster a sense of community by promoting civic involvement. Mission Statement The Claremont Human Services Department makes life better through high-quality programs and services. Tactical Plan Provide Opportunities Promote Healthy Living Support Non-Profit Partners Facilitate Community Partnerships Reduce Barriers and Social Stigma Connect People to Other People and Services Educate the Community Preserve the Value of Parks and Open Space Enhance Community Culture Core Program Areas Administration Contract Classes Parks Senior Programs Special Events Sports Youth Programs Commission, CBO Funding, and Special Projects Hughes Center, Recreation Programs, Front-Line Operations Claremont Hills Wilderness Park, Park Ranger Program Nutrition, Recreation, Events, Volunteering, and Social Services Fourth of July, Summer Concerts, Halloween, Holiday Promenade, etc. Field Reservations and Summer Aquatics TRACKS Activity Center, (TAC) and Youth Activity Center (YAC), and Camp Claremont City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 3 Council, Commission & Committees City Council City County is the primary governing body for the City of Claremont possessing legislative powers, such as passing ordinances, appropriating funds, and providing policy direction to the City Manager. The City Council is comprised of five members elected at large for four years. The mayor and the mayor pro tem are elected directly by the City Council from among its members. The mayor is the presiding officer at council meetings, with the mayor pro tem filling that role in the mayor’s absence. Both the mayor and the mayor pro tem have the same voting power as any other council member. Meetings are scheduled the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Community and Human Services Commission (C&HSC) The CHS Commission serves as an intermediary between the Human Services and Community Services Departments and City Council. Like Council, they are able to take action on items under their purview and make policy recommendations to staff as well as Council. The committees serving under the C&HSC are as follows: Committee on Aging (COA) The goal of the COA is to advocate for seniors and facilitate their access to a full range of programs, activities and services that enrich their lives, and to actively promote a just and equitable intercultural society that fosters positive human relations. Committee on Human Relations (CoHR) The Committee on Human Relations (CoHR) is composed of community volunteers who promote improved human relations, civic peace, and understanding of all persons in all aspects of community life. The CoHR actively supports community outreach efforts that foster understanding of the diverse nature of the residents of Claremont and the issues concerning them. Committee on Youth & Family (COYF) The objective of the Committee on Youth & Family (COYF) is to facilitate implementation, coordination, and evaluation of the Youth and Family Master Plan. Independence Day Committee (IDC) Facilitates a fitting commemoration of the National Independence Day in the community and affords an opportunity for every age group in the City to participate in a total community event. City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 4 Public Art Committee (PAC) Pending – Will be appointed in 2015. Youth Sports Committee (YSC) The mission of the Youth Sports Committee is to be fair and equitable in coordinating the needs of all youth sports groups in the community while managing the City and School District's resources, identify and anticipate future facility and maintenance needs, and to oversee fair and equitable consideration to all sports groups in the community. Teen Committee The Claremont Teen Committee’s mission is to represent the needs of Claremont youth by adding a youth voice to Claremont politics and accomplishing goals that help support Claremont teens in their community. “Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country.” -Franklin D. Roosevelt City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 5 City Guiding Documents In addition to the Municipal Code and the City Ordinances, there are a number of guiding documents and plans that guide the decision making process within Claremont. These are as follows: Adopted Budget FY 2014-16 (updated every other year) Claremont Hills Wilderness Park Master Plan Council Priorities (updated annually) Economic Sustainability Report Public Art Master Plan General Plan Youth and Family Master Plan Senior Master Plan Sustainability Plan Note: Up-to-date copies of these documents may be accessed through empnet. City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 6 Claremont Demographics Claremont is a college town on the eastern border of Los Angeles County, California, United States, 32.5 miles (52.3 km) east of downtown Los Angeles. Claremont is located at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and Claremont Colleges are located there. Claremont is known for its many educational institutions, its tree-lined streets, and its historic buildings. In July 2007, it was rated by CNN/Money Magazine as the fifth best place to live in the United States, and was the highest rated place in California on the list. Due to its large number of trees and residents with doctoral degrees, it is sometimes