[collaborative-vr] Virtual Reference Marketing Resources

Tue Sep 22 12:02:59 PDT 2020

Hi Sara,

I have not done any formal promotion of the service in a while. However, a
few years ago a colleague and I did a presentation at our state's library
conference on different ways of boosting the visibility of the service. It
was a while back and I'm not able to find any of the material (via vpn) at
the moment. We did have documentation and research for our findings but
here were some key take aways that we noted:
- changing the name of the service from the brand (AskMN or Ask a
Librarian) to Get Help Now (similar to what Bill suggested)
- identify key point of need areas on the website and databases
- place chat widget in course sections (moodle, canvas... worked with
individual teachers on this and identified as Library Resources)

I hope this helps.
Carla

On Tue, Sep 22, 2020 at 12:09 PM Pardue, Bill <bpardue at ahml.info> wrote:

> Hi,
>
>
>
> A very long time ago (2007?!), I did several presentations and also posted
> my slides about marketing VR via effective link/widget placement. It was
> basically following up on ideas I picked up from  a presentation at a
> Virtual Reference conference in San Francisco.
>
>
>
> Anyway, the basic idea is that, while marketing via newsletters, social
> media, handouts, etc. can create “spikes,” effective placement to maximize
> visibility of the VR access point is actually more important than any other
> promotional strategy over the long term. For example, make sure your widget
> is clearly visible on every page—have it “slide” along the edge/bottom as
> you scroll, if possible. Make sure it’s visible from every catalog record
> (catalog record pages make for a high number of referrals to chat). You may
> even consider having a timed pop-up. Of course, in a cooperative/consortium
> environment, this means getting buy-in about placement from member
> institutions, as well.
>
>
>
> Emphasize function (chat) over branding (Ask-A-Lib). Make sure your widget
> has 24/7 functionality, whether it’s a full back-up service,  or a way to
> drop a question for reply when the library is open.
>
>
>
> Anyway, social media and marketing tools have evolved a lot since then,
> but I still think that making your VR service as visible as possible across
> all library service access points is the most important marketing step of
> them all.  And now I get off my soapbox.  😊
>
>
>
> --Bill Pardue
>
>
>
> Bill Pardue – Digital Services Librarian
>
> Arlington Heights Memorial Library
>
> 847.506.2667 / bpardue at ahml.info
> 500 N. Dunton Avenue • Arlington Heights, IL 60004
>
>
>
> *From:* collaborative-vr <collaborative-vr-bounces at omls.oregon.gov> *On
> Behalf Of *Tamara Ottum via collaborative-vr
> *Sent:* Monday, September 21, 2020 2:54 PM
> *To:* Peté, Sara <sara.pete at sos.wa.gov>; Collaborative Virtual Reference <
> collaborative-vr at listsmart.osl.state.or.us>
> *Subject:* Re: [collaborative-vr] Virtual Reference Marketing Resources
>
>
>
> Hi Sara,
>
> I need help in this area as well, and would love to hear what you find out!
>
> -Tamara
>
>
>
>
>
> *Tamara Ottum*
>
> *(she/her)*
>
> Answerland Coordinator
>
> answerland.org
>
> State Library of Oregon | Library Support & Development Services
>
> tamara.ottum at state.or.us | 503-378-6506 <%20(503)%20378-6506> |
> www.oregon.gov/library
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* collaborative-vr [mailto:collaborative-vr-bounces at omls.oregon.gov
> <collaborative-vr-bounces at omls.oregon.gov>] *On Behalf Of *Peté, Sara
> *Sent:* Monday, September 21, 2020 12:37 PM
> *To:* Collaborative Virtual Reference <
> collaborative-vr at listsmart.osl.state.or.us>
> *Subject:* [collaborative-vr] Virtual Reference Marketing Resources
>
>
>
> Hi Everybody,
>
>
>
> Could you do me a favor and please email me any and all resources you have
> created or have found and recommend on the subject of marketing Virtual
> Reference services?
>
>
>
> I’m looking for videos, LibGuides, PDFs, any format really…
>
>
>
> I am particularly interested in these topics but will happily look at
> other recommended resources as well:
>
>    - Marketing statewide Ask A Librarian services (24/7 or not)
>    - Marketing guides for folks using LibAnswers/LibChat
>       - suggested best practices for chat widget set up, for example
>       - examples of libraries or consortiums doing a great job of this
>    - Social media campaign examples
>
>
>
> I will certainly be happy to share what I get compiled.
>
>
>
> Thank you!
>
>
>
> *Sara Peté | **Community Outreach Librarian*
>
> Washington State Library | Office of the Secretary of State
>
> 6880 Capitol Blvd SE, Tumwater, Washington
>
> c: 360-480-1005
>
> sara.pete at sos.wa.gov
>
>
>
> ~connecting Washington through the power of libraries~
>
>
>
> [image: wsl-logo] <https://www.sos.wa.gov/library>     [image: WTBBL]
> <http://www.wtbbl.org/>    [image: wsl colored social icons_Facebook -
> Round] <https://www.facebook.com/WashingtonStateLibrary/>   [image: wsl
> colored social icons_Twitter - Round] <https://twitter.com/WAStateLib>   [image:
> wsl colored social icons_YouTube - Round]
> <https://www.youtube.com/user/WAStateLibrary>
> <https://www.instagram.com/washingtonstatelibrary/>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

-- 
-- 
Carla Steinberg Pfahl, Librarian
Reference Outreach & Instruction / AskMN.org Coordinator
Minitex <http://www.minitex.umn.edu/> / University of Minnesota
60 Wilson Library
309 19th Ave So
Minneapolis, MN 55455
pfahl001 at umn.edu
<pfahl001 at umn.edu>
612-626-6845
1-800-462-5348

elibrarymn.org
askmn.org
ebooksmn.org
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