WELCOME Messages Development

Overview Consistent, frequent messages build familiarity with your constituents (prospective students, alumni, funding agencies, etc.). Public Affairs

Developing Messages Purpose of Messages Closely tied to your goals and objectives Deliver important information that compel the audience to think, feel or act Agreed upon set of statements that convey key information Public Affairs

Developing Messages Factors that help determine public acceptance of messages: Clarity Consistency Main points Tone and appeal Credibility Public need Public Affairs

Developing Messages Why do your constituents choose your programs, services, and benefits? What benefit do you provide or need do you fulfill? Public Affairs

Developing Messages 1. If you could use just one word to describe the overall mission of your organization, what would that be? Public Affairs

Developing Messages 2. If you could use up to five words to describe the overall mission of the organization, what would those words be? Public Affairs

Developing Messages 3. Briefly, how would you describe your organization to someone who has never heard of it before? Public Affairs

Developing Messages 4. Name five colleges/units/organizations that you would classify as your “peers.” Next to the name of each, write one key characteristic or factor that distinguishes you from them. Public Affairs

Developing Messages 5. Name the three that, in your mind, are a cut above your organization. Public Affairs

Developing Messages 5. Name the three that, in your mind, are a cut above. Next to the name of each, write one characteristic or factor that may give that organization a competitive edge over you. Public Affairs

Developing Messages 6. Write down ten words you would like Joseph White and Richard Herman to use in describing your unit. Public Affairs

Developing Messages 7. Write down five words you hope key campus administrators won’t use in describing you. Public Affairs

Developing Messages 8. Write down five words you would use to describe the personality of your unit. Public Affairs

Developing Messages 9. What unfair image or misleading stereotype about you would you get rid of if you could? Public Affairs

Developing Messages 10. Name three benefits that your constituents derive from your programs. Public Affairs

Developing Messages 11. Name three things that you do better than most of your peers. Name one thing that you do better than any other peer program/college/institution you know of. Public Affairs

Developing Messages 12. (Colleges) Name up to three disciplines that are good enough to be “Top 5” but aren’t always ranked that way. Public Affairs

Developing Messages 13. If the college/unit/program disappeared tomorrow, what would your constituents miss the most. (That is, what couldn’t they get from other places on campus, through other services, the Internet, etc.) Public Affairs

Wrap-up/Evaluation Please send any additional thoughts or ideas to: Facilitator address Thank you! Public Affairs