referred to as "The City of Trees and PhDs.” Census 2010 Data Population: Size: Founded: Incorporated: Form of Government: 34,926 14.14 square miles April 1887 October 3, 1907 Council/manager Climate: Annual average temperature (degrees F) = 63 Annual average rainfall (inches) = 17.3 Elevation (feet above sea level) = 1,150 Natural Amenities: 23 City-owned parks and sports fields with 1,788 acres of public parkland of which 1,769 is wilderness. Also included is Thompson Creek Trail, a linear park following a 2.8-mile paved trail. Claremont has been a winner of National Arbor Day Association's Tree City USA award for over 20 years. Infrastructure: 128 miles surfaced streets 117 miles sewer lines 231 miles sidewalks 127 street medians and parkways 23 public buildings 110 City vehicles 4,000 street signs 2,596 street and park lights 24,187 city trees City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 7 Census 2010 Data Continued Demographics: Median Age 5 and under 5-19 years 20-34 years 35-44 years 45-64 years 65 and older 38.6 years 7.2% 12.8% 21.2% 11.1% 25.7% 16.6% Ethnicity: White Hispanic or Latino Asian & Pacific Islander Other 75.2% 19.8% 16.2% 6.8% Income: Average household income $105,759 Median household income $78,376 Housing: Median housing value: Households: Average household size: $476,100 11,121 2.54 Education: Master's Degree Bachelor's degree Some College High School Graduate Doctorate Degree Associate Degree Professional Degree 29.9% 24.7% 19.4% 12.1% 9.3% 6.7% 3.3% City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 8 What is Marketing? Marketing is the art of communicating your service or product in a manner that causes your audience to feel they need / want what you have and are willing to pay for it. In the public (non-profit) sector, the “pay” is typically energy, effort, commitment, and one of today’s most precious commodities; “time.” Marketing of City sponsored programs should entice the public to spend their time in City programs, classes, and events. The City of Claremont Human Services Department’s success is gauged by enrollments and increased participation in classes and events, while providing an experience that “delights the customer.” You can have fantastic marketing campaigns; however, if positive customer service does not back up the marketing, the program will fail. Customers that are delighted will return to more events and tell others about their “delightful” experience. This experience could be the actual class or event, or the ease of on-line registration through www.claremontrec.com. One thing to be aware of is that, Marketing is not Advertising. Advertising is a blatant attempt to sell your company, product, or service, usually created without regard for the needs of the people who might read it. It is usually created based on what the company wants to sell or “push” on readers. Keep in mind, advertising is needed and does serve a purpose. Marketing incorporates research, developing & building a marketing strategy, implementing the plan and monitoring the success of the plan. “The aim of marketing is to know and understand the customer so well the product or service fits him and sells itself.” -Peter Drucker City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 9 Traditional Marketing Tools – At a Glance Recreation & Activities Guide Primary marketing piece for the Human Services Department. Includes all program information, news updates, and important community contacts. Distribution: 16,000 –City homes, businesses, and offices Publishes: Quarterly by Season (March, June, September, December) Deadline: Varies – Contact Human Services Brochure Editor City Letter Primary City information piece for residents. Focuses on community news, developments, and information. Distribution: 11,000 – City Homes and City offices Publishes: Quarterly by Season (March, June, September, December) Deadline: Varies – Contact City Manager’s Office Public Information Officer City Manager’s Weekly Update Primary City information piece for residents. Focuses on community news, developments, and information. Press Release Traditional form of making news announcements to local press agencies. This is a great way to receive free publicity. However, press agencies reserve the right to pick and choose what they will publish. Paid Advertising Print advertising can be purchased in a variety of periodicals. This is useful for broad audiences. City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 10 Online Marketing Tools www.ci.claremont.ca.us The primary source of information for all activities. Links to City App. Publishes: As Needed Deadline: 2-3 weeks before your program date. www.claremontrec.com Registration hub for all City activities. Senior Clicks Monthly electronic newsletter for the Claremont Senior Program. Social Media The City Manager has suspended all social media usage until a policy has been approved by City Council. Independent contractors, residents, and program participants, may choose to share program information on their own accord using social media; however, these messages are not endorsed by the City. City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 11 Developing a Marketing Plan Developing a Marketing Strategy typically incorporates the following: Targeting To whom are you going to