Publicity Tips
"ASK ME ABOUT" Buttons (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Make buttons for key people to wear that will help encourage them to spread the word about an event. Inexpensive plastic name tags can be used to customize information for students and teachers to wear.
Backpack Tags (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Design luggage-type tags and ask people to hang them from their backpacks.
Bathroom Fliers (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Bathrooms are a great place for people to read publicity fliers if placed on the backs of stalls and near mirrors. Putting them on the ceiling can reduce chances that people will tamper with them.
Burma Shave Signs (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Spread a message out over several signs that have to be read in order. Can be pushed into the ground (like for sale signs) so people coming into building can read them or placed down a hallway. One word per sign. ex. Come - To - The - Dance - Friday!
Counter Flyers Under Contact Paper (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Place flyers flat on high traffic counters and tables, such as office areas, library, attendance area, lunch tables, condiment bar in lunch room, etc. Cover the flyer with a piece of clear contact paper that has 1 additional inch overlap on each side. This will allow the flyer to be protected and long- lasting. The surface can even be wiped clean without disturbing the paper.
Cup Messages in a Chain Link Fence (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Push Styrofoam cups into the holes of a chain link fence to write out a simple message. Be sure to clean it up when finished. Plastic cups can work as well and add color.
Digi-Badges (submitted by Susan Bennett, Selah Junior High School )
These are small electronic devices that turn a student into a walking reader board. Each digi-badge is a pin which measures 3.125" x 1.75" and can be purchased for about $30 each. You can program up to six different messages on the badge and the messages can be changed as often as needed. It can generate a lot of bucks at a school.
Doorhangers on Classroom/Office Doors (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Use a long, rectangular piece of card stock with a circle cut out at the top, designed to slip over a door handle. Make them brightly colored with simple messages.
E News! (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Collect email addresses of willing students. Send a group email to promote school events.
Flyers with Tear-Off Bottoms (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Design fliers with a fringe bottom that people can tear off and take as a personal reminder.
Four Rules of Event Promotion (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
High Traffic Easels (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Put easel messages or posters on cones in the middle of high traffic hallway areas.
Homemade T-Shirt/Arm or Head Bands (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Get old T-shirts and turn them inside out to create a solid color surface. Use fabric paint or just permanent markers to design a promotion message. Can also make arm or head bands with markers and white sheet strips.
Human Sandwich Boards (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Using two pieces of flat cardboard, tie the tops together with pieces of rope so that it can be worn by a student. Have them walk in the bus area, hallways, lunch room, and other places that will attract attention.
Involve Art Teacher (submitted by Bill Oman, Kelso H.S.)
Incorporate the art teacher/class as much as possible when making posters. Have some training or a formal clinic put on. Buy a tarp to put down each time as well.
Outlined Lettering (submitted by Kim Peterson, Lincoln M.S.)
When making posters we always encourage our students to outline their letters in either black paint or felt pen. This extra step helps "lift" the letters off the page and makes the message easier to read. It also gives a more professional, finished look to the poster. Students are less likely to "mess" with the poster.
PCV Pipe (submitted by Jeff Cohn, Decatur H.S.)
PCV Pipe can be magic when it comes to hanging posters for display. The pipe can also frame a large poster for "run throughs" during sports events and pep assemblies.
Portable Mic or Megaphone (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Some lunch areas may already have a microphone which can be used for promotion when students are in the area. Additionally, a portable mic or megaphone can be carried by students willing to “shout out” a promotional message in student areas.
Postermaking Tips (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Download 4-page Postermaking Tip Packet (Adobe Acrobat PDF file)
Powerpoint on a TV Screen (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Stick a simple PowerPoint presentation by the lunch-line so people can see it while then are passing by or waiting to get school lunch or breakfast. Arrange for it to be a few key screens that repeat.
Press Release Window/Bulletin Board (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Designate a secure place in the school where clubs, teams, and ASB organizations can post a “Press Release.” A Press Release form can be available for quick and easy use.
Sidewalk Chalk (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Use authorized areas of the school to write sidewalk messages. Can be sprayed off when finished.
Smart Spots (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
In a classroom, look for the hot spots where people tend to look during the school day. Promotion near the clock can be the best places for high “eye” traffic. Other places may be near the pencil sharpener, garage cans, book turn in, and grade posting area.
Soda Machine Message (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Go into the pop machine and stick labels on the pop cans to promote an event. Each time someone buys a soda, they get a reminder of a message. Works for other vending items as well.
Student Parking Lot (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
For High School events which focus on upper class-men, place paper fliers on the windshield of student cars. Balloons with a custom message written with a permanent pen can also be tied to the antenna.
Table Tents (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Use folded card stock to make message tents that can be placed on lunch or library tables, teacher’s desks, or office counters. Don’t leave up too long.
Tray Liners (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Flyers can be places on student lunch/breakfast trays and/or other containers.
Weekly "In the Know" Forums (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Hold a forum once a week that is either open to all students or attended by a representative of advisory, etc. Students gather in a designated spot to hear a briefing from student leaders about what is going on.
