Mississippi Lakes Association A Real Life Example of How Good Communication Pays Off Rob Bell President, Mississippi Lake Association rob.m.bell@gmail.com Dave Hands Chairman, MLA Communications Committee davehands123@gmail.com Rob

Lake Links - Communications Agenda MLA Transition – Committee Structure Communications Requirements Timely Public Transitional The Communications Committee The PAYOFF!! Rob October 22, 2016 Lake Links - Communications

Mississippi Lakes Association Transition Lake plan project begins 2012 – adoption 2015 Lake plan implementation requires more volunteers and better organization “Lean” Committee Structure Communications Environment Boating and Recreation Rob October 22, 2016 Lake Links - Communications

Communications: Getting Started Build the Team What is our message? Communications Survey Are we ready for a Logo or “Brand”? Existing Communications Platforms: Web Site, Mississippi Belle, Facebook Where are the communications gaps? Is our message being delivered in a timely way? Are our communications vehicles cost-effective? Dave October 22, 2016 Lake Links - Communications

Lake Links - Communications Our Original Web Site: Not mobile-friendly Outdated content Outdated look & feel Awkward navigation Cumbersome to update Requires HTML- know-how Dave October 22, 2016 Lake Links - Communications

Our new Web Site: mississippilakesassociation.org Dave Responsive, dynamic, colourful, easily updated October 22, 2016 Lake Links - Communications

Lake Links - Communications The Mississippi Belle Published annually 3000 copies 46 Advertisers 1000 hours $1,000. net return Dave 2015 2016 October 22, 2016 Lake Links - Communications

Lake Links - Communications Facebook Facebook The go-to place for information and comment Quick and easy to update Instantaneous, immediate A traffic-driver Dave October 22, 2016 Lake Links - Communications

Your Mississippi Minute: e-news E-mail list and advertisers Published 7-times a year Information digest Links to the web site Advertising opportunity Dave October 22, 2016 Lake Links - Communications

Lake Links - Communications Mississippi Belle On Line Our lake magazine goes digital. Always fresh, always current and our entire library is archived and searchable. Dave October 22, 2016 Lake Links - Communications

Public Association Information New website based on Joomla open source technology Content Management System; anyone can contribute Hosted externally at ‘Hosting Nation’ Locally managed by RAD Media Rob October 22, 2016 Lake Links - Communications

Transitional: Print to Electronic Begins with Your Mississippi Minute Current project: Mississippi Belle Online Resides within the website Formally edited content updated monthly Searchable archive of historical articles stretching back 12+ years Dave October 22, 2016 Lake Links - Communications

The MLA Communications Committee Meets regularly to brainstorm ideas Contributes to media content Workload divided among members: Web Site, Your Mississippi Minute, Face Book, Mississippi Belle on Line Interacts with the community – Carleton Place Home Show; Bridge Street Bazaar Manages all communications and the MLA Brand Dave October 22, 2016 Lake Links - Communications

Lake Links - Communications The PAYOFF!! Elimination of $9000+ annual printing costs Timely communications Member engagement and retention Visibility and recognition Dave October 22, 2016 Lake Links - Communications

Lake Links - Communications Thanks for Listening! Any questions? All October 22, 2016 Lake Links - Communications