Re: Promotions

[csjhs@eiu.edu (Jeanne H. Simpson)]

Jeri and James

Sara's observation that word of mouth is the best advertising for a
writing center is correct.  There is a corollary to that basic rule. Well,
maybe two corollaries, borne out by the things you and others have written.

Simpson's first corollary to Kimball's Law:
While it is useful to send messages to students through other faculty,
this must never be the primary means of reaching them, for faculty may
have a vested interest in failing to send or garbling the message.

Simpson's second corollary to Kimball's Law:
Find out where students are and get the message to them there in the form
they aare accustomed to receiving the messages you know they do pay
attention to.

So, if students pay attention to their sorority or fraternity leaders, go
to them and ask to speak.  If they congregate in the student union,
distribute your fliers and materials there. If they read the student
paper, publish something in it.  If they are commuter students who come to
campus at odd hours, you may have to ask if you can put something in their
parking application forms. Or maybe if you can get a good up-to-date
mailing list, a one-time 3rd class mailing might be worthwhile. Distribute
those bookmarks at a basketball game where they take tickets. Put one in
the programs. Put them by the copy machines.  Stick them under windshields.


Jeanne Simpson
csjhs@eiu.edu