market your products and services? Positioning How are you going to differentiate yourself from competitors? Attributes What makes your program or service desirable? Marketing How are you going to reach the target and with what message? Pricing Is there a fee for your service? Is it in line with the perceived value or what your customer is willing to pay? If it is a free service, is it something that people want? Distribution What channels will you use to sell the product or service? Time Frame What is your timeline? Are there deadlines? Do you need to create a sense of urgency or is this an ongoing amenity? Customer Service How will you manage additional customer needs? Measuring Results Is your plan working? How do you know? Why or why not? All of these areas must always keep the customer in mind first and foremost. We can create the greatest underwater basket weaving class available; however, if your customers don’t want or need this skill, the class participation will be zero. “The real voyage of discovery lies not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” -Marcel Proust City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 12 Elements of a Marketing Strategy Key elements to a Marketing Strategy include: Branding Media Relations Public Service Announcements Press Releases Public & Community Relations Advertising & Promotions Public Speaking It isn’t always necessary to use all of these Elements to have a successful campaign. It is important to leverage the elements you use and get the most out of the integration of these elements. You must have an overall plan and objective when you set out creating your Marketing Strategy. “Great companies that build an enduring brand have an emotional relationship with customers that has no barrier. And that emotional relationship is on the most important characteristic, which is trust.” -Howard Schultz City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 13 What is Branding? A brand is a name, term, sign, symbol, logo, tagline, design, graphic identity, image, or a combination of these, intended to identify the goods or services of a business or organization. This branding differentiates one organization from another and is their “essence.” In establishing a “Brand” it is critical to deliver consistent image features and benefits. Think of the Nike “swoosh”, the Pillsbury Doughboy, the Campbell Soup kids. All of these names immediately provide you with an image of the logo, their product, even the jingle or tagline that goes along with the commercials. Brands provide information, reinforce recognition, and inspire confidence. You see the “golden arches” and you know exactly what the hamburger is going to taste like, what the interior is going to reflect, the menu style, and staff uniforms. McDonald’s franchisees adhere to strict image and branding guidelines. Do you call carbonated beverages soda, pop, or is it all “Coke?” The Southern tradition is to call everything Coca-Cola. It is customarily acknowledged that various flavors are simply variations on the original. When you sneeze do you ask for a tissue or a Kleenex? Tissue is the product—Kleenex is a brand. Some current “Brands” of the City of Claremont Human Services Department: Claremont Recreation & Activities Guide Claremont Hills Wilderness Park Claremont’s Fourth of July Celebration Claremont Senior Program Halloween Spooktacular Making Change www.claremontrec.com City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 14 Steps to Marketing a Program and/or Event Before starting a marketing plan, ask yourself the following questions... 1. What do you want to accomplish? Having a goal in mind makes creating a plan easier. By having a clear destination, you can set a work plan and track your success. Example: We want to have a workshop that is attended by 20-30 people 2. Who do you want to reach? Identifying your target audience will assist you in selecting the type of media to use. Example: We want to have a workshop that is attended by 20-30 people, grades 9-12, that are interesting in going into college. 3. What is your budget? Establishing a budget determines how the program/event gets publicized. Flyers and ads cost money but press releases and website listings do not. Most programs and events can be publicized through earned media (newspaper coverage, etc.) and free media such as websites and newsletters. Consider what resources you have available to you and plan around them. 4. What is the message? Remember the old standards of writing: Who, What, When, Where, and Why? Besides including the critical information (Where & When) the key message is the What & Why in your marketing plan. What is so special or exciting that will motivate your audience to take action? Why is it important that they participate? Once you have identified the What and Why you can craft a call to action. Example: Health professionals at the Wellness Expo will be give free flu shots to seniors on February 2 from10am to 2pm. Flu shots have been proven to minimize the severity of complications from the flu in seniors. The CDC estimates that 200,000 people are hospitalized yearly due to the flu, and 36,000 people die each year from seasonal flu-related symptoms. City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 15 City Letter and Recreation & Activities