Make buttons for key people to wear that will help encourage them to spread the word about an event. Inexpensive plastic name tags can be used to customize information for students and teachers to wear.
Backpack Tags (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Design luggage-type tags and ask people to hang them from their backpacks.
Bathroom Fliers (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Bathrooms are a great place for people to read publicity fliers if placed on the backs of stalls and near mirrors. Putting them on the ceiling can reduce chances that people will tamper with them.
Burma Shave Signs (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Spread a message out over several signs that have to be read in order. Can be pushed into the ground (like for sale signs) so people coming into building can read them or placed down a hallway. One word per sign. ex. Come - To - The - Dance - Friday!
Counter Flyers Under Contact Paper (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Place flyers flat on high traffic counters and tables, such as office areas, library, attendance area, lunch tables, condiment bar in lunch room, etc. Cover the flyer with a piece of clear contact paper that has 1 additional inch overlap on each side. This will allow the flyer to be protected and long- lasting. The surface can even be wiped clean without disturbing the paper.
Cup Messages in a Chain Link Fence (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Push Styrofoam cups into the holes of a chain link fence to write out a simple message. Be sure to clean it up when finished. Plastic cups can work as well and add color.
Digi-Badges (submitted by Susan Bennett, Selah Junior High School )
These are small electronic devices that turn a student into a walking reader board. Each digi-badge is a pin which measures 3.125" x 1.75" and can be purchased for about $30 each. You can program up to six different messages on the badge and the messages can be changed as often as needed. It can generate a lot of bucks at a school.
Doorhangers on Classroom/Office Doors (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Use a long, rectangular piece of card stock with a circle cut out at the top, designed to slip over a door handle. Make them brightly colored with simple messages.
E News! (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Collect email addresses of willing students. Send a group email to promote school events.
Flyers with Tear-Off Bottoms (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Design fliers with a fringe bottom that people can tear off and take as a personal reminder.
Four Rules of Event Promotion (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
- An event is only as good as its advertising.
- The brain loves novelty.
- One great product is better than five lame ones.
- Advertise X 3 = Each person should see or hear a message at least three different ways.
High Traffic Easels (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Put easel messages or posters on cones in the middle of high traffic hallway areas.
Homemade T-Shirt/Arm or Head Bands (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Get old T-shirts and turn them inside out to create a solid color surface. Use fabric paint or just permanent markers to design a promotion message. Can also make arm or head bands with markers and white sheet strips.
Human Sandwich Boards (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Using two pieces of flat cardboard, tie the tops together with pieces of rope so that it can be worn by a student. Have them walk in the bus area, hallways, lunch room, and other places that will attract attention.
Involve Art Teacher (submitted by Bill Oman, Kelso H.S.)
Incorporate the art teacher/class as much as possible when making posters. Have some training or a formal clinic put on. Buy a tarp to put down each time as well.
Outlined Lettering (submitted by Kim Peterson, Lincoln M.S.)
When making posters we always encourage our students to outline their letters in either black paint or felt pen. This extra step helps "lift" the letters off the page and makes the message easier to read. It also gives a more professional, finished look to the poster. Students are less likely to "mess" with the poster.
PCV Pipe (submitted by Jeff Cohn, Decatur H.S.)
PCV Pipe can be magic when it comes to hanging posters for display. The pipe can also frame a large poster for "run throughs" during sports events and pep assemblies.
Portable Mic or Megaphone (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Some lunch areas may already have a microphone which can be used for promotion when students are in the area. Additionally, a portable mic or megaphone can be carried by students willing to “shout out” a promotional message in student areas.
Postermaking Tips (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Download 4-page Postermaking Tip Packet (Adobe Acrobat PDF file)
Powerpoint on a TV Screen (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Stick a simple PowerPoint presentation by the lunch-line so people can see it while then are passing by or waiting to get school lunch or breakfast. Arrange for it to be a few key screens that repeat.
Press Release Window/Bulletin Board (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Designate a secure place in the school where clubs, teams, and ASB organizations can post a “Press Release.” A Press Release form can be available for quick and easy use.
Sidewalk Chalk (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Use authorized areas of the school to write sidewalk messages. Can be sprayed off when finished.
Smart Spots (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
In a classroom, look for the hot spots where people tend to look during the school day. Promotion near the clock can be the best places for high “eye” traffic. Other places may be near the pencil sharpener, garage cans, book turn in, and grade posting area.
Soda Machine Message (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Go into the pop machine and stick labels on the pop cans to promote an event. Each time someone buys a soda, they get a reminder of a message. Works for other vending items as well.
Student Parking Lot (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
For High School events which focus on upper class-men, place paper fliers on the windshield of student cars. Balloons with a custom message written with a permanent pen can also be tied to the antenna.
Table Tents (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Use folded card stock to make message tents that can be placed on lunch or library tables, teacher’s desks, or office counters. Don’t leave up too long.
Tray Liners (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Flyers can be places on student lunch/breakfast trays and/or other containers.
Weekly "In the Know" Forums (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Hold a forum once a week that is either open to all students or attended by a representative of advisory, etc. Students gather in a designated spot to hear a briefing from student leaders about what is going on.