| December 2004 | Vol. 9 Issue 7 |
Extension staff now have an online resource that offers tips, guidelines and tools to effectively communicate with the people they serve.
The Communication Survival Guide Web site provides information in four categories:
- News and Media Relations
- Creating a Professional Image at Work
- Purdue's Image in the Digital World, and
- Marketing.
Within the Guide, users can learn how to prepare for television interviews, write better news releases, handle phone calls, develop Web sites, create county marketing plans and brand Purdue Extension.
"Today, it is critical that Purdue Extension find ways to communicate to larger and more diverse audiences. The Guide provides a good beginning on that," says Steve Cain, communication specialist and lead developer for the Web site. "Much of what is there is the result of the 10 years that I have been doing marketing and communication liaison work for the counties."
One of the tools featured on the site, is an e-newsletter template that helps Extension staff produce consistent, high-quality newsletters via e-mail.
One of the template's potential benefits is that it could reduce or eliminate newsletter printing and mailing costs. The template also gives Extension staff the ability to enhance newsletters by adding links to helpful Web sites and e-mail addresses.
The template, as well as instructions for how to use it, can be found on the Web site.
"I hope Purdue Extension personnel will review the materials at staff meetings," says Cain. "I also hope that individual educators, specialists and support staff will go through it to see what they can use."
The Guide also will be updated when new features become available. Check the site for updated EEO statements, new versions of the e-newsletter template and other communication issues important to Purdue Extension.
"The Guide will evolve and offer more information over time," says Cain. "We put our contact information on the Web site because we want to hear from educators and specialists as to what more we can offer."
Molly Brock, brockml@purdue.edu