[collaborative-vr] Virtual Reference Marketing Resources

Tue Sep 22 15:22:17 PDT 2020

Hi Sara and all,

I know this isn’t marketing per se but several years ago, AskAway developed and released Best Practices: Minimum Visibility Standards <https://askaway.org/staff/best-practices/visibility>.

This approach echoes a lot of what Bill and Carla have already said below about visibility. These best practices were developed by the previous AskAway coordinator and are a fairly comprehensive yet practical guide to help improve visibility of entry points (chat box, buttons, links, etc.).

They haven’t been updated in a few years, but I think quite a bit of the information still holds true.

We haven’t done any marketing campaigns but do have a page on the website where we’ve tossed a bunch of ideas for promotion and marketing, including some marketing materials such as bookmarks and a poster: https://askaway.org/staff/marketing-materials <https://askaway.org/staff/marketing-materials>

We’re working on Promotion and Communication Best Practices, but they got sidelined due to COVID. I can share out when they’re ready...

As a side note, one of our libraries recently implemented the AskAway chat box by default into all of their university’s Canvas (LMS) courses as a pilot. You can read more about it here: https://www.lib.sfu.ca/about/overview/services-you/connect-canvas <https://www.lib.sfu.ca/about/overview/services-you/connect-canvas> This seems like a great way to increase visibility and meet students right in their online courses.

This same library has a library cat that they use in a lot of their promotional materials and social media posts and they use it to promote chat as well. Here’s an example: https://twitter.com/sfu_library/status/1289329150059134976 <https://twitter.com/sfu_library/status/1289329150059134976> 

I hope this is helpful!
Cristen 

> On Sep 22, 2020, at 12:02 PM, Carla Steinberg Pfahl via collaborative-vr <collaborative-vr at omls.oregon.gov> wrote:
> 
> 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 <mailto: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 <mailto:bpardue at ahml.info> 
> 500 N. Dunton Avenue • Arlington Heights, IL 60004
> 
>  
> 
> From: collaborative-vr <collaborative-vr-bounces at omls.oregon.gov <mailto: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 <mailto:sara.pete at sos.wa.gov>>; Collaborative Virtual Reference <collaborative-vr at listsmart.osl.state.or.us <mailto: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 <https://answerland.org/>
> State Library of Oregon | Library Support & Development Services
> 
> tamara.ottum at state.or.us <mailto:tamara.ottum at state.or.us> | 503-378-6506 <tel:%20(503)%20378-6506> | www.oregon.gov/library <http://www.oregon.gov/library>
>  
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> From: collaborative-vr [mailto:collaborative-vr-bounces at omls.oregon.gov <mailto: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 <mailto: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 <mailto:sara.pete at sos.wa.gov>
>  
> 
> ~connecting Washington through the power of libraries~
> 
>  
> 
> <image001.png> <https://www.sos.wa.gov/library>     <image002.png> <http://www.wtbbl.org/>    <image003.png> <https://www.facebook.com/WashingtonStateLibrary/>   <image004.png> <https://twitter.com/WAStateLib>   <image005.png> <https://www.youtube.com/user/WAStateLibrary>   <image006.png> <https://www.instagram.com/washingtonstatelibrary/>
>  
> 
>  
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>  
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>  
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> 
> 
> -- 
> -- 
> 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 <mailto:pfahl001 at umn.edu>
>  <mailto:pfahl001 at umn.edu>612-626-6845
> 1-800-462-5348
> 
> elibrarymn.org <https://elibrarymn.org/>
> askmn.org <http://askmn.org/>
> ebooksmn.org <http://ebooksmn.org/>
Cristen Polley
Coordinator, BC Electronic Library Network
m. 604.653.2334
e. cristenp at bceln.ca | w. https://bceln.ca
My pronouns are she/her/hers

Mondays - Thursdays

The BC ELN office is located on the traditional, unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, Kwikwetlem, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

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