Guide The City Letter and Recreation & Activities Guide are great ways to get information out about your program or activity. Both are published quarterly and are sent to all Claremont residents. City Letter News stories, announcements, and services to the community. Revenue generating programs are not typically featured. Recreation & Activities Guides All Human Services Department activities, contract classes, department news, and resources available to the community. Revenue generating programs are heavily featured. City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 16 Flyers Flyers are an important medium used in marketing a product, event, or service. When you create a flyer there are a few questions you should ask yourself. Is my flyer persuasive? Does it have all the information and directions that I would need if I knew nothing of the product, event, or service? Would I spend money on this product, event, or service if I saw the flyer? Important Elements to Include: Who The City and the Human Services Department should both be mentioned on the flyer and the logos should always be included. Include information on who is putting on the event or providing the service and include who is sponsoring it. What Specify the product, event, or service and clarify any information about the product, event, or service that someone would need to know. Where Specify the location of the event or service. Where can people sign-up? What phone number do they need to call? When Specify the date when the event or service will occur. Be specific about the time. What times can someone sign-up? Why Explain why someone should sign-up, attend the event, or buy whatever product or service that you are providing? Additional Tips: Include interesting elements such as photos or graphics. Create an attention-grabbing tagline or “hook” to add excitement to the flyer, but make sure the document is not too cluttered. Always remember to proofread your flyer. Go through the proper mediums for approval and distribution of the flyers. Distribute to City facilities and ask any partners or sponsors if they will distribute the flyer. When using the school districts remember that certain restrictions apply and so see your coordinator for direction. City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 17 Flyer Example City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 18 Press Release A press release is a marketing tool that tells the press what is new, interesting, and exciting about your service offerings. It is important to immediately capture the attention of busy editors by keeping your release short and concise. Any press release or media contact should be review by the Public Information Officer prior to distribution. This includes a simple easy to read format with six basic elements: Release Information The date you are making this information available to the public. Contact Information Names, title, and phone number of who to contact for more information. This is typically Supervisor, Manager, or the City’s Public Information Officer. Headline The main point of the article – grab the reader’s attention! Dateline City and state of origin. Text Who, what, when, where, and why. Positioning Statement Define the City of Claremont Human Department and subdivision (if applicable). Services When writing a press release, put yourself in the situation of the newspaper reader. Ask yourself, “Is the story informative or entertaining to me?” If I knew nothing about this topic does the press release answer the elements of “Who, What, Where, When and Why”? And most importantly, why would someone want to know about this? City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 19 Press Release Example City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 20 Weekly Update and Senior Clicks Electronic newsletters are a powerful resource for communicating information to the public. These documents are free, produced in-house, and are often able to hold a stable audience. City Manager’s Weekly Update This weekly email covers all area of the City, not just Human Services. All articles must be submitted in a timely manner, maintain an active voice, and promote upcoming activities. Staff should avoid submitting any items in past tense. Senior Clicks This monthly newsletter is a popular resource for active adults. It is formatted to read as a Calendar of events and social outings for the community. While most of the content is specific to those 55 years and older, community events and family activities are often featured. This cohort is very active in the community and likes to get their family involved. Tip: Watch for other newsletter, bloggers, faith-based organizations, and social groups in the community that might be interested in your information. It is a good idea to keep a spreadsheet of these contents that you can forward your press releases and flyers to when appropriate. City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 21 Media Relations A powerful way to deliver your message to the community and customers is to use the local media. In order to be successful, we must be strategic in how we work with the media and what information we offer to them. The proper way to reach media is through press releases. However, personal connections with media can allow