Society Marketing & Publicity

1. Society Marketing & Publicity For a visible society

2. Publicity • The membership drive does not end with FreshersFayre or Refreshers. • A well publicised society can continue to attract membership throughout the whole year, if marketed efficiently. • Thus, societies should make use of all platforms made available to them.

3. The Society Email • Every society is given an email upon ratification. If a society does not have one, the VP Activities and the Societies and Media Coordinator should be contacted to obtain an email. • Use the email to send regular updates on the society's activities. • Keep the email list constantly updated to ensure all members receive emails. • Make sure the Secretary or another committee member checks emails regularly. Replying quickly to enquiries creates a positive impression on potential members.

4. The UPSU Website • www.upsu.net is the Union’s website that provides the core of Union advertisement. • It is available for all societies promote themselves and their activities. • Societies have a specific website area assigned to each society to populate in any way they see fit. • The UPSU homepage has an events calendar - if you would like your society event/news to be featured, you can submit this at upsu.net/events. • Your VP Activities should be contacted for guidance and jasper.snaith@upsu.net can be emailed to request changes.

5. Social Media • Typically, social media is the best and most common means of communicating with members. • Facebook and Twitter are essential marketing tools for the society, as the majority of students will have accounts. • Facebook events should be made a week in advance to provide enough warning. • Regular posts or tweets of society updates keep members easily informed • Other mediums available could include: • Youtube – To post society promotional videos or videos of events and trips to promote the society. • Tumblr – The society can create a blog of news, events and pictures from activities. • Reddit – Share posts of relevance to a society subreddit.

6. Newsletters • A regular society newsletter can be useful to some societies, updating members of news and events. • The Societies Executive produce a Societies Newsletter that goes out to all members of societies. This can spotlight society events and activities to other societies and members. • Email the Society Media and Publicity Executive at socsmedia@upsu.net or the Society Executive Chair at societieschair@upsu.net • When sending information to be featured, for ease include: a headline, a short paragraph on what the event is about/detailing the news, date, time and location and a contact email or link to an event page.

7. Posters and Leaflets • Printing off posters and leaflets can bring advertisement to the society and events at targeted locations. • The Union Marketing Department has an in house Graphic Designer. You may request help, but with at least 4 weeks notice. Email marketing@upsu.net for more information. • Society committee members, society members or friends may have experience in design, who could assist in making leaflets. • Societies are free to use the UPSU logo on publicity materials, but the content must be cleared with the Activities Staff or VP Activities first if the logo wants to be used. • The University of Portsmouth logo or crest must NOT be used on any kind of logo, kit or marketing materials unless you have gained permission from the University via the Union marketing department. • Photocopying - The Union Shop provide a photocopying service, at a charge.

8. Photography and Filming • Taking photographs and filming video of socials and society activities is a great way to visually promote the society. • Youtube – As previously mentioned, uploading video, or creating presentations of still images, is a simple yet effective tool to promote the society. • Also, consider something that the society could film and upload that could go viral. • Post videos and photographs to the society Facebook page to attract potential members browsing the page. • The Union have digital SLR cameras and video cameras that can be lent to societies. Contact the Societies and Media Coordinator for information on booking equipment at jemma.cottam@upsu.net.

9. Student Media • The Union has various student media platforms. • The student media groups are often helpful in promoting societies and society activities. • Student media is far-reaching around the Union and University campus, so engaging with them can have a positive effect on membership. • UPSU media groups include: • Pure FM • The Galleon • UPSU TV • Pugwash Magazine

10. Pure FM • Pure FM is the UPSU radio station, playing 24/7 and regularly featuring shows, competitions and advertisements. • There are a multitude of ways that Pure FM may be able to assist in marketing your society: • Consider being featured on a existing show. • Applying for a weekly society show can be a great way of expanding society activities and publicity. It could allow a regular showcase of society activities, competitions to engage listeners and music. Email programming@purefm.com. • Pure FM have fifteen second society adverts playing every hour. Consider writing a short, fifteen second, line or two that promotes your society and send it in to adverts@purefm.com. • Request live broadcasting from your event or show. Email stationmanager@purefm.comto find out more, with at least two weeks notice.

11. The Galleon • The Galleon is the Union’s independent newspaper, providing articles, stories and reports written by students, for students. • There are several ways The Galleon can be utilised for society marketing: • The Galleon has a society spotlight section in every edition. Write a short article about your society and nominate it to be featured in an edition. Consider the aims of the society, what you do and why you do it. Include contact details or a link so readers interested can find you. Email features@galleonnews.com for more information. • The Galleon is always searching for more stories and reports. All students are a part of student media, so can apply for their work to be featured. Consider writing an article relating to the society, a report of an event or an entertainment review (Games, movies, music etc.). Email editor@galleonnews.com for more information.

12. UPSU TV • UPSU TV is the Union’s television broadcasting station. • They cover both a wide range of events as well as making their own shows. • Consider the ways UPSU TV may be able to help your society: • Publish your activities and events by requesting UPSU TV film your event. A professional video of your event reflects onto your society and UPSU can help. • Some societies may benefit from their very own TV show. This not only increases the activities your members may engage in, but can provide effective marketing and attraction of new members from the appeal of television. Consider a theme or type of show your society may want to do or may benefit from, especially if it is related to the common interest of the society. • Contact the Station Manager at stationmanager@upsu.tv for more information and requests.

13. Pugwash Magazine • Pugwash is the Union’s creative magazine. • Similar to The Galleon, anyone can write articles that could be used to publicise and market your society and activities. • Think about what kind of article that could be written to engage readers and promote the society. • Contact the Pugwash Editor for more information at editor@pugwashmagazine.com

14. The Photography Society • The Photography Society are a fellow society for students with a common interest in photography. • They regularly take photographs of student group events. • Photography can be contacted at filmandphoto@upsu.net for more information and queries.

15. Society Media and Publicity Executive • The Society Media and Publicity Executive is the Executive to go to for advice and guidance on publicising your society and making use of student media. • They can be contacted at socsmedia@upsu.net.

16. Useful Contacts • VP Activities – vpactivities@upsu.net • Society Executive Chair - societieschair@upsu.net • Societies and Media Coordinator – jemma.cottam@upsu.net • Society Media and Publicity Executive - socsmedia@upsu.net • UPSU Marketing - • Pure FM – committee@purefm.com or stationmanager@purefm.com • The Galleon - contact@galleonnews.com or editor@galleonnews.com • UPSU TV - stationmanager@upsu.tv • Pugwash Magazine - editor@pugwashmagazine.com • Photography Society - filmandphoto@upsu.net