<div dir="ltr">Hi Sara, <div><br></div><div>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:</div><div>- changing the name of the service from the brand (AskMN or Ask a Librarian) to Get Help Now (similar to what Bill suggested)</div><div>- identify key point of need areas on the website and databases</div><div>- place chat widget in course sections (moodle, canvas... worked with individual teachers on this and identified as Library Resources)</div><div><br></div><div>I hope this helps. </div><div>Carla</div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Tue, Sep 22, 2020 at 12:09 PM Pardue, Bill <<a href="mailto:bpardue@ahml.info">bpardue@ahml.info</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
<div lang="EN-US">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Hi,<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">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.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">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.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">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.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">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.
</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif">😊</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">--Bill Pardue<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;color:rgb(118,138,133);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in">Bill Pardue</span><span style="font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;color:rgb(102,102,102)"> – Digital Services Librarian<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;color:rgb(102,102,102)">Arlington Heights Memorial Library<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;color:rgb(102,102,102)">847.506.2667 /
</span><span style="font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;color:rgb(49,132,155)"><a href="mailto:bpardue@ahml.info" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(49,132,155)">bpardue@ahml.info</span></a></span><span style="font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;color:rgb(102,102,102)">
<br>
500 N. Dunton Avenue </span><span style="font-size:7pt;font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;color:rgb(167,188,183)">•</span><span style="font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;color:rgb(102,102,102)"> Arlington Heights, IL 60004</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">
<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
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<div style="border-right:none;border-bottom:none;border-left:none;border-top:1pt solid rgb(225,225,225);padding:3pt 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> collaborative-vr <<a href="mailto:collaborative-vr-bounces@omls.oregon.gov" target="_blank">collaborative-vr-bounces@omls.oregon.gov</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Tamara Ottum via collaborative-vr<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, September 21, 2020 2:54 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Peté, Sara <<a href="mailto:sara.pete@sos.wa.gov" target="_blank">sara.pete@sos.wa.gov</a>>; Collaborative Virtual Reference <<a href="mailto:collaborative-vr@listsmart.osl.state.or.us" target="_blank">collaborative-vr@listsmart.osl.state.or.us</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [collaborative-vr] Virtual Reference Marketing Resources<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Hi Sara,<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">I need help in this area as well, and would love to hear what you find out!<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">-Tamara<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(89,89,89)">Tamara Ottum<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(89,89,89)">(she/her)</span></i><b><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(89,89,89)"><u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(89,89,89)">Answerland Coordinator<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(31,78,121)"><a href="https://answerland.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(31,78,121)">answerland.org</span></a><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(89,89,89)">State Library of Oregon | Library Support & Development Services<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(31,78,121)"><a href="mailto:tamara.ottum@state.or.us" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(31,78,121)">tamara.ottum@state.or.us</span></a></span><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(46,116,181)">
</span><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(89,89,89)">|
</span><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(31,78,121)"><a href="tel:%20(503)%20378-6506" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(31,78,121)">503-378-6506</span></a></span><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(89,89,89)">
| </span><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(31,78,121)"><a href="http://www.oregon.gov/library" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(31,78,121)">www.oregon.gov/library</span></a></span><u><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(46,116,181)"><u></u><u></u></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
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<div style="border-right:none;border-bottom:none;border-left:none;border-top:1pt solid rgb(225,225,225);padding:3pt 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> collaborative-vr [<a href="mailto:collaborative-vr-bounces@omls.oregon.gov" target="_blank">mailto:collaborative-vr-bounces@omls.oregon.gov</a>]
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Peté, Sara<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, September 21, 2020 12:37 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Collaborative Virtual Reference <<a href="mailto:collaborative-vr@listsmart.osl.state.or.us" target="_blank">collaborative-vr@listsmart.osl.state.or.us</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [collaborative-vr] Virtual Reference Marketing Resources<u></u><u></u></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)">Hi Everybody,<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)">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?<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)">I’m looking for videos, LibGuides, PDFs, any format really…<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)">I am particularly interested in these topics but will happily look at other recommended resources as well:<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="gmail-m_177489767975433227MsoListParagraph" style="color:rgb(31,73,125);margin-left:0in">
<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Marketing statewide Ask A Librarian services (24/7 or not)<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="gmail-m_177489767975433227MsoListParagraph" style="color:rgb(31,73,125);margin-left:0in">
<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Marketing guides for folks using LibAnswers/LibChat
<u></u><u></u></span>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="circle">
<li class="gmail-m_177489767975433227MsoListParagraph" style="color:rgb(31,73,125);margin-left:0in">
<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">suggested best practices for chat widget set up, for example<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="gmail-m_177489767975433227MsoListParagraph" style="color:rgb(31,73,125);margin-left:0in">
<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">examples of libraries or consortiums doing a great job of this<u></u><u></u></span></li></ul>
</li><li class="gmail-m_177489767975433227MsoListParagraph" style="color:rgb(31,73,125);margin-left:0in">
<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Social media campaign examples<u></u><u></u></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)">I will certainly be happy to share what I get compiled.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)">Thank you!<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:rgb(69,85,108)">Sara Peté |
</span></b><b><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:rgb(182,132,81)">Community Outreach Librarian</span></b><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(69,85,108)">Washington State Library | Office of the Secretary of State<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(69,85,108)">6880 Capitol Blvd SE, Tumwater, Washington<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(182,132,81)">c:</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(69,85,108)"> 360-</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(68,84,106)">480-1005</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(69,85,108)"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)"><a href="mailto:sara.pete@sos.wa.gov" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">sara.pete@sos.wa.gov</span></a><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)">~connecting Washington through the power of libraries~<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.sos.wa.gov/library" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="192" height="87" style="width: 2in; height: 0.9062in;" id="gmail-m_177489767975433227Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:174b72a9b954cff311" alt="wsl-logo"></span></a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(69,85,108)">
</span><a href="http://www.wtbbl.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="120" height="87" style="width: 1.25in; height: 0.9062in;" id="gmail-m_177489767975433227Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:174b72a9b955b16b22" alt="WTBBL"></span></a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(69,85,108)"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/WashingtonStateLibrary/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="87" height="87" style="width: 0.9062in; height: 0.9062in;" id="gmail-m_177489767975433227Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:174b72a9b95692e333" alt="wsl colored social icons_Facebook - Round"></span></a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(69,85,108)"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/WAStateLib" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="87" height="87" style="width: 0.9062in; height: 0.9062in;" id="gmail-m_177489767975433227Picture_x0020_4" src="cid:174b72a9b957745b44" alt="wsl colored social icons_Twitter - Round"></span></a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(69,85,108)"> </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/WAStateLibrary" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="87" height="87" style="width: 0.9062in; height: 0.9062in;" id="gmail-m_177489767975433227Picture_x0020_5" src="cid:174b72a9b95855d355" alt="wsl colored social icons_YouTube - Round"></span></a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(69,85,108)">
</span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/washingtonstatelibrary/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125);text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="89" height="89" style="width: 0.927in; height: 0.927in;" id="gmail-m_177489767975433227Picture_x0020_6" src="cid:174b72a9b959374b66"></span></a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
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</blockquote></div><br clear="all"><div><br></div>-- <br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><font color="#888888">-- <br>Carla Steinberg Pfahl, Librarian<br>Reference
Outreach & Instruction / AskMN.org Coordinator<br><a href="http://www.minitex.umn.edu/" target="_blank">Minitex</a> / University of Minnesota<br>60 Wilson Library</font></div><div><font color="#888888">309 19th Ave So<br>Minneapolis, MN 55455<br><a href="mailto:pfahl001@umn.edu" target="_blank">pfahl001@umn.edu</a></font><a href="mailto:pfahl001@umn.edu" target="_blank"><font face="arial" size="1"><br></font></a><div>612-626-6845</div><div>1-800-462-5348</div></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://elibrarymn.org/" target="_blank">elibrarymn.org</a></div><div><a href="http://askmn.org" target="_blank">askmn.org</a></div><div><a href="http://ebooksmn.org" target="_blank">ebooksmn.org</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>