for greater interest in your programs. In all cases, you must be able to share compelling, newsworthy information that is factual and of community interest. Before contacting the media, it is our practice to work with the City’s Public Information Officer to ensure consistent messaging. Think of media publicity as smart, free, super-advertising. Popular culture devours news content. Published articles are from a third party viewpoint, which grants instant credibility in the eyes of most readers. If used correctly, the media can be your best friend. It’s critical to be aware that this relationship should be treated with respect and never be abused. Be respectful of the reporter’s time. Submit press releases in a timely manner in order for reporters to have enough time to pick up the story. Send it through the approval process several weeks before the event to better your odds. Provide all the specific information regarding what your event or program is and personalize it with quotes from someone involved. Provide an interesting story angle or “hook.” In a crisis situation, refrain from speaking with the media. Leave those questions and comments to those trained to handle crisis situations. City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 22 Public Speaking When you are introduced to someone, inevitably the question is asked: “What do you do?” Regardless of the position you hold in any organization, you should always have your “30second pitch” ready to go. Sales people began this practice of the art of the “30-second elevator pitch.” The elevator created, on average, a 30-second perfect opportunity to introduce themselves and their product to a captive audience. How do you feel when asked to participate in a public speaking opportunity? Most people have a slight (and sometimes incredible) fear of public speaking. It’s ok, just be yourself and have fun. Informal Script: “Hi, I’m Jane Doe. I am a Recreation Leader for the City of Claremont Human Services Department at the Hughes Community Center. I can help you with any questions you have about our programs and activities.” It is critical for the speaker to know your audience. Tailor remarks, quote statistics, or use testimonials to promote your programs: “The Aquatics program is phenomenal! It teaches essential life skills that everyone should have. In fact, we have even seen that the skills learned can save the lives of others!” Formal Presentations - Prepare / Practice and get Personal Have your material ready several days before you are set to speak so you can focus on practicing instead of preparing. Has the group you are addressing recently been in the news or recognized for an achievement? Congratulate them. Every speech has three objectives: To Intrigue To Inform To Inspire Tips for Delivery Visual Aids PowerPoint and videos can reinforce your message and help to include your audience. Look Good Dressing professional helps reinforce your image. It also shows that you respect your audience and take them seriously. City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 23 Body Language Non-verbal communication, gestures, attitude, and your voice can make a tremendous impact on whether people pay attention to you and how well they remember what you said. Prep Them Let the audience know where you are going and what you are going to say. Engaging Tell them what you said and check for understanding by asking questions. Allow discussions or plan activities. Use visual aids and the audience’s own experiences to reinforce the points that you want to make. Don’t Read Use notes to remind you of key themes and factual details. Speak in a conversational style rather than a monotone manner. Use gestures as you move around. Do not read your PowerPoint slide line by line. Momentum Have a flow with graceful transitions. Build up energy and sustain it. Follow-up Send thank you notes to the function planner and whoever asked you to speak. Is there a question you do not have the answer to? Tell them you will follow-up after the presentation and then get them the information they requested as soon you have it. PowerPoint Tips Plan at least one minute for a slide Keep it simple – Design your presentation for the people at the back of the room. Do not read your presentation, use it as a cue for more engaging conversation Limit bullet points and text – avoid paragraphs Use high-quality graphics Customize your theme to make a professional impact – think about the colors you use Build in time for question and answer Have someone proofread for you, a second set of eyes is always helpful PRACTICE! Name Badge Etiquette Wear name badges on the right hand side. This puts your name in the direct line of sight for those greeting you as they shake your hand. City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 24 Typography The Claremont Human Services Department’s standard typeface is Gill Sans MT. The font is an integral part of the overall identification and essential for a consistent brand across all media communications. The default size for body text is 12. Font size 8 is the absolute minimum. Gill Sans MT abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 1234567890.,;:’‘&!?$’ Gill Sans MT Italic abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 1234567890.,;:’‘&!?