1. Inspiring great Connecticut downtowns, Main Street by Main Street.

2. Christine Schilke Communications Manager
Message in a bottle:
How Board members can easily improve MSW’s visibility & fundraising prospects
Christine Schilke Communications Manager

3. What are we going to talk about?
What is messaging?
ID three types
Provide specific examples of each
Easy, Moderate & Complex options
Q&A
Cheat Sheet

4. What do we mean by “messaging”?
Branding is the what, Messaging is the how
Once you’ve decided what you want people to know about MSW, figure out how your going to tell them
Techniques are generally universal
Applicable to MSW Board, committees, work, life

5. How do we do it? Create a plan Improvise & Evolve Can be informal
Incremental is best
Start small until it becomes automatic
Build on successes
Improvise & Evolve
Steal ideas when you see them
Toss what doesn’t work, keep what does
Not everyone has to do the same thing!
Formal/informal – Can talk about this at Board meetings, for instance participating on a Task Force or as part of a Comm Plan (ie legislative) Can just send an with an event and say, can someone go.

6. Be an Ambrassador Promote MSW & the downtown: In person In writing
Social media/
new technology
You are on the MSW Board for a reason. Do what you do best, and you will help MSW in the process.

7. Showing Up Is Half the Battle
Easy
Attend a MSW event
Wear a lapel pin
Say you’re from MSW during introductions
Moderate
Attend an out-of-network event on MSW’s behalf
Complex
Initiate/organize a meeting for MSW
Provide strategic direction in your area of expertise
Do a presentation for/about MSW
Shelly attending our workshops; Bernard providing guidance on who we talk to from the legislature; Dave Sousa moderating our SNEAPA session

8. Example: Where There’s a Mill, There’s a Way
Did you meet a potential funder? Someone who can help you achieve one of your goals (like a possible consultant, partner, supporter?) Steps: Decide who will attend; Tell people you’ll be there; Network for MSW while you’re there
Organize follow-up meetings with Carl

9. The Write Stuff Op-Eds Reports Letters on behalf of MSW Op-Eds Reports

10. The Write Stuff Easy Moderate Complex
Add that you’re a MSW Board member to your signature
Moderate
Contribute to annual report, newsletter, website, thank you letters to volunteers, etc.
Complex
Pen an Op-Ed on behalf of MSW

11. Example: CMSC Board Member Op-Ed
Toni Gold Op-Ed, She’s probably going to do this anyway, but gives us an extra bit of publicity

12. The Board’s Role in Social Media
Participation generally falls into these categories:
Easy – Like & Share
Moderate – Post info, events, news stories, etc.
Complex – Create/ moderate content

13. The Communications Hub The Town Crier See Spot Run
Want a lot of free, easy advertising & networking? Embrace New Technology!
The Must-Haves
Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn
The Communications Hub
Hootsuite = One message, many platforms
The Town Crier
Constant Contact = Electronic news delivery
See Spot Run
Piktocharts = Engaging infographics
Impress a Millennial
Yapp Apps = Create apps for mobile devices
Hootsuite – not so much for the Board to do, but for them to be aware of. If MSW adopts it, there will be a lot more social media usage for the Board to then capitalize on. Also, the Board, if they’re tech savvy can sign themselves up as an individual, and it may be easier for them.
For Each type, Board activity is generally like, share, post. But it can add up quick.

14. The Board’s Role in Social Media
Pics/Examples of our Board sharing our info – Twitter, FB, Website

15. Wine on Main St Event: Bringing It All Together Pre-Event
Promote - social media, forward invites to key attendees
Use contacts to assist with event planning (i.e. business participation, permits, etc)
Fundraise /get sponsors
During Event
Attend
Post live updates on social media
Network for MSW
Post-Event
Talk/write about event (i.e awards/ article placement)
Follow up with funders, new contacts
Follow up with funders – write note of thanks to those who sponsored event; follow up with any new potential funders

16. Recap Three types of messaging Easy, Moderate & Complex examples Q&A
Cheat Sheet

17. Website: www.ctmainstreet.org
Contact Info
Christine Schilke Communications Manager Connecticut Main Street Center
Phone:
Website: