Effective communication and advertising does NOT mean printing out a flier or poster, and putting it on a bulletin board. If you really want to "get the word out" and promote your program, department or organization in the BEST way possible, then start thinking "EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION," not fliers.

FSU offers excellent ways to communicate and promote to large audiences on campus. Using one or several of these promotional devices increases awareness about your department, organization or events. Here are some effective communication outlets to use that are FREE, or of little cost to your organization:

• There are several TVs located in academic and administrative buildings throughout campus that broadcast campus events 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You provide the information, and the scheduling staff will design the graphics and advertisement for you, and your new promotional spot is placed on the TVs.
• This service is free for Registered Student Organizations and FSU Departments through the Oglesby Union (Contact: 644-3434).

• Registered Student Organizations and FSU Departments can announce upcoming events and programs on the large marquee located at the Oglesby Union. This is an excellent way to advertise and promote you events to large numbers of people on campus.
• This service is free for Registered Student Organizations and FSU Departments and Programs through the Oglesby Union (Contact: 644-3434).

• You can contact the V89 Radio Station to receive air time/commercial space to promote you organization or upcoming events at FSU. Many FSU and outside community members listen to the radio station, making it an excellent format to communicate, advertise and promote your events, programs and organizations. (Contact: 644-0781; www.wvfs.fsu.edu).

• With the growth in the technology age, computers and Internet use has increased at a phenomenal rate among every age group in society. Websites have become one of the most highly used and effective tools for conveying large amounts of information to many people and diverse populations. On a daily basis, thousands of faculty, staff, students and visitors use the Internet and the FSU homepage to find out about the various activities, events and programs on campus. A simple homepage can be easily created and an updated on a weekly basis that: allows access to your organization's information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; promotes your group or department; provides information on meeting times and locations; and advertises upcoming events and programs.


Registered Student Organizations can obtain free assistance with website development and design through the SGA Publications Office (Contact: 644-0037; www.fsu.edu/~sga). The website can be posted for free on the FSU Union server by Organizational and Leadership Services (Contact: 644-3840; www.fsu.edu/~union/leadership).

• E-mail has become one of the fastest, economical, effective and most efficient methods for communicating with large numbers of people at one time. E-mail lists can be used to announce upcoming events and meetings to groups and individuals that are most likely to attend and have an interest in your department, events, programs or organization. Easy ways to create an exclusive e-mail list for your group are:
  1. At your events or offices, have a form or sign-up sheet available for people to sign and put their e-mail if they are interested in being sent information in relation to your organization or events.
  2. At your website, provide a place for individuals to sign-up and receive e-mails on updates and upcoming events.
  3. Whenever you have an information table or booth on campus, have a E-mail sign-up sheet at the table for those interested in receiving information and updates in the future.

• BE MORE VISIBLE: STAND OUT FROM OTHER PROMOTIONS. Use the Human Connection! Passing out fliers and posting them on bulletin boards, is not a very effective way of spending your time or money. Person-to-person contact is highly effective and personal. You have a much higher rate of getting another person to be interested in what your organization or program has to offer if you talk them face-to-face. Setting up a table or display booth is a personal and friendly approach to meeting others and promoting your organization and events. Don't forget to have an e-mail sign up sheet, and a information that promotes your website and upcoming events on-hand. You also save a lot of time and money from making a lot of fliers and passing them out, only to have them throw to the ground or in the trash. When a person visits your table, and takes information, you know it is someone that will keep your information, and has interest in what you have to offer.
• Reserved Tables are Free to Registered Student Organizations and FSU Departments (Contact: 644-6083). Tables are $20 for Non-FSU entities (Contact: 644-6710). To set-up a table at an academic building, contact the administrative office responsible for that building or College.

• Banners are very effective and visible, when used appropriately. Use banners for large events and programs that need to reach the university-wide community. Using too many banners, or using them too often will decrease its promotional effectiveness. Banners should signify a special events, such as:
  1. Annual celebrations/events.
  2. University-wide Extravaganzas.
  3. Campus-wide student elections/events.
• Banner space is free to registered student organizations and FSU departments in Oglesby Union (Contact: 644-6083). For other locations, please contact the Central Posting and Promotions Office (645-4811).

• The FSU Events and Activities Website is also a resource you can use to have your events posted and advertised. Submit your request to have you event posted on the website. FSU faculty, staff, students, visitors, and outside community members can access the site through the FSU homepage, and always obtain your current campus activities and meetings.
Contact the Central Posting and Promotions Office for submissions and information (645-4811).

• How many times have you heard about a program, activity, event or party though a friend, colleague or co-worker? IT WORKS! Use the many organizational members, friends, classmates and co-workers that are around you every day. If each person informed another person, or brought at least one person to your event or program, your attendance and promotion base for events and programs have just doubled. Always encourage people attending your events to participate in the organization and bring others to future events. These individuals become your greatest supporters and agents for growth.