$ Gill Sans MT Bold abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 1234567890.,;:’‘&!?$ Gill Sans MT Bold Italic abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 1234567890.,;:’‘&!?$ Note: Other City correspondences and marketing materials such as staff reports, press releases, and the City Letter may have their own distinct style guides and font format, which override that of the department. Please consult your supervisor or the City’s Public Information Officer before modifying fonts on any existing templates. City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 25 Written Content Best Practices Know Your Audience All correspondences and marketing should be written to the appropriate audience. For serious topics, maintain a professional tone with a sense of authority. For recreation programs and events playful language and colorful adjectives may be used. Serious: The Human Services Department is pleased to announce… Whimsical: Have fun with your tot! Our Mommy & Me Kid’s Camp combines fun-filled activities… Keep It Simple Use short, concise sentences and paragraphs. Grab the reader and say more with less. Avoid repetitive language and unnecessary filler. Again – Know your audience and write to them. Bad: Tennis Anyone is the premier provider of tennis classes for your youth. Our youth tennis classes… Good: Get in the swing of things with Tennis Anyone! Youth classes start Monday, October 13, 2014. Active Voice Whenever possible, write in the active voice rather than the passive voice. In the active voice, the word order is subject–verb–object. Example: The Community and Human Services Commission will review all CBO applications. Emphasize the Positive People are generally more receptive to positive messages, even if it is bad news. Good: Applicants must meet the program qualifications in order to qualify. Bad: Only applicants that meet the program qualifications may apply. Telephone Numbers, Addresses, and Websites Whenever possible, telephone numbers, addresses, and websites should be contained to one line and should be formatted as follows: Phone (909) 399-5488 – include area code in parentheses Address Alexander Hughes Community Center, 1700 Danbury Road Website www.claremontrec.com – all lowercase Time On the hour, times are written — without zeros and with numerals — as follows: Example: The class starts at 8 a.m. Times not on the hour are written with numerals and with colons separating the hour indicators from the minute indicators: Example: The class starts at 8:30 a.m. City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 26 Date Dates should be written out as month, day, year. Example: Join us on Monday, October 13, 2015 for a complimentary class. The Semicolon The semicolon is principally used to join two closely related independent clauses. When in doubt, use a comma or split the sentences. Example: Register today; space is limited! OR Register Today! Space is limited. Commas Commas usually travel in pairs. Example: City Manager Tony Ramos, joined by Human Services Director Anne Turner, today announced funding for the new program. Use a comma before the final and when providing a list. Example: Forms will be made available at City Hall, Alexander Hughes Community Center, Joslyn Center, and the Youth Activity Center. Initialism & Acronyms Your reader may not know the meaning of an initialism or acronym, so spell or define it the first time it is used and follow with the short form in parenthesis. Keep in mind that many of the terms commonly used in government are not known to an average reader. Example: The California Park and Recreation Society (CPRS) presented the City of Claremont with… Numbers in a Sentence Use words for cardinal and ordinal numbers less than 10. Example: This fun-filled two-day workshop will teach your tot the fundamentals of soccer! For cardinal and ordinal numbers greater than or equal to 10 use numerals. Example: Over 2,400 meals are served each month by the Elderly Nutrition Program. Money References to sums of money should be expressed in numerals to ensure clarity. Whenever appropriate, set activity fees to whole numbers ending with 0, 5, or 9. These are generally more attractive to consumers. Include decimals points for amounts less than $10. Example: Drop in any day for just $6.00! Example: The suggested donation is $3.50. Example: The two-day trip is only $259! Sentence Spacing With today’s word processing software automatically inserting the necessary spacing after periods it is not necessary to double space between sentences. City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 27 Quotation Marks Use only when referencing a source or new terminology. Example: According to Human Services Director Anne Turner, “This new program is a milestone for the Human Services Department.” Example: This meditative class teaches the fundamentals of good “chi.” Titles All titles should be in standard title case unless referring to a published material. Example: The Goltz Judo Club is among the largest groups under the US Judo Association. Example: The Friends of the Claremont Library will be discussing the novel Fahrenheit 451. Use Preferred Terms for Sensitive Groups Be careful when referring to sensitive groups (age, race, ethnicity, handicap, etc.) Make sure you are using modern terminology. Bulleted Lists When making