URL Shorteners for Evaluaton Susan Kistler

1. What is a URL shortener? 2. How do I use one? 3. Why do I care? Overview 1. What is a URL shortener? 2. How do I use one? 3. Why do I care?

What is a URL shortener?

URL SHORTENERS Turn this: http://comm.eval.org/EVAL/EVAL/Resources/ViewDocument/Default.aspx?DocumentKey=c1cdc062-463f-4b60-92e6-d9fe6ebd8b01 (142 Characters) Into this: http://bit.ly/alWYzA (20 Characters) Or this: http://bit.ly/PreskillGraphic

TWITTER sends announcements via 140 character headlines – each character is at a premium

How do I use one?

1. Bit.ly: http://bit.ly/ 2. Hootsuite: http://hootsuite.com/ Two Examples 1. Bit.ly: http://bit.ly/ 2. Hootsuite: http://hootsuite.com/

Why do I care?

Uses for Evaluation Theory of Action – starts with a click 1. Split samples to test communications 2. Tracking of timing and volume of clicks 3. Comparison of different modes of outreach (email, website, newsletter, etc.) 4. Insight into client communications

Questions?