a bulleted list, be sure to include lead-in language ending in a colon. Each listed item should begin with the first letter capitalized. Periods are only necessary for full sentences. Example: Forms may be submitted to the following locations: - Alexander Hughes Community Center Joslyn Center TRACKS Activity Center Artistic License Special circumstances may allow for deviation from standards and best practices outlined in the Claremont Marketing Toolkit. Please see a Supervisor, Manager, or Public Information Officer, before releasing these materials to the public. Commonly Misused Human Services Items Wrong: Right: Hughes Center 4th of July Joslyn Senior Center Community & Human Services Department Community & Human Services Commission Blaisdell Center Alexander Hughes Community Center Fourth of July Joslyn Center Human Services Department Community and Human Services Commission Blaisdell Community Center City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 28 Pronunciation The following words are commonly mispronounced in the community: Cahuilla kuh-wee-uh Padua paj-oo-uh Pétanque Pay-tonk City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 29 Email Signature Email signatures may be the most overlooked, under-appreciated, and cost-effective marketing tool at any company’s disposal. For this reason, the email signature as essential component of the Human Services brand. It shows cohesion as a team, it reinforces the brand promise, and demonstrates professionalism. Your email signature should be setup as follows: First Last, Position Title City of Claremont | Human Services | Division Name 1234 Street Name | Claremont, CA 91711 909.???.???? x??? | 909.???.???? (f) [email protected] | www.ci.claremont.ca.us Online Registration: www.claremontrec.com Font: Gill Sans MT Size: 11 Color: Black, Text 1, 15% Lighter Tip: Create a Word Document with your signature that you can modify as you need to. Copy and pasting this over will guantree that everyones spaciing is uniform. City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 30 Graphic Standards In most cases you will want to stick with the familiar JPEG format. However, many professional printing jobs may ask for a different file type than what you are familiar with. Here is a summary of common file types used in marketing: JPEG - Joint Photographic Experts Group Use the jpeg format for Web and e-mail. The jpeg format is the most common format for photographic images on the Web. Quality degrades at sizes greater than 100%. EPS – Encapsulated Postscript Use the eps format for lithographic printing and other uses which demand resolution independent graphics. Quality does not degrade, regardless of size. External vendors often request graphics in eps format. TIFF – Tagged Image File Format Use the tif format for documents and small projects produced in-house: i.e. letters, memos, and informal invitations. GIF – Graphics Interchange Format Use the gif format for Web and e-mail. The gif format is most commonly used in simple animations. Quality degrades at sizes greater than 100%. PNG – Portable Network Graphics Use the png format for Web and e-mail. PNG is the successor to gif for single images (no animation) demanding color fidelity. Quality degrades at sizes greater than 100%. City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 31 HS Logo Treatments City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 32 Incorporating Additional Logos When using multiple logos on a marketing piece of correspondence please make sure that the logo hierarchy is respected. City Seal The City of Claremont seal precedes all other logos. It should be used on all formal correspondences and city-wide events. For a less formal look, you can use the secondary logo. Colors may depend on treatment but should be professional unless artistic license is permitted. Human Services Department Logo The Human Services Division logo may be used independent of the City logo for department correspondences and smaller marketing pieces. When combined with other logos it follows the City seal and precedes all division logos. Human Services Division Logos There are a number of assorted logos under the Human Services Department. These follow the City Seal and Human Services logo. California Parks and Recreation Society (CPRS) Parks Make Life Better Logo CPRS created a statewide branding campaign to be used by local park and recreation agencies. The goal of the Parks Make Life Better!® branding campaign is to raise awareness of the benefits of parks and recreation throughout California and to raise the status of parks and recreation as an essential community service. When all 525 park and recreation agencies in California unite under one banner and communicate clearly and concisely the key messages of the Parks Make Life Better!® branding campaign, brand objectives will be reached: Build loyalty for parks and recreation services Heighten the profession's bargaining power and independence Stimulate growth Attract talented people to the profession Involve the public Gain greater resources and support Note: The Parks Makes Life Better Logo! Follows all City logos City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 33 Partner Logos Certain occasions warrant the combination of the City logo with partner agencies. These circumstances often greatly vary and may be political. Please consult a supervisor or manager when faced with these situations. If no preference is stated by the other party, assume that City logo style guide prevails and list their logo following the City’s. Sizing Aim to have all logos in the same size and line. At no point should any logo be bigger than that of the City seal. Be careful to avoid stretching logos out of their standard orientation or sizing things so small that they cannot be read. Examples: City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 34 Color Trends and Schemes One of the most exciting parts about marketing is developing a color scheme and paying attention to trends. Take for example the Pantone color of the year. These colors are typically adopted globally and can be seen in marketing, merchandising, and fashions. Pay attention to color schemes and other marketing sources to gather inspiration for your own projects. There are also a number of websites that can help you build a coordinated color scheme. Please remember to respect the style guide for in-house logos. City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 35 Stock Photography, Program Photos, and Clip Art They say a picture tells 1,000 words. This is very true when it comes to marketing programs, activities, and services. Think critically when choosing your images to make sure it is a good representative of the program and try to use photographs whenever possible, as they are more attractive with today’s design aesthetics. Tools like Google Image Search can be very helpful in getting ideas, but be sure that you have the rights to reuse animage before sending it out to the public. The last thing you want is a cease and desist from the owner of the image. For an easy no-cost alternative, try the Microsoft Office Image Search. Be sure to avoid warping or distorting images. Grabbing by the corners on most programs will resize the image without stretching it. Also, whenever possible, try to portray a diverse population of program users. Stock photos can often be limited in ethnic diversity. Good: Bad: City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 36 Measuring Results and Surveys When evaluating your marketing plan look for quantifiable data that supports it. Ask yourself if the ad increased participation and by what amount. Does the cost of the ad outweigh its benefits? Try experimenting with different marketing combinations to find out what works best. Track your results by creating a spreadsheet or watching your participation numbers and/or revenues. Surveys are a great way to find out how your participants find out about your programs. They can be done onsite by distributing hard copies or by using online resources like Survey Monkey, which the City has an account for. When using surveys, consider asking the following questions to better understand your audience and whether or not your marketing is successful: Referral Source Brochure, Flyer, Newspaper, etc. Demographics Age, Gender, Residency, etc. Cost Is the activity a good value or overpriced? Repeatability Would you participate again or tell a friend? Honest Feedback What did you like? What didn’t you like? In addition to these questions, consider the following best practices when developing your survey: Make it Flow – Respect the Respondents Time Keep it Short and Simple – Don’t Overcomplicate It Avoid Double-Barreled Questions – One Question, One Answer Randomize the Order of Questions – Avoid Priming and Bias Be Specific – Ask What You Want to Know Incorporate Scale Points (e.g. from one to five) – Stay Consistent Consider Offering Rewards or Incentives – Why Should I Take This? Test Your Survey Finally, track your results. Excel and Survey Monkey have a number of features that can be used to analyze the results of your data, including charts that help visualize the data. City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 37 Survey Example City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 38 Using the Toolkit It’s time now for you to assist in the City of Claremont Human Services Department in being the most cohesive and well-branded recreation department! Think about what your ultimate goal will be. Do you want to increase attendance of a class or a Community event? What are you going to do to reach this goal? Newspapers, radio, flyers, community relations, or a combination of marketing elements. What’s the best way to reach your target? Think about what you’re trying to accomplish. Begin planning your marketing strategy several months before your program or event. Marketing is more successful as a planned strategy not a reactionary response. Outline the elements of your marketing strategy that you will utilize and assign due dates to yourself of each of the elements. Create a check-list to assist you in with your marketing strategy and stick to it. “Be the change you are trying to create.” -Mahatma Gandhi City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 39 Templates A number of helpful templates are saved ion the Human Services shared network drive: P:\New Human Services Department Network Drive\Admin\Marketing Tools\Marketing Toolkit Directory: 1 Event Flyer 2 Press Release 3 Signature for Emails City of Claremont Human Services Department | Marketing Toolkit 40